What does the Valentine V1 compete with?

[NinTenTom]

I was just wondering what the Valentine One V1 competes with these days. Has any other company(ies) ever caught up with their performance/price ratio? If so, what other choices are out there other than the V1? Also, are there any detectors out there yet that have been able to detect li-dar yet?

[jeremyc74]

I've had the V1, and now use a Passport 9500. It's a much better detector overall. The detection performance is a wash on the higher end models, and the 9500 adds GPS so it can vary the sensitivity based on speed. That means almost zero alarms when you're driving around in a parking lot. It also allows you to lock out false alarms based on GPS location. If you get the same false alarm all the time on your way to work, you tap the mute button 3 times and you never hear it again. The Passport is the current "state of the art" as far as I'm concerned.

[adrean8j]

^^^What Jeremy says...I own the same model and it is great.

[dma550]

Originally Posted by jeremyc74

I've had the V1, and now use a Passport 9500. It's a much better detector overall. The detection performance is a wash on the higher end models, and the 9500 adds GPS so it can vary the sensitivity based on speed. That means almost zero alarms when you're driving around in a parking lot. It also allows you to lock out false alarms based on GPS location. If you get the same false alarm all the time on your way to work, you tap the mute button 3 times and you never hear it again. The Passport is the current "state of the art" as far as I'm concerned.

That sounds good for the most part, but what if there is an instant on in the region you "whitelisted" with the GPS position? Will it get reported?

[adrean8j]

The GPS 'whitelists' it. That is to within a few feet. The instant-on would have to be at that almost EXACT location for it to not be detected.

[Citizen Z]

Geeze, guys, at least read the literature that came with your Passport i9500. The i9500 lock out feature stores two things: location, and signal type (frequency). All radar isn't always the exact same frequency just how garage door openers operate on different frequencies. When you lock out an X band radar signal coming from the automatic door at a local grocery store, other frequencies will still be reported by the i9500. If you have a cop with his radar turned on in the same vicinity as the source of the blocked signal, the i9500 will report the new signal at the same old location, while it will continue ignorning the previously blocked signal. Thats whats awesome about the i9500; you can discriminate reoccurring signals for areas you frequently drive through without worrying about getting zapped by a policeman who wasn't there before.

Just for an FYI, most police use Ka and Ku. Many K and X band signals are used in stationary radar detectors like the ones you see in school zones that tell you your speed and in traffic control (red lights). They're also used in automatic doors and you will get a lot of X band radiation from hospitals, for some reason.

[dma550]

Originally Posted by Citizen Z

Geeze, guys, at least read the literature that came with your Passport i9500.

Hah, I have a V1, not sure if you're talking to me

[dbchun]

you're going to get a variety of responses but the three big contenders are the V1, Bel Sti, and Escort 9500/8500

all can detect lidar
Bel Sti is unique in that in cannot be detected by "radar detector detectors" (if you live in an area where it's illegal to have one)

i use a V1 and my dad has a 8500 both have been very reliable

[jeremyc74]

Originally Posted by dbchun

you're going to get a variety of responses but the three big contenders are the V1, Bel Sti, and Escort 9500/8500

all can detect lidar
Bel Sti is unique in that in cannot be detected by "radar detector detectors" (if you live in an area where it's illegal to have one)

i use a V1 and my dad has a 8500 both have been very reliable

The 9500i is also undetectable from what I understand. I use mine all the time in VA and have yet to have a Trooper give me a second look.

[NinTenTom]

Lidar is the one i'm most concerned about. So what are the main differences between the escort 8500/9500? Is it the GPS feature or is there more new stuff added onto it?

[Citizen Z]

Originally Posted by NinTenTom

Lidar is the one i'm most concerned about. So what are the main differences between the escort 8500/9500? Is it the GPS feature or is there more new stuff added onto it?

Google - also a game changer.

http://www.laserveil.com/escort/passport/9500i/

http://www.automobilemag.com/feature...00i/index.html

http://www.escortradar.com/9500i.htm

Most of the auto mags have reviewed it as well and run through the various subtle and major differences.

[Lester]

Originally Posted by NinTenTom

Lidar is the one i'm most concerned about. So what are the main differences between the escort 8500/9500? Is it the GPS feature or is there more new stuff added onto it?

About $350. A used 8500 is $100 - a new 9500 is $450.

[dbchun]

yah if you're worried about LIDAR, detecting it is going to do you little help. you're much better off with the aforementioned Laser Interceptor or LPP (Laser Park Pro)

[C_Topher]

Now the Escort 9500 ix (or xi, I can't remember) will automatically lock out a false signal after you pass it a few times. Also, it has an updatable database of redlight cameras and speedtraps that are integrated into the GPS functions.

[hbiscuit]

Originally Posted by dbchun

you're going to get a variety of responses but the three big contenders are the V1, Bel Sti, and Escort 9500/8500

all can detect lidar
Bel Sti is unique in that in cannot be detected by "radar detector detectors" (if you live in an area where it's illegal to have one)

i use a V1 and my dad has a 8500 both have been very reliable

no, a Bell Sti is not unique in this way.

[C_Topher]

Originally Posted by alpnwhite96

no, a Bell Sti is not unique in this way.

I believe that it is. What other radar detector has the same immunity to radar detector detectors?

[jeremyc74]

Originally Posted by C_Topher

I believe that it is. What other radar detector has the same immunity to radar detector detectors?

The 9500ci (expensive) is completely undetectable, but the tests I've seen say that the 9500i and xi are so hard to detect you don't have anything to worry about.

[C_Topher]

Jeremyc74, I have heard the 9500ci is undetectable, but it is a different class of RD, not windshield mounted and costs 5x the V1.

From the Guys of Lidar 2007 Spectre III testing, with results listed in distance in feet at time of detection, the BelTronics STi is the only "undetectable" detector.