Valentine One vs Passport 8500 X50

[DeMoN]

A long time ago, I read many reviews about radar detectors. Now, its time for me to get one. Back then (4 month ago), the supposed winner was the Escort 8500 X60 as the Valentine did poorly on POP. From what I read now, reviews are mixed up. Some say Valentine some Passport and some even a BEL one.

I have never owned a radar detector, so I'd like to know which one is better (performance alone not best performance/prize) between Escort's 8500 and Valentine 1. I'm sure you guys know more about this than me lol.

BTW, http://www.valentine1.com/ they seem to have just made a firmware upgrade which now handles POP using 2 bands. From what I read online, V1 is the choice for most ppl as you can send your unit back and have them upgrade the firmware. I guess that in the long run, this alone makes the V1 the winner?

[RC45]

6 of one, and half dozen of the other.

I have an escort, my buddy has a V1 - both very satisfied.

Escort and Valentine both have upgrade paths. No winner there.

[Schwalbe]

I have a V1 with the new POP mode since november 2004 and I'm very satisfied with the performance of this Radar/Laser detector. I like the V1 because it can designated the direction of the threat and the concealed-display module allows to remain low profile. This last thing is essential, especially when Radar detector is illegal as in my province of Québec in Canada.

I cannot unfortunately comment on the Escort 8500 because all my friends who possess a radar detector have the V1 model. But, who cares about the winner (V1 vs 8500), the important thing is that you get a radar/laser detector as soon as possible to avoid you expensive speeding tickets.

I swear to you DeMoN you will not regret your purchase. :wink:

[Minacious]

Whichever one you can get the best deal on. They are both exceptional detectors and you will get praise for both sides.

[ZfrkS62]

i'd say about 75-80% of cars with radar detectors i see during the day are using V1. One of my co-workers has one and says it's saved him thousands of dollars in speeding tickets.

[Johns]

VALENTINE 1 IS #1!! especially with the new software version they have now, you cant loose! HIGHLY RECOMMEND the V1!!

[DeMoN]

^ you seem to be correct. I read a great article of a RECENT comparison between those two and the bel...

http://www.laserveil.com/en/ultimate-radar-detector-review-05/introduction/

that review, plus your guys oppinion plus... this VIDEO

http://www.laserjammer.citymax.com/f/JammerTests.com_tests_V1_and_X50_stealth.wmv (if direct link does not work go to the link below and save target as "Valentine V1.8 & 8500 X50 vs Stealth mode")

taken from (more vids of other radar detectors) http://www.jammertest.com/

[RC45]

Radar jammers are legal where in the US?

Passive "jammars" are legal - but considering they are not transmitting they have been proven to be useless.

[DeMoN]

Apparently, Laser Mimic is a jammer that works.

http://www.jammertest.com/ tests several guns and Laser Mimic jams them all.

[RC45]

only for laser - considering no regulations exist for light wave broadcast vs radio waves. ;)

[ViperASR]

I have a Valentine One and I LOVE IT. I use it everyday on the Active setting, and have never gotten a ticket in that car. I have never been defeated by any kind of police radar equipment. I pick it up way before anyone else on the highway. Around town it works even better. It picks up radar guns at least a mile away. I would recoment the Valentine One to everybody. Plus it is true "once you live with the arrows, you will wonder how you ever did without"-or however it goes.

[FoxFour]

Like the rest have said, those two you can't really go wrong. I have the early V1 model, one of the first batches built in 1992. It has since been upgraded two or three times. Can't upgrade this model to the latest version but they will allow me to trade it in. Even today, my V1 has recently prevented me from getting at least one ticket.
Also, another thing that I would like to mention is Valentines good customer service. There was a delay in shipping the first models, and I get a call at work from customer service at Valentine (Remember, this was in '92, not too many people had internet access) apprising me of the situation. And from I have read, their customer service still rocks.

[DeMoN]

Ive heard good things about their cust service too! Well I got it yesturday and Inifiniti will hard wire it for free (part of the buying deal) The upcomming week. Ill show pics of this install once I have it. V1 isnt as big as I feared it would be :D

[FoxFour]

V1 isnt as big as I feared it would be :D
The newer units are slightly more compact in design than the older models.

[SilviaEvo]

just a question. how do you hard wire it? is it easy or hard?

[FoxFour]

just a question. how do you hard wire it? is it easy or hard?
It's not hard to hard-wire it to your car. The most difficult part is coming up with a clean install. You can buy the direct-wire adapter at the V 1 site for about $13 USD.

[DeMoN]

Direct wire adapter already comes with V1. Its not that long anyway. You can have it installed for 75$ more or less if you go to those stereo install places. Dealership charges 250$ because they go by the hour. They will do it for free though as that was part of the deal when I got my baby.

What they do is open up your fusebox, install a cable starting from there, through the A-Pillar (thing between the side window and windshield) and they open up the roof a little and pass the calbe through there. They drill a small hole that you cant (located between the roof and windshield so its impossible to see) and that is your new power source. All you need to do now is connect the V1 to the roof... a small cable as V1 should be positioned high (just below the mirror).

[RC45]

Direct wire adapter already comes with V1. Its not that long anyway. You can have it installed for 75$ more or less if you go to those stereo install places. Dealership charges 250$ because they go by the hour. They will do it for free though as that was part of the deal when I got my baby.

What they do is open up your fusebox, install a cable starting from there, through the A-Pillar (thing between the side window and windshield) and they open up the roof a little and pass the calbe through there. They drill a small hole that you cant (located between the roof and windshield so its impossible to see) and that is your new power source. All you need to do now is connect the V1 to the roof... a small cable as V1 should be positioned high (just below the mirror).

Pretty much a "freebie" job that any auto enthusiastwould be proud to undertake themselves and complete ;)

In fact, it is probably the easiest and simplest, and also the first mod one should/could/would tackle oneself.

Demon, Hope you now feel guilty for not doing this simple surgery on your new baby yourself... ;) ehehe

[Sachmo12345]

i have an older v1 and i love it i have also noticed all of the ferraris and porsce turbos tend to have a V1 in the car

[DeMoN]

yes it is a very easy install. Thing is, car being under waranty, and me getting this for free, I rather have them do it instead of some electronic thing breaking in the future and them saying my V1 install caused it.

V1 even gives you a hard wire cable lol, so easy to do. All you need is to open up the fuse box, put a blue thingy (provided by V1) on one of the cables that has no power when the car is off,

[RC45]

yes it is a very easy install. Thing is, car being under waranty, and me getting this for free, I rather have them do it instead of some electronic thing breaking in the future and them saying my V1 install caused it.

V1 even gives you a hard wire cable lol, so easy to do. All you need is to open up the fuse box, put a blue thingy (provided by V1) on one of the cables that has no power when the car is off,

Your fitting an after market hardwired electronic gadget to the fused auxiliary outlet provided by the manufacturer can never void any part of your warranty.

;)

You're just a poofta and couldn't do it yourself... :P but not to worry, we understand. :)

Now - I hope you put your own gas in and keep your tyres inflated yourself - you do know the tyres take air - right? hehe

[DeMoN]

^ Just what you can expect to read from an American car lover. Just as with their cars, they only think in one direction, straight ahead.

I do know how to do the install. Its fuking printed on the V1 manual and I am not a retard as you seem to think of me. What you dont seem to understand is that I rather have someone who has his degree on electronics do it FOR FREE rather than me doing it. I dont have the tools to start with. I much rather they cut the calbes and solder them plus drill the hole than me getting (buying) the tools and taking MY time to do it.

Judging from what you say, pay me to do something whenever you want as you probably will end up doing it yourself as soon as you find out it is easy to do.

[RC45]

^ Just what you can expect to read from an American car lover. Just as with their cars, they only think in one direction, straight ahead.

I do know how to do the install. Its fuking printed on the V1 manual and I am not a retard as you seem to think of me. What you dont seem to understand is that I rather have someone who has his degree on electronics do it FOR FREE rather than me doing it. I dont have the tools to start with. I much rather they cut the calbes and solder them plus drill the hole than me getting (buying) the tools and taking MY time to do it.

Judging from what you say, pay me to do something whenever you want as you probably will end up doing it yourself as soon as you find out it is easy to do.

There was a :wink: , a :P and a :) and a hehe in that reply. Apparenty not enough for you to gather it was a ragging - a jestful fun poking at one whome you would hope could appreciate the intent.

Apparently not ...

You're taking the time to study in the USA - why not learn to read and comprehend english while you are at it. :roll:

[Yablokov]

lol, @ poofta. did u learn that one form the show "top gear"? .... couse i did :)