Can't decide between "Valentine 1" or "Escort 9500xi". Need your advises.

[koxal]

I am really trying to buy one of that 2 detectors but I wasnt expecting it to be that hard...

They are both very good at in that business and their reviews are also strongly prove that, however, I can not keep them both therefore need to make a decision..

i searched the forum and almost read everything but that still couldnt really convinced me to buy either one..

Buying both and trying risk free 30 days is an option but at the end of the day, they are both good at this job. i dont know what really differenciates that two units from each other?

[isugoo]

Both are great detectors but I personally love the Arrow function on V1. It's really handy when you know which direction radar is.
And love concealed display. I can kinda stealth install my V1 and keep my concealed display in dash board.

I vote for V1.

[koxal]

Originally Posted by isugoo

Both are great detectors but I personally love the Arrow function on V1. It's really handy when you know which direction radar is.
And love concealed display. I can kinda stealth install my V1 and keep my concealed display in dash board.

I vote for V1.

Do you have a pic of your dash board?

[koxal]

guys, any ideas or advises?

[ersin]

Valentine 1! Just get it.

[Dartanium]

I'm on the same page, leaning towards the Vaentine 1 and coming from a Passport x50

[John Tanglewood]

My dad has them all, so I get to try them whenever I want.

Lately I have been using the Escort 9500xi in our X5, but I still truly prefer the valentine one due to its indication arrows --

The escort is acutally priced at like $100 more than the V1.

If you choose to decide NEITHER, then I recommend a full jammer install.

[Krozi]

V1

[major_kusanagi]

It really depends on your driving environment.

9500xi: more city driving and lots of speed cameras and traps

V1: more highway driving and where you do not have many speed cameras and etc.

V1 gets my vote cuz I do most of my driving in open areas. And its advanced logic mode does filter false signals quite well.

[koxal]

my car is a lease, but i still want to have it installed at least just to hide the cables..

most people prefers V1 which i am also gonna order soon.

and ideas for places to do the installation around New Jersey??? and how much roughly???

thanks..

[ersin]

It's really not hard to install it yourself. I've done a (semi) stealth install (where cables don't show) on several cars. You need to pull panels out a bit, not all the the way off, usually with your hand but sometimes you need one of those plastic wedge tools to get it started. If you're very careful a screwdriver wrapped in something soft will work.

I like to tap power from the fusebox but this usually means more cable. You can tap power right above the RVM if you don't use the remote switches or displays. There are a few DIY posts about this if you search. On a DIY scale of 1 to 10, I'd say this is a 2 or 3.

[koxal]

Originally Posted by ersin

It's really not hard to install it yourself. I've done a (semi) stealth install (where cables don't show) on several cars. You need to pull panels out a bit, not all the the way off, usually with your hand but sometimes you need one of those plastic wedge tools to get it started. If you're very careful a screwdriver wrapped in something soft will work.

I like to tap power from the fusebox but this usually means more cable. You can tap power right above the RVM if you don't use the remote switches or displays. There are a few DIY posts about this if you search. On a DIY scale of 1 to 10, I'd say this is a 2 or 3.

i am not sure if i am that handy to be able to do this

but i'll give a try anyways. thanks.

[ersin]

Be sure to look over at the DIY threads. I'd help you out if I were in your area. Good luck.

[koxal]

I will order my V1 today and probably get it by mid next week...

For harwiring, I guess I will take care of it myself, i wouldnt say no if anyone close by would help me out with that..

i live in north jersey and would appriciate your helps..

[asp17]

V1 is Great.. Love the Arrows.....

Depends in your area.. I got alot of "X" and "K" falses in my area.. I bought them both and more then the Arrows I liked 9500ix's Lockout Feature and GPS. However the V1 in addition to the arrows, the range seemed a bit more.

[moog55]

v1 all the way.

do the hardwire yourself. i'd do the fuse tap method though instead of opening up the headliner and grounding to your roof and all that. fuse tap method takes like 10 minutes and you're done.

[62Lincoln]

V1. Another factor is that Mike Valentine (creator and owner) occasionally upgrades the V1 when technology advances, and he has always offered an upgrade path for current owners that costs less than having to buy the new model. I've had mine for probably 20+ years (maybe a few less, can't remember) and I've had it upgraded twice. It's a great product with fantastic support. As the other posters have noted, the directional arrows are a great informational tool.

[JohnnyRoaster]

I have been really happy with the 9500xi. I have had a V1 in the past but got annoyed with all the false signals. The GPS is great on the passport and I find the range is fine on the highway. Most of my driving is around town so I prefer the Passport.

[John Tanglewood]

Just wanted to mention that my previous post was concerning the new Escort Redline, which is stupidly priced at $500 but has a great system.

Still prefer the V1

[koxal]

I still couldnt place my order yet...

being said that, escort 9500xi is $500 which i believe is a little overpriced but GPS feature really pays that off i guess.

and if i buy that from BestBuy, I can pay it in 18months with no interest + i can use my $100 of gift card.

thats a really hard decision to make...

[koxal]

V1 + Carrying Case + Shipping = $460 (no tax because out of state order)

Escort 9500xi = $535 (included tax) and I can pay that in 18 months with no interest.

Under these calculation, I believe they are almost the same price...

And GPS feature is really a plus because of avoiding the false alarms. Directional arrows on V1 is still a good feature but I guess i can look more carefully with Escort and take of that problem..

[koxal]

On top of that,

The arrows don't seem as important... I mean.. If I get an alert, my primary objective is to slow down to the speed limit regardless if it is coming from behind, side or front.

Am I missing something?