I bought one.... then i bought my uncle one. He swears by it. He states it has saved him from many tickets. I dont travel as much as him but it saved me once or twice.

adam

exhuast, intake, Clear Bra, Race pedals, momo ****, Eibach Sway Bars & Springs, Piaa 4150k, 15% tint, Bronze Volks CE28N 19" 245/275,
Custom Leather Interior

232520-g35 015.jpg

 

They are both very good, but the V1 has directional arrows which no other detector has. People say they don't care or they aren't important, and that's fine for them. I, however, like to know where the radar is coming from. Front, behind, or to the side, the V1 tells you. Even as you pass it (cop on the side of the road with his radar on), it changes to let you know exactly where it is.

It's not the best value, the Escort is. If you wan't to save some money I'll bet you will be very happy with the Escort. However, if you want to spend the extra $100, for the V1 then do so; you won't regret it.


Black/Willow 03.5 6MT, Premium, Navi, Aero, SAT
350Z Nismo CAI

 

Aren't all V1s upgradable? You can send it in and if there is an update they can upgrade it to the current version. For a fee of course.

<font color=purple>2004 G35 Coupe Diamond Graphite/Graphite 5AT</font color=purple>
Premium, Nav., 18" Wheels, Z-Xtreme Hyper Grounding Cables,
K&N filter, Clear Corners, 350Z Aluminum Pedals,
Sony Ericsson HCB-30

 

How about the K40? Radar and Lasar.

 

after doing some thinking.. i'd probably gonna buy V1 instead of escorts 8500.. I really like how V1 can give us the directions of the radar..

 

You will like the V1. I bought mine about two months ago.
With the direction finder, you learn to ignore the false alarms from auto door openers on hotels, shopping centers, service centers, etc. With the passport, it just alarms and after a while it drives you crazy. The V1 makes it more of a game and adds and interesting dimension to the driving experience, especially on interstates with all of the above distractions (false alarms) in abundance.

A friend who owned two V1's and got an 8500 for Christmas recommended the V1 to me very Strongly after he compared them. In fact he is going to replace the 8500 with a V1 and give the 8500 to one of his relatives. He uses the V1 on his Porshe Carrera and his 911. I have no regrets and feel the premium was well justified.

On a recent trip from Houston to St. Louis and back, the V1 saved my bacon three times. My average speed on the return trip after learning how to 'read' the information on the V1 was a tad under 70 mph on the trip meter. Love that V1!!

I hope this story helps you all.

 

I will get either the 8500 x50 and add on the ZR3 laser shifter, or get the passport SRX. I haven't decided at this point because my G won't arrive until later this month.

-Chris

 

Val 1 all the way. There is no substitute.


2004 Coupe, 5AT, Twilight blue / Willow int, K&N Typhoon CAI, Hyper Grounding Kit, Mtek Xenon Fog/High, Clear corners, Hypers, 18's, Aero, tint, Premium, Val 1.

 

Vic,
I've used several detectors, including V1 (my son has passport 8500). V1 is better due to the ability to indicate direction of source, although less sensitive. But...
You will really apreciate a "hidden" one. Passport SRX or similar will cost you more than a $1000. I decided to buy and install Whistler DE-3400. Installed it on the front bumper and use "remote" control unit which is hardly visible even from inside. It's easy to add "rear" unit and you will have 2 directional sensors. No problems with dangling cables, clear view (windshield), don't have to hide anything when arguing ticket, always on with an ignition key and includes laser sersor. Basic unit - below $200.
Your best defence - watch and analyze traffic.
Jerry

 

I can't believe no one has mentioned the fact that Car & Driver Magazine is on Valentine1's payroll. Any radar test put out by C&D is going to be biased towards the V1. And, as someone mentioned, www.radartest.com sells Escort products, so their tests will most likely be biased toward Escort so they can make money. Therefore, I wouldn't look to either of these places for radar detector reviews.

Having said that, I love my V1. To me, the directional arrows are worth the extra $. My dad owned an Escort (the 7500, not the 8500 or 8500 x50), and he now has a V1, and says there's no comparison. The Escort sits in a box in his closet.

2003.5 G35 Coupe 6MT Black/Willow
- Texas Tech Mechanical Engineering - Texas Tech Advanced Vehicle Engineering -

 

Although the design for the V1 hasnt changes in 2+ years, they do offer software upgrades for older generation ones. So the new V1 are upgraded in regard to the previous versions.

Twilight Blue G35 Coupe 6MT
Premium - Nav - Aero - Trunk Mat
Injen CAI

 

What about So. Cal? Is the V1 best for this region? How much laser dose CHP use? Dose CHP use laser at all? Can't remember is V1 even legal in Cali.?

Black on Black 6MT W/Clear Corners & PIAAs
Borla TDE
Hyper Grounding Kit
Z Tube/JWT Pop Charger
Custom 19s

 

Yes, V1 is legal in CA. Radar Jammers are illegal in Ca, tho. CHP does use laser and the V1 does detect laser, but usually by the time its detected it, its too late. Laser take less than 2 seconds to get a reading from. So no matter what kind of radar detector you have, it probably wont save you unless the CHP is lasering the car next to you.

Twilight Blue G35 Coupe 6MT
Premium - Nav - Aero - Trunk Mat
Injen CAI

 

So if CHP uses a lot of laser than what's the point? How much laser are they using vs. radar? I am assuming that CHPis quickly getting rid of radar, right?

Black on Black 6MT W/Clear Corners & PIAAs
Borla TDE
Hyper Grounding Kit
Z Tube/JWT Pop Charger
Custom 19s

 

Laser is rarely used, since the units are very expensive. They have to be standing still and be pointing to gun at your front license plate like a sniper. Radar is most common. It is probably a 50:1 ratio from radar use to laser use.

Twilight Blue G35 Coupe 6MT
Premium - Nav - Aero - Trunk Mat
Injen CAI