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  1. #1
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    Default Valentine 1 (3.864) vs. 9500ix MYReview

    I had the opportunity to compare both the Valentine 1 (3.864) & 9500ix this last weekend.

    Both devices were mounted mid-windshield with the following turned on/off/auto.

    V1
    A-Mode
    X- Off
    Pop-Off
    -----------------------------------------------------
    Escort 9500ix
    A-Mode
    Everything Stock (Except Voice Off)

    Parked (KA) Test

    We found a parked LEO shooting KA and ran one at a time. The V1 picked up around 50-60ft quicker than the 9500ix.
    The environment consisted of a light hill, clear day, and low traffic.

    Falsing /Receiving Radar Test (Whatever you want to call it) = P


    As far as alerting, the V1 went off 3 times compared to the silent 9500ix in the same metro area.

    Missing LEO (NOT A AUTOLOCK TEST)

    I was running both at the same time for this test. We came up to an intersection and a LEO was coming up on the right side (Asterisk/Arrow) shooting KA. The V1 Alerted and the 9500ix didn’t until the radar became close to the intersection then making a left in front of us.

    <---------------------------- *
    | | {}| *|
    |
    |
    V

    Appearance and Exterior Compare:

    Valentine 1 (3.864)

    Positive:
    *Arrows (Having a hard time living without them)
    *Rear Horn for detection
    *Magnesium Case (Durability)
    *Awesome window mount

    Negative:
    *Slightly noisy depending on area
    *Lack of LED Color notification
    *Magnesium Case gets to hot (I keep mine put up; However, during trips it could melt your hands or circuit-boards?)
    *The always falling out of tune comments you never hear from the Belscort Owners.
    *Could just be my car but the cig-lighter falls out during hard shifts and the Escort didn’t.
    *When you hit mute it moves your current volume position.

    -----------------------------------------------------

    9500ix

    Positive
    *Bands stating alert by letter instead of a red dot.
    *Freq/Expert Mode
    *Love the lighting integrated on the top of the unit (Buttons)
    *Even though the V1 is made out of Magnesium Alloy, the Escort has a nice weight to it.

    Negative
    * Needs Arrows (Having a hard time living without them)
    *Rear Horn for detection (NEEDED)
    *Plastic Case (Durability)
    *Autolock even though improved; seeing the Satellite still scares me LoL for possible LEO encounters.
    *Escort!!! Change your freakn window mount it bounces on 75% of car windshields!!!
    *Tiny Font


    OVERALL SUMMARY:

    I’m sick and tired of people saying that these RD models are soooo different. I’m an aggressive driver, therefore I have chose to keep my V1 (55 ft average ahead on KA) is reassuring enough to hear the Parrot screeching a few times near the city. However, I would buy either unit and would drive just the same. The differences I believe on these are more based off of gimmicks then anything. By gimmicks, I don’t mean useless… just slight differences that might sway you from one to the other. The way most people drive (95% would be more then fine running the Escort; the other 5% that autocross/race/track on weekends and work on weekdays might say something different… *Cough* = )

    I will be honest, I’m so glad that Escort upgraded their Autolock feature. The 9500i really led me away with all of the comments/videos. The fact that they have re-tuned/refined if from a mile to several feet has me agreeing with its assurance.

    I can honestly say that the Escort vs. V1 is 48% compared to 52% with the V1 leading purely on sensitivity; However some people would state that well it loses 2 points for being noisy. My response to that is why own a RD then? = )

    If someone were to ask me which one I would buy I would say both… I believe that both of them will get the job done and have plenty of saves and dependability to offer.

    I’m actually thinking about picking up one for my Wife’s car. Since her Escort 8500x50 has gone laser bezerk (Alerts laser continually for no reason LoL) and needs to be replace/serviced. = )

    Thanks!
    Last edited by senfinger; 09-04-2008 at 12:09 PM.

  2. #2
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    Default Re: Valentine 1 (3.864) vs. 9500ix MYReview

    I Admit i think the V1 is more sensitive and I think most decent radar detectors provide enough advanced warning for most drivers...as far as aggressive drivers...

    I was saved my my 9500ix when i was doing 145 in a 75...so I think that either detector is just fine I just went IX route because its more silent (passengers)

  3. #3
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    Default Re: Valentine 1 (3.864) vs. 9500ix MYReview

    Quote Originally Posted by Montu View Post
    I Admit i think the V1 is more sensitive and I think most decent radar detectors provide enough advanced warning for most drivers...as far as aggressive drivers...

    I was saved my my 9500ix when i was doing 145 in a 75...so I think that either detector is just fine I just went IX route because its more silent (passengers)
    I agree; However every second counts on alerting and under abnormal/other situations... unclear day,moderate traffic, hills, LEO positioning etc. The extra sensitivity gives you the slight advantage- I choose V1.

    On open road doing 145 I can agree both would save you in that position.
    Last edited by senfinger; 09-04-2008 at 11:13 AM.

  4. #4
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    Default Re: Valentine 1 (3.864) vs. 9500ix MYReview

    Also, I would like to note that I'm still way within my 30 day return period with my V1 and I'm keeping it *Even after the weekend testing*

    I can see some people calling others Zombies, that is not my case; I wanted to see with my own eyes the distance/difference of sensitivity... not just based off of GOL numbers but ME <-- OCD = )

    Also, I wanted to see Falsing/Alerting vs. Autolock differences... vs. Annoyance...

  5. #5
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    Default Re: Valentine 1 (3.864) vs. 9500ix MYReview

    I respect that you like to do your own testing and although I do agree with "every second counts" realistically 100 mph = 146.6667 fps so how many more seconds of a warning will a V1 give you when "every second counts"?
    of course it gets worse at higher speeds in my scenario 145mph = 197.57 feet per second

    Although I still think that slightly better detection on a clear day means better detection on a bad day / interference but there's no way to really test all that, every encounter is different
    Last edited by Montu; 09-04-2008 at 11:31 AM.

  6. #6
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    Default Re: Valentine 1 (3.864) vs. 9500ix MYReview

    Quote Originally Posted by Montu View Post
    I respect that you like to do your own testing and although I do agree with "every second counts" realistically 100 mph = 146.6667 fps so how many more seconds of a warning will a V1 give you when "every second counts"?
    of course it gets worse at higher speeds in my scenario 145mph = 197.57 feet per second

    Although I still think that slightly better detection on a clear day means better detection on a bad day / interference but there's no way to really test all that, every encounter is different
    You didn't read my post...

    I agree; However every second counts on alerting and under abnormal/other situations... unclear day,moderate traffic, hills, LEO positioning etc. The extra sensitivity gives you the slight advantage- I choose V1.

    Not at 145mph... or even 75... I was referring to the above in BOLD...

    Below... I do agree with your FPS calculations either way you are almost equally saved or screwed.

    On open road doing 145 I can agree both would save you in that position.

  7. #7
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    Default Re: Valentine 1 (3.864) vs. 9500ix MYReview

    The speed vs. sensitivity around the 45-55 mph range this weekend was enough of a difference to convince me on the V1; and worth hearing the three (Thanks to Walgreens and CVS) braps every morning and afternoon.

    65 mph and above your right; I'm sure they equal out very close!!!
    Last edited by senfinger; 09-04-2008 at 11:45 AM.

  8. #8
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    Default Re: Valentine 1 (3.864) vs. 9500ix MYReview

    "better detection on a clear day means better detection on a bad day / interference but there's no way to really test all that, every encounter is different"


    I agree with you anyway w/o auto lock I hear about 6 false alerts on the way to work

    we also Have K band radar drones to measure flow of traffic and although these are technically real alerts .. a lot of the drones have been locked out and I don't have to hear full blast K band alerts (some drives might consist of 10+ drone encounters) every time I go out

    Also some cities that i often go to have red light camera's and the 9500IX's database is excellent
    San Francisco, Berkeley, emeryville, oakland etc....

    anyway i totally respect your decision ... I would get a V1 if the 9500 didn't have gps for camera database and Auto learn
    Last edited by Montu; 09-04-2008 at 11:58 AM.

  9. #9
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    Default Re: Valentine 1 (3.864) vs. 9500ix MYReview

    Quote Originally Posted by Montu View Post
    "better detection on a clear day means better detection on a bad day / interference but there's no way to really test all that, every encounter is different"


    I agree with you anyway w/o auto lock I hear about 6 false alerts on the way to work

    we also Have K band radar drones to measure flow of traffic and although these are technically real alerts .. a lot of the drones have been locked out and I don't have to hear full blast K band alerts (some drives might consist of 10+ drone encounters) every time I go out

    Also some cities that i often go to have red light camera's and the 9500IX's database is excellent
    If I had that much falsing/alerting around me I would have done the same thing. The first week all I did was drive around and kept thinking wow I expected a nightmare from what I heard on the forums and I'm in ATL!

    So it depends on the area- if they put K in to measure the traffic here; I would pull my hair out...
    and sell the V1 on Ebay for a beloved CI...
    Last edited by senfinger; 09-04-2008 at 12:01 PM.

  10. #10
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    Default Re: Valentine 1 (3.864) vs. 9500ix MYReview

    yes I think it just boils down to the Area,

    check this out...
    Bay Area Traffic Map

    that's a lot of drones

 

 

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