This is very true. Escort sells a product called the ZR3 that you can hook up to the 8500, which is a laser shifter setup that puts 2 laser shifters in the front and 1 in the rear. The ZR3 shifters are supposed to be $500 installed, but we sell them for $305 as an add-on to the 8500 units.

 

Again, ignoring biased people trying to promote their sales on their products, I have yet to see anything conclusive that suggests that Escorts (or any other detector for that matter) are better than the V1.

As for saying that most PD's are going laser, it totally depends on where you are. To put the laser system in the patrol cars, it costs the PD $7,000 per car. Unless the PD is a big enough department, most won't spend the $, and stick with radar only. I am originally from Indiana, and I know for a fact that the only city in the whole state that uses the Radar is Indianapolis. So, where I was from in the state, you wouldn't have to ever worry about the Laser, unless you traveled to Indy, or to another large city where it was being used outside the state line.

As for detection. I have gotten detection from laser off of my V1 from the police lasering cars near by, which gave me enough time to adjust my speed. Most times though you are correct in saying that there is little to no detection. I also have got nailed with laser before when no one else was around, and had no warning. Fortunatly I just got a warning, and didn't get a ticket.

 

WHat is the difference between the red and the blue escort 8500?

 

FWIW if you come to south west ohio don't expect you radar detector to protect you. I know for a fact ALL Hamilton county PD and cincinnati PD use laser detection. I have heard that almost all of the tri-state area PDs have laser cause its worth it for them. Im sure all of SoCal PDs have laser and pretty much any town or city that writes a lot of citations.

Also in the states that radar detectors are not legal they are equipping PD cars with radar detector... detectors. You could get pulled over and get ticketed for having a radar detector even if the cop doesn't see it. All it has to be is plugged in. Im sure they have detectors now that cloak their signal so the cop can't detect the detector but its another thing to look for when you drop $500 or more into something that MAY help you avoid a speeding ticket.

 

I'm pretty sure most of the modern radar detectors have radar detector detector circuits built in so you'll know if the cops are using one.

 

how do u program out x and k??? its so annoying if u drive by businesses.....

and is the best place to put them in ur car is as high as possible ont he front windshield???

 

Ohio is definatly one of the more strickly enforced speed detection states. Having traveled through the states countless times, and having my V1 go off about every other mile on the interstate, it makes more sense to either take back roads, or just not to speed on the highway.

The V1 comes with ghosting technology that hides the V1's signature, making it invisible to radar detector detectors. The V1 also has different mode settings (most do) that will change the detection settings from highway to city. This makes city driving with the V1 detect actual radar and laser signals, not false readings from sliding doors and alarm systems.

 

Nothing. It's just the LED colour. (Blue LED's cost more to make)

I have a V1. It doesn't have city/highway modes, but actually differing ways of showing X band.
A (all bogeys)
l (logic)
L (advanced logic)

A shows every X warning and makes noise.
l shows X but keeps it quiet. If it's a strong X alert, it will make noise.
L doesn't show or make noise for X unless it's really strong.

Personally I just deactivated the X band and just use the K, Ka, and Laser.

There are all sorts of different ways to set up the Valentine, but for 99% of people, the default setup works the best. Other benefits that it has that others don't:

"Real" clock radio style button rather than tiny rice grain button on top.
The arrows are as neat as everybody says they are. If there are radars in 2 or even 3 or 4 directions, it will point to all directions, but will flash the arrow with the strongest signal.
http://valentine1.com/demo/demo3.asp (see all sorts of way the arrows save you)
Comes with a hardwire kit. No need to spice into a mirror. My wiring is connected to the car stereo.
The concealed display kit has the same arrows and band indicators. Also has a button on there that can control all the same settings as the main unit.
Magnesium case instead of plastic (better sun protection, dropping protection, less likely to leak radiowaves)

Performance is second to none. Seriously, when you first try it out you'll probably laugh because your range is so far compared with the other brands.

As for radar detector detectors. If it's VG2, you're safe. If it's the specter detector, you're not safe. Beware of the state you're in.