Funny how for years Escort said the dual antennas from Valentine were unnecessary but now they've had a change of heart.

I love how my V1 gives me the info if the radar is in front or behind me. What a major help that is.

I like how you can mark the speed traps, red light, speed cameras, etc. with this Passport though.

The 9500ix does not have dual antennas. That's another model and it's a specialty item. If you drive like a complete moron then dual antennas make sense. If you use a detector like an average lead foot then the 9500ix makes better sense. I love that the GPS locks out repeat false alarms and having it warn about redlight cameras and speed cameras. I wouldn't trade mine for 2 Valentines.

But hey if you're doing the canonball run then the Valintine is pretty cool - until you get the redlight tickets in the mail.

This is a sick radar detector... would buy if my old 8500 would die... but it won't... Keeps finding The Man like it should... Just would like to be able to remove the one supermarket false alarm I get every time I pass there. But I know it's not a cop (or am really hopeful). just the door.

Oh, and knowing if the cop is ahead or behind is easy to figure out if you use the expert modes on the Escorts... So the arrow is easier on the V1 if you are unwilling to learn how to use these tools, or unnecessary if you are willing to learn.

Does look like the V1 does have better range, but alerting 2 miles vs. 2.5 miles away isn't going to make a difference if you are paying attention.

It doesn't seem that Valentine Research has implemented anything new in their V1 for a few years. I keep looking at their site every 6-12 months and nothing new.

Never said it did #3, however that is what escort's top model has, which means they are giving in to the belief that V1's da is better. Why on earth would you pay $499 for this when the far superior V1 is $399? Locking out radar is the dumbest idea yet. We have police that shift from one side of the street to another rendering this device useless.

#5 They update software regularly, you just have to type in your serial to see what is available on yours.

#6 I've been using radar detectors for 30 years and I know what works. Second this is Escort's top model, the dual antenna model is a niche version of the 8500 for those who think they need it so they can play cannonballer.

Locking out false alarms is a great idea so that you don't ignore the real thing or leave the detector off because you're sick of getting false alarms every other block. It doesn't lock out all radar just the sources proven to be false after the 3rd time. Oh and when was the last time that you saw a redlight camera moved regularly? Or fixed in concrete radar traps?

But if you want to get technical nothing will save you from lasers. Or instant on radar. However sometimes you get lucky and pickup scatter off of others cars hit by the laser.

derp derp dooooo doooo, anyone paying more than $150 for a radar detector is a fo oo

Too bad I missed the Drugstore.com 35% BCB deal couple weeks ago. Final price was $325 + Free $50 Accessories.

I own 8500 X50 for 4 yrs and love it.

I agree #8 - I paid $99 for my Uniden radar detector 10 years ago and it still works like a champ. Crazy how expensive these models are when all they do is detect freaking radar.

Budget radar detectors, generally, are older models that pick up older kinds of radar. Even if you just bought it, or it's "this year's model", it's based on 10 year old tech. However, if you live in an area that uses older kinds of radar and you don't think it's going to change any time soon and you don't really travel, there's no reason to spend gobs of money.

Speeding, buying a detector, etc. is all a cost/benefit analysis. Spend what you want.

"Speeding, buying a detector, etc. is all a cost/benefit analysis. Spend what you want."

Exactly #11. To each their own. Around here 15mph over the limit will cost you close to $400 and more than a full day of your time by the time pay for and attend traffic school. I've been using Escorts since my Fuzzbuster was stolen about 1980 and have had exactly 1 ticket in 30 years. For me the cost/benefit is there. For someone else there may only be $49 with of benefit.

V1 for me.