I personally really like my Passport 8500 X50, but if if cost were no object I'd go for the 9500 with GPS function.

 

I run a 9500CI but thats $1600 :-)

I've also run a 9500ix and a RX65

those who are interested...I know of a place where the discussion is nothing but police counter measures and its a great place to get advice on which detector is best for YOU

just because a V1 works great for some one that lives in the suburbs doesn't mean it will work great for the guy driving though a major city

Also some detectors may be better or worse for you depending on what kind of radar guns your local Leo's use

top radar detectors by sensitivity in order
9500ci & STI -R
V1
9500i/ix
STi Driver

newer detectors with good range expected but not fully tested
REdline
GX65

there are many more detectors but these are the ones considered to be *top of the line*

 

I've never owned a radar detector, but I've considered getting one and have read a lot about and it always seems to come down to the Valentine 1 and the Escort Passport 8500/9500.

 

My 8500 just died recently but I had it for like 2 years... I expected a little bit more life from it but that's what the Vegas sun does to everything in a car. I found that it was very sensitive but for city driving it was just plain anoying because it would beep for a kband everytime I went past a gas station or walgreens. I want to try out the new one with the gps and the lazer jammers, but it's like 1000 dollars 0_0

 

subscribed

 

I have an Escort Passport 9500ix and I love it, it has saved my *** more times that I can remember. No false alarms, updatable stoplight/speed cameras with GPS, very accurate. I was going to go with the V1, but just seemed like the Passport had better features. The arrows on the V1 arent really important in my opinion, because the most important threat is ahead of you, if you are getting hit from the sides or behind you, your pretty much toast anyway.

 

the 9500 series is sensitive enough to pick up threats behind you anyway, but the V1 will give you a bit more range

example: highway patrol rolling up on you from behind with moving radar

like i said if anyone is serious about reading about this stuff shoot me a pm for a link to a nice forum where members test radar detectors and jammers and post vids for everyone to see the truth

 

My V1 has saved me a bunch of times. Worth every penny. Highly recommend it.

 

escort 8500 x50 ... Have had it a few years works amzing saved many many times.

 

Get the STi =o

 

I have a k40 undetectable... got it free from a trade in at work.... great radar no false alarms ever. and its all hidden.

 

V1

 

There is only one choice when it comes to radar detection and the choice is the V1. Price should not be considered since all the best radars are all over 300 and every dollar you spend is worth it like some people have already said. The people who claim the arrows and bogey counter are useless are just haters of the V1 and have clearly never owned one. Its very important to know where the radar is coming from regardless if you are in the city or driving on the highway because it provides a valuable piece of information that will effectively allow u to avoid getting nailed. Think about it if you know where the enemy is your chances of avoiding/eliminating the threat are greatly increased. As far as overall sensitivity all the top of the line detectors are fairly close but from what i recall the V1 has the greatest ability of picking up pop radar which is the hardest to detect and also the easiest to get busted by. So basically just make the right choice and get the V1, aside from all the reasons already mentioned Valentine will even do upgrades which will always keep the V1 top of the line and keep you from having to buy a new detector.

 

Alot of my friends have the V1. I'm not a "hater", I just find the features of the Passport superior. Both are great pieces.

 

V1 hands down