edgalang

Verdict : Although the V1 was more fun to watch...it falses 10x more than the 8500. I'll be keeping this setup for a couple of weeks and report more later.

Bxscig

Its good to compare when they are both running. Now I just need some money to get either.

edgalang

I forgot to mention that this type of test is not exactly fair to the detector that was put on the bottom. The top one by far can detect signals way before the botom one could...ESPECIALLY over hills and when it comes to on-comming traffic (since the top one can see over the concrete barriers). I seriously suggest people to mount their detectors right under the rear view mirror for best "performance" for front & rear detection.

Bxscig

How about moving the 8500 up to the top then ?

Pure Adrenaline

iTrader: (2)

Yeah, I was about to say, mount them side-by-side by the rear view mirror.

This is awesome. I'm debating between V1 and 8500. I want to save a few bucks, but if the V1 is worth the extra dough, then I'm willing to pay it. Keep us updated, edgalang!

Bxscig

I feel the same way Pure

edgalang

Will Do...1 sec...

edgalang

Both are hard wired and are set at the smartest setting.

8500 settings = Hwy (report all), City (mute non-threat) & Auto (report threat only, except really strong non-threats)
Current setting = Auto.

V1 settings = "A" (report all), "L" (Mute non-threat) & "aL" (report threat only, except really strong non-threats)
Current setting = "aL".

I'll drive around like this for a few weeks (or maybe months) and tell you guys what I think.

Bxscig

Can't wait for the results.

goldendragon576

now this is a real radar test to end all debates! I plan on doing this for my road trip down to South Carolina. Just gotta hope I don't get pulled over since radar detectors are illegal in DC and Virginia. Please keep us posted. I'm bidding on the 8500...because I have a new X50

edgalang

Well...here's an initial review for ya...

Right off the bat the V1 mounts better than the 8500. The V1 has bigger cups and its made in a way that it doesn't rattle against the windshield. If it gets too annoying over rough roads, I'll have to make some sort of rubber feet for the 8500 to keep it quiet. I've already wrapped 1 side of the mounting bracket with electrical tape so that it doesn't wiggle around.

`ill*tl

V1 > 8500/8500x50

.. I also did a similar test with my dads new X50 and my V1 (v1.8) and depending on where you live, I'd say the V1 falses just as much as the 8500/x50.

Arrows own.

edgalang

Got any pics? Link us to your thread. What settings did you put the X50 and V1 at? And as far as the falses is concerned...that is far from the truth (at least in my case). Either way, I'll try to be as non-biased as possible.

`ill*tl

x50: Default settings
V1: Ka-band sensitiviy more responsive

..like I said, depending on where you live. Around my area, security sensors are starting to be used on K-band..so no matter what (v1/8500)..you're still going to get a bogus K-alert. The only improvement I see on the x50 is that the X-band falses less and has the cool blue LCD display. Like I have said and will say again, I love both my 8500 (old model - '99 TL-P) and my v1 (v1.8 - '03 TL-S)..can't go wrong with either one of them. I slightly favor my v1 just b/c of the arrows. And also, I would like to add that some people like to receive all signals so they themselves can be the one to judge which signal is threatning and vice-versa.

LargeOne

Don't the detectors say to keep them away from others because it will mess up how it picks up signals???

Just curious... I have a V1 by the way and LOVE IT!!!

fsttyms1

this is how i tested mine for a month and found i liked the 8500 alot better. the multi display on the 8500 is much better and it also gave me less false alerts. both were almost identical on when they detected the signals and range

orion_21

That setup looks like it's blocking the left side of the laser detector on the 8500.....not that it really matters. I've never picked up laser!!! I don't even know what it sounds like!

fsttyms1

i also leave mine lower due to the amout of cops using laser where i travel

goldendragon576

How is the test going? Any feedback on who's on top so far?

Dare_IL

When you get hit with laser it will scare the crap out of you at least with the 8500. It is such a different sound and it is instant on, full signal . The emergency road hazard warning is a little different too. I guess because you don't hear them as much.

Darkshear

iTrader: (1)

Dude, throw the V1 on full logic mode.

Full logic mode only applies to "X", and none of the other radar bands. And since X is the number one band for ghosts, and no one uses it anymore for speed detection (unless your in Utah) then you will be much better off.

oh, and just so everyone knows:

V4Len+in3 oN3 oWnS J00!!!!!

Dare_IL

Maybe in the world you live in but not in the real world.

Darkshear

iTrader: (1)

...your just jealous

Dare_IL

Not when the 8500 beat the V1 in almost every test. :fingerfawk:

http://www.radarbusters.com/support/...dar-review.asp

Darkshear

iTrader: (1)

ROFL depends on what test... half say 8500, half say V1.

Bottom line is either way, you cant go wrong. I like the V1 because of its massive internal shielding and its nervousness, and i also like that is does not look like the average detector.

Both of them are so comparable, you cant compare them just get one of them eheheheh.

edgalang

Comming home last night, my dual detectors kept screaming "K" so I decided to find the source and do a little testing.

Apperantly, the city of Berkeley decided to put 2 stationary radars on my street last night (1 for each direction) to try to slow down the traffic in my neighborhood. So for about 20 minutes of testing, this is what I found out...

The V1 does waaaaaaay better in rear radar detecting than the 8500. I even drove up to the radar guns, resetted my odometer and slowly drove away from it. The 8500 would cut off @ 0.3 miles whereas the V1 continues to scream for blocks. I'll measure again this morning to post the distance. So...to my suprise, I looked at escortradar.com and found that the 8500 nor the x50 have rear radar detection at all...they only have rear laser?! Perhaps that's why the V1 is so much more expensive than the rest since it has 2 radar units instead of one.

So...if you ever get blasted by radar with the 8500, you don't need to look back. LOL

Bxscig

Sounds good Keep the results coming. Doing a great job.

SK2003TypeS

Thanks for pointing that out, interesting....

69ssrscam

Great stuff edgalang. This is the sort of useful information that keeps me coming back to A-TL forums. Great work!!!! Keep us posted with updates.

ABBOUSHI

just in case, 2 radars are better than 1

FidizzyTypeS

radar detectors tend to set each other off....

edgalang

Not in my case.

Either way...this is regarding the "K" band REAR DETECTION ONLY

V1 = 0.9 miles
8500 = 0.3 miles

I can't do the front since my street stops at a dead end and I can't go any further. Both still works and this is roughly about 1.2 miles away from the source. I need to find another station that'll give me more runway.

BTW...this is done @ a 25mph residential zone & the street is straight with no vertical change.

elah

you kick ass

Shiffy

wow good info. thanks alot!