I have an 8500 and my wealthier friends have the V1.
They swear by the V1.
My 8500 has saved me a ton of money; they are good for more than speeding.
(I.E., if your detector goes off don't do a California stop at a stop sign.)
With the gas prices being what they are I drive less than the speed limit now and don't need one unless it's a crucial situation.
And yes Eric W is right, you can't be the Lead car and expect to not get caught speeding with a radar detector.
If you buy the Escort get the warranty. I did and I had to use it (the warranty), and it hasn't missed a beat since then.
Don't buy the Escort that runs on batteries versus the cigarette lighter. Get the 8500.
If you are bucks up get the Valentine; it will let you know where Smokey is.
Study the "Right to Travel" on the WWW; speeding tickets, license plates and all that garbage.
It's all about the money. And that is all it is.
FM