NOVAwhiteTypeS

1st thing I noticed was this thing falses like a bitch and atleat for me, I couldn't figure out a way to completey turn off X band. Point for escort 8500

2nd I love arrows. Point for v1

3rd. bogey counter
escort can show u 2 ka bands and their strength, 2 k bands and their strength each, and 4 x bands and their strength each.

v1 shows total number of bogeys and just lights up the strength, no knowing if its the strong ka ahead, or strong false X in front.

point for v1 and escort

4th. Display and mute ability.
Escort has a auto mute funciton which is cool, it alerts and then mutes it automacitaly, but I sometimes missed the initial warning so missed some K band before and never used it but some might like it.

Escort has a auto mute function on the 'smart display' which shows power as well as if an alert is going off and has a mute button on it w/out loosing the visability on the radar it self.

v1 if u want the display to light up u have to reach for the detector and hit mute, if u want the mute button near you like on the concealed display then the radar it self doesn't show any lights. this sux cause on my 7, the cig lighter is behind shifter so I a. have to look down or b. don't use the concealed display and reach for the radar everytime, or rewire the entire thing and move the concealed display somewhere.

Mute functionality
Point for escort

Remote display of info
Point for v1

over all sensitiviy i think the v1 is about 5~10% sensitive than the escort, atleast on false alarms. but this could be due to escorts smart function in not displaying what it thinks is false.
but on rear protection the v1 is hands down much stronger.

Sensitivity
Front :too close for comparision
Rear: v1

I just got it yesturday so more reviews to come.

over all 100% happy w/ the v1 if it would show the display on the radar and just have a remote mute button.

kensteele

False alarms are the only complaint I have with my V1. You can turn off X-band....it's easy.

1gCL

iTrader: (1)

The V1 bogey counter actually tells you which band is the most THREAT to you by having the LED of that band blink when there are 2+ bogeys encountered. The arrow also blinks in the direction of most threat also....other arrows will be on all the time.

It might be hard to decipher at first, but once you get use to the V1's display and the different beeps it makes, you can instantly tell what band is lighted up. I usually just listen to the distinctive beeps for each band. The beeps are what I go by for warnings, then I'll glance up at the V1 for direction and level of threat.

I highly recommend reading the V1 manual. It's good knowledge about the V1 and radar-use in general.

NOVAwhiteTypeS

awesome thanx ken.

now help me make the v1 display in both the concealed display and on the radar it self or a remote mute botton

AgentDSS

why do you need both displays to light up? Kinda defeats the "concealed" part. On my setup I can not even really see the actual V1..since its to the right of my rear-view mirror. I have my concealed display mounted to the upper right of the guage area above the temp gauge. If a cop approached my car from the rear and then to the driver's side...you could never tell I have a detector Perfect for my DC/VA driving!

NOVAwhiteTypeS

the reason why i want it is cause my radar is under a hat that is covering the detector, so i just want just enough lights on so i can see the bogey counter and arrows. kind of a pain in the ass to look down and I am not doing a custom install or anything. or this could all be resolved if I could find a remote mute button.

kensteele

I wish it could...but it can't. Need to have options:

1.Both displays ON.
2.Remote ON, main V1 OFF
3.Remote OFF, main V1 ON
4.Both displays OFF.

I would choose #1 cause I'm never trying to hide my display but I now have an idle remote permanently installed that I would find most convenient to use the mute button on it.

sonor kid

All I know is that radartest.com showed the 8500 as their top detector tested beating the V1 handily.
In Ka mode the 8500 kicked the V1's ass, which is mostly what cops are using now around me.

Shawn S

That test is universally known to be total
It was bought & paid for by Escort.

Do a and you will see the facts.

Shawn S

kensteele

And next month, Radartest.com will show the new signature series Passport Escort Kensteele edition beating out the 8500 as soon as I can come up with the money.

fbazakos

nova, as you use it more, and understand the arrows better, you will see that it is actually giving you more information that you are currently perceiving. we cannot shut of the X band here in the midwest, because it is a new trend for the state troopers in Iowa to use Instant on in the X band, right around exits where sometime detectors give false readings. This happens at least 3 or 4 times every time I drive from Minneapolis to Des Moines.

The only legitamite complaint I have heard, and seen ... is this:

Shawn S

The dreaded Trailblazer LASER alert.

r10apple

My dad's v1 seems to be better than my 8500 over falsing. His rarely falses when my 8500 constantly does. I dunno...The overall bogey distance is about the same. I used his before I bought mine as a mini-comparo and it just wasn't that much better...

fuzzy02CLS

iTrader: (2)

I was a 8500 owner also, & hated the V1 arrows, & the way the bands weren't displayed like KA, or K just the little red dot. though it was to much info to look at at one time. However I did get used to it. Just takes a few weeks. X can be turned off, first thing I did. Yes those damn Trailblazer's, & the BMW Z8's, & the electronic toll plaza's by me all set off the Laser.

fender4

I call these my laser tester,,

nikon01

Hey Nova...I just moved to Charlottesville VA for school, and I am bringing my truck down here for Fall Semester next year, and I am contemplating getting a V1 for my drives between CT and VA. My only concern is that I know that VA Troopers are strict when it comes to radar use, and I was wondering what your experience has been with that and what you recommend. Should I save up and get a hardwired V1? Or is it not that big of a deal. I think that when I am crusing up and down I-81 next year, I will certainly need some protection.

Thanks...

n00dleboy

laser detectors are illegal in the states? They're not illegal in canada that's for sure.

AgentDSS

Nikon, I would seriously consider a V1 (hardwired) for that type of travel. Yea, its not legal in DC & VA...but if you have a V1...the chances of you getting pulled over for speeding and THEN fined for the V1 are very slim! The V1 is also heavily shielded to prevent the cops from tracking your radar dectector!

In my setup w/ my hardwired V1...a cop could not even tell I have a detector unless he was an ass and walked directly in front of my windshield on a sunny day!

NOVAwhiteTypeS

I used the v1 again today and after turning off X band i love it. I also have the auto mute function on and I also like how the lights dim @ night.

Nikon, this is what I do when I drive my civic or any other car, I wire the radar and put it on my passenger side inbetween the seat and the headrest, this way it has a clear view of the front and the rear and doesn't kill laser either.

For my 740 since it has an infared reflect window I can only place the radar in the bottom cut in the center of the windshield or on top above the rear view mirror.
I chose the bottom cut out and just threw a hat over it to hide it. Yes I know I loose laser but cops around here rarely use laser alone, may be DC near the tunnels.

Heres some pics but now I've replaced the 8500 w/ the v1.
http://public.fotki.com/novawhitetypes/740radarstealth/


in va ka is state, and K is county. no x band in VA.

sonarkid, I really think the v1 and the 8500 are about the same for KA, and K, can't really say for X as I always turn off X unless im going through jersey.

peiqinglong

Has anyone tried the V1 with metallic tinted windows such as Quantum and Solar? I really want to get myself one of these...but wondering if it's worth it.

XkRaZiX

damn i want one of those for my bday

Kalin

Papa Murphy's also triggers my laser. What are they doing with those pizzas?

fbazakos

it's the neon sign.

sidemarker

since we are talking about detector

I DO NOT RECOMMEND THE PASSPORT 8500!!!!!

I've had it for about 2 years now and I have gotten 2 tickets (going 80 mph) and recently the damn thing keeps lighting up "SERVICE REQUIRED"

$300 for a POS equipment!!!!!!

sidemarker

dj5

I highly recommended the 8500.

For K and Ka it matchs the V1. I have had my 8500 for about 2 years and it has saved me serval tickets. The 8500 gives very few false alarms.

Either go with the 8500 or V1.

fuzzy02CLS

iTrader: (2)

"SERVICE REQUIRED"

Might mean it's over heating. Mine did that sometimes after I left in on the window in hot weather when I parked the car.

AgentDSS

The cops in MD are gettin to be a pain in the ass when it comes to LASER! Today, when driving home from work I see an unmarked black cruiser parked in the median along Clara Barton PKWY w/ a guy wearing an orange reflective "POLICE" vest aiming a LIDAR gun at the opposing traffic. I drove slowly by him to see if my V1 peeps a beep! None.

After STALKING the cop by going along the same route in the opposite direction a few times (yea, yea, I was bored as hell!) I came to realize that the cop is pretty smart...picking off only the people he thinks are speeding (as I passed right by him several times while he was aiming the gun in my direction with NO V1 alert).

I was also trying to figure out where the cop was from..Montgomery County, MD State, Park Police, or someone else. I heard his radio blast during a run but I was too slow to turn on my police scanner to find out who he was.

On my last run, I drove behind the cop while he was aiming at the opposing traffic and my V1 finally alerted LASER about 1/2 away. This was odd since I was 1/2 mile BEHIND the cop's LIDAR gun. I finally went home pissed since the cops are getting smart around here.

It was pretty fun through to see a cocky Mustang driver or two pulled over and to see all the opposing traffic franctically flash their highbeams to "spread the word".