With any detector it's preferrence.... me personally I prefer the arrows the V1 provides. Some people could care less about the arrows but after having them and then not having them... it's hard to give em up....

 

Of course I bought a V1 maybe 5 years ago and a couple months ago decided to upgrade, so I sent mine in and for $190 I got a brand new V1. $400 is expensive but in the long run when the escort or whatever breaks and your SOL, or the newest model comes out you feel the need to upgrade you''ll be looking at another $250 or more. In the long run its the better purchase in my opinion, especially since I've owned it I havent had one speeding ticket.

Another thing I just recently found out is how you can reprogram the factory settings, since I do alot of city driving, X-band was always annoying so I have that turned off. You can also adjust the sensitivity of Ka band, change when they V1 beeps (at what signal strength, etc) mute k band if its most likely a false alarm. You can also turn on the Ku band mode, european mode or turn pop on or off.

There site also has an article on placement, showing different advantages and disadvantages of where the detector is positioned, effect of sun and stuff like that that.

 

agreed... for me, the V1 was not a big enough 'improvement' to justify the additional $150+ that i would have had to pay over the 8500 X50 ($250 shipped via an authorized dealer).
btw, be careful -- Escort doesn't consider ANY ebay seller authorized, so your warranty is zilch via ebay purchases.

ok, i've just gotta correct some of your FUD -- you're making the statement that Escort does not upgrade their units.... first, that's wrong. Escort does offer an upgrade plan for new units as well and they will upgrade firmware for something on the order of $50 (iirc). that's a whole lot less than the $190 you paid Valentine.
second, you paid $190 for a 'new' V1 to replace the V1 you sent in. that's close to $600 for your original + upgrade. for that price, i can buy (retail) 2 8500's. (or for $100 less @ $500, i can STILL buy 2 8500's)

regarding the programability? the 8500 X50 can be also programmed extensively and in some ways is more flexible than the V1. however, there are key features the V1 has that the X50 lacks.


it all comes down to preference and price vs our willingness to pay.

just don't spread info that's flat out wrong.

 

Can you point the way?

 

I've always wondered if that was legal.

It's understandable when applied to devices that require "professional" installation, like a car alarm or head unit that can be damaged by a customer screw-up. But these things plug into a cigarette lighter, so there's no reason for it other than making sure consumers get the "full retail price experience".

 

V1 is the best investment for your car you can make. Arrows, bogey counter, unbelievable range, simple easy to use interface, volume control know is so much better than clicking or holding onto some buttons. Concealed display is a must. You can compare specs all you want, but there isn't a day that goes buy that I don't regret shelling out $430 for the v1. Plus with the option to trade it in for a newer model later on, shows that the co. will fully support you even after the sale. Instead they'll sell you a $300 radar detector, and then tell you that there is new technology making your old radar detector obsolete. Out of $300 and have to shell out another $300 to make sure you have the "best." my 2 cents.

 

A couple of points that haven't been made and/or stressed so far (I've had an 8500 that's now in my wife's car, and I use a V1):

The V1's arrows work because the unit processes signals from two antennas, one pointing forward and one aft. This has been mentioned; but it needs to be stressed that the V1 therefore needs to be mounted in the center of the windshield, or as nearly so as possible, so it can see out the back. I have mine on a little stand I made from a Radio Shack part sitting dead center on the dash. My wife's 8500 is over by the A-pillar on the dash. She puts a ball cap on top of it when parked, so it's not a temptation.

It takes the V1 unit a second or two to process the signals -- you can watch, for example, an approaching patrol car (with your eyes) and then see the "side" arrows (which represent more or less equal front/rear signals) light up well after the patrol car has passed.

One thing the 8500 has (and I assume the X50 has it, too) is an auto-mute setting, so that new signals yap at you only for a couple of seconds. The V1 does not have this, and listening to it yap all the time gets old. (You can mute it manually, though.)

Despite these limitations of the V1, I'll never go back. It drives me nuts when I'm in my wife's car and can't tell where the signal is coming from.

Finally, doing a side-by-side test with two units in the same car isn't a good test, as they can interfere with each other. HPH

 

My V1 has auto-mute. That's what the two controls are for on the volume/power knob.

There is a delay when going from one arrow direction to another, but I really don't think it has much to do with a delay in detection rather than the display of the info. If there was such a delay, it would not pick up any of the "instant on" radar or lidar in use. Since the newest V1's have POP mode and are mechanically identical to the units made 2 years ago, that also tells me detection needs to be instant.

The arrows sold me on the V1 along with the reputation. The only other damning thing about these detectors is that practically everyone has either a V1 or an Escort on big group drives and we all false off of each other if we get within 20-30 feet of another car.

 

My v1 experience has damn near been flawless. The permanently upgradeable deal is what sealed the deal for me. FYI.

 

I just got done with all the demos on V1's web site.

Demos

And i think i will be getting the v1.

the comparison that comes to mind is when you buddies yell "Look" at a hot chick.

I rather hang out with the group that actually gives me enough notice and coordinates to catch a glance vs "aw you missed it."