Radar: Valentine 1 or Escort Passport 8500 X50

I'm making a 1500 mile trip over Memorial Day weekend and want to buy my first radar detector before this trip. Being a holiday weekend, i'm sure speed traps will be out there. But, I'm short on time.

I was ready to order a Valentine 1 at $400 until I just read this:

At RadarTest.com, reviewer Craig Peterson also notes the Valentine's inability to spot POP modes, "the competition has clearly passed by," writes Peterson. Motor Trend confirms, "its level of user-friendliness, overall protection and value falls just a bit short."

Rather than the Valentine One, reviewers now rank two models consistently on top: the Escort Passport 8500 X50 (*est. $300) and Bel Pro RX65 (*est. $330).

Now, I'm not sure. Help PLEASE. I need to order ASAP. I appreciate your thoughts on this. Thank you

For all it's worth, here's my view...

I have a V1 and until now it has been the most reliable detector I ever had, especially because of the arrows. As POP2 is spreading, Valentine can update the detector for this new threat (I'm sending my unit this week - I'm getting my Mustang May 24). I don't know how good is the reflashed unit re. POP2 protection, however. But again, this is quite interesting: your V1 is never "obsolete", as Valentine can upgrade it. So you're not buying a unit only to throw it away when something better comes along.

And once you've lived with the arrows...

Here in Quebec, we are starting to see more and more laser guns, and unfortunately 99% of time you detect a hit, you've had it... and that goes for all detectors - this is caused by the narrow laser beam (less than 6 feet at 1/4 mile).

I won't go into a big write up on why the V1 is the greatest thing since sliced bread, so I'll just say.. IT IS.

Spend the $$, you won't regret it. As already mentioned, the V1 never becomes obsolite. You just send it in for a small fee when they make a major change and have it upgraded.

ive never had a valentine but i have a passport 8500 that i bought about 2 years ago and it worked great for about a year and now it doesnt seem to work near as well

Apparently neither is the escort going to be obsolete. As it is also reprogrammable.
http://www.escortradar.com/x50.htm

I wouldn't waste money on a Radar/Laser Detector or Jammer. The way police officer's use the Laser's, you are toast by the time the detector goes off. If you are in a state where it is prohibited to use, well, it is going to cost you more for the ticket for having one and it will likely be confiscated. Not to mention that the police are now switching to VASCAR, which is undetectable. You want to be safe, drive smart.

VASCAR is undetectable? Since when? It simply means you need to be more aware of the police car sitting on the side of the road... the aircraft flying parallel to the highway overhead... and the cars driving in the opposite direction flashing their headlights.

When I was comparing them a few months ago, I ended up going with the 8500 X50. What it really came down to, was "price/performance", with the 8500 X50 winning on that.

There are many detector "tests", and of the current ones, the 8500 X50 came up the winner about 90% of the time.

Excellent choice! I went through virtually the same decision process a short while ago. And, like you, I chose the X50 over the V1.

I have nothing against the V1 but I don't see the additional cost as warranted for a couple of cool arrows. Both radar detectors are highly rated, both have good track records, and both are upgradeable as technology changes. The defining difference? To me it was economics. I'd rather spend $300 for a detector thats rated number one by some than spend $500 for a detector thats rated number one by some.

dont be half a$$ed and buy the escort. if your gonna be a monkey be a gorilla. go for the big dawg one!! 1 speeding ticket and the valentine is more that paid for. the thing has saved me A$$ sooo many times. it is amazing how far ahead it picks up pigs, and with the logic turned on the high setting, not many false alarms.

Name one device that protects you against VASCAR? You know as well as I do, there is not one out there. I am not going to argue with MORONS that actually think these devices work. Have a good one.

One other thing, VASCAR does not need to use an aircraft, it does not need to have a car sitting on the side of the road.

You guys are right - laser detectors are USELESS. However, purchasing laser BLINDERS are 100% efective in jamming a laser gun, and there is no law against it. It is only a federal offense to jam a radar gun, not a laser gun.

I have an Escort Passport 8500X50 and six laser blinders, three rear, three front. Its saved my ass many times as the Escort gives you PLENTY of time to slow down and the laser blinders have made for many a scowling looks from various police officers. Some of these items can be expensive, but if you want the protection, you have to pay.

Here are a few QUALITY links to radar detector/laserblinder venders and honest test sites:

Speedzones - An HONEST Radar Detector/Laser Blinder Test/Review Site

A Good Radar Detector/Laser Blinder Vender

Also, just FYI: Radar detectors and laser blinders are legal in 49 states. The only state they are illegal is VA. And remember, a cop can always try to pace you and clock you the old fashioned way, so you have to keep an eye out for that.

I had a V1 and returned it because it was constantly falsing on Laser - which was a tad annoying to say the least. It's also a bit large.

I currently have an Escort 8500 (slightly older version) and am happy with it.

Detector

I have (2) 8500 x50's. Fantastic unit!

If you buy a detector..they may be helpful..but drive with your head,not your foot.

And yet if I counted the times the escort has saved me. I probably could have paid for it in nickels.

I had an Escort 4600 and then bought the 8500 when I bought my 99 GT. It has saved me countless times - even Laser. I would not hesitate to buy another when this one dies (if it ever does).

There's no way a laser detector can save your butt. As soon as it detects the laser you are already clocked, and in most cases it DOES NOT detect the laser because the cop would have to point the laser almost directly at the radar detector. Most cops target your license plate or headlights - anything very reflective - for a laser gun reading.

There is a product out there called laserveil that actually reduces a laser gun's effectiveness on reflective areas on your car... but I would go with laser blinders to be 100% effective. 3 front, 3 rear.

Really? I wonder why the cop didn't pull me over. My detector went off. And I was speeding. He was on the overpass facing away from me though.