ttop1986

i got the passport 8500 x50 (blue). The blue is easier on the eyes. It performs right up with the v1. I dont buy into everyone saying the v1 is the best one ever because mine picks up the signals from the same distances as the v1. Sometimes sooner, sometimes not as soon. Id say they perform right at the same level. Also, do you really need the arrows to tell you where the radars coming from? Because i know if my radar detector is going off I'm not going to do anything stupid anyways. So i think its pretty much a useless gimick thing to sell the V1 more. But thats just me. I didnt think it was worth the extra money.

Edit: and make sure you get the "8500 X50", as the "8500" is an older model.

Gun5

everyone go check http://www.radarbusters.com/support/...or/Default.asp got all the info and how they perform, escort and the bel are just slightly over the V1





Bel vs. Escort vs. Valentine

Radar Roy receives countless e-mails and telephone calls every day asking "Which is the best radar detector made today, Escort, Beltronics or Valentine". In fact this same topic is hotly debated among radar detector users on RadarDetector.net, a radar detector users forum.

One point to consider, Escort and Beltronics are now owned and operated by the same company. The Escort 8500 X50 and the Beltronics RX65 are virtually the same radar detector with the following exceptions:

· The Escort is available in red display for $299.95 or blue display for $339.95. The reason for the price difference in the blue display is that the gases used to make the blue cost considerably more then the red

· The RX65 has voice, what Radar Roy feels is a better tech mode (display of technical information such as voltage received at the radar detector)
· The RX65 also has Ku band. Ku band was authorized for use within the USA over ten years ago, however the band has not used by any police radar gun manufacture. Kustom radar has been exploring the possibility of developing a new gun for this band, even as going so far as making a pro type in 2005. But demand from police departments has been low, and it is now doubtful that Kustom will follow through with this new Ku gun any time soon.

So as far as performance, the Escort 8500 X50 and the Beltronics RX65 are about identical.

The Valentine does have the advantage of having dual antennas, allowing its directional arrows identify the direction that the radar is coming from. However, Radar Roy and other reviewers have all agreed, that the filtering on the Valentine 1 is inferior. So much so that in the November 2004 issue of Autoweek magazine's review, they called the Valentine 1 the "Chicken Little of radar detectors".

Escort and Beltronics have a single antenna that is bi-directional. This allows you to receive radar from front and rear, at distances equal to or exceeding that of Valentine. Escort and Bel also have the best filtering on the market today.

One of the best independent reviews we have ever seen concerning the comparisons between the Escort, Bel and Valentine radar detectors was performed by Bob (The Veil Guy) and his wife Lisa. It is titled The Ultimate Real-World Radar Detector Review '05 and is posted on his website LaserVeil.com. Bob and Lisa examined the real-world performance of these top three radar detectors during a 2300 mile trip that covered five states, in which they encountered virtually every form of radar/laser speed enforcement currently in use today. This extensive report covers price, quality, display, alert, performance along with other important features.

In Bob's report, he ranked the Beltronics RX65 as the the top performer "Think of the Bel as a high-performance sports car that can act as daily driver. Vehicles such as a late model Corvette or Porsche 911 with SMG come to mind."

stangitr

everyone likes the V1 because of the name. it's like the Bose of radar detectors...overpriced and not anything really special

ianwells100

well, i've never gotten a speeding ticket with mine... so it must be doing somethign right

stangitr

i never got a speeding ticket with my cobra either, but it's a cheapo wal mart radar detector

now i don't have anything and i haven't gotten a speeding ticket yet

xxRillixx

ive had my Escort 8500 (red) one since 2001, and i bought it USED on ebay for like $150-175... and its still awsome. Except its starting to act up every once in a while... so probably time to look into a new one.

Ive gotten my share of speeding tickets WITH it (3-4 in 5 years)... but they were severly less (able to slow down... avoid worse tickets), and ive never gotten caught in a trap. the biggest thing is people think they dont have to pay attention because the detector will pick up cops... no, it picks up RADAR. If your speeding you should be paying attention, regardless if the radar is on.

I will definately buy Escort again... after reading the radar reviews i got the escort... and looks like they are still on top.

Z28LT1_Just_Nasty

9-12 over really isnt that much. I have a few more years of driving over you and my only two tickets were for 30+ over. I speed typically 15-20 over on the highway. But then again this is jersey and if you don't do at least 10 over your looking to get a headlight 2 feet from your bumper.

Now if you really want to put your money where you mouth is, trust your detector when you usually speed at 20+ thats when you know you have a good detector. Any cheapo can give you enough time to get down from 9 over

BigBlockChevy

maybe someone can from cali and confirm, but i believe i remember reading that all CHP are either currently, or phasing in an all laser program. So basically, on the freeway in cali, any radar detector is useless.

95 Z/28 LT1

Anyone have any experience with these? I guy I know has one and swears by it.

http://www.rockymountainradar.com/

anasazi

when looking for radar detector reviews keep in mind that all website based detector reviews are biased. actual user reviews (such as in this thread) are much better than any website review.

but, as for me ...

i have an 8500 that is 5 years old and i love it. it still works flawlessly and i see no need to upgrade to an x50 model. when driving on the road usually the 8500 will pick up stuff at the same time as the V1, sometimes before and sometimes just after. they have roughly the same range but the V1 falses a hell of a lot more.

for comparison 3 of us drove to a dyno saturday and there were at least two cops and a few falses, the 8500 and my buddy's V1 both generally sounded the same warnings at the same time where as my other buddy's walmart purchased detector never went off a single time, even when a cop was driving the other way with his radar on.

if my 8500 ever breaks or is stolen you can bet i'll be purchasing an 8500 x50.

moparman

Regarding Rocky Mountain Radar products: stay FAR away from them. Look for reviews on their products.

birdman1

no matter what you spend, none of them are perfect.
back when I drove truck, I always ran 2 detectors, usually a cobra, and a uniden, then you can compare readings, it's like having a second opinion instantly.
When they both go off, and start screaming, nail the brakes.....

Grims

They are a scam, the only thing about them that even somewhat works is the detector...and it performs under the cobra in tests.

Passive radar jamming is impossible.

There is many articals about them proving they don't work.

lt1aggie

I love my 8500 x50. It's the only one I've ever owned, but after talking to some people who have used both, I think V1's are overrated. Go with the red display...saves a few bucks and matches your gauges.

mx89

I wont be able to find this post again, but if anyone is looking for the top of the line radar give me a pm. I have the newest version V1 out there. I'm getting out of the street scene, and getting a luxury car. WIm driving over 50 miles a day for school, and decided to get a nice 4 cylinder. So I dont think theres a need for speed there. lol But give me a pm if your interested