Shooter Grrl Posted May 20, 2007 Share Posted May 20, 2007 Okay guys, I've narrowed my choices down to the Passport 8500 or the Valentine 1. What am I getting for my extra $150 bucks with the V1? Is it really *THAT* much better than the 8500? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe4d Posted May 20, 2007 Share Posted May 20, 2007 drive the speed limit and you'll save the money save the gas, and be a more responsible citizen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Suber Posted May 20, 2007 Share Posted May 20, 2007 Okay guys, I've narrowed my choices down to the Passport 8500 or the Valentine 1. What am I getting for my extra $150 bucks with the V1? Is it really *THAT* much better than the 8500? Kathy, Do the LEOs in your area use Laser? If so, nothing will help. I learned the hard way last week. Our City PD just converted to Laser (a very advanced one). The officer got me and I never got a peep out of the radar detector. He told me that the laser is emitting a beam that is 8 inches wide at 300yds. He aimed at the grill of the vehicle and the signal never came near the detector. He told me he had pulled people with all kinds of detectors and they never had a chance. Bummer. I just learned that our Highway Patrol will be getting them soon, too. Take care. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markcic Posted May 20, 2007 Share Posted May 20, 2007 Okay guys, I've narrowed my choices down to the Passport 8500 or the Valentine 1. What am I getting for my extra $150 bucks with the V1? Is it really *THAT* much better than the 8500? Yes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shooter Grrl Posted May 20, 2007 Author Share Posted May 20, 2007 Okay guys, I've narrowed my choices down to the Passport 8500 or the Valentine 1. What am I getting for my extra $150 bucks with the V1? Is it really *THAT* much better than the 8500? Yes. Why? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Boudrie Posted May 20, 2007 Share Posted May 20, 2007 our asking for advice on buying a device that will allow you to avoid detection while engaging in criminal activity. Where I come from (People's Republic of Massachusetts), simple speeding is not "Criminal" but a "Violation". In fact, there is no finding of guilt or innocence in a speeding hearing - simply "Responsible" or "Not Responsible" (reflecting the non-criminal nature of the offense). Drunk driving is a crime and treated entirely differently by the court system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shooter Grrl Posted May 20, 2007 Author Share Posted May 20, 2007 MODERATOR INSERT Please keep the answers on track with the initial question. Thank You!!!!! THREAD STARTER INSERT I don't need to debate the why's, I want it and THE PRINCESS gets what THE PRINCESS wants Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
driver8M3 Posted May 21, 2007 Share Posted May 21, 2007 i've had an 8500 for 3 years or so. it works fine for radar...but as jack said you dont get much protection from laser. and even for radar, you still need to pay attention. it's saved me probably 3 or 4 definite tickets (mostly at night when you cant visually scan as well), so it's easily paid for itself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Micah Posted May 21, 2007 Share Posted May 21, 2007 Kath, I'd go with the cheaper of the two, and invest a little extra money on a radio scanner as well. While driving at night, the comm feedback will clue you in to traps. During the day, the best radar detector is between your ears. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shooter Grrl Posted May 21, 2007 Author Share Posted May 21, 2007 Kathy,Do the LEOs in your area use Laser? If so, nothing will help. I learned the hard way last week. Our City PD just converted to Laser (a very advanced one). The officer got me and I never got a peep out of the radar detector. He told me that the laser is emitting a beam that is 8 inches wide at 300yds. He aimed at the grill of the vehicle and the signal never came near the detector. He told me he had pulled people with all kinds of detectors and they never had a chance. Bummer. I just learned that our Highway Patrol will be getting them soon, too. Take care. I know Ohio uses Laser, cause MY ONLY speeding ticket EVER was in Ohio by a patrolman with a Laser. He wrote the serial number and last calibration date on the ticket!!!! Twas not that big of a deal, it was a whopping $68.00 However, because I'm using an *OLD* detector now... I happen to know that Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi and Georgia all *bleed* some sort of radar off of their vehicles As do my local Sherriff and city police cars. So if the new ones pick up that "bleed" sooner, I'm still good! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scirocco38s Posted May 21, 2007 Share Posted May 21, 2007 To answer your question, Yes. I drive alot for a living( field rep for medical corp) I have had them all and the valentine outperforms at all levels. It is also upgradeable, plus if it is stolen and returned to valentine for repairs, they fixit and send it back to you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricW Posted May 21, 2007 Share Posted May 21, 2007 The key to using a detector effectively is making sure you have a "pigeon." Let yourself get passed by someone who's going about as fast as you want them to go, then let them run ahead while you follow. Driving 20 over all by your lonesome is not the smart way to do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BNorth Posted May 21, 2007 Share Posted May 21, 2007 (edited) I've never used anything but the V1; so I can't comment on how it fairs against the others. The TX state patrol in my areas still uses Radar and love to sit on the far side of hills. I always pick them up way before I pop over the hill. Also, I believe one of the biggest benefits is knowing how many and which way the signal is coming from. Just my .02 Edited May 21, 2007 by BNorth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shooter Grrl Posted May 21, 2007 Author Share Posted May 21, 2007 The key to using a detector effectively is making sure you have a "pigeon." Let yourself get passed by someone who's going about as fast as you want them to go, then let them run ahead while you follow. Driving 20 over all by your lonesome is not the smart way to do it. Oh, um, 20 over?!?! Too skeered for that. I keep it at 15 over cause I think I heard somewhere *they* are less likely to add on/trump up the ticket. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Keen Posted May 21, 2007 Share Posted May 21, 2007 PRINCESS ? I thought you were a WARRIOR PRINCESS ??? Ask Bseevers about the V1. But whether you do or don't ..... the answer is get the V1. I am a firm believer in "You get what you pay for" and radar / laser detectors are not the kind of item you buy the "cheapest" model just to save $100. I know it sounds like alot ($150) but you'll be glad you spent the extra money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shooter Grrl Posted May 21, 2007 Author Share Posted May 21, 2007 I am a firm believer in "You get what you pay for" and radar / laser detectors are not the kind of item you buy the "cheapest" model just to save $100. I know it sounds like alot ($150) but you'll be glad you spent the extra money. Neither of the models I'm considering are cheap. They are both the absolute top of the line. They both CLAIM to function the same. I was hoping someone here could explain to me the $150 difference. My gut feeling is that the Valentine is overpriced for no good reason! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimel Posted May 21, 2007 Share Posted May 21, 2007 Went this all last year about this time and went with the Beltronics R65. I don't intentionally drive over the limit but have been known to have a lead foot now and then when I am just watching the countryside zip by. If you haven't discovered this forum yet, it is worth spending some time there. http://www.radardetector.net/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Keen Posted May 21, 2007 Share Posted May 21, 2007 Escort is made by Cincinnati Microwave, and have been around since I was a little kid. My dad had one. So I doubt they would make an inferior product, which tells me there good enough to be around for 40 years, go ahead and buy it. But I personally know someone using a V1, and he doesn't buy crap either, so I don't think you'll go wrong either way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Micah Posted May 21, 2007 Share Posted May 21, 2007 If you haven't discovered this forum yet, it is worth spending some time there.http://www.radardetector.net/ Freakin' awesome! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Keen Posted May 21, 2007 Share Posted May 21, 2007 Sometimes, when I get nervous, I stick my hands under my armpits and than I smell them like this! Sniffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Front Man Posted May 21, 2007 Share Posted May 21, 2007 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scirocco38s Posted May 21, 2007 Share Posted May 21, 2007 The guy who owns Valentine(Tim Valentine) Was the cheif designer and coowner of Cincinatti microwave back when escort got started. He sold his shares of the company and signed a noncompete clause that lasted I think 15yrs. When the clause had expired, he then started the company Valentine1. He knows the radar industry and the laser part of it too as good as anyone. I had the original escort, and a passport 8500 and theyare good detectors, but after I purchased my V1 I ran the 8500 and the V1 side by side for 2 weeks and there is no question that the V1 is better. $150 is a lot ofmoney, but a ticket is far worse. As much money as we spend on shooting, the 150 is the same as 1.5 sleeves of primers so it aint that bad. I know that spending 400 for a piece of electronics that you can hold in the palm of your hand is a lot to swallow but you wont regret it the first time you realize that it just saved you 750. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricW Posted May 21, 2007 Share Posted May 21, 2007 "The V-1 is the chicken little of radar dectors." All I need to know....the reason I stopped using one was all the freakin' false alerts. A Bell RX65 will probably be on order tomorrow. Tired of heart failure from the Revenoooers, er State Patrol on the way to work every day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HSMITH Posted May 21, 2007 Share Posted May 21, 2007 Around here they have all gone to 'instant-on' radar or laser, and you are just plain screwed with both of them. Neither one gives you ANY warning if you are the lead dog, so you either face the possibility of a ticket or stick the the view being behind the lead dog. IN traffic I will ROLL, at night I will ROLL, all by myself I keep it to about 6 or 7 over. I know when there is enough traffic to put the hammer down, and when there isn't, that is a real breakthrough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ong45 Posted May 21, 2007 Share Posted May 21, 2007 (edited) My V1 has paid for itself many times over, false alerts seem less than the escorts i have had in the past. If price is not an issue , this protects against lasers too. http://www.k40.com/cali_main.html Edited May 21, 2007 by ong45 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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