8500, 8500x50 or Valentine?

[oldguy]

Wanting to add a RD to my Yamaha FJR1300 and have a couple of questions.
I'm down to the three mentioned in my post. The 8500 I can get 'refurbished' form Escort for $150. What are the significant differences between the 8500 and 8500 x50? Finally, is the Valentine sufficently superior to either of the Escort's to jusfify the extra cash? The last detector I had was a Passport in 1997. My riding is evenly divided between the Kansas City metro area and trips to Colorado, Arkansas and other western states.
Thanks for the help,
Jack.

[AirMoore]

Wanting to add a RD to my Yamaha FJR1300 and have a couple of questions.
I'm down to the three mentioned in my post. The 8500 I can get 'refurbished' form Escort for $150. What are the significant differences between the 8500 and 8500 x50? Finally, is the Valentine sufficently superior to either of the Escort's to jusfify the extra cash? The last detector I had was a Passport in 1997. My riding is evenly divided between the Kansas City metro area and trips to Colorado, Arkansas and other western states.
Thanks for the help,
Jack.


Besides the X50 having POP (which does nothing) they are very very similar detectors, the 8500, and the 8500 X50. The X50 might edge the 8500 out on K/Ka band.


I personally prefer an 8500 X50 Blue on a bike... best detector for a bike hands down (IMO)... I have used the V1 on my bike, and I know many many people whom use a V1 on the bike that I ride with... they seem to enjoy their set-ups.


It just takes up too much space in my cockpit (wider then other units), the arrows are virtually useless, not only are they less accurate, but who has time to look!?!... the display washes out if you need to see it (the blue will not). Just a whole host of reasons why I prefer the X50Blue over the V1 on the bike.


Honestly in real-life scenario's I normally don't see any appreciable difference between the V1 and the X50 on my bike.


I personally would stay away from a refurbished unit, but thats just how I am, just not comfortable with a refurbished unit that could mean the difference between a ticket or not.

Between the X50 and V1 both are great detectors, and with the right set-up (H.A.R.D) system, or a Cheetah set-up both will serve you well.

[sbfuller2]

i've heard that V1 owns all on the open road. it sounds like you do some travelling. I have a V1 on the busa. too many saves to count

[FlyinZX-10R]

I was thinking about using the concealed V1 display in between the instrument cluster and my smoked windscreen, angled up to where I can see it with a quick glance. The dark windscreen should stop the displays lights from getting washed out from sunlight. I also have a Vizalert, but I would like to be able to see the arrows to know where the threat is, etc. Plus it will also blacken out my V1 from the sight of LEO's and others at night.

[oldguy]

Does the rear facing antenna on the V1 work well on a bike, or does the riders body block it out? I would be mounting the unit on the right side resovior via. velcro. Not sure at this point if the V1 would be worth the extra $200 over the 8500 X50 on a motorcycle application.

[AirMoore]

Does the rear facing antenna on the V1 work well on a bike, or does the riders body block it out? I would be mounting the unit on the right side resovior via. velcro. Not sure at this point if the V1 would be worth the extra $200 over the 8500 X50 on a motorcycle application.


They do work... but not as good on the bike. With that said It REALLY depends on mounting location. Personally I have had issues with mounting it on my bike, the arrows just don't seem that accurate (on the open roads)... or at least as accurate as in the car.


Honestly on the bike... I really don't think the V1's 'arrows' are something you should be looking at either, look at where you want to be going, and the dangers to your life, not where the V1 says a radar signal is (bouncing) into it from. Unless its (Cdisplay) stuck into your face, just like a gauge... I wouldnt be 'checking out' the arrows very much.



Like I said: I have seen both used, and used both on my bike... I just don't think the V1 is worth it on a motorcycle application, open roads or crammed city driving. In the car, its a different story, the V1 can maintain its perch for a highway drive in a car.

[RacerX]

on the open road, i'd vote for the V1.
i have/used both X50B and V1, and the V1 does out perform the X50 on open rides. in a strict city scenario, the X50 will be "quieter"

never really had any problems with the rear arrows, but the V1 does sit to the right side of my handlebars.

Now, the V1 display does wash out much more than the X50 blue does in the sun, so keep that in mind as well, unless you have a way to really shade the display.

both will work well, just look at what everyone says and decide what will be best for you.


and well, of course i use the Vizalert. :)

[FlyinZX-10R]

Mine is mounted down low, just above the clip-ons. when i get the V1 on it, i might try to get it out to the left a bit more for the rear antenna. I think radar waves pass through people though?

Here is my current setup for those who havent seen it before.

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q247/djice929/DSC01808.jpg
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q247/djice929/DSC01807.jpg

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q247/djice929/DSC01806.jpg

I plan on mounting the concealed display just above the instrument cluster and having the LED's on it match the ones from the Vizalert for band ID.
Make sure to get a Vizalert no matter what detector you go with. It doesn't matter what detector you have if you dont know when your detector is going off.

[AirMoore]

No, ZX-10R, Radar waves do not pass through (propagate through) the human body very well at all.

[FlyinZX-10R]

No, ZX-10R, Radar waves do not pass through (propagate through) the human body very well at all.

A few times in my truck, though not a scientific experiment, ive put my hand in front of the rear antenna during an alert and sometimes my head and didnt really notice any difference. Could just be my head though.:confused: lol

[AirMoore]

A few times in my truck, though not a scientific experiment, ive put my hand in front of the rear antenna during an alert and sometimes my head and didnt really notice any difference. Could just be my head though.:confused: lol

Look at VR's website, even Mike Valentine says it will block radar...


I have personally had my V1 go from 5 ( very weak) K band signals, down to 2, by simply putting my hand directly 'over' [In front of] the (front) Antenna...


If for some reason radar passes through your body without an issue... go ahead and use the V1 directly infront of you... According to my (also very unscientific tests) and Mike Valentine... it doesn't pass through a body very well. To each their own though, I know you are very educated when it comes to RD's I am just trying to give you a heads up (from personal experience using a V1 directly in front of me on my bike too).

Ask Mike - Report #4 (http://valentine1.com/lab/MikesLabRpt4.asp)
(Though this shows mounting directly in front of the rider in both cases, it shows that the rider is blocking the radar according to Mike Valentine himself... so off to the side the most you can, would be the most beneficial.)

Again, not trying to force this on you mate, just trying to give a fellow rider(s) some tips I have learned via experience and research... :)

[FlyinZX-10R]

I'll try and offset it to the left as much as possible then and run some tests, there is no room in my cockpit to move it any further forward. I wish someone made a motorcycle specific detector that worked like the high end detectors. thanks for the info.

[AirMoore]

I'll try and offset it to the left as much as possible then and run some tests, there is no room in my cockpit to move it any further forward. I wish someone made a motorcycle specific detector that worked like the high end detectors. thanks for the info.

I understand all about crammed cockpits and tight ergonomics... (as I said) I am just trying to help a fellow rider(s) with the knowledge I have gained through experience and research...


EDIT: OLD TIMER WOOT-WOOT!!!