Erik, the V1 is a good detector for several reasons, but not for being insensitive to stray signals, so I'm sure you will be disappointed. I don't know if you tried it, but the 8500 can be programmed to be even less sensitive than in the regular City mode. There aren't any perfect detectors out there, but I understand why some people cannot stand the constant beeping, although the 8500 automatically lowers the volume after a few beeps. I think X band is used very little in the US, and only in the cities, due to the short range. If the NJ police also use it on highways, they should be very poor indeed.

 

Val,

I'm almost positive that your comments regarding the V1 are because you have absolutely no firsthand use of the unit. If you did, you would know that the V1 also lowers the volume after a few beeps, and that it also has an automatic dimmer 'eye' that selectively dims the display when ambient light dictates. However, I'd love you to prove me wrong!

The reason that the V1 doesn't have an black out display is because you can get the wonderful remote mount for only a few bucks more. You can also easily program the V1 to remove X band. In Michigan, X band is not a problem. BTW, my V1 hardly falses at all.

I am not convinced that any of the three detectors are better in signal strength that the other - at least not any more discernable strength than you'd really need. The top three detectors have a signal detection that exceeds most, if not all accurate detection distances of police radar. Contrary to your (repeated) argument that you profess as being such a moot point on the V1, I find the directional indicators to be the finest addition to the detector. This feature has saved me much angst by knowing exactly where the theats are coming from. No other detector can do this.

When your 8500 gives you an alert (or Bel), you have absolutely NO clue where the threat is. You don't know how far ahead, behind or to the side it is. This is important to know because if you get tbe signal, slow down and tbe cop STILL pulls you over and tickets you (which can EASILY happen), if you knew the direction of the threat, you could use the defense in court that there were many other cars ahead/behind you and that there would be no conceivable way that you could be ticketed because of the traffic. Strong defense. You could also argue this with the cop BEFORE he can write you up a ticket. With the Passport, and I don't care how good it's signal detection is, if the cop wants to ticket you and you can't prove a reason why he shouldn't, you are S.O.L sonny.

I also suspect that the R/T test may have borrowed EXACTLY from the radartest findings. Why would they go to the expense of funding the same test when they can buy, reword and reprint an existing article from a supposedly reliable source? Magazines do article sharing all the time.

I don't disagree with you that the 8500 is not an excellent detector. I just feel that you discredit the V1 based on ONE test you have read - which is definitely NOT fair. If that were the case, you wouldn't have bought your S2000. I'm sure there has been reviews where testers didn't like some aspects of the S2000 and gave that component of the review a negative write up. Besides, I believ that this is the only 'negative' test that the V1 has ever received.

When you spend $30,000-plus on a car such as the S2000, $100-150 is inconsequential. The fact is that all of the top detectors are good - and the V1 has a very loyal user following with an EXCELLENT track record. Therefore, in this instance, the choice of which brand to purchase is usually determined by features and preferences, not performance (when very comparable) and cost.

For me personally, I find the unique features that the V1 provides to be an excellent, pratcical offering. I don't need to know what frequency the cop is using, what radio station he is listening to () or if it's 1/2" thinner, I need to know where the threat is, that I am totally protected from behind by a DEDICATED rear facing antenna and that all my controls are within a fingertip's reach with my remote mount. That 'Smartcord' on the Passport does nothing for me at all. And, especially that it's TOTALLY USELESS on the S2000, unless you're quadruple-jointed!

As long as you avoid a ticket, this is the most important thing.

Ladies and gentlemen...choose your weapon!

 

Problem with turning down the sensitivity of the 8500 was that it only turns down the X band which I obviously need considering the state cops use X and the locals around work also do. I have also found that X really hasn't been the problem, K has been and the directions had nothing for turning that band down.

I know all detectors false, but for $300 it should be less then say a $100 detector which I am quite confident would have been just as good as the 8500. I might be wrong, but having an old Whistler, they pretty much did the same thing. I might not have returned the 8500 if it hadn't gone beserk a couple of times for no reason. That just made me unconfident in the detector. And I think having the directional will help with the falsies considering I can look from where it is coming from, and if it is X or K in a city type area with a multiple of two bogeys, I know it is an electric door or something. JMO.

ERIK

 

the only think I would like better than my V1 ... would be a V1 hidden in the mirror with the remote integrated in the S2000's digital display!! Seriously the arrows have saved me more times than I can count, just the other day, I pased a strong signal , watched the arrows change to show it behind me, saw them weaken , then grow in strength, started watching my mirror to find him tailing a group of us that had been flying... he eventually pulled over the one that decided it was safe and took off again.

also for what it is worth... as of the last couple of weeks there is a deputy sheriff with LASER hiding in the dips around I20 and spur 408... usually on the east bound side of I20. The 1st time I saw him was AMLS weekend and thought he had me for sure cause when the V1 went off with it's very distinctive laser alert... I was do 80+, by the time I slowed and found him I was down to 75... did not get a ticket but it scared the crap out of me!!


Saw him again today on I20 in duncanville... already had a catch.

 

Val,

What issue did Car and Driver do the comparison? I don't remember a recent test. The 8500 does not have a rear facing antenna.

 

You're right- a radar detector in the rear view mirror would be great- especially if it had little LED's behind the mirror like those turn signals that are in the side mirrors.

-B

 

Hey V1 guys, to tone down the false alerts is to change the L l and normal settings right? Is there someway other than that to get it to stop being so sensitive to X alerts. It goes off way to much on those damn automatic doors in the city man. I have mine set on L already so...

 

Val,

One more thing......as I mentioned before, the V1 has a very loyal user following, and as you may have seen, a lot of these people happen to be S2000 owners! If you will take a moment to appreciate my advice, you probably aren't going to win a lot of friends by (for lack of a better word) 'bashing' the V1 against the supposed 'superior' virtues of the 8500.

In your defense, I know that you are supporting the V1 as a good detector, but your tone of some of the posts clearly is denouncing the integrity of the V1 against the Bel and Passport - all because of ONE test you read (or two if you count the C/D test). The truth of the matter is....in a real world situation, there really isn't a discernable difference between any of the three in terms of performance. You can't tell me that your Passport doesn't false....it's not perfect, just like the V1. They both do what they are designed to do, and they are both VERY good at it.

Still, this is America and the First Amendment runs true, just like the S2000 runs to 9000rpm (well, for most of the owners here anyway )! We certainly do welcome your posts, and your opinions that comprise them.

Although, just as a suggestion, in order to avoid having to put your flame suit on, you might *consider* presenting these opinions in a slightly less-antagonistic manner!

PS. I see that you are new to the forum. Welcome! What color Stook did you get? How do you find it so far?

Cheers,

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by huyto
[B]Hey V1 guys, to tone down the false alerts is to change the L l and normal settings right?

 

I'm not sure if anybody really answered my original question. Doesn't matter, works like a champ and has saved me many times.