Vegasr

I've been wanting to get a radar detector for awhile now, and know the Valentine 1 is a very popular unit but just dont want to spend $400+. The escort Passport 8500 X50 http://www.escortstore.com/8500.htm has gotten some awesome reviews and now comes in new cool blue display, for $100 less then the Valentine 1. Anyone out there have the new X50?? Or any thoughts on it??

Thanks
:cheers:

SMFCPACFP

First, I have to tell you that although I use of Valentine 1, I would switch in a heartbeat if there was a better radar detector and perhaps this passport is a better detector. Let me tell you a little story, that is only happened once, which might make you feel that the additional $100 cost of V1, might be worth paying.
I was coming home (I live in the boondocks) around dusk one evening. My V1 went off and showed 2 bogeys in front of me. Eventually a state trooper passed me, and my directional indicator showed a bogey to the side and then behind me as he passed me, but I still showed two bogeys, one behind me now and one in front with my front directional indicator flashing (indicating the stronger signal). I kept going slow (Is there another cop in front of me?).
Within 30 seconds the second state trooper passed me and now I had an indication of 2 bogeys behind me. Before these cops were out of site they both had their victims.
With any other radar detector, I would have speeded up after the first cop passed by, thinking the beeping was from the cop who passed me, and would have got nailed. This was the first time I saw tandem cops, but the V1 did its job. No other detector gives you this kind of information. If you consider the cost of the ticket and the increase in insurance rates, the V1 is cheap compared to the other detectors


[Modified by SMFCPACFP, 4:11 AM 4/16/2004]

W!ngnut

I have the 8500 and love it. The X50 is supposed to be even better. I have trouble justifying the extra $100 for arrows...BUT the example above about the two Troopers is the best arguement I have seen as to why they could payoff. In the past I've often thought who cares which side...etc. as long as I know there is one around...that is all I need to know. Good luck with whatever you decide. :cheers:

Z06-JIM

:iagree: I have both the 8500 & V1. I haven't used the 8500 since first recieving the V1.
The arrows are more than a gimmick, they have saved my butt many times by pinpointing where and how many cops where out there.
In my opinion, well worth the extra cost.

Clubowner

I just bought the Passport 8500 with the additional Jammer( which is linked to the 8500 display) and have to say it has saved me several times in the past few weeks.....the combo of the two devices is excellent.....and the distance it receives/sends signals is amazing....I am very happy with my system and have heard that the new X50 has an even longer range....In my opinion, you cant go wrong!!

W8AKR

I just used the 8500 on a trip to AZ and back to Ohio. It saved my butt a couple of times... The sound from the Lasar alert will wake you up even after 15 hours of driving ! In any event, buy something ! It's much cheaper than the incrrese in your insurance rates ! :steering:

chiefDave

I have a solo2 and yes it does a great job on the highway. I went to Ashville last weekend and it let me cruise and strech the Z's legs a bit. I was on the parkway and I got some wierd Laser hits, oops they where in the woods in camo! Good thing I shut it down or I would have seen the back seat. I am lookinh into the jammer mentioned above.
Dave :cheers: :flag

Fish-man

That wouldn't happen to be around Shot Point? (I think the area is called Shot point- there on 28 just off the big lake) Lots of students I know from MTU got stopped there. I always slowed down in that area when I was going to back and forth to school.

quote from SMFCPACFP
First, I have to tell you that although I use of Valentine 1, I would switch in a heartbeat if there was a better radar detector and perhaps this passport is a better detector. Let me tell you a little story, that is only happened once, which might make you feel that the additional $100 cost of V1, might be worth paying.
I was coming home (I live in the boondocks) around dusk one evening. My V1 went off and showed 2 bogeys in front of me. Eventually a state trooper passed me, and my directional indicator showed a bogey to the side and then behind me as he passed me, but I still showed two bogeys, one behind me now and one in front with my front directional indicator flashing (indicating the stronger signal). I kept going slow (Is there another cop in front of me?).
Within 30 seconds the second state trooper passed me and now I had an indication of 2 bogeys behind me. Before these cops were out of site they both had their victims.
With any other radar detector, I would have speeded up after the first cop passed by, thinking the beeping was from the cop who passed me, and would have got nailed. This was the first time I saw tandem cops, but the V1 did its job. No other detector gives you this kind of information. If you consider the cost of the ticket and the increase in insurance rates, the V1 is cheap compared to the other detectors

Gonzo

Well I hate to be the voice of discent, but I had the V1 and its great for radar, but you can't beat the Laser, I don't care what they say.

I got two tickets (neither in the Vette) and both times the Laser lit right up, all it did was inform me I was already nailed.

My advice check what your local cops are using. Here in Atlanta they all have LASER. Even Austell police (a really small suburb of Atalanta) had Laser and got me.

I sold mine soon after the second ticket, neither were excessive speed 42 in a 25 (school zone I didn't see the lights, and a work zone scam). Bottom line selling paid the two tickets and left me some for some gas.

Also it was going off all the time so I started to ingnore it, I know my bad, but driving thru a big city like Atlanta everything set it off, and I knew just to look for the laser light so i knew when to pull over :cheers:

NahlinsBoy

My friend has the V1 and I have the Passport 8500. I like his better. I can't tell what direction they are coming from. Based on that alone, I will be getting a V1 soon. But like the others have said... You can't beat the Laser unless you get a really high end system that can distort the Laser's ability. All in all, having any type of detector has saved my skin many of times, but I have been caught on average once, maybe twice a year, who knows how many more times I would have been nailed without it.

Piranha

This has happened to me a few times in Ohio and Kentucky. V1 rules.
Check on ebay or other places and try to find a used one to save some $$.
I got mine for $200 from a guy who after 3 months decided to put in a jammer system. I know everyone can't find a used one cheap, but you might as well look and end up getting the better detector for less money.

wstory1

V1 :yesnod:

SMFCPACFP

No, it was actually on Highway 553, just south of County Road 480 heading towards KI Sawyer air base. I can at least see that you know something about the UP. :lol:

The problem with the UP is that it is too sparsely populated and you can drive for long stretchs without seeing a cop, which means that a radar detector has to be coupled with a keen eye.

Since you are a troll ( a Yooper name for people from lower Michigan), you might have traveled on the highway which is my second favorite highway to open up my Vette and motorcycles (HY 123 between Trout Lake and HY 41). My favorite, and safest from cops and also a great road, is HY 553 from Little Lake to Rock, MI. It is lightly traveled and excellent. I can usually run about 15 miles at top end 177 mph for me in this stretch.

Vegasr

Thanks for the replys

slong

All the way! :iagree:

jaysal555

I got the X50. The thing is awesome great range. I bought the Solo S2 for my car since the vette is my dads. Then i sold it and got the X50 since it just came out and i love it. Ill be hooking the ZR3 Shifter to the X50 and hardwire it when i get my own car soon. Cant go wrong with it. BTW got Blue Its HOTTTT!!!

cactusZ06

As Z06-JIM indicated, the arrows are worth every bit of $100. Although I have never tried the X50, I have owned the 8500, and Bell Vector 995....both excellent units. I now have the V1, and would not consider for a second going back to anything else. I have been in many situations where the arrows have made the difference between a possible ticket, and no ticket. You need to use one for a while before you notice how much of a difference it makes.

Oh, and I have beaten laser with my V1 twice. Both times I was prepared, in a lonely car scenario, and immediately went on full ABS when shot. My speed dropped fast enough to fool the laser. Both cops were on stationary bikes (AZ). It's a risky move, but it can be done. I pass by cops on bikes shooting laser every second day, and my experience is that if your amongst traffic, you will always detect them shooting cars in front of you. There is an excellent thread discussing Laser/Instant On radar.....
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=747374

Good luck with whatever you decide.

:cheers:


[Modified by cactusZ06, 10:26 PM 4/22/2004]

ryan 94viper

i just traded in my older V1 for the newer model ($190)... I love the v1!!! It has saved me more times than i can count... I am makinga 2500 mile trip in the next few weeks.. I will be getting my friends passport x50 and i will be doing a little field test for myself. Lets see which detector is top now that the x50 is the newest line of passports.
I will say tha i love the arrows but wish the anit falsing was a little better. the best lser protection bya detector by every test is v1 so with more and more laser this would be the wise choice...

answer: THey both have a money back gaurantee 30days, i believe, so buy them both on thecredit card and send back the one you dont like...

problem solved

ryan :hurray: :hurray:

silverz06vette

I thought on the V1 site they talk about doing a side by side test. They say you have to watch cause detectors will set each other off.

cactusZ06

Ryan,

The V1 is fully programmable. It can be easily customized to minimize false alerts. Go here for the instructions:
http://www.valentine1.com/lab/MikesLabRpt3.asp

:)