Valentine One, Passport 8500, or new cordless solo S2

[topazbimma]

I know this has probably been beat to death. But i need some input on this, for a christmas gift. I know there are the valentine one and the passport 8500, there both supposed to be equivalent. Now escort came out with a new one called the Cordless Solo S2. Here is the website for this one http://www.escortradar.com/s2.htm i think the cordless might be real nice. No need to hardwire or anything. Alright let your opinions fly!!! sorry if this is repetative, but im adding another one to the mix!!!

[Ryan325i]

I wouldn't get anything but Valentine 1.

Cordless = less power to unit = less performance.

[AgileM3]

Valentine 1 is the only way to go - as I have said before, anything else is down payment on a speeding ticket. The V1 is far superior to any other detector out there, and with Jim Powell's InV1siMirror, the only way to mount a detector.

[outkastaliens]

yep, val one, i think i am getting one for christmas too. And jim's rear view mirror is just amazing. :drool

[PECivil]

the v1 is the way to go with jim's little mirror

it is just TOO cool

it has saved me 3 times on radar,


but I must admit it didnt save me on laser, it went off as the cop was pulling out to get me

nothing is perfect

[Kevlar]

I guess I'm the only vote for the Passport 8500 :confused:

[Brekyrself]

I also vote for the 8500. In every test I have read, the 8500 performs *slightly* better, but the v1 has many cool features the 8500 doesn't.

In the real world, your not going to tell the difference in performance, each will detect within seconds of each other.

Looking into the future, I would buy the one you can get cheaper and save up for a laser jammer.

:ar15firin (laser & Instant on)

[Stylin]

I have a Passport 8500 and it is a nice radar.. hell of a range on radar signals.. but if money was no object I would get a V1.

[Hunt NXS]

I'm getting the V-1, $1,500 installed with radar jammer.

[NiTE]

Originally posted by Hunt NXS
I'm getting the V-1, $1,500 installed with radar jammer.

:eek: thats alot of $$$ to avoid tickets

[AgileM3]

Originally posted by Brekyrself
I also vote for the 8500. In every test I have read, the 8500 performs *slightly* better, but the v1 has many cool features the 8500 doesn't.

In the real world, your not going to tell the difference in performance, each will detect within seconds of each other.

Looking into the future, I would buy the one you can get cheaper and save up for a laser jammer.

:ar15firin (laser & Instant on)

ah, the so called "tests"..

you mean the one Mike Valentine won't attend since they are set up for escort to win? because i kinda discount tests that are rigged for the winner...

[topazbimma]

thanks guys...this will be very helpfull!!!!

[Brekyrself]

Originally posted by AgileM3
ah, the so called "tests"..

you mean the one Mike Valentine won't attend since they are set up for escort to win? because i kinda discount tests that are rigged for the winner...

I have read numerous tests between the two, and yes I know some can bias to one or the other, but each one, had the 8500 perform slightly better. I will try to find them on the internet and/or scan them if they are in magazines I still have, if you would like.

Than again take those results with a grain of salt because in the real world, cops are not directly on the side of the road in your line of sight. They are behind objects, buildings, overpasses etc... where you can only see them when you get closer and or to the side of them.

Awhile back someone on DTM did there own non bias test with the two, and concluded they both offer basically the same level of performance, where as the v1 gets the nod for the arrows and the 8500 gets the nod for the auto-mute.

Either way you can't go wrong with either of these two, I would buy the 8500 and save the extra $100.00 for future mods.

[themadhatter]

V1 all day everyday. I traded up from a 7200 a few months ago. big time upgrade.

I can't imagine how I lived without the arrows before!

[JLee]

i've had my V1 for about two months and taken several trips between Wash DC and NYC and its saved me big time...

at first i thought the arrows were a gimmick but his ad is right, one you have'em you can't live without'em

jeff

[randywalters]

I have read numerous tests between the two, and yes I know some can bias to one or the other, but each one, had the 8500 perform slightly better. I will try to find them on the internet and/or scan them if they are in magazines I still have, if you would like.

Hmm, i've read several test articles and the only one that rated the 8500 higher was www.radartest.com which was totally biased against Mike Valentine and his product. One other test i read showed the 8500 to have slightly better Ka range but it was against an older version of the V1 and the newest version has improved range. Mr Peterson's bias is obvious in that he doesn't mention how the V1 is way shorter front-to-rear than the 8500, and even goes so far as to complain about how the V1 weighs more than the 8500. Who cares about it's weight for crying out loud?

The biggest problem with the 8500 is that it only has a front-facing antenna and leaves you vulnerable from behind. The V1 has a separate rear-facing antenna so it has the same range from the rear as it does from the front, and the directional arrows are extremely useful. I compared the 8500 against my 3-year old V1 in Malibu (heavy CHP and Sheriff radar) and the V1 simply had better range on K and Ka bands.

If you're serious about radar detection then the V1 is the best value. Once you experience the directional arrows and are able to detect a CHP car catching you from behind you'd never go back to a regular detector again. The most recent test was by Car and Driver magazine and the V1 came out the clear winner yet again.

http://www.valentine1.com/lab/V1Hater.asp

http://www.caranddriver.com/xp/Caranddriver/features/2002/february/200202_feature_detectors.xml


http://home.earthlink.net/~randylwalters/_uimages/V1RemoteinDash.jpg

[Nics]

for those of you who have v1's, are you running stealth or is it hanging on the windsheild somewhere?

I'd like to get Jim's v1 mirror, but I don't really know where to hide the radar itself (E46 here, so no 3rd brake light ideas). I mean, whats the point of having a stealth mirror if the radar can be seen?

[Kevlar]

I just don't like the radar cause it's so huge... plus, if you tint your windows... radar/laser detection through the rear/side windows is trashed anyway.

[AgileM3]

Originally posted by Kevlar
I just don't like the radar cause it's so huge... plus, if you tint your windows... radar/laser detection through the rear/side windows is trashed anyway.

Huh? I have tinted windows - limo rear, lightest fronts - and my V1 main unit in the third brake light housing (behind the limo tint of the back window) and I track side movement, transferring either to the front or rear of me, without any problem, all the time as I pass my known speed traps.

[Kevlar]

Originally posted by AgileM3
Huh? I have tinted windows - limo rear, lightest fronts - and my V1 main unit in the third brake light housing (behind the limo tint of the back window) and I track side movement, transferring either to the front or rear of me, without any problem, all the time as I pass my known speed traps.

I've heard that with metallic tint... the range of radar dection is severely reduced.

[mrkurz]

IMO 8500...I use my turn signals when I want to see arrows...

I'd be nice to get the hard wired rvm one though...

[///MDriver]

How does the V1 work when burried in the 3rd brake light??:cunfused:

[XOC]

Originally posted by Kevlar
I've heard that with metallic tint... the range of radar dection is severely reduced.

That is true ... but who wants metallic tint? :D

The one thing I don't like about the V1 is that you can't tell which band it's detecting unless you catch what kind of sound it made. The display is almost useless in helping you figure it out (a vertical row of identical red lights with labeling on the chassis of the main unit only - so no good at night or if you use the remote display).

Other than that it's great. Now I have my 8500 in the Rodeo and the (almost complete) inV1simirror setup in the M3.

[Kevlar]

Originally posted by XOC
That is true ... but who wants metallic tint? :D

Metallic tint... not to be confused with silver/chrome tint.

Most of the 3M based tints supposedly contain a decent amount of metallicised (sp?) film that helps reject heat.

[AgileM3]

Originally posted by MDriver315
How does the V1 work when burried in the 3rd brake light??:cunfused:

Third brake light is removed, V1 slides right in, with the display in the InV1siMirror. Functions like it was in the front window - and I've not lost laser detection.

[jmciver]

Originally posted by XOC
The one thing I don't like about the V1 is that you can't tell which band it's detecting unless you catch what kind of sound it made. The display is almost useless in helping you figure it out (a vertical row of identical red lights with labeling on the chassis of the main unit only - so no good at night or if you use the remote display).

Not sure what you mean here. The V1 has a distinct tone for each type of radar or laser detect. It is pretty easy to remember which is which after a while. I know what type of radar is hitting me after the first beep. Which is helpful since if I hear K or Ka I know it is most likely a cop verses X which could be an automatic door.

Oh and AgileM3, you don't need to pull the bulb out. I just ended up using a smaller one in my install....

http://www.vb.quik.com/jmciver/images/v1/v1_7.jpg
http://www.vb.quik.com/jmciver/images/v1/v1_8.jpg
http://www.vb.quik.com/jmciver/images/v1/v1_9.jpg

You can see more pics, including a write-up on my website.

[fla_esp]

Originally posted by AgileM3
Third brake light is removed, V1 slides right in, with the display in the InV1siMirror. Functions like it was in the front window - and I've not lost laser detection.

How did you not lose Laser Detection? Is the V1 not completely enclosed in the 3rd brakelight housing like most stealth installs?

[AgileM3]

Originally posted by fla_esp
How did you not lose Laser Detection? Is the V1 not completely enclosed in the 3rd brakelight housing like most stealth installs?

It's enclosed but has a full view - just as if it was up front.

[jmciver]

Originally posted by fla_esp
How did you not lose Laser Detection? Is the V1 not completely enclosed in the 3rd brakelight housing like most stealth installs?
When it is enclosed in the 3rd brake light housing you do lose laser detection since laser light can't penetrate the cardboard like rear deck (front) or the red plastic lense (rear). See the last pic from my previous post and you will see what I mean.

Radar, on the other hand, has no problem penetrating those materials (anything except metal, which is why metalized tint can cause problems with radar detection).

[fla_esp]

Originally posted by jmciver
When it is enclosed in the 3rd brake light housing you do lose laser detection since laser light can't penetrate the cardboard like rear deck (front) or the red plastic lense (rear). See the last pic from my previous post and you will see what I mean.

Radar, on the other hand, has no problem penetrating those materials (anything except metal, which is why metalized tint can cause problems with radar detection).

That is exactly what I was thinking James, I guess his install must have it exposed somehow.

[AgileM3]

Originally posted by fla_esp
That is exactly what I was thinking James, I guess his install must have it exposed somehow.

Mine third brake light housing is sans red plastic - we used a lightly smoked piece of acrylic, and i do get laser alerts with it there.

[PECivil]

I have mine on the visor hidden inside a kleenex box.....hehehe

another brilliant Jim Powell idea

its very stealth you only can figure out its there if you look real closely and see the power cord going from the "kleenex" box to the back of the mirror, where the remote display is....but you cant see the unit at all,

when you add in a few fake kleenex's that hang out of the opening...it is almost perfectly hidden....

I 've been pulled over twice since I got it and neither cop even gave it a second glance......

Thanks Again Jim!:buttrock

[jmciver]

Originally posted by AgileM3
Mine third brake light housing is sans red plastic - we used a lightly smoked piece of acrylic, and i do get laser alerts with it there.
Interesting.....Were you able to get the fwd laser detection to work? Not that you would need it since the cop aims for either the headlights or the license plate.

[XOC]

Originally posted by jmciver
Not sure what you mean here. The V1 has a distinct tone for each type of radar or laser detect. It is pretty easy to remember which is which after a while. I know what type of radar is hitting me after the first beep. Which is helpful since if I hear K or Ka I know it is most likely a cop verses X which could be an automatic door.

1) When I drive I usually divert almost all of my attention to what's going on outside the car at least half the time if not more. A radar detector beeping is a transient -- if you're being hit by a cop you need to know immediately that you need to slow down, you can't wait for the 2nd or 3rd beep to figure out what it was. When I am trying to navigate through heavy traffic or whatever and the thing goes off, half the time all that registers in my mind is "radar detector sound" -- not which exact sound it was. If I could glance over and see that it was X, K or Ka then I would be able to react.

2) If I have music up I can't hear it at all, especially now that it's on the rear deck.

[Madd96///M3]

Ive gotten advance warning on lazer, but its like 2 seconds max, and that usually means only 1.5 seconds of braking time or however long it takes me to hit the brakes.

Does anyone have a pic of their tissue stealth install? I have mine under a CD holder on the visor, but the tissue thing would be better, my CD holder all stickz out obvious has hell.

[jmciver]

Originally posted by XOC
1) When I drive I usually divert almost all of my attention to what's going on outside the car at least half the time if not more. A radar detector beeping is a transient -- if you're being hit by a cop you need to know immediately that you need to slow down, you can't wait for the 2nd or 3rd beep to figure out what it was. When I am trying to navigate through heavy traffic or whatever and the thing goes off, half the time all that registers in my mind is "radar detector sound" -- not which exact sound it was. If I could glance over and see that it was X, K or Ka then I would be able to react.
I guess I see your point. Being in the military, and an operator on a Navy nuclear power plant (a submarine) I have to know which alarm sounds go with what in the event of some type of casualty while at the same time doing other things. So I just apply that ability when driving my car and listening to the radar detector.

Hell, with all of the electronic stuff I have in my car with bells and whistles it is a wonder I can still drive the thing :D !!

[XOC]

Originally posted by jmciver
I guess I see your point. Being in the military, and an operator on a Navy nuclear power plant (a submarine) I have to know which alarm sounds go with what in the event of some type of casualty while at the same time doing other things. So I just apply that ability when driving my car and listening to the radar detector.

Hmm well I've thinking I should try, somehow, to try to train myself to "subconsciously" hear the sound on the first shot ... I guess since you do it due to your training it can be done.

[topazbimma]

This settles it...im tellin the rents to get the V1 for christmas.....!!! I think all of us in the fam are gonna get detectors for christmas!!!! All V1's baby!!!!