Getting a radar detector (V1/passport)...bring your opinions in here

[Bakeme521]

So I have always been a V1 fan, always. My dad has one that I use frequently, and my roommate has one as well that I borrow from time to time.

Wellllll now reading all these raving reviews with the GPS on the passport 9500xi, I feel like I may make the jump over to a passport.

I am still very torn, and I would love to hear what you guys have to save about them from your experiences. So if you currently have either or have switched from one to the other please tell me why you did so.

[newdadkel]

I have the 9500xi, and have had it for the past 2 years (ever since I pulled off the lot with the x6m...knowing it would be needed..lol). I love it. Most of my driving is in town but I leave it on highway setting. After it stores the false alerts the first few weeks, you know when something is different. Around here, anytime Ka kicks on, you know smokey is out there. Great range and sensitivity. Been hit with laser only twice but our smokeys sit in the same spots. One of he coolest features is downloading the databases so when you are traveling, it will alert you to red light cameras! Big fan of passport!

[upstatedoc]

It really boils down to where you do most of your driving. If the majority of your daily driving takes you past a lot of false alarms then the 9500 is for you. I started with a 9500i when they first came out, great detector. Then I kept hearing about how if you go V1 you'll never go back and guess what they were right. I've run a V1 since 2009.

[passing]

i had a passport 8500 x50 for a long time, and did me no wrong. i still got tickets though, so i sold it about a year ago.

no tickets since. radar free is the way for me! hey that rhymes.

[Team Plutonium]

Originally Posted by upstatedoc

It really boils down to where you do most of your driving. If the majority of your daily driving takes you past a lot of false alarms then the 9500 is for you. I started with a 9500i when they first came out, great detector. Then I kept hearing about how if you go V1 you'll never go back and guess what they were right. I've run a V1 since 2009.

+1. V1 here, saves my ass all the time.

[GOLFFRR]

interesting. I am going to follow this thread and see what others have to say. I have not heard to many things on the passport, seems like everyone I talk to or see have the V1.

[Inspired]

http://www.amazon.com/Escort-Passpor...owViewpoints=1

http://www.amazon.com/valentine-one-...owViewpoints=1

300 reviews for 9500ix

80 reviews for V1

plenty of reviews to read through

[MisterSkiMask]

I want/need a new detector.

I have an ancient V1 which I could send in for referb, but I have heard good things about the passport.

Hopefully more users can chime in.

I love the Arrows of the V1 very helpful on the highway, also the bogie counter.

[Inspired]

Coming from someone who had the V1 for a few years and currently own 9500ix for 4 years it all comes down to what you want. You really can't go wrong with either. In terms of performance, they are pretty much identical. The only difference is the extra perks, such as v1 have the arrows and 9500ix has the built in GPS to lock out signals and red light camera alert.

[135Pats]

V1 FTW whether it be radar or lidar situations.

[KingOfJericho]

I have the Passport SRX in my S4. It works very well but they don't make it anymore. I never really understood the importance of knowing where the radar is coming from. If you're on the highway and it goes off, just slow down. Doesn't matter which direction it's coming from!

FWIW, I've used both the Passport 9500 and the V1 for extended periods of time and saw no real difference in responsiveness. They both did the same thing.

[baxter3221]

I have the 9500xi and I really like it. Being in NYC and surrounding areas, locking out the false alerts is key otherwise it would be going off every 5 mins. Also, the redlight camera alerts are useful since those are all over the place in the city. A buddy of mine has the V1 and I will say that the arrows are a really nice feature. If I lived in a more rural area, I might have gone in that direction.

[upstatedoc]

Originally Posted by Inspired

You really can't go wrong with either. In terms of performance, they are pretty much identical.

In scientific testing, V1 beats 9500ix, X50, yada yada...

http://www.guysoflidar.com/radar-det...ctor-test.html

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

I have the Passport SRX in my S4.

Ugh, dude, time for an upgrade.

Originally Posted by baxter3221

I have the 9500xi and I really like it. Being in NYC and surrounding areas, locking out the false alerts is key otherwise it would be going off every 5 mins. Also, the redlight camera alerts are useful since those are all over the place in the city. A buddy of mine has the V1 and I will say that the arrows are a really nice feature. If I lived in a more rural area, I might have gone in that direction.

Drove around Manhattan last year with the V1 and had to shut it off because it was constantly alerting

[KingOfJericho]

Originally Posted by upstatedoc

Ugh, dude, time for an upgrade.

What is the new version called? My car is a 2010 that I picked up CPO and it was already installed...

[upstatedoc]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

What is the new version called? My car is a 2010 that I picked up CPO and it was already installed...

Qi45 or 8500ci both of which are overpriced and underperforming.

[txz4]

Absolutely love my V1. Just an amazing device. However, there is one increasingly big problem....Damn near everything sets this thing off. I have a friend that works for Cadillac and was following him to a golf course one day, nearly the whole way i was getting alerts from his lane departure system.

[Bakeme521]

Well looks like for around town driving the the 9500xi shines, but is still good on the highway.

Most of my driving is around town and some short driving on the highway (less than 2 hours) every month or so.

I do agree though, if it goes off just slow down. Why does it matter where it is coming from?

Looks like I'm leaning towards the passport.

[upstatedoc]

Originally Posted by txz4

nearly the whole way i was getting alerts from his lane departure system.

this will become an increasing problem as more cars will incorporate the electronic nannies. I can't even use my V1 in my wifes Odyssey because the blind spot warning system sets off the K band warning. Of note, the warning system does not set off her 9500i probably because it doesn't have rear detection but you could argue that that is a loss of sensitivity.

[asdflkijd]

I've had the 8500 passport before, it was alight got the job done I suppose... If I ever get another radar detector it'll probably be the V1 though. And yes I still got a few tickets while using the radar.

[txz4]

Originally Posted by Bakeme521

Well looks like for around town driving the the 9500xi shines, but is still good on the highway.

Most of my driving is around town and some short driving on the highway (less than 2 hours) every month or so.

I do agree though, if it goes off just slow down. Why does it matter where it is coming from?

Looks like I'm leaning towards the passport.

You say that now, but once you've had the directional alarms i dont think you would want to go back.

If a cop is hidden somewhere id like to know so i can make a mental note of where and when. For instance, early this morning, a cop was hiding under a highway exit and pulling people over from off the access road.

[Red Bread]

Important point made about the number of cars on the road with high mounted LED tail lights, lane departure sensors and laser cruise control monitors. I stopped using my V1 for that reason and for the simple fact that I sold my red M Coupe and now have a shitbox that receives no attention from the fine constabulary.

[Bakeme521]

Originally Posted by txz4

You say that now, but once you've had the directional alarms i dont think you would want to go back.

If a cop is hidden somewhere id like to know so i can make a mental note of where and when. For instance, early this morning, a cop was hiding under a highway exit and pulling people over from off the access road.

Did you read my original post? I've used a V1 for years, I know what its like to have the arrows. And since the the passport has GPS you don't need to make a mental note it will remember that spot for you.