I am in the market for a new detector for my IS. I was looking at these 3:

Valentine V1
Passport 9500
Passport 8500

I really want the V1 but ran across a deal for a brand new Passport 8500 for $125. I heard its a good radar , should i save the money and get the 8500 or spend the bucks and get the V1 or 9500?

 

Everyone is going to give you their own opinion.

I was going to go with the Valentine V1, but the false alarms just got to be too much (even if you turned off bands). Having said that, the V1 lovers are very passionate, and I'm sure you'll get some passionate responses.

I ended up with 9500ix. It has a built in GPS and that basically eliminates a false alarms (and false alarms imho make radar detectors worthless because you end up just ignoring it). You can read up on the 9500ix on Escort's website.

Disclaimer: I know someone will say "just drive the speed limit" (because it comes up in all these threads), and I usually do. The exception is freeways where traffic is moving 5-10mph over the speed limit, and I refuse to be the limiter. Also, I know I'm not perfect and may unintentionally speed; I just think the penalties are getting borderline absurd.

 

On long highway/freeway trips I often use a Passport 8500, I like it.

When driving in safe uncongested areas, I drive 5-20 mph over the limit.

It's a tool to help "situational awareness" that makes for a safer more alert driver.

 

from what i have read the 9500 is the way to go, im thinking about getting that one

 

I'm set on getting the Passport 9500ix too. I've seen many videos on youtube by people who have them and I'm pretty impressed thus far.

 

I have 9500ix
and I love it~!

 

go for 9500ix =)

 

Where did you guys order your radar from?

 

hey phil check this out, from ebay
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=STRK:MEWAX:IT
and this website sell its brand new i'm doing more research
http://www.pricegrabber.com/user_sal...ip_code=92841#

 

Phil I got mine from drugstore.com. I know it seems odd, but I got 20% off with bing.com + Escort said they were an approved reseller, so it was the best combination of price vs support/warranty (at the time...which was like 6 months ago).

 

I have the 9500iX with the Escort ZR4 Radar Shifter you do not get better protection then that......(I love to see the face of the cops with the radar gun just looking at their radar gun like there was something wrong with it......) haha

 

I dont really drive that fast per say, But i drive backroads to work and its 35 to 40 mph and its really hard to go that slow without even knowing. I think i may pick up that 8500 for 125 and see how it does. can go wrong at that price.

 

i have the 9500ix, the whole autolearn is the best.

 

imo, spend the bucks for the V1.

and yes, i'm one of those passionate V1 owners.

regardless, excellent choices. you can't lose with any of them.

 

They have forums dedicated to determining which radar detector (or combination of radar detectors in some cases) is the best.

The general consensus is that some Beltronics sti something or other and Valentine 1 are the top notch detectors available. The Passport 9500 is a "solid" one but not as good as those two, and Cobra detectors are absolute *** (don't get Cobra)

Google around until you find the forum.

This guy is considered somewhat of a "radar guru" on these said forums:

http://veilguy.blogspot.com/

and that is his personal blogspot which tons of good information.