I've been looking at the Passport 8500 and the V1. Just got off the phone with both. As we know, the V1 lists for $100.00 US more than the 8500. Here's the kicker: Passport will only ship UPS at a cost of $55.00 US. We also know that when it gets here, UPS hoses us another $25.00 brokerage fee. V1 will ship UPS for about $10.00 but they will also ship Fed Ex if pushed. I don't think their brokerage fee is quite this high.
Also, the 8500 sells you the straight direct wire power cord separately whereas the V1 has it included. So there you have it, the price advantage of the 8500 is not so big after all. Pick whichever one makes you feel good. In my mind, there are equal numbers of pro-8500 and pro-V1 in each camp.
For me, I'll go with 8500 ............ no wait, V1 .......... no wait, ........... AAARRRRGGGG!!!???

 

Aren't radar detectors illegal in Canada. I know they are in British Columbia. (I found out after driving a rental around with a Passport Solo.)

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by The Raptor
[B]Aren't radar detectors illegal in Canada.

 

Nothing happened -- no cop hassles, few radar signals. I was in BC in July and brought mine from home. Since I upgraded to a Passport 8500, it was just sitting around anyway.

 

OK, I decided to go with the Passport 8500. I ordered the extra hardwire cord for 10 bucks. My "out of pocket" costs breaks down as follows:
$309.00 US + $55.00 US shipping/handling fee converts to $591.66 Can.
+ another $55.42 Can. for UPS brokerage fee (+ GST on that fee)
+ GST for a total of $659.32
YEP! We're paying through the nose!
Thankfully, Escort valued the merchandise at $200.00 US so the GST was a bit less.
Beautiful packaging, though.