some_dude

$40 whistler. never needed anything more. yeah, it falses at cvs/walgreens and stuff. Basically, I know the quirks of driving with it where I live so I can compensate. If I'm somewhere new, I don't speed and watch my @$$. Like many have said, none are perfect and its how you use it.

98SMG

I've heard a lot of good things about V1. That would be my choice.

kcryan

iTrader: (1)

I deffere you guys over to radardetector.net, look in the valentine section, they seem to be having big troubles recently, id buy one (in additon to my 8500 X50) but not with they way things are going now....

JFP in PA

I don't know what their problem is; their dreaded “E” code display they seem to be pissing themselves about is a user programmable setting that determines if the alarm sound stays muted or not after a certain number of “lights”……………perhaps they should read their user manuals……………………………this is not a “problem”, this is end-user stupidity…..

Zero Deuce SE

Another one of those RTFM moments.

NyMaxedOut

iTrader: (8)

I have the Passport 8500 X50 Blue LED and it's been worth every penny. I admit I have a lead foot at times but that's not where my of my saves come from. It's within the towns and cities in NJ that are aggressive about ticketing people. Places like Bergenfield and Dumont have 25mph speed limits with local LEO's using handheld radar with their cars hidden in parking lots. The X50 has picked them all up. NJ Troopers uses X-band for the most part but they are still armed with Lasers, K and Ka's. Locals mostly use K,Ka's.

And, I know you heard this before, when your radar goes off does it matter if the threat is in front or behind? you slow down. My vote is for 8500 X50.

Zero Deuce SE

Yes, it does matter. If the car is behind you and you hit your brakes that can give you away because they will see your brake lights from a distance.

Zero Deuce SE

Looks like the V1 is waaaaaaaaay ahead in the polling.

gblkrt09

ya im goin with the V1 i had this cobra from bestbuy and it is just awful

JFP in PA

And for good reason(s)......................................... .

JFP in PA

I have been "hit" numerous times by "back-shooters", cops that sit up on entrance ramps and plink you from behind after you pass by; but the V1 gets them every time....................

BigFly_2K2SE

iTrader: (1)

I doubt this. If you're sure then do them all a favour and post it over there. I did a fair amount of reading on that site and the conclusion is that this "E" problem is an indication of some internal fault that most have correlated with heat. Even Mike Valentine himself has said if you experience the "E" to send it in. There seem to be quite a few pretty knowledgable people on that site and they wouldn't all miss something in the user manual.

JFP in PA

Go to the Valentine Research web site, there is a table that covers display characters and what they mean, including "E"................



So, yes, "E" is a legitimate display if you change the mute recover settings away from the factory defaults. Why they are getting the display is not clear to me from their posts, they may have inadvertantly retset it while fooling around with the unit, or there may be some units that actually do have an issue. Valentine has always recommended you return any unit that you suspect may have a problem (real or not); their customer service is great in that respect..............

BigFly_2K2SE

iTrader: (1)

Okay, after doing some looking you are correct on the above 'E' being a legitimate display. However, this one is shown in programming mode and the 'E' they are seeing is during normal operation and has been determined to be indicative of an internal fault. They are not the same thing. There is also a 'J' in programming mode and a 'J' during normal display for "junk" signals. Again, totally different.

JFP in PA

If they have not changed the default settings, and sporadically get an "E", I would concede that there could be a fault; but at this time the examples are more subjective than empirical, so we will see what Valentine publishes on the subject. The "J" display, prior to the addition of the PoP feature (where is became an indicator of PoP being on or off), was the correct display for when the unit logic determine it had triggered a false alarm................

hoyshnin

iTrader: (1)

Car and Driver (magazine) uses Passport 8500's when doing their exotics tests. Enough said.

Zero Deuce SE

That's funny. Enough said about Car and Driver? It's not like they're the leading authority on radar detection devices.

JFP in PA

Please, feel free to waste your time and money on any second rate device you so choose.....................you are obviously very late to this tread.......

kcryan

iTrader: (1)

Yes, the E is both a programming option, and on newer models, a recognition of an internal error, the letter E will come up randomly during normal operation, i dont have so much of a problem with the fact that this is a defect in the units, but that Valentine doesnt acknowledge it, and that Mike seems to be incredibly rude to posters of that board, and anyone who claims an E, he has multiple times called people liars, who the hell would lie when what the outcome would be is that they wont have there RD for 2 weeks?!

I hope they clear this stuff up....Id like to add a V1 to my fleet, but not if this continues, in fact if this continues, i sincerely hope they go out of buisness, somones gotta teach mike you dont **** on your customers.


My $0.02

Kevlo911

iTrader: (36)

My roommate has the New V-1. I plan to get the Bell RX65, We plan to put them side by side and see how they compare in town and around the interstate.

http://www.radarbusters.com/products...onics/rx65.asp
http://www.laserveil.com/en/ultimate...5/conclusions/
http://www.radartest.com/article.asp?articleid=9090
http://www.007radardetectors.com/tests.htm

kcryan

iTrader: (1)

Please do let us know, also let us know if he sees any E's

JFP in PA

I have the most current unit/software, and just did a 750 mile run on I95 from PA to SC, with the NC - SC portion being well known as radar alley. Everytime the V1 lit up, there was a state trooper nearby trolling for quota. During the entire 10 1/2 hour run, not one "E" or "J" signal..................the unit performed as advertised, including a couple of laser hits while in heavy traffic in MD........................

Chicago

My 8500 has paid for itself many times.

Zero Deuce SE

I can relate to that.V1 style though.

Metal Maxima

iTrader: (30)

Kev - keep us posted on your Bell trial. Any idea when you are going to be getting it?

Kevlo911

iTrader: (36)

As soon as the ebay sellers quit trying to change prices on me

JFP in PA

Buying a used unit of unknown pedigree, possible modified or damaged; yeah, I'm sure that will make for a valid comparison...................yikes!

96sleepergle

iTrader: (6)

Keep in mind fella's they use laser nd there is no a radar detector has no wins over laser which cant be picked up unless he hits you with it then once it goes off your pretty much being informed by your radar detector that your going to be pulled over for speeding use commmon sense qhen your alittle above the speed limit

96sleepergle

iTrader: (6)

Keep in mind fella's they use laser and there is no a radar detector has no wins over laser which cant be picked up unless he hits you with it then once it goes off your pretty much being informed by your radar detector that your going to be pulled over for speeding use commmon sense when your a little above the speed limit

zywiec21

valentine one gets another vote

natty99

iTrader: (6)

I got a brand new Passport X50 (Blue) for free. I'm not totally confident with it, but then again, I wouldn't put 100% confidence in any detector. That's what I learned after my little run in with the law.

I was going up on PA 222 and got nailed by a damn PA trooper. Detector never went off. And I'm that type of driver that always looks in the mirrors, too, for those oh-so detectable Crown-Vic headlights. And when I did see the headlights in my rearview and slowed down, it was too damn late. It's like he came out of nowhere, I swaer. Cop lights went off like a damn disco ball. I was so pissed, but then again, I didn't pay for the detector. so oh well.

After getting the ticket I read what device the trooper used to get me. The punk ended up pacing me, since the 'detector used' was his damn speedometer.

Moral of the story. Cops can still get you without radar. They are not as dumb as they sound or look

Zero Deuce SE

I can relate to being paced. I was pulled over on Interstate 10 in Mobile, AL a couple of years ago. My V1 never sounded because he did not use a radar. He did clock my accurate speed because he asked me why I was doing 90 mph. I sure as heck was doing every bit of it too.

Vil

iTrader: (1)

Never had either but a friend uses the valventine and loves it.

Kevlo911

iTrader: (36)

Hey retard. They are new unused and sealed in the box.

JFP in PA

Sure they are, that's why they are on flea bay.......................

Kevlo911

iTrader: (36)

Yeah man, OMG you must be right. Ebay CAN'T possibly have any good listings, wtf was I thinking. Let me dish out 400 for an annoying Valentine so I slow down at every false alarm. Thanks man, you're a real life saver.

choopster

what abt cobra

natty99

iTrader: (6)

Hey guys...for those of you that aren't gung-ho valentine one fans and want a radar detector.....I'm selling my practically brand new Passport Escort 8500 X50 with BLUE led display in the general classified section.

Zero Deuce SE

Any particular reason you're selling yours?

natty99

iTrader: (6)

need the money more than I need the detector. Nothing wrong with it at all, just trying to sell a few things to settle some debts. please refer to the post if you're interested.

Here’s the link: http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=498394