JDN

Maybe it's because we don't get tickets and know where the bogies are in relation to our position.

juan2mini

I use the Escort 8500 X50 and have been very satisfied. JDN is correct, I don't know the bogies position but I do know where the brake pedal is. The detector has come in very handy. Mine is not hardwired, I only use it when I am on the open road, I don't need it in town. It fits just right in the cubby by the way. My .02

Guest

Just read what "Mike" has to say about the Escort Solo S2. VERY MISLEADING. The S2 only goes into "sleep" mode if you it does not sense any movement for 15 minutes - that is, if you leave the detector on when you park the car. In my 2 years or so of use it has never gone into sleep mode while I have been driving. Sleep mode saves battery life by turning off the detector when you are not moving. And, it turns itself back on from sleep mode when it detects movement. While it is true that cordless detectors cycle on and off to conserve battery life, this is different from the sleep mode of the S2. Becasue of this, no cordless can work as well as the best corded.

Here is a link to radrtest.com's cordless test. http://www.radartest.com/article.asp?articleID=852 The S2 wins. I think radartest does the testing that appears in Automobile magazine.

For all you corded devottes, here is the link for the Escort - Valentine - Bell comparison. http://www.radartest.com/article.asp?articleid=9090 While the Valentine was considered the best in 2000, it is no longer #1.

Here is what they have to say:

The Valentine One is a highly sensitive radar detector--good enough that we declared it the winner of our 2000 Automobile Magazine shootout--but it's no longer top dog. The world has changed since it was designed in 1991. The Apple IIsi also was hot stuff that year but Apple knew better than to continue peddling the same box. They replaced it with smaller, faster, user-friendlier models packed with advanced features. But the V1, with growing gaps evident in its performance envelope--not to mention a minimalist feature set, quirky ergonomics and stiff price tag--seems locked in a time warp and the competition has clearly passed it by.

I do not work for Escort. I am not Valentine bashing. I just have never understood the almost fanatcical devotion Valentine owners have to their detectors.
[/quote]

Yes, Mike's bias has to be taken into consideration, and Craig Peterson has his agenda, too. Here's another pertinent link from the web site you site above.

http://www.radartest.com/article.asp?articleID=8520

Tim C

Dang it, that was me above. Sorry.

And it should have read site you cite. Oh, well.

Aaron

jksanford,

Ohio is the worst place to drive, especially if you are out of town. I heard they have a highway taskforce just for handing out tickets. But then again, the speed limit is the speed limit for a reason...I guess.

Everyone...with the laser shifter, I assume you can block the laser reading coming from the police gun, but if you are really moving, can the police pull you over because they "know" you were speeding, or do thay need that radar/laser evidence?

Rudy

Maybe it's because we don't get tickets and know where the bogies are in relation to our position.
[/quote]
I think JDN nailed it. There is a point where most radar detectors give enough advanced warning so the tests like the magazines do from time-to-time that graph results aren't as useful as they once were. In addition, sometimes the magazines can be biased based on what manufacturer advertises more, etc.

The reason I like my V1 (been a loyal owner since day one -- actually ordered it and was on a waiting list before they were even shipping) is that it provides more useful information to the driver. The advanced warning time is adequate -- even though some newer models may alert earlier. Also, sometimes early alerts are a compromise and can trigger more false alarms, etc. After all these years, I don't know what I'd do without the directional arrows and bogey counter. Except for one laser ticket I received a year or so ago in Ohio (man, they're tough there) I haven't had a ticket in many, many years (I didn't spring for the laser upgrade on my V1 so I can't complain about the ticket in Ohio!)

It's also very nice that Mike Valentine has constantly improved his units and provided upgrade paths for existing owners. The other units are more 'disposable' but my trusty V1 keeps me happy day in and day out.

Guest

Maybe it's because we don't get tickets and know where the bogies are in relation to our position.
[/quote]
I think JDN nailed it. There is a point where most radar detectors give enough advanced warning so the tests like the magazines do from time-to-time that graph results aren't as useful as they once were. In addition, sometimes the magazines can be biased based on what manufacturer advertises more, etc.

The reason I like my V1 (been a loyal owner since day one -- actually ordered it and was on a waiting list before they were even shipping) is that it provides more useful information to the driver. The advanced warning time is adequate -- even though some newer models may alert earlier. Also, sometimes early alerts are a compromise and can trigger more false alarms, etc. After all these years, I don't know what I'd do without the directional arrows and bogey counter. Except for one laser ticket I received a year or so ago in Ohio (man, they're tough there) I haven't had a ticket in many, many years (I didn't spring for the laser upgrade on my V1 so I can't complain about the ticket in Ohio!)

It's also very nice that Mike Valentine has constantly improved his units and provided upgrade paths for existing owners. The other units are more 'disposable' but my trusty V1 keeps me happy day in and day out.
[/quote]


Like I said - I have nothing against the Valentine. Having never owned one, I do not miss the directional and bogey counter info. The Valentine box and features look dated to me, and independent (to the extent there is such a thing) testing confirms it is no longer the the "best" 9whatever that is. Yet, as evidenced by the recent poll on this site, it still enjoys great popularity. Jus amn observation, not an attck.

robg

Maybe it's because we don't get tickets and know where the bogies are in relation to our position.
[/quote]
I think JDN nailed it. There is a point where most radar detectors give enough advanced warning so the tests like the magazines do from time-to-time that graph results aren't as useful as they once were. In addition, sometimes the magazines can be biased based on what manufacturer advertises more, etc.

The reason I like my V1 (been a loyal owner since day one -- actually ordered it and was on a waiting list before they were even shipping) is that it provides more useful information to the driver. The advanced warning time is adequate -- even though some newer models may alert earlier. Also, sometimes early alerts are a compromise and can trigger more false alarms, etc. After all these years, I don't know what I'd do without the directional arrows and bogey counter. Except for one laser ticket I received a year or so ago in Ohio (man, they're tough there) I haven't had a ticket in many, many years (I didn't spring for the laser upgrade on my V1 so I can't complain about the ticket in Ohio!)

It's also very nice that Mike Valentine has constantly improved his units and provided upgrade paths for existing owners. The other units are more 'disposable' but my trusty V1 keeps me happy day in and day out.
[/quote]


Like I said - I have nothing against the Valentine. Having never owned one, I do not miss the directional and bogey counter info. The Valentine box and features look dated to me, and independent (to the extent there is such a thing) testing confirms it is no longer the the "best" 9whatever that is. Yet, as evidenced by the recent poll on this site, it still enjoys great popularity. Jus amn observation, not an attck.
[/quote]

Sorry - that's me again - keep forgetting to log in.

Rudy

Rob, I never interpreted your comments as anything "against" the V1.

My only comment is that you may not "miss the directional bogey counter info" because you never had it to begin with. I can guarantee you that if you tell a V1 owner that they had to give up that feature, you'd probably see them put up a rather large fight to keep it.

I didn't miss active steering until I experienced it on my car -- now, each time I drive a car without it, I wish it had it. (I could go on with examples, I suppose...)

wiszmaster

i currently have a Solo S2 ... because i did not want to run wires/dangle the cord in the car ... just got it 2 weeks ago. coming from a 8500 that is 3 years old if i remember correctly, i do notice the difference. i get less false alarms, and it seems very short notice to me. however still plenty of time to let the car coast down from 100 to 70mph (FL Interstate speed limit) with the cop coming towards me. that being said, it is still a good detector in my eyes, eventhough i will more than likely switch back to a corded, once i make up my mind between 8500x50 or V1.

my $.02 and i'm stickin to it.

--marco