View Poll Results: So ... What'll it be?

Voters
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  • Valentine One

    19 54.29%
  • Escort 8500 x50

    16 45.71%
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  1. #1
    Lead Foot
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    Mar 2005
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    335

    Default Valentine 1 -> x50 -> Valentine 1? Looking for though

    I realize that there's several threads on each detector, but I just wanted to start one of my own, since it's ever-so-slightly different. Bear with me. :wink:

    Okay, so here's the story. I've been a long-time reader of all things radar for quite some time, ranging from Radartest and its accompanying drama to the Beltronics / Georgia Tech studies from years ago to Speedzones to Motor Trend / Car and Driver reviews for the past couple years and everything in-between. I've been suscribed to the "big three" @ Epinions for a long time now, and I've previously owned, amongst other lesser units, a Bel 985 and a pre-POP Valentine.

    I've been using an x50 for, I dunno, an awfully long time now. I really do love the unit (aesthetically, for the blue display, and functionally, for its top-shelf performance along with options like frequency display), but I'm questioning whether I should return to my Valentine roots. I actually sold the V1 I had then (had it for something like a year or so, I believe) in order to switch to the 8500x50. Naturally, I miss what I don't have - I had the V, so I wanted frequency displays and more modern interfaces. Now that I have the x50, I want my arrows, magnesium case, and Superman mount. If only the two detectors would procreate and make the perfect piece ... but I digress.

    Bottom line: a penny for your thoughts. Keep the x50 or sell it for a sexy new Valentine? Why? (Why not?)

    Thanks a lot.

  2. #2
    Old Timer
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
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    Ohio
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    5,183

    Default

    Holy crap you sound a lot like me. I bet in the end you will be keeping both like I will be

    It depends on where you live. If its a city then keep the x50. If you see a lot of highway, get the V1.

    Welcome to the board.

  3. #3
    Radar Fanatic
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Location
    Earth
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    2,357

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Sethy
    Holy crap you sound a lot like me. I bet in the end you will be keeping both like I will be

    It depends on where you live. If its a city then keep the x50. If you see a lot of highway, get the V1.

    Welcome to the board.
    Yeah, I think Sethy's got it covered with the city/highway thing. This kind of thread always turns into "defend the one you own." Someone actually did that a month or so ago and it came out to practically a dead heat between x50, v1, RX65. However, don't forget option three: keep your X50, get a V1 when you can afford it, and see which one you like to drive with better. You can save $40 if you ask specifically for a returned unit.

  4. #4
    Manufacturer
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Bozeman, MT
    Posts
    3,320

    Default

    Option 4:

    Drive with both in operation!

    Even though you didn't mention the RX65 Pro, it really is an great piece, has better volume level, brighter display, equally quick on X-band detection (to the V1), and has Ku to boot (like the V1) and they both get along very well.

    In the end, I don't believe that you can really go wrong with any of 'em.

    They each have their own distinct personality and depending on the particular characteristics that you like an ultimate preference may be made.

    Although, I didn't report it in my review as I didn't specifically encounter an example where it manifested itself, I firmly believe that the V1 has the best laser section of any detector being built today.

    If you live in an area where laser is used heavily, then the choice may become more clear.

    Happy Easter to All!

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  5. #5
    Professional
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
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    1,397

    Default

    If you live in/near a place with photoradar, keep the X50.

    I was reading veil guy's test again, and he did say that the V1 had a wider field of view... however, if you read the forum, people get better photo radar detection performance by REDUCING the field of view to focus more "ahead". Some people have even made some antenna "attachments" which go on the front of the radar, to purposely try and narrow the FOV to the front, where it can try and pickup the weak photo radar signals.

    Anyway, i suppose there could be a multitude of reasons why the X50 detects photo radar earlier than the V1... but the fact remains.

    On my friend's V1, the V1 warned him when the photo radar was on the SIDE... the V1 altered to the side, then rear... rear for a long time... but still, whats the point of knowing the photo radar is now behind you ;-)

    I should note that where I am, cops don't shoot radar from the rear... they dont chase you in a car to shoot radar, so any/all rear radar signals are false anyway. All I need to focus on is the front photo radars (and laser, but that is ALSO front).

  6. #6
    Advanced Member
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    Feb 2005
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    Southern MA
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    10,127

    Default

    shouldn't the RX65 be put into comparison

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  7. #7
    Professional
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    Nov 2004
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by crazyVOLVOrob
    shouldn't the RX65 be put into comparison
    If you read some of the other postings i had... i purchased a RX65, it failed with a SERVICE REQUIRED message... returned and got a new one... it failed within 2 weeks with some CAL error and then SERVICE REQUIRED... now i have a THIRD RX65... it has been working so far, but i have lost confidence in the RX65 series due to all the failures. And against photo radar it failed to warn 2 out of 10 runs... so that also caused me to rule it out. When it DID work, it was about the same as the X50... close enough that the difference could have been manufacturing different... we're talking a second or less warning time difference in most cases, so it really wasn't worth it to risk using a RX65 which could again fail at any time.

    I purchased over 60 X50s from TLP (for a car club group buy) and NOT ONE has failed yet and it has been months in both very hot and cold conditions... only thing to start failing are the suction cups. . So i would say that there is some difference in quality control between Escort and Bel, or that i was super duper unlucky. But based on the reliability record, i would say that Escort has my vote.

  8. #8
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    Mar 2005
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    Default

    Well, to answer some of the comments made:

    My driving is predominantly in the city, and photo radar is not used here. POP, I believe, is used by the state (Texas DPS - someone confirm this?), but that's a whole other topic.

    I think that one of the things that I'm really up in the air about: With all the conversation as far as the Valentine's recent update / Ka performance as compared to the x50s (like the articles stating that the original 8500 was actually better), I'm not quite sure which, if either, would actually have a hand up, however small. That, and I'm hesitant to lose the freq. display - but want the arrows.

    Ugh. :cry:

  9. #9
    Old Timer
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    Jan 2005
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    Ohio
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    Quote Originally Posted by Veri
    Well, to answer some of the comments made:

    My driving is predominantly in the city, and photo radar is not used here. POP, I believe, is used by the state (Texas DPS - someone confirm this?), but that's a whole other topic.

    I think that one of the things that I'm really up in the air about: With all the conversation as far as the Valentine's recent update / Ka performance as compared to the x50s (like the articles stating that the original 8500 was actually better), I'm not quite sure which, if either, would actually have a hand up, however small. That, and I'm hesitant to lose the freq. display - but want the arrows.

    Ugh. :cry:
    Well, I have been going almost triple digits and the x50 has saved me from a KA band encounter... SO I wouldnt say the KA preformance on the x50 is poor...

  10. #10
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    Mar 2005
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    Default

    Oh, I'm not saying that at all, I'm just kind of thinking out loud. I know it's great on Ka, but I don't know if there is even any significant difference between it and the latest Valentine (and I know I would miss seeing a Ka signal close to 34.7 or 35.5 - the V doesn't seem to want to tell me that :cry: )

 

 

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