Valentine 1 or Escort 8500 or wait for the new X-50?????

[m3f_95RogueM3]

I dont think it is a waste of money as is really is every bit as good as the 8500. I guess the arrows are sweet and most recently after selling both my never-installed sr7 and zr3 as well as my 8500 (car is in storage and money can get tight) I drove a friends e46 m3 with a v1...and I will say on this mountainous road where straights reach 120ish and curves are banked to be handled at around 70 it was nice to know that the cops were behind me and not in front of me ..and it was right there were no cops ahead.



I think the 8500 is excellent for around town and most applications where you are going to slow down no matter what when you hear radar and not care where it is coming from but in this instance I was having fun and instead of the 8500 just beeping the valentine allowed me to continue having fun.



One feature the v1 should have is the ability to make different tones for different bands as they 8500 does and also it is kind of hard to see which band is illuminated as only an led lights up next to the band on the v1 as opposed to the 8500's screen reading out the signal and the band.



My .02= they both have advantages..i Think i like the arrows.



-Richard

[m3f_Flybry07_aa2e46014a]

Yea I think I knew the answer before I asked it. I had a feeling it would go back and forth, but that isint really bad thing. It actually proves just how neck and neck they both are.



I think i might just hold off and wait for this new 8500 x-50, if it is going to be even better than the 8500 than I think its fair to say that it could possibly be the best buy for a windshield mount detector.



But on the other side I love the professional feel of the valentine and the arrows are neat. But I have a few possible gripes about it that maby you guys can clear up for me:



*Is it easy to slip the detector on and off the suction cup bracket without removing the bracket itself from the windsheild? (the escorts are great at this, just push the button and it slides right off)



*Also does it have a city mode or does it adjust itself accordingly? I do alot of driving in the New haven area and I will get annoyed very quickly if its going to chrip off every x band in the area!!!





*Does it only have a auto dimming feature? Or can that be easily adjusted? Im guessing it goes dim at night and bright during the day. Im just hoping it does a good job with that.





*Does the V1 make the same warning sound for every band? Meaning that that same sound for lazer is the same sound for x band!!?!?!?



*Lastly is it easy to instantly read the warnings on the screen? It seems to me this is its biggest short comming because its a much more complicated display than the 8500's. I think this is my biggest concern I just want to be able to glance at it and know right away what I have to do!!





This is a tough one and I too am going back and forth on this one. I do alot of highway commuting/ and back roads driving so having the best range and sensitivity is VERY important to me.



The V1 sounds like the ticket but I get annoyed very easily, and Im worried that its non muting feature/ auto dimming/ and x band falsing is going to wear me thin very quickly!!!



Let me know what you think!!



Thanks for all the input!!

[m3f_95RogueM3]

to answer what I know:



-There are multiple modes in which different sensitivites can be toned down or off (such as x band)



-The band is hard to tell when glancing at the detector as it just illuminates an l.e.d. next to the band on the detector face.



-I dont believe the sound changes from band to band



-There is no auto-mute as the passport has so it will beep at full volume until you manually mute it



-Richard



I have broken 800 posts :dance:

[m3f_pester]

there are three different sensitivity modes on the v1.

the band is designated by an led light, and different sounds for x, k-k/a, and laser.

it does not auto mute, you simply push the volume knob and it mutes according to the mute vol setting you dial in.

if you can't understand why it is important to have an idea where the signal is coming from, the v1 isn't for you.

as one person wrote, "you need to have a brain to operate it."

the v1 also tells you how many signals you are picking up., scenario: you are driving down the freeway and the radar goes off. the back arrow is lit up, you hear k-band and slow down. the cop is on the other side of the road issuing a ticket. you accelerate only to find the next hill you crest has a pig sitting on the shoulder. v1 flashes the forward arrow then to tell you there is something ahead. other wise you may think the alert on the 8500 is for the one you already passed. for amateurs and those who can't afford the x-tra franklin for a v1, you should by all means purchase an 8500.

[m3f_BlkBimM3R_4c5ffa766f]

I haven't extensively tried the 8500 but the V1 has saved me numerous times.... just for the hell of it.. my friend and I decided to drive side by side going speed limit and LOOKING for cops Lol.. the V1 picked up the cop quicker.. but in the end both did their job... the early warning is nice if your going real fast though... either way I love my V1 and am keeping it..

[m3f_Norlin]

The 8500 also picks up multiple signals and alerts you to them seperately (just needs to be configured that way, default settings do not alert you to multiple signals), though it still does not tell you which direction the signal is coming from.

[m3f_tchiaffredo]

Yea I think I knew the answer before I asked it. I had a feeling it would go back and forth, but that isint really bad thing. It actually proves just how neck and neck they both are.



I think i might just hold off and wait for this new 8500 x-50, if it is going to be even better than the 8500 than I think its fair to say that it could possibly be the best buy for a windshield mount detector.



But on the other side I love the professional feel of the valentine and the arrows are neat. But I have a few possible gripes about it that maby you guys can clear up for me:



*Is it easy to slip the detector on and off the suction cup bracket without removing the bracket itself from the windsheild? (the escorts are great at this, just push the button and it slides right off)



*Also does it have a city mode or does it adjust itself accordingly? I do alot of driving in the New haven area and I will get annoyed very quickly if its going to chrip off every x band in the area!!!



*Does it only have a auto dimming feature? Or can that be easily adjusted? Im guessing it goes dim at night and bright during the day. Im just hoping it does a good job with that.



*Does the V1 make the same warning sound for every band? Meaning that that same sound for lazer is the same sound for x band!!?!?!?



*Lastly is it easy to instantly read the warnings on the screen? It seems to me this is its biggest short comming because its a much more complicated display than the 8500's. I think this is my biggest concern I just want to be able to glance at it and know right away what I have to do!!



This is a tough one and I too am going back and forth on this one. I do alot of highway commuting/ and back roads driving so having the best range and sensitivity is VERY important to me.



The V1 sounds like the ticket but I get annoyed very easily, and Im worried that its non muting feature/ auto dimming/ and x band falsing is going to wear me thin very quickly!!!



Let me know what you think!!



Thanks for all the input!!





Sorry, but you sound like your a long way from the answer. The V-1 is the way to go. That's the answer!



The arrows aren't neat. :fuming: After you've had that arrow pointing behind you go off once, you'll be saying glad I know where I should be looking. The arrows help you identify if the radar is on your side of the road, or the other. Best yet, is when you've got the Bogey counter, and the front arrow, and the back arrow going off. Of course you've slowed down already because 3/4 a mile ago, the first alert went off. :dance:



Very easy to remove! Depress the clip on top, and she slides right out of the holder. The suction cups even have a quick release bar that helps break the seal. I've mounted mine just to the left of the rearview, very high. It's almost like a Heads Up Display in this position. If I have the volume turned down, or the radio turned up, it's close enough to my line of sight to get my attention. I can still use my visor too! Hardwired to the cabin light.



The main volume is adjustable, and the muted volume is adjustable. When I'm sitting at that light, and the supermarket X-band is screaming, I just push the mute, and it's reduced to the desired muted volume.



Auto Dimming: It's got it! :thumbsup:



The only complaint I can make is the band labels are not illuminated at night. Not a problem anymore because you will learn their locations. I did.



It's not complicated, it's informative. If you don't like being informed, then your going to get the ticket, not me. When I know how many sources, what band(s), which direction, and how strong I'm very informed.



The range is INCREADIBLE!!! I can't say this enough. The range is INCREADIBLE! This is VERY important because not all cops cruise with their radar blaring (some do). If they are serious about catching fast movers, they spot check. Turning it on, and off. If you can be alerted a mile ahead (or more) that a radar is being used in this fashion, then you better prepared than the guy next to you. Remember, you don't have to swim faster than the Shark, just faster than your buddy.



Nope, there is a different alert for each band. We have one of those Vegas like signs here in the SF Bay Area on the 101. Hell, when that puppy sets it off, you feel like you've won the jackpot. Some of the new car break lights (LED) will indicate Laser. Very rare, but it happens! X-band is radar too! Every RD is going to alert on it.



Happy M-ing!



TonyC

[m3f_ubersnax]

so you're paying over $200 more for arrows and a rear sensor that wont even work worth a damn if you've got dark tint..



i'll stick with my Escort S2 (wireless 8500)..

i dont need arrows.. if im speeding and it says KA im just gonna slow down.. i dont care where its coming from. i just care that i was alerted before it was too late.

and yes, Escort has a higher KA range.. which is what most cops use.



V1 is a very good detector.. just not worth the extra money.... "ooooo pretty arrows".

[m3f_tchiaffredo]

so you're paying over $200 more for arrows and a rear sensor that wont even work worth a damn if you've got dark tint..



i'll stick with my Escort S2 (wireless 8500)..

i dont need arrows.. if im speeding and it says KA im just gonna slow down.. i dont care where its coming from. i just care that i was alerted before it was too late.

and yes, Escort has a higher KA range.. which is what most cops use.



V1 is a very good detector.. just not worth the extra money.... "ooooo pretty arrows".



To each their own. Someone has to get these tickets. I feel that I made a purchase that gives me a hugh advantage over my fellow speed freaks.



Works with my dark tint. That's new one, radar & tint. Hell, you can put this thing in your boxershorts, and it will still outperform anything on the market.



Seriously, Laser is the only thing that needs line of site and cares about tint. I think we all agree that if you get Lasered, your screwed.

[m3f_Rmeen15]

Seriously though is it really neccesary to spend 300 + on one if I can get the BEST one at radioshack for 100 bucks? Becuase ive seen the radioshack kind work...it seems to fulfill its function.

[m3f_mfree_dad161963d]

No one has mentioned the remote display that is available onlt with a V1. I currently have it on the plug but I am planning on putting it in front of the guages just off center to the right. Cops will pull you over more often if they see the lights of your detector. and people w/out detectors want to follow you. Mount it up out of sight and put the display where you need it. totally worth the 40 extra $.

Once you use a V1 for any length of time all others will seem inferior. The 8500 is not bad, not at all. the V1 will just plain gives you more info. INFORMATION is POWER!!

Those "oooo pretty arrows" will save your butt. {multiple cops scenario}. they will also keep your average speed up.

removing it from the windshield is simple. Unplugging it can be a pain in the arse, I wonder how many cycles that plug can handle b4 it breaks?

[m3f_95blkbimm3_9842002abc]

I have a V1, it does have different sounds for different types of radar, and it is reprogrammable. go to their website as it tells you all the spiffy features of the V1, www.valentine1.com



my personal opinion is that the V1's arrows make all the difference, because if a cop is coming up behind you on the highway, you're not going to know that without the arrows!



o0o and it does have auto dimming for when it gets dark

[m3f_Extrav.Dre_53c7fb859e]

Right Click, Save As for a video to hardwire your radar decector! (http://s90798419.onlinehome.us/radar1final.mov)

curtasy of RedHeadFred

[m3f_mmg]

V-1 because of the arrows - they will save your ass, and here's why:



The arrows are important because if the radar ever goes off and shows something coming from the sides, you don't have to worry, because that's a false alarm. However, if you are in Austin or other cities, our lovely cops here decide to stick with X-band. So what you may dismiss as a false alarm on another radar, the V1 will tell you the signal is coming from behind of in front of you - which means pay attention and slow down.



Another scenario is when the cop knows where the false alarms are. If its your daily route to work, you may ignore that false alarm everytime you pass it. But one morning, your V1 signals slightly differently, showing multiple bogies. (Usually even numbers are false alarms, as automatic doors and other things are picked up in pairs of 2). So this one morning you get a flashing 3 instead of a 2, with X-band and K-band both lit, and the arrows pointing sideways and forward. Now you know there's a cop. Now you slow down, and wave to the cop as you safely pass him.

[m3f_mfree_dad161963d]

Yea I think I knew the answer before I asked it. I had a feeling it would go back and forth, but that isint really bad thing. It actually proves just how neck and neck they both are.



I think i might just hold off and wait for this new 8500 x-50, if it is going to be even better than the 8500 than I think its fair to say that it could possibly be the best buy for a windshield mount detector.





Let me know what you think!!





Thanks for all the input!!

I waited for a while so I could save up some $.....I got a 77 in a 45 cost me 500.00 fine. Ordered the v1 the next day and ate ramen noodles for a while.

Do not w8. Get something NOW!