escort or valentine?

kosmo · 4th November 2005, 20:21

Guys straight up which is better escort 8500 or valenine 1 at radar and laser? Depending on which magazine you read these seems to be the top 2.

thanks

3rd One · 4th November 2005, 21:43

valentine.

thread closed

madmmt · 4th November 2005, 22:06

buy both and try them.

gsfent · 4th November 2005, 22:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by kosmo

Guys straight up which is better escort 8500 or valenine 1 at radar and laser? Depending on which magazine you read these seems to be the top 2.

thanks

Not a bad idea to try both under a money back guarantee. I think you will find the overwhelming response here is the V1 for radar. As for laser, V1 is good, but lidatek is probably better.
Regards,
Jerry

mchin · 4th November 2005, 22:31

go V1. I don't think that you will be disappointed even though the unit is pricey.

Michael.

ard · 5th November 2005, 01:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by gsfent

Not a bad idea to try both under a money back guarantee.

One comment here- when you use two detectors in the same vehicle, the detection circuitry in the one (a tuned superheterodyne oscillator) can 'leak' causing the more sensitive unit to 'false'...

I recommend the V1 for two reasons:
1. It has arrows which helps you find and ID 'bogeys'
2. You can integrate the V1 into the E39 display (dash and nav) using the stealth one interface. REALLY cool- and functional. (You don't need to look at the detector to know what is going one, and there are no lights on the detector for total stealth mode.)

Only downside is the price- frigging espensive.

Notice, I have no opinion on which is more sensitive or more accurate. Once I decided there was no difference, the decision was on features only. Others will disagree, that the v1 is a better receiver...

All the reviews are really BS...

A

sampsue · 5th November 2005, 02:36

I have both but in different vehicles. I miss the V1 every time. With out the arrows I feel lost. No question in my mind. Jonny

XrayMD · 5th November 2005, 06:59

V1, hands down. It is just like they say, once you have the arrows, you can't live without them. As someone mentioned, good add-ons are the StealthOne for OBC integration (brilliant product!) and the Lidatek LE-30 laser jamming system.

The expense of the products is easily justified by how much you're saving in tickets and insurance increases.

ELEVENS · 5th November 2005, 13:36

With a detector, two things happen. 1) Oh oh - radar! 2) Where is is that Mofo?

You only get the first one if you don't have a V1. And like the others have said, the StealthOne interface is friggin awesome, my favorite feature (other than the display being moved to the instrument cluster) is the muted alert below a certain speed (I use 30 mph). Oh yea, you can say bye-bye to the Nav Lawyer Button with StealthOne, too.

For laser, all that a detector will tell you is that you've been busted. What yuo need is a proactive solution - Lidatek.

Cheers

andye39s · 5th November 2005, 14:56

I got a ticket just this week. The V1 probably would have saved me.

I didn't mention in the other thread that I have a BEL 985 at the time I got busted. It did go off briefly with the thing screaming X-BAND. I looked all around but didn't see the patrol car so I dismissed it at false. Next thing I knew he was coming up behind me. The cop probably entered the highway right after I pass that entrance. If I had the V1 it would have warned me that the signal is coming up from behind and I would have been looking for him from BEHIND. No other detector gives you that. Actually Valentine1 advertises it as radar "locator". Well, there is no other "locator" out there.

Having a detector you can't trust 100%, you're better of without it. I had the same debate when I bought the Bel 985. Do I want to pay $400 for the best or $230 for the "better than nothing"? I thought anything is better than nothing so I went cheap. Learn the hard way as always

My V1 will be here Tuesday.