Valentine One or Escort 8500 X-50?

[Matt Johnson]

Which one?

[Joe Walsh]

Valentine 1...all the way!

Mine has paid for itself many, many, many times in the 10+ years that I have owned it.

Do a search, as this subject was discussed not too long ago.

[fastblackmerc]

+1... V1 hands down... no contest.

[duhtroll]

Escort 9500i is the latest model, not the x50, and the 9500 offers features not found on any other detector to date. There is also the Beltronics STi driver which is completely immune to LEO detection save them looking inside the car.

And it is most definitely NOT "no contest, hands down."

Read what the most knowledgeable people on RDs say first:

http://www.radardetector.net

It depends on what you want. V1 is the most sensitive, but it also means it goes off all the time. Personally, I don't need to know if someone is using a garage door opener on Jupiter.

Do the research first - you'll be MUCH happier.

[Aren Jay]

I only ever had and used my Canadian spec radar detector in England. (16 years ago) Not sure if it was legal there but it worked. Typically the best thing is to not speed. Failing that it is a matter of preference, some like brand A some like brand B. Test both out in the store or read up on them and see if you like how they work.

[ctrlraven]

I've always used Escort Passport products. I was looking for a SR7 stealth unit but didn't feel like $500-600 right now so I just use a 8500 X50.

One of my friends has a 9500i unit and it's wild.

If you plan on using it in different vehicles get a cigarette lighter model (or can get a hardwire kit). If it's only going to stay in one vehicle go for a stealth unit. More sensors and the display can be easily hiding if needed.

[Power Surge]

My V1 has never let me down. I haven't seen any reason to replace it in the years I've had it.

As for it being sensitive, there are different logic modes you can put it into that filter out certain things.

Personally, I like having it pick everything up. The problem with the "someone using a garage door opener on Jupiter" is that you don't know if that's the case, or if it's a cop over the next hill with a radar gun. I've "thought" my V1 was picking up something false many times, and it turned out to be legit signals.

[Peace2Peep]

IMHO I see the Valentine one as a winner by comparison as I dont fear false alarms...I fear no alarms! I also want to know where to look if an LEO is on the prowl! That to me is worth the price of admission(and I dont really speed that much), but it's great insurance...btw my insurance is SUPER-cheap with NO TICKETS on record! I have yet to get pulled over once with my Valentine on the dash in operation(in 10 years this Aug). So there! Ha!

[duhtroll]

See -

That's exactly my point. With the 9500i you *DO* know if it's a cop or not, as the 9500i filters out falses.

Nearly ALL falses.

Despite what anyone will tell you, the V1 falses. A lot. Both the STi and the 9500 are much more quiet.

I have owned and used all 3 (which are the top 3 rated detectors out there)

Some enthusiaists use the V1 on the highway because of the superior range, but switch to another detector once one gets into town, because the V1 performance simply pales in comparison to both of the quieter detectors. The V1 went off all the time in town when I had it, and I only live in a town/area of about 150K people.

V1=most sensitive
STi= good sensitivity and completely immune to RDDs (including the Spectre III and Spectre IV)
9500i=second best in sensitivity and most features (like GPS)

I use an STi on the highway because our state patrol hassles folks with detectors. Since the STI - no stops. Before the STi I primarily used an Escort 8500 - no speeding tickets.

I use a 9500 in town because it only goes off when there is a credible threat. I'd rather not get a ticket because I was ignoring the V1 due to it going off all the time. That's my personal preference.

More sensitivity in testing does not mean more accurate real world performance.

It all depends upon what you want. I found the V1 annoying.

Remember, if there were one that was clearly better than all the rest all the time, everyone would agree and there eventually would be only one company making them.


My V1 has never let me down. I haven't seen any reason to replace it in the years I've had it.

As for it being sensitive, there are different logic modes you can put it into that filter out certain things.

Personally, I like having it pick everything up. The problem with the "someone using a garage door opener on Jupiter" is that you don't know if that's the case, or if it's a cop over the next hill with a radar gun. I've "thought" my V1 was picking up something false many times, and it turned out to be legit signals.

[Grifter]

I have a 9500i. I love it. It was a toss up between the V1 and the 9500i for me, but I chose the 9500i because of the GPS features. Its an incredible RD and has an awesome range.

[Hack Goby]

I have a 9500i and it works great.The only problem I have had and this was brought up in another thread is that when I get on it I would get a false "POP" warning.Happened every time I floored it.Now I have it in my Focus and there's no problems.The GPS feature is very cool.You can "mark" a speed trap and on the way back it will warn you that they still might be in that same spot.

[FordNut]

Very happy with my V1. So much so I got another one for my other vehicle.

[Go Mifuni]

I've been using my V1 for many happy years. I love not only knowing WHEN I'm being "hit" but also from WHERE! I recently got the remote display and mounted it below the top edge of the dash. Now I don't have to worry about other people using MY detec... achem... I mean locator or having to stealthily unplug it when I have a LEO behind me. I've never used the Escort so I can't say anything about it. As far as the false signals, over the past year I started to get a lot of them. I switch modes for around town and it's better. You can also send the V1 in to be upgraded with the latest tech which is a nice feature. The one feature I wish it had would be undetectability.

[Dennis Reinhart]

Which one?


I have a 9500i in stock free shipping.

[Merc-O-matic]

IMHO the Beltronics RX-65 is just as good as any of them!
Ain't been "pinched" for speeding since 9/6/66!, but plenty of other
stuff in between.....like crossing through a Funeral Procession....go figure....
blowing the horn at an improper time!

Gotta Love It!