Which Radar Dec. do you guys prefer in your E60...The passport 8500 or Valentine 1...just information on both...since im stuck betweek the two ....

 

Vee-1, no doubt.

Do a search, you'll find other discussions about this and, in addition, you'll find some instructions on how to hard-wire the V1...

 

I am right on with Rudy's recommendation. The V1's 360 degree watch plus the counting ability makes it top. Add to that the exchange procedure for an old detector like I just did with my 8 1/2 year old detector and it is a great deal. The only two times I was stopped during those 8 years was no fault of the V1. On both occasions, the officers turned me loose without even a written warning.

My replacement V1 has POP protection on two channels and another feature that I have not tested yet, but hope it works. It is supposed to quit beeping if it can determine a source is not a threat and give you a visual "J" - say door openers, etc. So far, it has not been able to ID them because it is basically behaving like the old one. I really have not had that much experience with it - just got it last Monday.

 

I seem to always be the only Passport fan when these discussions come up. While the V-1 was the best for a long time, all of the independnet testing I have seen over the past 2 - 3 years indicates that the Passport now is generally better. And, the new Passports are now upgradable.

I know, it does not have the arrows, but I never had them so I do not miss them.

We should probably throw the Bell Pro RX65 in the mix too, as the new model is getting very good reviews.

http://www.radartest.com/article.asp?articleid=9090

 

Not only the arrows, Rob, V1 counts, too.

 

"Best" is still a very relative term. Most modern detectors will give adequate warning or have enough range to detect radar. Some may have better range on a straighaway, some may sacrifice some of that range to provide better range on a curve, etc.

All of the mainstream units are probably going to give enough warning (with the exception of being nailed by "instant-on" type guns.)

What sets the V1 apart is the additional information it provides in the form of the bogey counter and the directional arrows.

Rob, you don't miss them because you never had them. Once you have them, you'll never want to be without them...

 

I'm a Passport 8500 fan! Always been dependable and has saved me many a time. (Especially on 71 between Austin and Houston.)

 

We're not knocking Passport. Used that brand religiously before I bought the first V1 in 1996. Now I am an incorrigible V1 supporter. On the open road, when the arrows are behind me, I just give it more pedal and leave the bogey behind unless he does a Uie first. If the arrows are to the side, no need to alter the driving style. If the arrows are in the front, I check to see how many there are and drive accordingly. You do not have that capability with a Passport.

 

Valentine One. I just got my 1.5 year old unit upgraded for POP for $55. The directional arrows are the best. I hardwired mine and installed the concealed display in front of the (useless ) MPG gauge. Here's a thread with pix:
http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=...indpost&p=85792

I used these excellent instructions by Don Juan to tap into a switched power source by the overhead lights:
http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=...findpost&p=5525

 

I prefer Valentine One after being a loyal escort and passport fan for many years. The arrows are a must and give a sense of security from the knowledge of knowing where the signal is coming from rather than having to guess. Guessing is simply unacceptable when you can know for sure where the threat is located.