goodbadmas

Hi All,
I am looking to buy a new Radar Detector .. any recommendations on which is good one ? I see a lot of them out there and confused on what to get ..

Thanks for ur help

TopGum

How much do you want to spend? I have a V1. Very happy. I know many who have Passport 8500. Also, very happy. Now, if you want the KING of detectors go here:

Passport SRX

:wow: :wow:

gohawks63

Yeah, it becomes a religous conversation. Do a search of V1, 8500, radar detectors and you'll find endless debates.

I own the 8500 and am EXTREMELY happy with it.

You won't go wrong with either the V1 or 8500.

V1 retails for about $400
8500 retails for $300

You can find both cheaper, especially on E-bay

Range detection I believe is comparable for RADAR, and the V1 may hold an advatage for LIDAR (Laser).

Keep in mind thought that LIDAR detection may be a moot point. By it's very nature, LIDAR is difficult to detect, and when the warning goes off, it's most likely too late.

Major features, I'll start with what I know most about:
8500
Detects all bands of radar, including laser. Rear detection eye for LIDAR
Automode - instead of the typical Highway/City setting, this mode sets your detector based on the environment you drive in.
Can detect and show the strength of up to eight radar sources
Can defeat certain bands that may no longer be used (i.e. XBand)
Fully programmable features
Can detect SWS (Safetey Warning System) - This may not be a big deal since most municipalities do not utilize this. I've had my 8500 since December and have never caught a SWS signal.
Voltage indicator

V1
Detects all bands of radar and LIDAR.
True 360 degree protection. Front and rear detection is most important since that is the only accurate way of tracking vehicle speed.
Directional arrows. Indicate the direction that the radar source is coming from
Shows the number of signals received, but unlike the 8500, only shows the strength of the strongest signal.
Not sure about the band defeat.
Does not detect SWS - Although as I mentioned, this shouldn't be a determining factor.
Prior to the 8500, no other detector came close to competing with the V1.

Before the V1 owners start flaming me, I didn't say that the 8500 was better, I just said that the 8500 offers serious competition to the V1 at a $100 discount.

Personal observations with the 8500.

I have owned several Passports, and the 8500 is by far the best. It falses less, and Ka detection is so good, it is almost a fault. I catch a signal so far in advance that I think it's a false alarm and I begin to ignore it, only to find that it actually was a cop! I once caught a cop over a mile away over a hill!

I keep mine in full auto mode and it works perfectly.

Lastly, I assume that you know that a radar detector will not guarantee that you won't get caught. I always make sure that there is always a car up ahead of me, so that if instant-on is used, I'll be warned.


Hope this helped.

Good Luck.

abhair

Thanks for the info on the new " king" of Radar detectors. I can't believe $1600 for a radar detector. I have a old battery powered
Passport that still works and doesn't require installation.
I guess I will keep using it.
My problem is that the tooper sends no signal until he turns his radar on. I was caught last year with a 1/2 second beep when it was too late.

gohawks63

The only way to avoid instant on, is either don't speed, or always make sure that there is some sort of traffic ahead of you. That way, when the trooper uses instant-on on them, you'll get a short alarm. Enough to let you slow down.

As for the SRX, the true benefit of that is that it offers TRUE laser protection that you can't get with a typical detector, including the V1 and 8500. The SRX in effect "jams" the lidar gun.

"Jamming" radar gun is illegal because FCC tregulations prohibit you from transmitting a radio signal that will interfere with the radar gun. Since Lidar is a light beam, it is not protected by the FCC regulation.

TopGum

Yep, I don't think you can go wrong with either one. One nice thing about the V1 is it is upgradable. I am not sure if the passport is. As far as instant on goes, it is a b**ch for sure.

gohawks63

Good point. I forgot to mention that. Yep the 8500 can also be flash programmed to accept upgrades.

STi

i have the passport 8500 and my friend has a v1
yes, the v1 does have a bit more range, but i think the passport definately looks better and a better value too:p
unless you go really fast with no traffic in front of you, they should will provide adequate time for you to slow down

jbn

I have a Passport 8500 it is the best $$$ i've spent on the car so far. It has already made its money back. You can also order the hardwire cord from Escort and looks sweet no wires on the dash!

goodbadmas

hmmm ... seems like i got my answer Thanks a lot guys .. i m going to get 8500

Thanks for all your help

goodbadmas

Just ordered Escort Passport 8500 for $249.00 .. plus shipping ..

waiting till i get it now

gohawks63

Congrats! I love mine.

There is really no comparison between the 8500 and previous Passport models. I used to have an old 4500 that served me well. My wife has a 6800 in her Land Cruiser and it does not have nearly the range or filtering that the 8500 has. Escort really did their homework with this one. That's why I think people who flame it are basing their opinion on previous Passport models.

Keep in mind though that it does catch signals from far away. It almost never falses in K and Ka mode, although I'm noticing more and more where those automatic doors in grocery stores are starting to use K band.

I have literally caught K and Ka band so far away that I begin to think it's falsing. It starts out as a slow chirp (or double chirp for Ka), it doesn't increase too much for a long time so you start thinking it's falsing, then all of a sudden it starts speeding up and there is the cop!

johnnyb_s

Actually, it shows the strength and location of all signals it receives through the use of the directional arrows and how they flash...and it has rear laser eye.

Also, don't forget that the V1 comes with the hard wire kit and is not extra.

I wouldn't worry too much about laser because most officers aren't using it...instant on is the real killer.

1999TL

Does anybody know if I can cancel The X band on V1? i don't think so, but I haven' t really looked into it that much.

johnnyb_s

Interesting question about cancelling the X band, but I still run into occassions where cops are still using it...I believe that you can reprogram it...check out valentineone.com Should explain it there...

johnnyb_s

To turn off your X band, and make other adjustments to your V1, check out the instructions below:

How to reprogram your V1

aepiua

Speaking of different radar bands, have any of you heard about the new radar/laser guns that the CHP just bought. The news the other night said it was a combination of radar and laser and more effective. Just wondering if anyone has come accross this new waste of taxpayer money.

gohawks63

The V1 does show you the direction and the amount of multiple signals, but the strength meter only applies to the strongest signal doesn't it? In addition I've heard from a few V1 users that the arrows aren't that accurate since radar signals bounce all over the place, manytimes when multiple arrows are lit it may be the same source.

The 8500 can independantly show you the signal strength of up to eight sources, but admittedly doesn't tell you what direction they're coming from. Not a big deal for me, 'cause regardless of where the source is coming from, I'm gonna slow down until I know it's gone.

True that the hardwire kit is extra for the 8500, but I think I only paid about $10 for it. With that included, it still was a substantial savings over the V1. Additionally, the 8500 comes with the remote display standard, not sure if the V1 has the same.

Not really a big deal, more of a discussion point.

I'm not trying to get into an argument over which is best. The V1 is an excellent detector and was the standard by which all others were rated. The 8500 now gives it some serious competition. All I was trying to say is that people should not judge the 8500 off of past Passport models, 'cause the 8500 is in a different league.

As for turning off X band, I wouldn't do it unless I was absolutely sure no police depts in you area use it anymore.

A couple of months ago I know I caught X-band from a suburb I drive through on my way to work.

goodbadmas

True that the hardwire kit is extra for the 8500, but I think I only paid about $10 for it

what is the hardwire kit for ? what can u do with that ? just curious.

busterkw

has anyone connected their radar detector to the powersource that is running the Homelink above the rear view mirror? My cousin has a V1 and connected his there in his BMW. No messy wires or cables etc. I know you need to buy the direct link cable for the passport but does anyone know how long that cable is? If it is long what did you do with the access wire?

I am looking into getting a passport 8500, but i wanna make sure that cable isn't too long. Thanks in advance.

gohawks63

Allows you to wire it directly to a power source (like your fuse box). In my case, I then hid the wire along the headliner and driver's side A pillar. You then don't have to have a coiled wire hanging from the detector into your lighter.

johnnyb_s

I hardwired my radar detector to the 12V accessory inside the center console, hid a switch inside the cupholder section, and ran the wire up the passenger a-arm pillar up to the detector, that way I can turn it on and off whenever I want and all the wires are hidden.

99LagunaTL

The hardwire kit is definitely the way to go.