Escort 9500i vs valentine

^^ Holy crap! that's a set of nice coilovers!!!

i thought about getting the V1...i don't even speed.... I just want it because its another gizmo for the car..... ARRGHHHH..... I hate the addiction of buying something shiny and blinking just cuz.... =\
 
V1 Period /thread.

Seriously, I can appreciate the fact that you can rule out false alert areas, but IMO that's not good. You'll rule out an x or k false alarm and leave yourself open to a cop really being there next time.

If one can't tell a false alarm vs real on a V1 then they need to learn how to "read" the unit.
 
pdqgp said:
V1 Period /thread.

Seriously, I can appreciate the fact that you can rule out false alert areas, but IMO that's not good. You'll rule out an x or k false alarm and leave yourself open to a cop really being there next time.

If one can't tell a false alarm vs real on a V1 then they need to learn how to "read" the unit.
Click to expand...

^^dats what I'm sayin!
 
I have both, with the V1 being their latest and greatest version. I work with military radar systems, so I am sort of "in" to these kinds of things.

I have used a V1 for many years and got the 9500i three months ago. The GPS muting works really well on the 9500i and after storing false alarms the unit is dead quiet except for real signals. When a unit is this quiet, it really gets your attention when it goes off. Advantage 9500i. With the V1 you are constantly muting the same old false alarms.

If you want that last little bit of protection and can deal with muting false alarms, then get the V1. Running them side by side, the V1 always goes off first. The V1 also has a wider "view", front and back. I think the 9500i made a trade-off here to get better sensitivity. The 9500i does great when the radar is close to center, but not as good with an offset radar (like a cop around the corner).

The 9500i does NOT have a rear radar antenna like the V1. The 9500i does have rear facing laser sensor.

In most laser situations you are pretty much screwed no matter which detector you have. If you don't see the cop about ready to pull the trigger, your detector just confirms that you will get pulled over if you were speeding. I have only had a few laser "warnings", and only when they were shooting the cars directly in front of me. Testing however has shown that the V1 has the best laser detection of any detector. Good luck with those laser guns.

Instant-on radar can be as bad as laser. But many cops can't wait long enough between trigger pulls and you can get advanced warning that something is up there. In light traffic situations though, instant-on is a serious threat. Avantage V1 with its better sensitivity and wide view front and rear.

Being anal about this I am torn between the two. I REALLY like the 9500i GPS muting, so much so that I am willing to sacrifice a little performance. Plus, the 9500i can display your speed and is a poor mans heads up display. Over time, you will use it versus looking down at the speedo. Plus..all your friends now know when you go over 100....(boom04)

The 9500i now resides in the MS3 and my son got the V1.
 
pdqgp said:
V1 Period /thread.

Seriously, I can appreciate the fact that you can rule out false alert areas, but IMO that's not good. You'll rule out an x or k false alarm and leave yourself open to a cop really being there next time.

If one can't tell a false alarm vs real on a V1 then they need to learn how to "read" the unit.
Click to expand...

There is a lot of information on the web, pros and cons regarding the GPS "Truelock" feature. This is not the thread to debate it, but the info is out there for those interested. I am comfortable using it once I learned how to properly set it up. The owners manual is vague in this area, but there is detailed info on the web.
 
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numbnuts22715 said:
i think the arrows are a gimmick.
if theres a cop behind you, you need to slow down, if its beside you in any direction, you need to slow down, if its in front of you, you need to slow down.
all this crap about how cool the arrows are dontmake sense to me.
Click to expand...

The arrows help you locate the signal to help you decide if signal is a true threat. I find it extremely useful. I also find that a lot of other radar detectors give off false K and sometimes Ka signals that can be perceived as true signals. The arrows help you locate direction and therefore what is causing the radar signal. The GPS feature of new passport will not help with these signals. The newest V1 has a new feature that seems to recognize many of these bogus signals and alerts them as junk. I don't think that there is a better unit on market right now. Also, ask Valentine rep if they have any returned V1 units. They cannot sell them as new, and will take off around $30 and give you a full warranty with all new accessories. Best way to get the best unit available today.
 
Thunder, you don't say where you're from. I've used and always wanted to own a V1. They are very much among the best in design, build and execution. They are good at alot of things.

My problem is I live in the BigBrother state of Arizona. My two big threats are garden-variety pigs w/ radar/lazer speed guns and also the automatic stationary speed cams. Our DPS is currently installing more than 100 through out my state with more to come. That being noted , I drive alot for biz and need to know where these stationary cams are located, thus the GPS functions of the Passport 9500ix have won me over. I'ts currently on my way via UPS, I'll post its cons and benefits after a few days.
 
I have owned numerous radars and i own the 9500i and 8500 x50. But to be honest the x50 has never given me false signals or that it detects late. I think it works better than my 9500i!! I paid 499 for my 9500i and 230 for my x50. Oh yeah by the way i also own another 8500 not x50 though. the passport 8500 is the best radar out there on the market and my friend who upgraded his vector 995 to a V1 he evens admits that the V1 throws out to many false signals and like's my passport better.


Here's My 9500i and x50
download
 
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It's not a gimmick. They come in very handy. Especially in situations like here in Ohio where there's most always more than one cop or trooper working radar in a trap. Sure, you want to slow down if there's radar in use, but knowing where it's coming from and how many where is key.

Often times I'll pass a cop traveling the other way with his gun activated, thus lighting up the V1 for a while, but then I watch it go from pointing ahead to the side, to the rear....only to then alert me of the second bogy, up ahead shooting at a stand still. Even then alerts me as I pass him to see if he's still shooting in the same direction or has turned to shoot back towards me.

Believe me the arrows really help. You have to use one regularly to see what I mean I guess.

numbnuts22715 said:
i think the arrows are a gimmick.
if theres a cop behind you, you need to slow down, if its beside you in any direction, you need to slow down, if its in front of you, you need to slow down.
all this crap about how cool the arrows are dontmake sense to me.
Click to expand...
 
pdqgp said:
It's not a gimmick. They come in very handy. Especially in situations like here in Ohio where there's most always more than one cop or trooper working radar in a trap. Sure, you want to slow down if there's radar in use, but knowing where it's coming from and how many where is key.

Often times I'll pass a cop traveling the other way with his gun activated, thus lighting up the V1 for a while, but then I watch it go from pointing ahead to the side, to the rear....only to then alert me of the second bogy, up ahead shooting at a stand still. Even then alerts me as I pass him to see if he's still shooting in the same direction or has turned to shoot back towards me.

Believe me the arrows really help. You have to use one regularly to see what I mean I guess.
Click to expand...


In all honesty who cares where the arrows are coming from. Once your radar detects and its going off. YOU NEED TO SLOW DOWN. That's how i am, I'm not in the need to look where the damn popo is at. More excess of getting into an accident while driving
 
I care when I see an arrow pointing ahead and can "read" the detector and notice if the cop is moving or standing still or as he is coming towards me, where he is....up front....or maybe coming up from the rear.

I can't tell you how many times, I've picked up a signal up ahead pulsing like he's standing still only to see nothing until I then pick up a strong signal to the side and by experience know, he's up on the on ramp that I'm about to pass by....thus saving my ass as I can actually figure out where he is vs wondering if it's a false alarm or a cop in the distance up ahead.

I also use the arrows in conjunction with multiple cops....one, two or often three cops up ahead with guys pulled over on the other side of the road only to find my V1 is telling me there's a cop shooting from up on the bridge or ramp behind me.

Weather I'm prepared at that moment or not, I'm at least the one driver who found the shooter and then knows where they are / typically wait for my next trip in that area. Others just drive by thinking they are lucky they didn't get pegged and go on still not knowing where the shooter was sitting.

Maybe you jam on your breaks and slow down at a moments notice, but I don't have to as I can pretty much tell where the shooter is at.

Sp3edster said:
In all honesty who cares where the arrows are coming from. Once your radar detects and its going off. YOU NEED TO SLOW DOWN[/SIZE]. That's how i am, I'm not in the need to look where the damn popo is at. More excess of getting into an accident while driving
Click to expand...
 
pdqgp said:
I care when I see an arrow pointing ahead and can "read" the detector and notice if the cop is moving or standing still or as he is coming towards me, where he is....up front....or maybe coming up from the rear.

I can't tell you how many times, I've picked up a signal up ahead pulsing like he's standing still only to see nothing until I then pick up a strong signal to the side and by experience know, he's up on the on ramp that I'm about to pass by....thus saving my ass as I can actually figure out where he is vs wondering if it's a false alarm or a cop in the distance up ahead.

I also use the arrows in conjunction with multiple cops....one, two or often three cops up ahead with guys pulled over on the other side of the road only to find my V1 is telling me there's a cop shooting from up on the bridge or ramp behind me.

Weather I'm prepared at that moment or not, I'm at least the one driver who found the shooter and then knows where they are / typically wait for my next trip in that area. Others just drive by thinking they are lucky they didn't get pegged and go on still not knowing where the shooter was sitting.

Maybe you jam on your breaks and slow down at a moments notice, but I don't have to as I can pretty much tell where the shooter is at.
Click to expand...


(lol).............that's a good excuse as to why to buy the V1!!

In all honesty, im glad i chose the Passport 8500 over the V1. It was a toss up between the two but when my friend said he was going to upgrade his vector 995 to the V1 i went ahead and got the x50.

He even admits the V1 throws to many false signals and likes my x50 better!!


BTW: no one says you have to slam on the brakes once the radar goes off. Just decrease your speed and let it cruise!! But technically what your saying is you won't slow down until you see the cop!! THATS A SMART ONE(confused)
 
goldhawk said:
(homework)Escort 9500i blows the V1 out of the water. Check out the V1's 77 score compared to the Escort at 97. Do you want a scholar or mediocre student? Do your homework but get an Escort (homework).

http://radartest.com/article.asp?articleid=1064
Click to expand...

I prefer a scholar and not a student that likes to cheat and lie about his performance. It's time for you to get schooled by the professor. I guess you should have done your homework.

First of all, Radartest.com is run by a guy named Craig Peterson who is a paid shill that works for Bel and Escort which are the same company. He likes to bash the V1 every chance he gets and promotes only Bel and Escort products. He got busted trying to sabotage the Guysoflidar.com 2007 radar detector test and he had to part with a couple thousand dollars on top of the $1000 radar gun that he hid under camouflage on top of a mountain to throw off the testing. Why did he do that you might ask...because he knew that their unbiased testing would show the V1 to be #1 which would make everybody doubt his crappy biased site.

http://www.guysoflidar.com/march-2007/sabotage.html


The Valentine One is the undisputed champion of radar and laser detection.

http://guysoflidar.com/august-2007/radar-detector-test.html

http://www.laserveil.com/laser-detector-performance/

http://www.laserveil.com/laser-detectors/tests-reviews-comparisons/charts-by-radar-detector/

http://www.laserveil.com/laser-detectors/tests-reviews-comparisons/charts-by-police-laser-gun/

http://www.laserveil.com/laser-detectors/tests-reviews-comparisons/tables-by-radar-detector/

http://www.laserveil.com/laser-detectors/tests-reviews-comparisons/tables-by-police-laser-gun/
 
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what I'm saying is I react differently depending on the situation so that I don't stand out as the guy hitting his breaks for all to see. If I'm driving at night where visibility is thus limited I'm usually alerted pretty darn early as to which direction the cop is located. That is priceless. Especially since I often times will then slide over or move up to use other cars and semi's to block my line of sight from him.

Sp3edster said:
But technically what your saying is you won't slow down until you see the cop!! THATS A SMART ONE(confused)
Click to expand...
 
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ragindark said:
I prefer a scholar and not a student that likes to cheat and lie about his performance. It's time for you to get schooled by the professor. I guess you should have done your homework.

First of all, Radartest.com is run by a guy named Craig Peterson who is a paid shill that works for Bel and Escort which are the same company. He likes to bash the V1 every chance he gets and promotes only Bel and Escort products. He got busted trying to sabotage the Guysoflidar.com 2007 radar detector test and he had to part with a couple thousand dollars on top of the $1000 radar gun that he hid under camouflage on top of a mountain to throw off the testing. Why did he do that you might ask...because he knew that their unbiased testing would show the V1 to be #1 which would make everybody doubt his crappy biased site.

http://www.guysoflidar.com/march-2007/sabotage.html
Click to expand...

Basically, you posted hearsay. Who is to say that someone else didn't plant the device? Like a competitor trying to make Craig look bad. And you are telling me that the "Guys" don't possibly have a hidden agenda. Tests can be rigged to prove almost anything. Everyone has an agenda whether they are conscious of it or not.
 
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