I just spoke with a V1 rep. The new 1.8 units will work with everything on the older 1.7 units. SO, if you have a remote display and have it hard-wired into your car, just plug and play the new 1.8 unit and you're set!

DW

 

I wonder how it stacks up against the Bel 980 and Escort 8500. The only tests I find on the net are for my present version.

DW

 

Like I said, I have the 8500 and the V1--1.8 now and am testing them. I am about to make a 600 mile road trip this weekend. I can report back then. I will say this--after about 400 miles this week, I really love having thos arrows! It looks so much better than the 1.7 version too...much smaller. Sure it's only 1/4" of an inch, but it's noticable especially from the side!

SHUMAX

 

This thread is so long, I forgot about the 1st page, DOH!

DW

 

I will post some pics of the new design next week.

SHUMAX

 

That's cool. Thanks for the info!

Jim

 

Cool, I'll look forward to the pics and your comparison. Too bad no one can compare a 1.7 and a 1.8 to see the difference.

Jim

 

2 tickets in a 3 month span? My radar hasn't failed, and you think the V1 is gonna save your ***? More people have been caught with the V1 over the passport buddy. Sounds to me when the alarm went off you didn't hit the brake fast enough or you were going exccessivly fast and didn't slow down on time.

 

www.5thgenmaximas.com and see how-to then hardwiring a radar detector.. Pics of how to do it in there.

 

The Escort did not even go off. May have been a lemon that i received, but not sure. How is your's holding up?

 

C'mon, man. Your claim would be **so** hard to prove. More people get caught with V1s than Passports. You have to keep in mind that the conditions vary for all the people who use radar detectors.

As an example, I live in the northeast, in the NYC area. Very hilly region. My range for catching cops with my V1 is very short, but that's not because of the V1, its because of the hills and wise use of Ka and Laser, very short wavelengths. I took a road trip this summer, and out in western PA all the way to Iowa, my very same V1 ROCKED! I got warnings so far in advance it was ridiculous. Laser was still very scary and short, but man, Ka, X band radar, poh poh was mine! I attribute the stellar performance to the excellent sensitivity of the V1 AND the very flat terrain. Not many spots for cops to hide, and the rays just go straight out, to ME and my V1! Killer.

The reason I'm considering the V1 upgrade (well, it's already boxed up and I'm mailing my V1 today) is because I need every advantage to catch Ka and Laser here in the Northeast. The warnings are usually way too close for comfort.

DW

 

In PA you can also get stopped with VASCAR, which doesn't use a radar signal. That could be one reason that it never went off.

I know only state police in PA can use Radar, and all the locals have to use VASCAR which is basically hitting a button twice as you pass two white lines on the road. Since they know the distance the machine calculates the speed - it's not super accurate, but that's why they usually only pull you over at 8MPH+ over the speed limit.

 

Russ, what are you trying to say here? I'm confused by the above post.

 

Jim,

You know as well as I do it's the typical Russ "since I own a Passport it's automatically better than the V1 and don't any of you dare to disagree because I have proof in the form of nothing that a V1 is less effective than a Passport at preventing tickets and I only bought a Passport because a large majority of fellow members recommended the V1 and they can't be right".

Is that clearer?

 

Actually today on my way to work, my passport 8500 went off, and I looked around and I didn't see any cops. I drive this way to work everyday and this was the first time it went off at that spot. Today was the first time I wish I had the arrows, so I knew where to look.

Maybe those V1 arrows are nice, but I'm still not sure that they're worth the extra $100+

 

For commuting, maybe not. But on long road trips, moooooost definitely! Those arrows tell a story when you're out there on the road.

DW

 

Do you think the V1 is worth the $440 price when we can get the Passport 8500 for $239 plus shipping through MAXIMADAVE in the Car Audio forum.....I really would like the V1 and the directional arrows, but so far I can't justify a $200 difference. Can someone justify if for me....I haven't called Maximadave yet to place my Passport order.....Thanks.

 

Bill for the first time ever, you made me laugh!

SHUMAX

The V1 is worth it...expecially is you have seen the arrows 'work.' If not, the 8500 is a close competitor that is only off in features that are useful---the arrows!

SHUMAX

 

That's the debate that I had, but I figured for about half the price I'd go with the Passport and spend the rest of the money on something else for my car. But the one thing about the V1 is that even when you want to get rid of it, people still pay lots for it. Great Re-sell value.

 

Uh, well, yes, Bill, kind of...in an abstract way. I was hoping to get some logic from him about it though. Oh, I also spend my free time squeezing blood from stones.

Jim

 

Now, about justifying the cost. You have to do it yourself. No one can convince you. It depends on your budget, how much you drive, how fast you drive, and what the police prescense is like on the roads you frequent.

I'm all for spending money wisely and if a less-expensive detector does a good enough job for the amount of time you drive (or drive fast) then that's fine. I drive about 500 miles per week, 95% of that on major highways at high speeds. I've gotten so many tickets in my lifetime (been driving for 18 years) that it's worth it to me to get the most precise detector with as many extra features as they can stuff into it. And if I can upgrade the darn thing to a brand new one with even better performance for a little more money in the future, so much the better.

Jim

 

damn... long thread... took me awhile to finish reading it.

 

Haven't we had these debates before in the past? V1 vrs the Passport. Seems like deja vu to me.

I think in the end it came down to whatever your preferences are. Cause both are pretty good and where one is lacking the other makes up for it somehow or other. In this case the V1 has arrows but the passport has longer and better KA and Laser Detection. I think the V2 upgrade might settle this debate once and forall.

just my 2 cents.

 

Mines been great.....always seems to pick them up.

 

I think I confused a few. I didn't mean more tickets for the V1, but it seems more people on here with V1s are getting caught instead of the passport owners. Mine gives me way early warnings even before I go over hills!! You just need to learn how to listen to the radar. The passport has alot more features as well, and doesn't go off to every door signal or alarm system either.

 

No, V1 owners have it stuck in there head that the V1 is better. I went by Pauls tests, and several comparison tests on the net, and I bought what was and still is the best. Sorry but its not because I own it, its because of its results. I speed all the time, and it has saved me too many times to count.

 

Arrows are not worth it. If it goes off, who cares where he is at, slow down.

 

Then just dont speed.
Not such a a hard concept. Speed kills.

 

Russ-
Without starting a flame war with you---I DISAGREE.
Have you ever driven with a V1 in your car over 100 miles to actually 'see' how it works? No--not with a friend in his car...but a long highway trip to REALLY see how it works? You should if you haven't. Until then, let's reserve comments about "The V1 is this," and "The 8500 is that" until you do. Saying you know people who "have this and that experience," isn't fair. I just completed my 900 mile drive from Cleveland, Ohio to Charlotte, NC. I had the V1 and the Passport 8500 running on oppostie sides of the car to avoid interference---both had a clear view to the front AND rear.

Wanna know something? The V1 version 1.8 is unreal compared to my old V1-1.7 version I had about 9 months ago. I will swear by the KA band on the new version 1.8. In West Virginia they had a sign that said "YOUR SPEED IS..." It was transmitting on the KA frequency. The road was straight and flat. I got a chirp out of the V1-1.8 version, about 2.7 miles out. I looked at the Passport 8500...nothing. At about 1.8 miles out, the Passport 8500 Gave a tiny little chrip and then faded away. By this time the V1 was half way to full alert! By the time I was a mile out the V1 was at full alert and the 8500 was almost even half way to full alert. I quickly turned the V1 off to see if it was hindering the Passport 8500's performance---nope! It did nothing. Turned the V1 back on and it was at full alert! ADVANTAGE V1--version 1.8.

That was the first test. Next I got hit with a bouncing ray of laser in Virginia. It hit a car about 3 in front of me. The V1 went off and the 8500 was silent. ADVANTAGE V1-version 1.8. He must have triggered it again and the Passport 8500 went off at the exact same time the V1 did. ADVANTAGE--TIE. Point is that the first warning by the V1 got my attention and the 8500 did nothing. That extra warning the V1 gave me was needed as it was LASER---instant death. Again--ADVANTAGE V1 version 1.8.

Next warning. I am on 77 North in Beckley West Virginia coming home. V1 chimes in K band--one faint chirp and an arrow to the rear. The Passport 8500--nothing. I don't pay much attention to it and resume speeds of 80mph. Then I get a chirp out of the V1 again and nothing out of the 8500. This happens 4 more times. Each time the V1 gets stronger and stronger with the arrow to the rear. I break my speed to 4 over the limit after the second warning. Then it got really quiet for about 4 miles and I thought I was clear. I was always checking my rear view mind you and I never saw anything. I hit resume---80mph. BOOM!!!! K band half way on the V1 with a rear arrow and the 8500 chirped once. I look back and guess what is coming up on me HARD? Highway Patrol. He leaves his radar gun on and blows by me. The V1 was full lock for a LONG time--I am GUESSING about 3/4 of a mile. The 8500 never even went into full lock! NEVER, NEVER! I about crapped myself. Even when he was right next to me...no full lock. CLEAR ADVANTAGE V1--version 1.8 with ARROWS!!!!!!

Let me paint a picture for you. 80mph with Passport 8500. It chirps and I think it's an alarm from a building. I hit resume and move on. Actually it's a cop from in front or behind using instant-on radar. In this case the V1 told me to look in the rear view mirror and to expect a bogey coming up on me. Sure enough he did. Had it been the 8500 I would have just kept speeding up, confident it was a false alarm b/c my $300 radar detector from a company who has more models out than a car manufacture wouldn't fail me. Who knows..maybe I would have been "pulsed" in the rear by this guy and it would have been over--again, this assumes I had the Passport 8500 in this case. With the V1 I would have been at the speed limit and just fine.

Last case: Canton Ohio. 78mph in a 65 zone and faint forward alert from V1 on X band. About a second later I get something from the Passport 8500. I know it's instant-on (i.e Instant death) as I am in the middle of nowhere and it's a quick chirp that lights up for a second and goes right away; I slow to 70 and watch. V1 comes on with a warning followed closely by the Passport 8500. Then it just stays on as an alert---i.e, he left the gun on. I watched: I had full radar lock on him with the V1 about 1.5 miles out and full lock on him with the Passport 8500 at .7 miles! That's huge, Russ! OBVIOUS ADVANTAGE---MIKE D. VALENTINE---V1 version 1.8.


Ok--my point? Well as you all know I am a radar nut. I have had so many of them it would make most of you sick. I have owned a version 1.7 V1 a Passport 4200,4500,4600,7500 and now an 8500, a BEL 980, 855sti, a Whistler 400, 680, 2Se, 1685 and a 1785 ( I think that's the number). I sold the version 1.7-V1 for the 8500 b/c the 8500 was truly a better unit when compared to the V1 version 1.7. Then Mike D. Valentine came out with the Version 1.8 with improved KA performance as well as laser performance. Not to mention it's smaller and much lighter. I kept the 8500 to do some tests and try to end this war of which is better---true tests. The V1 is an exceptional product even if you have the version 1.7. However, the 8500 seems to beat it ever so slightly as I can tell by my previous tests wiht it against the Passport 8500. However, the new V1 version 1.8 is a lot better than the version 1.7 and is also better than the Passport 8500 in performance. In features? I think the 8500 is a gimic. I don't care that is has the ability to show me a bunch of bars to indicate a source of radar---POINT AT IT! Do the "V1" Point it out and that's all I need. If the Passport 8500 has the ability to develop 800 ways to show the band, strength, and number of signals, why the heck don't they point it out too? Bottom line? The majority of the features on the 8500 are gimics to ME. The ones on the V1 are real and needed. I only wish the V1 came with a cord stock that had a mute button on it. ADVANTAGE PASSPORT 8500. Yes, I know you can BUY the concealed display, but Passport GIVES you that--again ADVANTAGE PASSPORT. But the V1 gives you functional arrows--advantage Mike D. Valentine.

Another case. A tropper going the same direction as you 'pulsing' people heading the opposite direction. The Passport 8500 just beeps. The V1 points forward and indicates the same strength everytime--with practice you will understand this to be a cop moving the same direction as you. If it were a rear arrow, you would know he was coming up on you from behind---use it, you will see what I mean. A simple stupid "beep" is useless. Sure--"slow down." Why would I if I know he's in front of me and going the same direction. Or why would I if I know that he has already past. Or why would I if I know he's to my side---radar can't pick up cars from the side. And...well I could go on and on about the arrows.

Bottom line: I am keeping both. The 8500 is in my Fiances car. The v1 version 1.8 is in mine.

 

How much is the new 1.8 V1? I wonder how much I could sell my 8500 with the direct wire kit? Hmmm

 

My 8500 has caught radar from so far away my freinds are amased!

 

Interesting. And very familiar stories to us long time V-1 users who have used the locator arrows to save our necks many times. I bought my first Snooper brand X-band only radar detector made by Autotronics of Richardson Tx. in 1973 (still have it) and have also had a long line of other detectors. Based on your testimony, it's time for me to upgrade my first gen V-1/laser for sure. After owning it for almost 8 yrs it's still worth $120 trade in on a new 1.8! How many cars retain 1/3 of their original value after 8 yrs?
Thanks for your report!

-Mark

 

Hold on----

I am not saying you should sell the 8500--it's a great piece of equipment, just not the best anymore. If you want to know what you can get for it---I checked on EBAY. $260 seems like the number. Don't throw the direct wire kit in---sell it seperate and you will get even more out of the entire deal.

Again---I don't think that the 8500 is a MUST SELL. The version 1.8 by Valentine is just a bit better and better for me. The features might tickle you pink, but they don't of me. What's concrete is the performance of the V1 version 1.8--SOLID!

Good luck!
SHUMAX

 

Excellent report Shumax, I know what my next radar detector will be. Thanks!

GC

 

This is exactly what I meant by saying those V1 arrows tell stroies. I'm glad my V1 1.8 is on its way! Thx Shumax!

DW

 

russ you said...
Arrows are not worth it. If it goes off, who cares where he is at, slow down.

now you're asking how much is the V1 and you're going to sell your 8500. why don't u take your own advice and slow the fluck down..right? it beeps slow down.

 

Why are you interjecting sense into his arguments against himself?

 

 

err just a side note..the V2 is a supercharger...not a radar detector.
V1 - Valentine1
V2 - SC
V1 (1.8) - upgrade for older V1 radars

 

damn should've known better.