View Poll Results: If you've had both the Valentine 1 and the Escort 8500, which one did you keep?
Valentine 1
11
100.00%
Escort Passport 8500
0
0%
Voters: 11. You may not vote on this poll
If you've had both V1 and 8500, which did you keep?
10-25-04, 04:08 PM
#1
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If you've had both V1 and 8500, which did you keep?
I'm curious....
Every so often, someone will ask which is best, and it's been discussed many times before.....but usually the stories are from those who have only had one.
So for all you folks who have had both, which one did you keep???
Every so often, someone will ask which is best, and it's been discussed many times before.....but usually the stories are from those who have only had one.
So for all you folks who have had both, which one did you keep???
10-26-04, 12:43 AM
#4
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no offence, i really wonder how much better V1 does between the two
and would you not slow down when you picked up K, Ka band , if it shows in front, behind ,and left/right???
sorry hawk, not meant to hijack your thread, i was making the same decision and i picked Escort, because my friend hooked it up with a pretty good deal from Bestbuy
and would you not slow down when you picked up K, Ka band , if it shows in front, behind ,and left/right???
sorry hawk, not meant to hijack your thread, i was making the same decision and i picked Escort, because my friend hooked it up with a pretty good deal from Bestbuy
10-26-04, 09:19 AM
#5
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if you're looking for a bargain, get the escort.... its 100 dollars cheaper... and if u got it hooked up through a friend, even better.... but for overall quality, i would take the valentine 1 because it has 2 radar antennas, one in the front and one in the back. i am planning on getting a V1, but i need a new car first...
10-26-04, 10:20 AM
#6
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GS400kid, Dynasty SC, et al
i appreciate the input and other discussion. My intent on this thread, though, is not to debate the value aspects of the two (re: $100 price difference) or any other conversation on the merits of one over the other.
Rather, because the debate for many potential purchasers has often been between these two detectors, I was hoping that each person who's had both could vote and then give a short explanation. I wouldn't at all be surprised if someone votes for the passport and says that he/she couldn't justify the $100 price difference, that's fine. Of course, I don't mean to discount the value of a good conversation on this topic, but I believe such a discussion can be reserved for another thread. Especially since it's been covered so many other times.
i appreciate the input and other discussion. My intent on this thread, though, is not to debate the value aspects of the two (re: $100 price difference) or any other conversation on the merits of one over the other.
Rather, because the debate for many potential purchasers has often been between these two detectors, I was hoping that each person who's had both could vote and then give a short explanation. I wouldn't at all be surprised if someone votes for the passport and says that he/she couldn't justify the $100 price difference, that's fine. Of course, I don't mean to discount the value of a good conversation on this topic, but I believe such a discussion can be reserved for another thread. Especially since it's been covered so many other times.
10-26-04, 02:10 PM
#7
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Hawk,
As in my PM, I suspect there are very few people that have owned both. You get one and ususally don't have occasion to switch out. I gave you the name of one person who has had both and I know he's done a writeup I'll try to find for you.
LOTS of other information is already out there if you just search for 'Valentine 8500' you will get loads of information and opinions with no waiting. For example:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...threadid=16649
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...threadid=52508
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...hreadid=100415
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...hreadid=117243
SELOC thread where Jaime posted about both
http://www.seloc.net/modules.php?nam...er=asc&start=0
As in my PM, I suspect there are very few people that have owned both. You get one and ususally don't have occasion to switch out. I gave you the name of one person who has had both and I know he's done a writeup I'll try to find for you.
LOTS of other information is already out there if you just search for 'Valentine 8500' you will get loads of information and opinions with no waiting. For example:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...threadid=16649
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...threadid=52508
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...hreadid=100415
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...hreadid=117243
SELOC thread where Jaime posted about both
http://www.seloc.net/modules.php?nam...er=asc&start=0
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10-26-04, 02:55 PM
#8
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I have owned both.
When I first bought the passport 8500, I didn't know how it would perform but people kept raving about it so I bought it. It has saved me numerous times. It is just so simple and easy to use. If your on a budget, I would get the passport 8500.
When I bought the v1, I realized that it is even more sensitive(it can get quite annoying sometimes) but it has also saved me a couple times. The best part about the v1 is that it displays where the radar or laser bands are coming from and how many are on you at one time.
The performance of both of them is the same in my opinion. They both detected the normal speed traps in my area and they gave me enough warning time to slow down. Although, the v1 is a little more sensitive and will give you a warning a couple of seconds quicker (ie: on laser which is instant on)
I love both radars but if I had to chose between the 2 and price wasn't an issue, I would choose the valentine 1 because of all of its features.
When I first bought the passport 8500, I didn't know how it would perform but people kept raving about it so I bought it. It has saved me numerous times. It is just so simple and easy to use. If your on a budget, I would get the passport 8500.
When I bought the v1, I realized that it is even more sensitive(it can get quite annoying sometimes) but it has also saved me a couple times. The best part about the v1 is that it displays where the radar or laser bands are coming from and how many are on you at one time.
The performance of both of them is the same in my opinion. They both detected the normal speed traps in my area and they gave me enough warning time to slow down. Although, the v1 is a little more sensitive and will give you a warning a couple of seconds quicker (ie: on laser which is instant on)
I love both radars but if I had to chose between the 2 and price wasn't an issue, I would choose the valentine 1 because of all of its features.
10-26-04, 09:41 PM
#9
Originally posted by GS400kid
no offence, i really wonder how much better V1 does between the two
and would you not slow down when you picked up K, Ka band , if it shows in front, behind ,and left/right???
sorry hawk, not meant to hijack your thread, i was making the same decision and i picked Escort, because my friend hooked it up with a pretty good deal from Bestbuy
no offence, i really wonder how much better V1 does between the two
and would you not slow down when you picked up K, Ka band , if it shows in front, behind ,and left/right???
sorry hawk, not meant to hijack your thread, i was making the same decision and i picked Escort, because my friend hooked it up with a pretty good deal from Bestbuy
and i think most people without the v1 miss the true meaning of the arrows on v1. it's not about when and where to slow down. it's about where the cop is. if i am on i5, cops could be in front or behind me. if i see the arrow, i know where i am expecting the cop to come from and do things accordingly. if there is no arrow, just beep for a while and then stop, i could imagine the cops to be on the other side and pass me already. but it could be the case that the cop is behind you and just turned off his radar and pacing you. see the point?
11-30-04, 11:07 AM
#10
Lexus Fanatic
Originally posted by rominl
the distance difference is huge from what my friend did and showed me. the v1 picked up the signal a lot further away than the passport. on i5 the v1 picked up a cop at least 10 seconds before the passport
and i think most people without the v1 miss the true meaning of the arrows on v1. it's not about when and where to slow down. it's about where the cop is. if i am on i5, cops could be in front or behind me. if i see the arrow, i know where i am expecting the cop to come from and do things accordingly. if there is no arrow, just beep for a while and then stop, i could imagine the cops to be on the other side and pass me already. but it could be the case that the cop is behind you and just turned off his radar and pacing you. see the point?
the distance difference is huge from what my friend did and showed me. the v1 picked up the signal a lot further away than the passport. on i5 the v1 picked up a cop at least 10 seconds before the passport
and i think most people without the v1 miss the true meaning of the arrows on v1. it's not about when and where to slow down. it's about where the cop is. if i am on i5, cops could be in front or behind me. if i see the arrow, i know where i am expecting the cop to come from and do things accordingly. if there is no arrow, just beep for a while and then stop, i could imagine the cops to be on the other side and pass me already. but it could be the case that the cop is behind you and just turned off his radar and pacing you. see the point?
11-30-04, 11:44 AM
#11
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Maybe a bit of sacrilege here but I have a V1 and a new Solo. The Solo is in my armrest and if I am worried about doing something foolish, I just put it up on the dash. It is a lot easier than getting the V1 out, which is in the trunk now. Cali has more radar in cities than on interstates - last speeding ticket I got was on 101 but it was an airplane pacing me so the V1 would have done no good at all other than to make me "feel" more secure. I also have to second the comment on the V1s sensitivity. It just about goes off too much. This probably can be altered but I use the detectors so infrequently, I need to just slap them up there and turn them on. V1 is still either the best or one of the best but for my purposes, the new Solo is just fine and a lot more convenient to use. I don't want to get into the GSs harness to find a power lead to wire the thing in and the wires hanging off the V1 don't exactly thrill me on a long drive.
11-30-04, 05:07 PM
#12
Lexus Champion
Tho I've not had both the V1 and the 8500, I had several detectors back when Mike Valentine was the original engineer and worked for Cincinnati Microwave, beginning with the original Escort. I think they were still making them in the garage because it took about 2 months to get and the SN was only in the 60k range (1979, and it was a damn miracle!!). Subsequently had several versions of the Passport tho the company was still CM. Mike Valentine was under a non-compete for several years (7, I think) after he left the company but when the V1 came out, it was indeed a revolution with its directional arrows.
And tho this thread has nothing to do with price, may I submit that 1) one ticket more than makes up that difference (never mind insurance premium) and 2) (kind of like the great gasoline octane debate) anyone who can afford one of our cars doesn't have to carp about $100. Not that I'm suggesting anyone should WASTE $100.........those arrows are worth every penny!
Jmho, ymmv.
And tho this thread has nothing to do with price, may I submit that 1) one ticket more than makes up that difference (never mind insurance premium) and 2) (kind of like the great gasoline octane debate) anyone who can afford one of our cars doesn't have to carp about $100. Not that I'm suggesting anyone should WASTE $100.........those arrows are worth every penny!
Jmho, ymmv.
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