RN,

Great post, wish I could add to it but you hit all the key points.

Thanks Jax!

Since I started this debate... my final decision will be towards the Escort (and not a Ford Escort!). The V has high marks, but the Escort seems to do everything the V does and more. The fact I can upgrade the Escort using my PC pretty well seals the deal... no shipping back and forth.

Now... do I buy from Amazon, EBay or Escort direct?
No need to answer... I can handle this myself.
Thanks

Vath, what Valentine One does is update circuit boards and chipsets to bring the unit up to speed with new radars and frequencies LEO's use (the last big one was to add POP). This cannot be done via a laptop connect.

I know you've made your decision, but I just thought I'd make this clarification.

If all the prices are the same, I always buy direct because the customer service is better should something go awry with the shipment or the unit you receive.

The Escort "updates" locations for radar traps... using the built in GPS. Kinda of a neat feature.

But price wise, the Escort is $70 more. How much does V charge for the upgrades?

I must say that GPS update for current traps is a VERY attractive feature. I'd like it even more if the LEOs didn't move around so much in their patrol cars though.

Valentine charges varying amounts to upgrade their units, depending on the age of it. So, theoretically you could buy an older unit for cheap on eBay and send it in to have it upgraded to the newest version. Here's some details:

https://store.valentine1.com/upgrades/

If you own one like mine that's three years old, an update is about $60.

One problem with the upgrade feature of the Escort.... they don't do MAC.
So you would be... let say's "un-compatable".

Buy direct or from a bestbuy type of a place. Amazon may save you a few bucks but If its not an authorized dealer you will be screwed on any warranty work if needed.

As for upgrading the software, you have to have the unit plugged in so most of the time you need to take the computer to the car. And for the mac compatibility, well everyone knows somebody with a windows laptop and I am sure they will let you borrow it, I mean you own a Porsche for gods sake, how much of risk could you really be? You can always bribe them with a ride. :D

Not sure if you bought the detector or not but thought you should know of a group of people who test detectors as a hobby. They are very maticulate in performing these tests. The tests happen about once a year and have been for the past few years. The new results have just come in! Here is the site: http://www.guysoflidar.com/ You can look at the results objectively and make your own decision.

Thanks Viper5... what a great web site!

Makes me feel real good about keeping and upgrading my V1. I'm going to send it off this week and get it upgraded before my driving vacation at the end of October!

I have owned many radar detectors throughout the decades and currently own a passport 9500ix. I have used it in cross country mode(2400 miles from Cali to Ohio), rural mode and city mode. I have used the passport in about every scenario possible. It gives great early warning, with plenty of time to slow down, It reminds you where the redlight cameras are, It has little if any false signals. I can find no flaws with it. Plus it just looks pretty damn Cool!! The valentine is a great unit also, but it's technology is like an Vinyl record while escort's technology is like Digital music. It's just years ahead!! Yes they both play music, but one just does it better than the other and all you hear is crystal clear music, while the other has a lot of irritating noise (but you can still hear the music).

Ok I bought a passport 9500 because of this thread.

First let me say:

IT SUCKS!!!!! Seriously. The reason it sucks is because of the design and the cord. First of all they give you this severly big cord that is only like a foot and a half long and plugs in on the DRIVERS SIDE! So here is a picture from my viper on how it looks from the driver's view:

http://www.pteam.net/passport.jpg

Notice how it perfectly covers up the display of the radar detector? What idiots designed this thing to plug into the drivers side with the biggest round cord ever in the world, and then make it shorter than short so you have to stretch it to even go over a foot.

EDIT: Also here is a pic in my hummer
http://www.pteam.net/passport2.jpg

Notice how it again covers up the radar screen but also because these smart people had it plug in on the drivers side it also covers up my navigation and BARELY reaches the cigarette lighter, and thus pulls on the radar because its stretched. Its not even close to being able to reach the 2nd cigarette lighter outlet.


I cannot hardwire this as I have many cars and that would be impossible to switch cars. It won't even reach lighter spots in my hummer or my viper, I have to use the very close one instead of other ones out of the way that my old radar detector could reach. Also I really like how the cord goes right in the way of your radar or in dash navigation, it goes right in the way of it because of their wonderful design! ::end sarcasm:: This product sucks... :( btw the speed camera, stop light camera known locations, and gps functions are good, but when your frustrated every single time you look at it, it kinda defeats the purpose...

You could always just drill a hole in your dash and run.... Sorry I can't even complete that statement with a straight face. :D


I do understand your frustration, but as for my Boxster the cords works fine. I think the Boxster has a design flaw with only one lighter and within new jerk of the passenger.

I am planning on hardwiring my passport to free up my lighter. You might want to check into that option. The passport in the first week of use is rather noisy as it takes some time to block out the false signals, but give it time and I hope you like it. Here is some different cords for the escort. Might want to try a straight cord. https://www.escortradar.com/store/straight-cords/



Escort already has a new Detector out The "REDLINE".
https://www.escortradar.com/store/ESCORT-Redline-Radar-Detector.html

pteam,

Move it slightly to the right and up an inch, and your problem is solved. You'll be able to see it and the the cord will dress to the right of the console. You pretty much never have to touch it since the lighter plug has the mute button right on it.

Seriously, I've had mine in several cars and it's never been an issue. Maybe the Viper is a special situation? In any case, it's easy enough to rig a cord for it, or you can go to:
https://www.escortradar.com/store/straight-cords/
and just buy the cord for your application.

PTeam, sounds like you're a prime candidate for the V1... They were smart enough to design it with the power cord on the left of the unit where it belongs.

Take Escort up on their 30 day money back guarantee and send a message to their engineers.

Also here is a picture of it in my hummer:

http://www.pteam.net/passport2.jpg

Notice how it again covers up the radar screen but also because these smart people had it plug in on the drivers side it also covers up my navigation and BARELY reaches the cigarette lighter, and thus pulls on the radar because its stretched. Its not even close to being able to reach the 2nd cigarette lighter outlet.


Ok so I had to buy this straight smartcord Blue as if $500 wasnt enough now I get to spend another $36.69 because of their bad design. I pity anybody who doesnt know they sell different cords. Also I like how they have a smart cord blue and a smartcord red and don't have any description difference. One would think that means the actual cord is red or blue, but I "think" its actually the lights on the power plug light up different colors?!? I only think that becuase of theyre tiny picture (that cant be enlarged).

Also I sent pictures and this thread to passport's support team, hopefully they can do a simple redesign and have the power cord plug into the passenger side and not have a coiled cord that is only a foot and a half long. A quick search on google shows there are MANY people complaining about this same problem.

You have it too low on your windshield. Your dash is inhibiting the rear detection. I always mount mine under the rear view mirror in both my vehicles with absolutely no problems.

It seems to me like your just making exuses to hate it (no offense meant). It looks obvious that you could just move the unit up 5 inches or so and run the cord down the right side of your nav system, Or just buy a flat cord.

I did buy a flat cord for an additonal $36.69, just a few minutes ago and will have to wait for it to be shipped here. Without this forum I wouldnt even have known they made different cords as most people probably don't.

However I shouldnt have to put the radar in the middle of my windshield and right in the middle of my view! Nor should I be forced to buy a different cord because the one they gave me is too short, and is plugged into the driver side, and prohibits your viewing of the radar screen. If I mounted it under the rear view mirror (without hardwiring because I have several cars to switch to) then the cord would hang down right in the way of everything, and actually that short cord wouldnt even make it to the cigarette lighter because the cord is so short!

Edit, I just moved the radar smack dab in the middle of the windshield (prohibiting my view because it is right in the middle of the windshield) , 5 inches up on the hummer, and the cord doesnt even reach the closest power outlet! (let alone the 2nd power outlet)

There are hundreds of complaints online for a reason. The cord sucks in serveral ways, and it sucks that they have it plug into the driver side which gets in the way of your view.

Okay I'm here so you can all stop arguing.

I have the V1.

The suction cups are ****************ty, I'm on my second set. The dang thing fell on my dash and left a dent since its bigger than my Tivo. The cigarette lighter thing won't stay in keeps poping out so it turns on and off on and off anoying, I'll have order another. The wires at the jack became frayed and I had to order another as well.

That being said........... V1 baby!!!!

Those arrows made Mr. Valentine a mulit-millionaire. And for good reason.

Its like this...you're driving down the street and the Five-O is hiding behind a bush. BEEP (arrow pointing ahead)

where is this fargin' guy???

BEEP BEEP (yep still points ahead)

Don't see him !!!

BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP (arrows pointing side ways)

still don't see him but I'm off the gas.

BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP (arrows pointing behind).

Ah there I see you hiding with your lights out!!! HA HA!! I know you're watching me!! you love busting those shiny P Cars!! not this time



there you have it. You can't just go off an audible alarm that gets louder and louder. You need to know where the enemy is lurking.

now they just have to work on all those ****************ty accessories that need replacing all the time..

p.s.
V1 still gets the best scores on Lazer from a trailing vehicle. That's saved me at least twice with the stateys following me home on the highway.

Weird... with the Passport, I let off the gas when the alert started (just like you had to) and get back on it after it's gone (just like your did). No taking my eyes off the road to look at arrows that just distract me.

And what's with that V1 falsing from a laser? They can't use laser from a moving ("trailing") vehicle. They have to be stationary to laser you.
I quote: "Laser cannot be used in moving mode it must be stationary. Most state enforcement agencies have passed on using laser for this reason. Laser is most prevalent in metropolitan areas with one officer on an overpass operating the laser and officers lined up on entrance ramps waiting for the radio to ID the offender. Similar to radar, laser cannot be used in the rain, snow, or high dust environments. Laser takes precise aiming."

You may need to send your V1 back in for "updating". It seems to be malfunctioning, or your local po-po is stupid.

If I were to wager a guess, I'd say the cord plugs into the left side of the detector because in MOST (not all, including Vipers & Hummers) cars, the lighter/socket is closer to the driver than the passenger.

Even the Boxster's lighter/socket on the right side, but I never had a problem with it. Nor have I had a problem in an TL, R32, 330i, Range Rover, Sentra, Civic, or any other car I've mounted it in (but I still need to confirm that with the Internets).

Depends on where you live. Here in NJ the state troopers pull you over from behind. I've seen at least a dozen times. They use Laser. The local cops use the old stuff from a stationary point. So you need both around here.

regarding the arrows, its uncanny the split second you've passed the radar gun it points side ways. At that very blink of an eye you know you're safe and can get back on the gas regardless of whether its beeping loud. That right there is worth the V1. The other benefit is the remote match box display that I place directly underneath the speedo. While I check my speed I can see where the arrows are pointing in one glance. This also means that the main unit visible from behind is not flashing which can attract tail gaters or the attention of that trailing trooper.
They DESPISE radar detectors. The other day one a trooper pulled up next to me
was checking out the Boxsters saw the radar detector, gets on his speaker and says "radar detectors make you look very very very guilty guy". Hence, you don't want that thing flashing ever. Driving a Porsche is enough bad attention when it comes to those guys.

All joking around aside PL, I don't understand how the troopers in your state are doing this. According to everything I've read about laser, it has to be aimed very accurately, and while the newer units can be shot through glass, it severely limits their effective range. So that pretty much means the guy has to be stationary on the side of the road and he shoots you from behind as you pass by.

He can't sneak up behind you and ping you moving, because it can't be aimed accurately bouncing down the road with him leaning out of the car's window. Unless you're trying to say something different?

In any case, with the Passport it doesn't *have* to be visible, it can be dimmed, and the cig plug has an alert led and mute button.. With little falsing, when I get an audible alert I slow down, and I can speed back up a couple of seconds after you do. :confused:

You do realize that most hard-mount police radar units have a switch that allows them to shoot to the rear or to the front, or can track both at the same time. As you pass by and accelerate, he can flip a switch and nail you moving away. Just sayin'... ;)

Peace out!

V1 is right for me for many reasons and below is a real incident the helped reaffirm why I made the right call. PA doesn't allow locals to use anything other than VASCAR or the equivalent so radar is really only hwy [read state trooper] material. Incidentally, I have yet to come across Laser in PA (see tons of it in OH) but I'm not complaining ;) Anyhow, this incident happened to yours truly last week...


On the interstate near my home, there's an exit w/ a very tight descending radius turn - cautioned at 10MPH. To 'assist' vehicles, halfway down the ramp is an electronic speed sign which flashes your speed and a bright light if you're above the 20 MPH posted ramp limit. As it's right next to the hwy, it always trigger the Ka band on my V1 anytime I'm w/in 1mi or so of the sign (depending on which vehicle I'm in etc.).

Yesterday afternoon I was headed home on this hwy when as usual, my V1 chirps in ~ 1mi from the exit. It had been a long day of driving and at this point I was just ready to be home and moving at a good pace. I glance down to my remote display and see 3 on the bogey counter. Hmmm...... Now, being from PA, they put radar on almost every single constr sign in the state. There is constr up the road about 4 miles and I thought they probably moved a sign or two down as they're working this way. Anyhow, V1 never says 3 here so it was out of the norm. I heeded caution and backed it down to 55MPH. As I rounded the bend I was on top of the exit. V1 display still says 3 bogeys and flashes arrows to the side (from the exit sign) and forward. Interesting. Ahead, approx 3/4 mi, at the crest of a hill I see a newly placed orange constr sign. That's 2. But there is still one more... Coming over top of the hill, you guessed it, one of PA's finest is semi-hidden on the right clocking traffic. As soon as I passed him, all arrows went to the rear and I continued home.

Not sure what I would've done if I didn't 'know' there were 3 bogeys as my detector always goes off in that spot but for me, that's why V1 works.


:)

I thought I would put my thoughts up front, as its a pain in the butt scrolling through so many replies. :)

I just did a week long trip cross country from Denver, CO where I live, to NYC, and back in my Nissan Altima, while towing a trailer with a motorcycle on it, both ways ( a small dirt bike to NYC, and an older Kawasaki Vulcan on the way back).

I always drive with my V1 mounted on my windshield, as it allows me another piece of driving data as I coast along the I-70 and I-80 corridors.

What I know, is that here in Denver, all the local police departments and State Troopers all use Ka and LIDAR to patrol the highways. Its very rare to ever see a police car running K or X band out here.

On my cross country trip, I was surprised how many police cars were using K and X band. The vast majority were still using Ka, and I think there were less than 6 instances were it indicated LIDAR was in use, and I believe that at least 3 of those were caused by the high end car cruise control systems.

In fact, one specific time I had K band go nuts, was when I was in New Jersey, and approaching a series on entrance and exit ramps to the highway. I actively switched from the second to left lane to the second to right lane, and dropped off about 5 mph, as I watched the signal strength grow as I got closer to one specific entrance ramp, all while having cars whip around me, passing in the two left lanes.

As I passed the bridge, the K band strength maxxed out, and I was then able to see the NJ State Trooper halfway up the entrance ramp, sitting there, tagging everything that drove past. That very moment was when he pulled into the entrance lane, and joined into the flow of traffic, and merged onto the highway in the left lane.

I watched him as he pulled past me about 1/3 a mile later, and settled on a black Lexus ES300 that was in the left lane, and pulled over the lady who was driving.

If she had any radar detector in her car at all, she would have had warning, and if she paid attention to it, she wouldn't have gotten a ticket that day.

There were also many many police cars that I passed that I didn't get any warning about, as they most likely had instant ons of some variety or another, and when they see something that they think is worth tagging, then they let you have it. By then, its way too late.

I also noticed a situations where there was one police car on the side of the road using an always on, in plain site, and when you got past him, and thought it was safe, around the next hill, curve, or entrance ramp, there would be another (or several) police cars that were silent, with instant ons, just waiting for those people who thought it was safe, and started speeding back up.

But yes, the arrows come in handy when you pass a silent police car on the side of the road, and then a little further up the road, you see a medium strength arrow pointing behind you. That lets you know you picked up a tail, and you should take it easy for a while.

Also, in Kansas and Colorado, the Troopers love to drive the speed limit in the left lane of the highway, and tag the cars going in the opposite direction in unmarked police cars. This is a very handy time to have the arrows, as you will be able to identify which car is the source of the signal, and can see if it turns around, and trails behind you for a while.

BC.

well on one occassion I was the passenger when we were nailed from behind, the guy seemingly came out of nowhere while we were doing at least 90. My friend didn't have any detector at all.
and in two instances recently the laser went off and within seconds the police lights were flahsing and he pulled over cars ahead of me. But 9 times out of 10 the laser goes off and half a mile down the road I see the trooper on the left side of the road.

again, from the testing I've seen documented the V1 has had the best results from a trailing vehicle even though its very hard to catch but I've done it at least twice and someone else got pulled over.

as for the arrows I guess you can question the need for it but people like the cyrstal clarity of it. I'm sure if it weren't patent protected or required royalties every other radar detector company would offer at least one unit with a similar system. Escort, Whistler and Cobra lose enough sales by not having this that they would offer it even if it weren't they're preferred strategy.

hmmm I had thought the bel sti/r was now king..?

Quote: "The other day one a trooper pulled up next to me was checking out the Boxsters saw the radar detector, gets on his speaker and says "radar detectors make you look very very very guilty guy".

Posted by Perfectlap.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! Actually, I have to admit: that's something a Jersey cop might well do. (I grew up there.)

I understand... the expert mode on the Passport lets you track multiple bogeys, and it's helped me out a couple of times as well.
:cheers:

nope not a joke. At first I pretended not to hear him so that he would have to repeat himself. And then I just shot him an F'u smile as it was a beatuiful day, I was driving the limit and this trooper couldn't do squat. Good thing he wasn't in front of me ....he would have dinged me for the no front plate! (haven't had one of those in 10 years). This was rather young looking trooper so he's probably fresh out of the statey academy..all gung ho and what not.
My buddy's dad gives me grief about having the detector but I explained to him in this car you're just a flahsing billboard to get police attention. Porsche or no Porsche nobody drives at the limit, they can pop you at any time.

If you would've had the 9500ix, you would have already blocked out the false alarms and known the alert would've be real. Your signal strength tells you how close they are(of course) and by that I can tell if it is an iminent threat.

Again I think both units are fantastic as they give you plenty of time after detection(most cases). I do like the arrows on the "Valentine", but my preference is to have a unit only go off when there is a real threat!! Unless you have experienced it first hand, you have know idea how enjoyable a quiet ride really is.

Plus the fact you ignored a signal that could have gotten you a ticket if you hadn't been alert enough to notice the bogies; shows why it's important for a detector to only beep when there is a threat!! Kind of like the boy who cried wolf!! :cool: Same with the speed cams/redlight, Some times I forget they are there but not with my escort. Just look at the Mayor of Toledo (he has gotten 4)
http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091008/NEWS16/910089998/-1/RSS

To Each His Own. But for me, I want a detector that detects real threats, not everything else!! :cheers:




On the interstate near my home, there's an exit w/ a very tight descending radius turn - cautioned at 10MPH. To 'assist' vehicles, halfway down the ramp is an electronic speed sign which flashes your speed and a bright light if you're above the 20 MPH posted ramp limit. As it's right next to the hwy, it always trigger the Ka band on my V1 anytime I'm w/in 1mi or so of the sign (depending on which vehicle I'm in etc.).

Yesterday afternoon I was headed home on this hwy when as usual, my V1 chirps in ~ 1mi from the exit. It had been a long day of driving and at this point I was just ready to be home and moving at a good pace. I glance down to my remote display and see 3 on the bogey counter. Hmmm...... Now, being from PA, they put radar on almost every single constr sign in the state. There is constr up the road about 4 miles and I thought they probably moved a sign or two down as they're working this way. Anyhow, V1 never says 3 here so it was out of the norm. I heeded caution and backed it down to 55MPH. As I rounded the bend I was on top of the exit. V1 display still says 3 bogeys and flashes arrows to the side (from the exit sign) and forward. Interesting. Ahead, approx 3/4 mi, at the crest of a hill I see a newly placed orange constr sign. That's 2. But there is still one more... Coming over top of the hill, you guessed it, one of PA's finest is semi-hidden on the right clocking traffic. As soon as I passed him, all arrows went to the rear and I continued home.

Not sure what I would've done if I didn't 'know' there were 3 bogeys as my detector always goes off in that spot but for me, that's why V1 works.


:)[/QUOTE]

well the V1 does false more than its competitor but after using the V1 for a while you sort of "learn the language" so to speak. A real threat is umistakeable and difficult to ignore. The false signals come and go. You learn to decipher.

The other thing is sometimes the cops like to hang out near construction zones and lately because of the Federal monies there seem to be a lot of these around. Picking up a false signal from construction work is a sort of reminder to be on the look out. I'm sure the five-O like to turn their radar on an off for a surprise attack.

windshield coating?
 

Just bought the cheapy Escort RX65.
There's a warning in there that the insided of some windshields ( like Porsches) have a soft coating that can be permantly scratched by the suction cups.

Does anyone know if this is true of the Boxster?

Call me nostalgic, but wasn't it much easier in the old days?



[IMG]http://i826.photobucket.com/albums/z...uster20001.jpg[/IMG]

Even older than that was this beauty!! Retailed for $39.00 ($250 todays dollar) A little before my time (1961). :D

[IMG]http://i826.photobucket.com/albums/z...try_cover1.jpg[/IMG]


Photographic history of radar detectors!! Actually pretty cool.http://www.guysoflidar.com/museum/index.html

I also have the Valantine. Those arrows are great!.

Up Date
 

I went with the Escort 9500ix. The Valentine was temping, but the escort has one major feature no one else offers... GPS.
The unit is learning all the time. Some of the traffic lights have K band to check for vehicles and keep the light green. The unit memorizes the signal and location and if it continues to see the same freq at that location, it will block out the signal.
I can add speed traps and as I get closer, it will pop up and remind me, including the distance.. 1300 ft out.
Sweet!