[Sweet Fx]

Well, I will not getting my Crawford any time soon 2-3 wks so… I am starting to shop for a new radar detector. I know I’m not breaking any new ground here but I would like to hear your opinions. I have read epinions, FA, and others. I am kind of leaning toward the V1 but at $400 + $40 for the mini display there has to be some less expensive good ones for those of us with limited funds.
I looked at a cordless solo at best buy that thing was HUGE. My current radar is 10+ yr old whistler and is half the size of the solo.
So, What are you usin’?

 

[ujmot]

The Escort Passport 8500. The thing that keeps Valentine on top is the directional alert arrows. Owners of the V1 absolutely cannot live without it and say it's worth every penny.

 

[oneminddoc]

V-1!!! It is the absolute best I have ever run. I have mine mounted high by the mirror and have not had to disable the laser detector (though I do get a rare blap from the ICC). I am amazed its range and accuracy. Worth every penny.!

 

[S_FL_LC_35]

V-1!!! It is the absolute best I have ever run. I have mine mounted high by the mirror and have not had to disable the laser detector (though I do get a rare blap from the ICC). I am amazed its range and accuracy. Worth every penny.!

Have to agree! I have the V1 and it's great. Had the Escort batt. operated before this and the V1 blows it away. The arrows are great but what sold me was that it is upgradeable (at a price) as new technology comes out.

Don't know if you can upgrade any other detector out there.

 

[MustGoFastR]

Yup, V1. If you're going to bother with a radar detector at all, it's not an area to skimp on.

 

[FromHereToInfiniti]

Motor Trend did some testing recently. It seems that the V1 and the 8500 are both top notch, and it's probably just a matter of taste (do you or don't you care about the arrows?). For those of us screwed by the Virginia ban on detectors, we have to go the stealth route. :evil:

 

[ujmot]

Just to clarify: I do not own any radar detector.

I recommended the 8500 based on all the independent tests I've read on radar detectors (and in many of the tests, the Escort won over the V1 in range, etc... although not by much). The only thing that the 8500 lacks is the directional arrows, which may be worth the extra $200 to some people.

 

[mushutofu]

This issue has been split between the V1 and 8500. Other forums have had this debate and has never been settled. Both work fine but the V1 has nice options that you can buy liek a remote location unit that you can place wherever you want.

Last I heard the passport was coming out with a new version.

 

[contaygious]

The arrows are reason enough for me, i need to know where to look to see my threat before i shrug it off. just get a V1 and disable X band because cops rarely even use that any more. the laser detector helped me a few times thank god! and i'm in a slow azz jeep!

 

[MustGoFastR]

The only thing that the 8500 lacks is the directional arrows, which may be worth the extra $200 to some people.

Extra $100. Last I checked, the 8500 was $299 and the V1 $399.

 

[FromHereToInfiniti]

Okay, can someone who's a V1 fan explain why they feel having the arrows is useful? I'm not endorsing anything here...my own detector is quite old...but I just don't understand what use knowing the direction of the cop is? For example, suppose you have a V1, and it's giving you an arrow, but you don't see the threat...what do you do, just continue speeding?...obviously not, so the arrow didn't do a thing for you. So, what am I missing by saving the extra $100, and getting an 8500?

 

[particlefx]

I'd add that trying to visually locate the cop first and THEN decide whether to slow or not would be highly risky. On the other hand, the arrows would still be useful IMO because I've been hit many times in the past and never knew where the source was or if it was just a false alarm.

 

[FromHereToInfiniti]

I'd add that trying to visually locate the cop first and THEN decide whether to slow or not would be highly risky. On the other hand, the arrows would still be useful IMO because I've been hit many times in the past and never knew where the source was or if it was just a false alarm.

But how would the arrows tell you if it's a false alarm...could you be certain? Sure you could take a look, but would you risk it if you didn't happen to see a cop in that direction? Personally, I gotta believe that as long as the buzzer is sounding, most people are going to continue to be cautious...arrows or not, which is the reason I'm questioning their value.

 

[Sweet Fx]

You know, the arrows are to be able to point and then wave.
lol

What is the physical size of the V1?

 

[MustGoFastR]

Not sure of the exact dimentions, but it's pretty compact. I helped a buddy hardwire his into his FX a few weeks back. Since he has the remote display, we mounted the main unit behind the rearview mirror off to the right. You can't even see it from the driver's seat. Only bad thing is, there's just no real good place to mount the remote display. You can either put it in a fairly good spot aesthetically, but it's too far out of your line of sight or put it in a good spot visibly where it sticks out like a sore thumb.

 

[ujmot]

The only thing that the 8500 lacks is the directional arrows, which may be worth the extra $200 to some people.

Extra $100. Last I checked, the 8500 was $299 and the V1 $399.

I've seen brand new 8500s on eBay for ~$200.

 

[BELLAFX]

FWIW, there are several threads on the "other" forum about V-1 installations... do a search on "stealth install" 8)

 

[contaygious]

the arrows are useful. you always slow down when u hear a beep, but if the arrow is behind u then it is nice to know because there might be a cop way back and so u can keep checking your rear view mirror for him. and if u see the arrow is point forward and then it changes to the side u know what set off the v1 is next to you and then u can remember so that next time u drive up and u hear an alarm but see 2 bogies instead of 1 you know there might be a cop there.

it's very helpful because it's really easy to just disregard when the v1 goes off in the usual plaes, but if u see an arrow and a bogey count u can asses the threats better. it's hard to understand, but i love the arrows and think it was worth every penny.

 

[Ed]

Another advantage of the arrows on the V1 is you can quickly eliminate a threat when you pass stores that have auto openers...it's worth it.

 

[FromHereToInfiniti]

Another advantage of the arrows on the V1 is you can quickly eliminate a threat when you pass stores that have auto openers...it's worth it.

I guess I can see the point if you're passing a familiar spot, and getting the same hit as you did when going by previously. If it's unfamiliar, I doubt that you'd jump back on it though. It sure would be nice to see one in action before plunking down the cash...not too likely for me here in VA though...friggin' no detector law! :-x