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

[major_kusanagi]

Oh, trust me. The arrows are indispensable.

[koxal]

Originally Posted by major_kusanagi

Oh, trust me. The arrows are indispensable.

yes but, Once radar detector goes off, you will slow down to limits anyways. so whats the point of seeing the arrows and look for the co if it is on the front or near or at the back..

[ersin]

Originally Posted by koxal

yes but, Once radar detector goes off, you will slow down to limits anyways. so whats the point of seeing the arrows and look for the co if it is on the front or near or at the back..

If it's in the back then you can search for the bogey. If the bogey is far enough back you don't have to slow down. Keep watching your rear view mirror until the bogey catches up, if ever.

If the bogey is in the front keep your eyes peeled to the front. Depending on how the reception ramps up you'll be able to tell if the bogey is on the side of the road running radar or if it is on the other side of the road coming toward you, in which case you don't need to slow.

The side arrows come in handy to know when you've passed the bogey. Sometimes the bogey is hidden well enough, or it may be nighttime, that you cannot see it. By passing it you'll know when or if it's time to get back up to speed.

If it's a laser alert, whether front or back, it's always prudent to check your speed. Sometimes you can catch a bit of the laser signal even when either of you cannot see each other. But don't bet on it because most of the time when a laser alert sounds then you'll be in the bogey's sight. The good thing is that if you are looking (except when the bogey is behind) you'll usually see who/what the bogey is before the laser alert goes off.

Don't forget: a radar/laser detector is not a cop finder. It's just an aid to watch out for being ambushed by these speed measuring devices. It won't do diddly for you if the LEO is pacing you or using some other method like VASCAR or aircraft.

Cheers.

[tunnie]

I have the passport 8500, 8500 and the 9500i. I'm really considering ordering the valentine one... i've been happy/fine with the passports but I just want to try something new and been hearing nothing but good things about the valentine. I always felt as if the valentine never UPGRADED because of the hardware consistency but now I see the software upgrades. Plus it includes all the stuff to direct mount. I had to buy all the hardwire stuff for the passport before.


anyone know if this statement is still true about the V1?

" I'd be careful though...as much as I love the V1, Virginia has been getting a lot of Spectre RDD's, and the newer V1's are VERY detectable, due to a manufacturing change from a couple years ago. If you are going to use an RDD, unfortunately the only stealth options are the Bel STI or STI-r (custom install) or the Escort 9500ci (custom install). "

this is from 2005 so hopefully its been fixed since. http://guysoflidar.com/radar-detecto...-rdd-test.html

[ersin]

Originally Posted by tunnie

I have the passport 8500, 8500 and the 9500i. I'm really considering ordering the valentine one... i've been happy/fine with the passports but I just want to try something new and been hearing nothing but good things about the valentine. I always felt as if the valentine never UPGRADED because of the hardware consistency but now I see the software upgrades. Plus it includes all the stuff to direct mount. I had to buy all the hardwire stuff for the passport before.


anyone know if this statement is still true about the V1?

" I'd be careful though...as much as I love the V1, Virginia has been getting a lot of Spectre RDD's, and the newer V1's are VERY detectable, due to a manufacturing change from a couple years ago. If you are going to use an RDD, unfortunately the only stealth options are the Bel STI or STI-r (custom install) or the Escort 9500ci (custom install). "

this is from 2005 so hopefully its been fixed since. http://guysoflidar.com/radar-detecto...-rdd-test.html

The V1 upgrades software AND hardware over the years. They just don't upgrade the case so it looks the same as the very first version. You can upgrade the V1 for something like half the price of a new one, but I think it depends on how old your old one is. Better check with V1 on this.

I would not replace the 9500i with the V1 if you just want to get it because everyone else has one. If you just want a change and don't mind the spare change (get it?) then sure, go for it. I believe the V1 is better, but not enough to get it to replace the Escorts unless you can sell the Escorts.

While V1 upgrades their product, it seems in the area of "stealth" they've regressed. The V1 was never really stealth against the Spectre but was still pretty hard to get a lock on. Changes in the past few years have rendered the V1 more detectable. This is still true.

I would check to see if other models of the 9500 beside the 9500ci are stealthy against the RDD. I think they are but am not sure exactly which models. The Bel STI is a pretty good undetectable detector.

Good luck.

[Bubbles]

V1 --> $100 to upgrade. I've upgraded twice over 5 years which beats buying a new escort.

[FruitCake]

make a poll, and you'll see that most prefer the V1, as do I.

[Griz]

Originally Posted by FruitCake

make a poll, and you'll see that most prefer the V1, as do I.

Polls usually deteriorate into "what do you own," rather than "which is better."

My advice to the OP is to spend some time over at the following sites:

Radar Detector Jammer Forum

Guys of Lidar

There are quite a few good detectors out there, each shining in there own way. Do some research to find out which one best suits your driving habits/style.

[J08M3]

V1 - arrows are great, you can use them to quickly decide if the alert is real or false.

[ScheerSpeed]

V1. period

[ScheerSpeed]

Originally Posted by Bubbles

V1 --> $100 to upgrade. I've upgraded twice over 5 years which beats buying a new escort.

i bought mine 4 years ago... i just checked if the software was up to date 3 weeks ago and it is... how come you upgraded twice?