so i am going to pick up a new radar detector with my new car. my old one i got when i was 16, paid for it's self like 10 times over. But needless to say i stopped using the thing because it was old, didn't pick up the current radars and i was annoyed with it always going off. I have been thinking about picking up a Escort 9500xi. I don't think that the speed camera thing is really going to do much for me, and i laughed at the $30 subscription for 3 years of updates via the internet... but i do like the auto learn feature. If i can cancel out the false signals i think it would be nice. it also seems to have a great range on it.... and the reviews seem to be really good online. I hear it is very similar to the V1 for quality. So does anyone here have one? Or should i go valentine or bel and save some money?
^What he said! V1 FTW! I have had the best of the best( 2 models of Escort 8500, Bel STI Driver, the cobras, whistlers....) The main reason that I bought my V1 was because of how "loud" it is. When you have loud cars and the music up the 8500 at max volume just is not loud enough. It is still a awesome detector, I sold mine for $225.
I do enjoy knowing where they are, and how many are hiding. But, I don't drive like a maniac. Laser pwns
Because you purchased a WRX/STi and from what I can tell mod it somewhat because you love to drive the speedlimit? Go buy a camry or corolla or something else if you never speed.
LOL - funny stuff. So I don't think the V1 is an option because of the sticker. So anyone think that the Escort is worth the money or should I go with a cheaper Bel or Valentine?
ok so speed is speed... some of us like to drive because it is fun... but back to the subject of the thread. anyone own any of these? Advice?
You made this argument moot yourself. If your last one paid for itself many times over, so will the V1. If you avoid ONE ticket because of it, it already pays for itself. Not just in the fine, but the insurance hike. Get the V1.
I don't think your average Suabru driver mods it for top speed. They mod it so they can accelerate to the speed limit more quickly. Torque, my friend, torque.
Yeah, I do see your point. Why is the V1 so much better? How often do you accelerate and stop when you get to 55 MPH?
The V1 gives you the direction of the target, and the number of targets. You don't get that with other units. You know exactly WHERE they are coming at you, and HOW MANY of them there are.
What readymix said. There have been multiple times where I have two "bogeys," pass one, and there is another one a mile down the road yet. Or I get a low signal in front of me for a while, telling me there is a patrol car ehead with his radar on. Also, the V1 has an optional remote display if you don't want everyone behind you to see it. I've though about getting it. I had an officer messing with me once, turning his radar on and off.
Yep, that too. The remote display. You can hide the V1 main unit, and attach the remote unit to the dash. The remote unit gives you all the information that the V1 displays.
Yep, V1 or speed limit. Sometimes my 5 over drifts to 15 over, and the V1's reminders have been well worth it.
You're missing the point. My point here is that few actually take advantage of the higher top speed afforded my whatever mods they are doing. You can speed well over limit in pretty much anything, which makes Roon's point moot. However, the extra torque is what people with a modded car enjoy more often. Besides, if any of us were concerned with top speed, we wouldn't be driving something as aerodynamically inefficient as a Subaru.
I see what you are saying. But I know myself and it will be hard to drive the speed limit... except in traffic @ 5pm when i get to drive 10 mph. either way i need to get something. it seems the V1 came out in 2002. anyone concerned about the technology being outdated?
They update it constantly. They kept the same model (their only model), but the firmware and functionality has changed since then.
I have a cobra 9 band i bought at radio shack and i get pretty good distance with it. Like said above 5 over the limit turns into 15+ over the limit in no time
Oh look what I found: http://www.007radardetectors.com/tests.htm I am still a bit in the air. I think the V1 is the clear winner in everything but false alerts. I can't decide it the 9500xi is worth the money because it has the ability to learn and not beep @ the false alerts. They are very close in every review i see online.
So besides ordering online... where did people get their V1? I can't find anywhere that carries them.
true... but where can i buy it? i have some gift cards i have been saving and i can't really use them online.
lol. It seems that everywhere online has them for about $100 bucks more than the actually website for them https://store.valentine1.com/store/ i don't believe i can pick this up in the TC area which is what i was going for.
So just cuz I have a wrx I have to speed huh. I drive the posted limits, I have never been pulled over or even looked at twice by police.
I guess....but I highly doubt it. If you want torque there are FAR better cars you could be driving. Awesome, I just hate the smartass "drive the speed limit" response. He didnt ask if he should or should not speed. He asked about radar detector comparisons. And my point was that you dont need a turbo charged car to drive the speed limit. You drive a WRX for the performance aspects of it, which typically involve speeding of some sort and you are full of it if you try to tell people you have never gone over the speed limit.
So when you buy a wrx/sti you should just quit obeying laws and speed everywhere you go. Sorry for being a responsible driver?
Didnt say that, just dont pull the holier than thou line "dont speed then" like you have never done it and are some perfect driver.
You should only buy a Valentine from Valentine's direct site. That's the only way you will get it updated, or warrantied should something happen. I had an Escort X50 8500, and it was pretty good, but the V1 is by far better. Don't read too much into the 9500's "false" detection. Officers do pay attention to where radar sources are present, just so they can hide there...and you would think it's a false. Either way, if you can't afford the ticket... You can't afford to speed. You shouldn't think of a detector as a free pass to speed, but more of just another set of eyes incase you are speeding (my V1 has picked up cops from 3+ miles).
yes i agree. I am going to go on the website because it is $100 less than everywhere else! Also it seems that they use phone cords for the power hook up.... how sweet is that. I can go to home depot and get a cord long enough to run the wires into the molding and up through my center council.
