sc02492

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for some opinions. About 4 years ago, I bought my Valentine 1, and it's been fine. At that time, the competition really didn't measure up to what the V1 could do. However, there are a few quirks about V1 that I don't like, and in the meantime the competition has improved quite dramatically. What I don't like about the V1 includes:

1. No auto muting- in others words, the loudness does not automatically drop down to muting levels after a few seconds. This means that I have to constantly push the mute button on the unit, or get one of the concealed displays so that the button is closer to me (and I don't particularly like the "add on" look of the concealed display).

2. It's very sensitive to false alarms, at least in my area.

3. My unit doesn't have the POP feature- I can get it upgraded for $75 plus shipping though.

4. I don't care about the ability to count "bogeys."

OK, so what do I like about it? The V1's performance is great- I haven't gotten a ticket since purchasing it, but the performance of the Escort 8500/X50 is said to now be on par. I also like the directional features of the V1- it helps to know whether the signal is coming from front or back.

Everyone extols the virtues of the V1, including myself, but I'm not sure if this is based upon recent facts, or past facts (plus a little emotion and bias thrown in ). I'm wondering if it's possible to get an objective view of how the V1 compares to the Escort 8500/X50, since this seems to be an attractive alternative. The Escort has the auto muting, and I believe that the display can be turned off at night. It also comes in an blue LED version which is easier on the eyes. And it's able to detect POP signals.

Other than saying that "V1 is the best," can anyone tell me what is so wrong with a choice like the Escort 8500/X50? Apart from the lack of directional signals, it seems to be every bit as good as the V1, but with more features.

Thanks!

znod

I choose on the basis of which detector I think has the most potential to save me $--which appears to be the V1. But, would the V1 really do so vis-a-vis the Escort 8500/X50 as a practical matter? Unfortunately, I don't know. I too like the features of the Escort 8500/X50, and I suppose I could do without the arrows. I don't think you could go far wrong on the $-saving dimension with the Escort 8500/X50; so why not give it a try if you like its features a great deal more?

Chi-Town Racing

My X50 has saved me countless times. I went with it over the V1 for price only as I did not see the benefit of arrows. My take is if you speed as much as I do, the cop is going to be in front of you 99% of the time!

sc02492

Znod, that's exactly how I'm thinking at the moment. The lack of an automute feature on the V1 is become very irritating to me. It's funny how it didn't seem to bother me for a while. The Escort can even be hardwired, just like my V1. I might give it a try- I think that there is a 30 day trial period.

sc02492

Thanks- as I understand it, doesn't the X50 also have 360 degree protection as well, or is that just for laser?

JDN

Muting my V1 doesn't irritate me as much as you so I can't empathize in that respect. However, you have discounted the bogey counting feature which has saved me more than once. As far as POP is concerned, it rarely goes off. I wouldn't trade just to get that feature. You've got a good radar detector. Look around for something else for one of your babies.

f6maniac

I bought a V1 a couple of months ago and I can't believe the number of false alarms. If I drive through a shopping center parking lot I can easily get 8 or 9 bogeys. Driving by it on the street I can get 3 or 4. I've tried the different logics available but haven't found one to take out all these false alerts. What do you guys do?

Sorry sc02492 I don't mean to hi-jack your thread.

sc02492

I've lived with the same problem for several years with the V1, despite using L mode (I tried all the modes). Put up with it since I felt that the benefits of owning the V1 outweighed the inconveniences, but as I said above, I think it's healthy to reevaluate the competition now and then. There is a way to "program" the V1 so that it is not as sensitive to certain bands (like X band), or so that subsequent bogeys stay muted (after initial manual muting). The link can be found here: http://valentine1.com/lab/MikesLabRpt3.asp

I did NOT alter the sensitivity of the unit, since that was counterproductive to having a sensitive radar detector in the first place. You might try altering programming function "A" such that subsequent bogeys will stay muted after the first manual mute. This may be more tolerable, but it will probably not be ideal.

I just bought the X50 (blue LED screen) with the hardwire accessories and will try it out for the 30 day trial period. If I don't like it, I will return it, put my V1 back in place. I don't mind breaking out of the mold now and then

EuroCarFan

Good debate. I'm currently considering a radar detector also and was going to purchase the V1 just because the majority of users here seem to think they're "the best". There's actually a small article in European Car that also mentioned that the V1 was the best...I think mainly due to the directional arrows.

Please let me know how the Escort works out.

Thanks.

ScorpioBMW1

Go all out and get the K-40