BigFly_2K2SE

iTrader: (1)

Please tell us what those "8 bands" are.

The 8500 does not provide you with any additional coverage over the V1.

spdfreak

Yes it does. There are settings that can be tweaked to your liking.
The way I have mine set up is as follows: A "." in the middle means its in
Auto mode (the mode I keep it in); Then theres a "+" or "-" thats means city or hiway mode.
The other mode I wrote about is the ability to see up to 8 bands simotainiously.

You may ask where this is helpful.

If your doing 80 mph down the highway and your radar detector starts to beep,
you slow down, and see a state trooper on the other side of the road.
Of course your happy your saved and continue on speeding.

If you have the regular radar detectors, it will show you 1 to 2 signals depending on your detector.

If you have the Passport 8500 like I do, and have it set up the way I have it set up,
you will either see the one or two signals from the cop.
If there happens to be another cop taking radar down the road you'll see more signals,
usually 4 (two from the cop on the oncoming side and two from the cop down the road) and realize that there's still a threat,
vs if you have the other detectors you will think it's the cop on the oncoming side and get screwed down the road by the other trooper.

It doesn't necessarily have to be a cop on the other side causing you to think that the signal is from him.
It may be an electronic road sign, a radar gun from a little leage baseball game,
or some large shopping center on off to the side with many eletronic doors.

I hope I have explained it well. If anyone needs further information,
I can either find a user manuel in pdf format or post detailed pictures of my user manuel.

BigFly_2K2SE

iTrader: (1)

The V1 also does this exactly. It is in the form of "A", little "L", and big "L" for all bogeys, logic, and advanced logic.

I did some quick research and think I now understand what you are talking about here. By 8 "bands", I think you mean that the 8500 counts up to 8 SOURCES and displays their strength and what band they are on. Nice feature, but IMO not as nice as the V1 arrows.

In your example above, the V1 will also do a fine job of alerting you to both threats.

It has a "bogey" counter which will count up to 9 signals at one time. The arrows will alert you as to what directions the threats are coming from and one of the arrows will blink to indicate the most "imminent" threat.

So in the situation described above, the V1 will count two bogeys and will have one arrow pointing to the side to indicate the LEO on the opposite of the road and one arrow pointing ahead to alert you of the upcoming threat. Depending on which signal is stronger, the arrow for that signal will blink.

spdfreak

Two is just not enough.

1) On another note I was in a car traveling with two others in PA to Pocano Raceway for a day full of road racing. The car I was in had a Valentine, and so did one of the others. The 3rd car had a Passport 8500. There was one spot where the valentine's didn't pick up the radar signal while the Passport did.

2) I've hear acouple of times that the guy who made the Valentine broke off from the Passport company, but didn't have all the info. I guess thats where the Valentine looses out.

Just to let myself vent, all those people who keep their detectors in middle of the windsheild, it doesn't give you any more coverage than sitting a couple of inches off the dash.

slickrick

iTrader: (12)

with my v1 it does...ive tested this 10x with the same result each time...middle placement on windshield is higher sensitivity than being mounted low by the clock.

spdfreak

Found a picture. Go to http://www.amazon.com/Escort-Passpor.../dp/B00028D778 and scroll 1/2 way down the page. You'll see three pectures, one on top of the other of how the display could be set up.

The top is for those that don't know better. For the way they use it they might as well buy a cheaper model and sell me their's.

The bottom is for those who want people to think that they're opperating some highly complicated piece of machinery.

The middle is how I and many others have it set up. The letters represent the band while the "|" are signal strenth. The taller the "|" the stronger the signal.

Any questions?
Any one want to sell me theirs?

spdfreak

Don't know abot those units. Could be that when it's low in your car something blocks it, but I doubt it.

BigFly_2K2SE

iTrader: (1)

You missed my point, the two was in reference to your example above because you mentioned two threats. The V1 will actually count up to 9 threats.

I am not going to argue with your real-world experiences, but every objective test I have seen indicates that V1 has as good or better detection than the 8500 in all areas. In some areas (e.g. laser) it is FAR superior. The biggest knock on the V1 is that it is overly "sensitive", so it chatters a lot. If you are okay with that and don't mind paying a little extra, the V1 is the overall better detector.

I recommend you go to www.radardetector.net and read over there for awhile. I think once you have done that you will come to the same conclusion as me on which detector is the best.

BigFly_2K2SE

iTrader: (1)

In most cases you are right, low mounting is better. The V1 is different - it operates better mounted higher.

STILLENGLE

i heard the Cobra's are pretty good.

spdfreak

Ever have one?

spdfreak

Even if I had the extra money I still would go with the Passport. Who needs arrows? When there's a threat you slow down, unless your sure it's a construction / road sign.

Till I have tried both, I will not be able to judge, but who can afford 2 detectors? Besides that I wouldn't be able to conduct a test, as you can't have two systems too close as it causes false alarms.

spdfreak

Check out this site, and the videos. Pretty interesting.
www.jasonsvideoproductions.com

spdfreak

Found a fualt in the V1. Not that the passport has none.

http://www.jasonsvideoproductions.com/v1speedsign.wmv

splainer27

I am in have a brother that is a Lt. in the Kansas Highway Patrol. I have been a "ride-a-long" approx. 30 times with him. Like any other non-law enforcement person, I asked all the questions about speeding. At least in Kansas here are some of the mythbusters. #1 You can not go to jail for speeding alone, no matter your speed, you have to commit at least 2 offenses. ex. left of center and speeding etc. #2 Also that trooper cars are "souped" up. Wrong They have a govener at 126MPH (Crown Vic) but they rarely get outran because how many roads actually can you go top speed and hold it, therefore gaining the advantage. They only have good/wide tires and a driver that has 8 hours a day/ every day experience in driving the roads that they patrol. My brother said usually they wreck while trying to run. As far as radar detectors. He has a control that locks and unlocks every time he radars someone and I hear all the people he pulls over via his microphone, and some have radar detectors. Everyone who said anything about a radar detector said that it went off "loud" "full strength" for a split second and the went off. He said that he hasn't ever heard any different from a "speeder" with a radar detector. That his radar has the ability to completely turn off all "radar waves" and then back on by the push of a button. But that he never leaves it on all the time. Just when he sees someone obviously over the speed limit. When you are in his car it's obvious why they turn it on and off. When he is radaring someone the radar puts out a "tone noise" (it is really annoying) and when the trooper car's speed matches the radar speed it's not too loud, but when speed is detected that is higher that the trooper car, then the pitch increases in pitch and volume with the "speeder's" speed. Just FYI from a Kansas guy.

splainer27

Bottom line, speeding, cornering etc. is great fun. I enjoy it as much as the next guy but it really doesn't get you to your location any faster, it's just fun! If you can't afford the ticket when you get caught the one in a million times you have done the "offense" before, then buy a Accord or Camry and do the speed limit. Grandma!

bwinter7

But I thought if you were 2x the speed limit, that is automatically wreckless driving, +speeding, and a felonly charge? Therefore if you just speed, but under 2x the limit, then you can't go to jail.

spdfreak

Thats off topic.

slickrick

iTrader: (12)

interesting but this dud edoes NOT know how to read his V1...the k band light is flashing along with the front arrow...this means this is the most credible threat. the ka band didnt seem like it came from the sign because it wasnt consistently on, unless it was a software glitch...I know they had problems when the switched vendors for parts (I know becase 3 days after receiving my v1 I had to return it 4 a software change). Additionally, I sent it out over night, then fixed it the day they got it, and send it overnight that day all free of charge both ways.

spdfreak

My passport had to be sent back to be recalibrated.

BigFly_2K2SE

iTrader: (1)

Yeah, that's the "ghosting" that was common in some versions of the V1. I believe Valentine supposedly addressed this in more recent versions of their software. I wonder what software version was used for that test?

BigFly_2K2SE

iTrader: (1)

You heard wrong.

BigFly_2K2SE

iTrader: (1)

If I was to do it again, I may get the Passport just because I don't think the difference in price is worth the very minimal improved performance. Also, to be honest, the V1 drives me crazy (actually more my wife than me) in the city sometimes with it's constant chattering.

I would miss the arrows a lot though. They are very, very nice once you get used to them and it would be hard to go back to not having them.

Regime

iTrader: (2)

Mine certainly does not do that.

spdfreak

The thing works! Turned a dark bend in the road and there he is, the 5-0 coming opposit me in the oncoming traffic. It beeps and I lay off the gas, no need for arrows. If it rings you take it easy, end of story.

If passport made one with arrows, I would buy it, as long as it's the same price as the 8500 x50.

Regime

iTrader: (2)

That is why they have that big fancy "Volume" **** on the V1, or by pressing said ****, you can temporarily hush the system to your preset volume modification until a greater threat is detected.

Honestly guys if you read the reviews, other than the ones funded by Escort (ahem... radartest.com/car and driver) the V1 handily beats the competitors, overall, and matches, or beats them in every category.

i30krab

iTrader: (1)

Has anyone bought one of these?
I'm thinking about getting the Calibre DL-P Hidden bluetooth wireless detector with front and rear pods.
And the wireless LD 5500-BT laser defuser for my wifes new Lexus RX-350.





http://www.k40.com/cali_main.html

BigFly_2K2SE

iTrader: (1)

Mine is software version 3.825 and unfortunately it does. What software version to you have?

Which works just fine except that I will need to build an armrest near my detector because hitting the mute button for every alarm in the city is a full-time job.

You are preaching to the choir. I own the V1 and believe it is the best detector on the market. I am still willing to admit that it is not perfect and has some faults though.

slickrick

iTrader: (12)

i should have my buddy wire up a PAC swi-x interface and let us mute the v1 by pressing a button on our steering wheel controls.

RapidMax

iTrader: (2)

I have a V1 and a friend of mine has the passport. From my experience, the V1 has a noticeable advantage in range over the passport. He usually has a few seconds to slow down while I'll be sitting there wondering where the cop is for a half mile. The V1 is more annoying in regards to chatter but I just turn the volume all the way down and make sure the arrows are in my sight line so I know when to slow down. Worth the extra $100 for the best IMO, its a lot less than just 1 ticket will cost.

spdfreak

I'll say what I keep on saying. When theres a threat, you slow down, who cares about where he is.

You also mentioned that the V1 has more distance, What are you baseing that on? Your experiance? That doesn't count, bec you never had both detectors infront of you at the same time. And we can't base it on what the company says, because thats usually 50% BS.

slickrick

iTrader: (12)

the arrows are much more than a gimmick...feel free to buy a v1, use it, and return it within 30 days and report back. No sense in explaining how well it works...just go try it out.

spdfreak

Do they pay the shipping expense?

(As you can see in my sig that i'm looking for another detector for my other car, so maybe it's not a bad idea to have one of each?!?! Where's the cheepest place for me to buy a V1? And is that the latest model?)

2000 Maximus

iTrader: (4)

All I know is I Love my V1 and would never get any other radar ever - from a mile or more away, over a hill or down one I will get some form of a pickup and thats all it takes to be able to slow down and drive right past that porker on the side with a Big Ole' Smile on your face!

slickrick

iTrader: (12)

get it direct only from V1..it was $406 shipped to Florida and it ships from Ohio. They only send the newest model. So if you don't like it, you may lose the $5 each way to ship it, but I have a feeling you might keep it.

Regime

iTrader: (2)

I will base it off 95% of the reviews out there, that say the V1 is superior. The other 5% are paid for by either a competitor (i.e. radartest.com) or are a seller of competitor's products (i.e. radarbusters.com aka Radar Roy) Any real independent test will show the V1 is as good or superior in every aspect.

You would be correct I never had my v1 mounted next to an 8500, but my buddy has one, and we have run a few tests recently in light of this very thread, and driving side by side coming up on K and Ka band Speedsigns my V1 ALWAYS goes off first, usually by a block or 2.

Wait-a-second, after all the uneducated bashing of the V1 and it's "gimmic arrows" you are thinking of getting one now? My how the mighty have fallen. I challenge you to get one, put it next to your 8500, then come back and tell us all how much better/worse you think the V1 is.
I can tell you that every single person I know that has radar detectors wishes they had mine instead, including my 8500 friend.
I personally switched from a full front and rear mount K40 setup, which died right out of warranty, and I would never go back.

spdfreak

I have no idea what a k40 is and don't plan on searching. I'll probily get a million results, but the ones I want.

No, I haven't fallen. I am lookng to add another radar detector to my collection, for the other car and having 2 different detectors, will lead me to see which I like better.

BTW you should tell your buddy, that either one of two things might be wrong. I've heard from a friend, that Escort told him to reset the unit (I think he did this by holding in all buttons) in order to stop the false alarms. They told him that when the detector sits in the sun....Sorry I don't remember the rest, but it was something to the fact that it looses sensitivety.

The other thing that might be wrong, he might have to have it upgraded. He might have bought it only a couple of weeks ago, but whos to say that it wasn't sitting on the shelf in the warehouse for the longest time and now needs an upgrade in the softwear....just my oppinions, because my detector senses signals, from more than a mile away, and thats a hell of a far distanse.

maxitech

iTrader: (7)

Got an 8500 from my buddy for 50 bucks...it works great except for false laser readings around town...don't know what's up with that, I just disable laser unless I'm on the highway...I also keep x-band disabled. He upgraded to a V1.
For the money, I'm quite happy with my purchase...But I still maintain that a radar detector is no substitute for keen eyes and being an active driver.

slickrick

iTrader: (12)

most likely from neon business signs or certain cars emit laser frequencies for their cruise control, etc.

spdfreak

Probily has to be reset, or upgrade the software.

Want to seel it to me?