Let's talk radar detectors.

[SLC_BRZ]

My V1 has paid for it's self at least 100 times over in the 2 years I've had it. The arrows are nice since you can see where the signal is coming from. Ultimately you can't go wrong with either the V1 or 9500 just your preference at that point.

[xjohnx]

Originally Posted by codesplice

That actually sounds like a pretty good setup for the price, and for someone who doesn't need all the enthusiast features of the Redline or Valentine. It's definitely a lot cheaper than any of Belscort's remotes.

http://veilguy.blogspot.com/2011/03/...tlers-new.html



Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

Not a bad little review. I wonder if it is invisible to Spectre. If so, i'll have to keep that in mind for when I buy my beater.

[codesplice]

Originally Posted by xjohnx

Not a bad little review. I wonder if it is invisible to Spectre. If so, i'll have to keep that in mind for when I buy my beater.

I doubt that it is; that tends to be a rather pricey feature - and I'm sure they'd boast about "RDD/Spectre Invisibility" or similar on the product page: http://www.whistlergroup.com/radar-d...ct.aspx?id=280

[calibrz]

I had my 8500 X50 red edition since christmas last year...it treat me well and does all the jobs. my brother has 9500ix on his M3, I bearly see no big difference beside the GPS feature.

8500 X50 and 9500ix both have the same distance from radar receiving. but my 8500 x50 only cost $200 when I bought it..so cheap and it works.

[torqdork]

Originally Posted by codesplice

I'm a huge fan of the V1, but you really can't go wrong with any of the other high-end detectors (8500, 9500, sti-r, Max, Redline).

I personally prefer the V1 for a few reasons:

• Arrows are extremely useful - not only for locating the threat, but also for identifying falses. I used an 8500 x50 for years before upgrading to the V1, and I honestly don't know how I made it without the arrows. I definitely could not go back.

• The Bogey Counter displays up to 9 individual signals. Combine that with the arrows, and it makes it quite easy to quickly determine if a "beep" constitutes a legitimate threat.

• No planned obsolescence. If a newer version of the V1 gets released tomorrow, I can send mine in to get upgraded for much less than a new detector would cost. That way I can stay on the cutting edge without breaking the bank.

• It doesn't compromise sensitivity for comfort. It may be a bit more talkative than the Escort models (okay, it is), but I never have to worry that it might be ignoring a weak (but actual) threat. I'd much rather know too much than not enough. That said, the Valentine is still pretty easy to quiet down with a couple of different accessories:

- Savvy connects to your OBD port and is then able to mute the Valentine1 below a certain speed threshold. This makes it silent even in parking lots. As an added bonus, Savvy powers the V1, so you don't have to worry with a hardwire kit!
- V1Connection is a Bluetooth dongle that allows you to control the V1 from your Android smartphone (or iPhone, but you'll need a different V1C version). This lets you program "custom sweeps" to further improve the V1's sensitivity to the threats specific to your area, and also opens the door to more advanced functions with the enthusiast-built YaV1 app - which adds things like Savvy emulation, remote display options, muting options, and GPS+frequency-based lockouts. The latest beta version of YaV1 even has an intelligent learning algorithm to automatically lock out the false alerts you drive past on a daily basis!

The V1 is a very, very good detector - and adding in those custom sweeps and YaV1-powered functionality turns it into a superhero.

About the best review of V1 I've read anywhere.

I've run with most of the detectors mentioned in this thread and when I had it to do over again (V1 stolen while stored in glove box) stayed with V1.

There's something to be said in favor of their patented situational awareness display and durable magnesium chassis. The best detectors are similar in laboratory measured detection ability, but only one has the features most helpful in real world driving conditions...V1.

[AVodka14]

I am sold on the V1. Thanks for the info fellas.

[Rocket.BRZ]

Originally Posted by calibrz

I had my 8500 X50 red edition since christmas last year...it treat me well and does all the jobs. my brother has 9500ix on his M3, I bearly see no big difference beside the GPS feature.

8500 X50 and 9500ix both have the same distance from radar receiving. but my 8500 x50 only cost $200 when I bought it..so cheap and it works.

I believe the 9500 only difference from the 8500 x50 is the gps feature but the redline has a longer range. They eventually combined the two to make the escort MAX which is the radar detector I upgraded to from the x50. In my opinion it's the best detector I have ever used period.

[codesplice]

Originally Posted by torqdork

About the best review of V1 I've read anywhere.

Thanks!

There's something to be said in favor of their patented situational awareness display and durable magnesium chassis.

Of course, the patent that covers the arrows has recently expired - but don't fret! Mike Valentine has also somewhat-recently filed an application for a patent on an updated display, as well as an improved microwave filter. The buzz around the countermeasures boards is that we may see a significant platform update in the next 6-18 months. I'm pretty excited about what the future may hold!

Originally Posted by AVodka14

I am sold on the V1. Thanks for the info fellas.

Glad to help!

Originally Posted by Rocket.BRZ

I believe the 9500 only difference from the 8500 x50 is the gps feature but the redline has a longer range. They eventually combined the two to make the escort MAX which is the radar detector I upgraded to from the x50. In my opinion it's the best detector I have ever used period.

I think the 9500ix has the same range as the 8500 x50 BLACK, but its Ka range is supposedly greatly improved over that of the x50 SILVER. The Redline does have a range improved even over that, but its big strength is its reactivity as well as its Ka band segmentation (similar to the V1's Custom Sweeps) (and which also increases the Ka band reactivity and perceived range). That said, the Redline is very much an enthusiast setup, and the other Escort offerings are likely perfectly good for the majority of users.

The MAX brought some really cool things to the table - particularly the digital signal processing (DSP) which makes it significantly more effective at filtering out false alerts. If you want a reliable detector that's not going to pester you to death with false beeps, the MAX is a fantastic option. Glad you're enjoying yours!

[torqdork]

Originally Posted by codesplice

Of course, the patent that covers the arrows has recently expired - but don't fret! Mike Valentine has also somewhat-recently filed an application for a patent on an updated display, as well as an improved microwave filter. The buzz around the countermeasures boards is that we may see a significant platform update in the next 6-18 months. I'm pretty excited about what the future may hold!

Oh, wasn't aware of the new patent application. That is exciting!

Care to share your favorite countermeasure board(s)? I've been so content with my V1 that maybe it's complacency.

Time to get back up to speed on the latest and greatest (V2?).

[shiro]

As many will say, to each their own. V1 I've heard many good things about them, especially when they say what direction the threat is coming from. I currently run the Escort 9500ix in my daily driver and the Escort 9500ci (intigrated with laser shifters) in my FRS. I love them both. But if you are in the market and looking for the top end radar detector available you might want to check out some reviews on Escorts new Passport Max with OLED display. It has the newest technology for radar and laser detection.

If you are looking for an installed one (like the Escort 9500ci) the Beltronics STiR Plus is pretty nice too. It is pretty much the same thing as the 9500ci but with a red display. The only difference is that the shifters are not included (RX45 Shifter Pack) but can be added for around $250. https://www.beltronics.com/store/stir-plus.html

I haven't heard much on the Laser Interceptor products but some of the stats looked kind of nice. http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=688361 & http://www.laserinterceptorusa.com/

Some of the best sourced sites I can recommend are listed below:
1.) http://www.speedzones.com/opening_page_12.html
They do all the testing (speed measurements lab) on law enforement radar and laser equipment.

2.) http://www.1stradardetectors.com/bes...or/index.php#h
Here are some rest results for radar detectors and laser shifters from 1st Radar Detectors

[torqdork]

It would be something to see Escort combine V1's expired patent arrows into Passport Max. That might get me to jump ship.

[codesplice]

Originally Posted by torqdork

Oh, wasn't aware of the new patent application. That is exciting!

Care to share your favorite countermeasure board(s)? I've been so content with my V1 that maybe it's complacency.

Time to get back up to speed on the latest and greatest (V2?).

The primary one I hang out on is www.rdforum.org. Lots of really hardcore geeks who do very intensive real-world testing, often with results that contradict the folks who actually get paid to do the testing. Take from that what you will

(FWIW, in a lot of their tests the Max lagged behind both the Redline and V1 (when running Band Segmentation / Custom Sweeps particularly) in reactivity and range, but it did of course blow the non-DSP units away with selectivity (filtering false alerts).

[codesplice]

Originally Posted by shiro

I haven't heard much on the Laser Interceptor products but some of the stats looked kind of nice. http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=688361 & http://www.laserinterceptorusa.com/

LI's have been the benchmark for several years, but lately the new winner seems to be the AntiLaser Priority: http://www.alpriorityusa.com/

[codesplice]

Originally Posted by torqdork

It would be something to see Escort combine V1's expired patent arrows into Passport Max. That might get me to jump ship.

I think we'll see that about the same time that GPS autolockouts get integrated into the V1 hardware

Each side has stated for years that their competitor's driving feature (Arrows / Lockouts) is unnecessary or even harmful. It would be interesting indeed to see Mike V. backpedal on that!