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Im thinking about getting a V1. Before I buy it I want to understand everything about it. What is the difference between L KA K and X? If you can tell me other things about the V1 it would be great! Also some people say the Escort 8500 x50 is better or just as good as the V1. What do you guys think? Thanks guys!!
Those are the different types of radar in use today. (X, K, Ka) and L is Laser.
The V1 is considerably better than the 8500 X50 in most tests. I have both and use the 8500 X50 on my motorcycle.
It comes down to preference. Do you want a detector that gives you as much "situational awareness" as possible - Arrows so you know where the radar is coming from and the highest sensitivity (V1) or do you want a detector that is real good, gives a bit less information, no arrows etc. (8500 X50).
Here's the thing - Don't over think this. Just buy one. Don't try to learn everything there is to know. It will take a long time to learn and this forum is a great place to hang out.
If you want to start out at the top, get a V1. If you want to go a bit less expensive, the 8500 X50 is a good way to go. If you live in a State where detectors are not legal, and you still want to use one, check out the Beltronics STi (not detectable by radar detector detectors).
Also, liberally use the search functions of this forum as you won't probably find many who will respond to questions such as what does L,X,K,Ka mean. LOL As you read the forums, you will have more answers than you currently have questions.
Here's a simple way to look at this:
Freeway driving - V1 wins hands down.
City driving - 8500 X50 is a bit quieter (but I still prefer the V1 due to the arrows, programming ability etc.)
In a State where detectors are illegal - STi
This is more than enough to get you started. Make a decision, buy one and get started learning to drive with it and being protected.
Remember, a detector alone isn't enough to insure that you get no tickets. You still have to pay attention. :-)
I hope this helps.
x2
i see..thanks a lot for your help!
Use "AND" in your searches. This will help narrow down the responses. Down load the manuals for each so you understand the terminology for each detector. This will help in the searches.
go to www.valentineone.com for complete information about the V-1.
you mean , to complete the order ?
i liked the X50 , the display there is better. yes no arrows but it's not a biggie . V1 has 80s looks...
you get other information that the V1 doesn't gives you. and it got much simpler Auto Mute that just works.
i found out it's faster to take the X50 out of it's mount then the V1. if you plan to take it in and out every time.
The V1 is magnesium case , it's nice ! X50 is plastic, and nothing is wrong with that.
heard customer service is much better on the V1 and it's upgradeable .
the X50 maybe too for $80 if i'm not wrong.
V1 got two antennas (a rear one) but it's good and bad. better sensitivity and more false s.
in my opinion Escort have different approach , they filtering much more. but there is always the risk you will miss a real threat .
on the other hand , V1 will have (maybe) better range but will false more.
but the problem with falsing , if you start ignore it because of multiple false s
then it will end in a bad way ...
they both good, one is more expensive (if you do motorcycle then the difference is even bigger).
i ended with the V1 because i need EuroMode and the X50 dosnt have it, i like to mess with it. and the X50 is more plug and play then the V1. and the last reason is in my signature .
no, go to the website to obtain information about the questions he was specifically asking.
too many people come on here asking all these basic questions and should go to the respective websites to obtain that information OR do the search function here.
Only hardcore people use the V1. I guess i'm hardcore so thats why I use it. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
One thing you never ever do when you first get your detector is speed, always do some scounting find out what bands are used, do they use instant on? constant on? so if you choose to speed do you need bait out infront of you or not? and if laser is used a lot in your area def go v1, and hope you get scatter and use good eyes unless you want to go into jammers then that's a whole different game. But anyway as thQuote:
Originally Posted by AndyM
X2.Quote:
Originally Posted by Phillip559
Danny_isr, here are my thoughts about some of what you wrote:
1. The arrows are not just a big deal, they are a HUGE deal. I no longer waste my time trying to figure out if he's ahead of me, behind or if it's a concern.
2. Far as I know, there's only one kind of info that you get with a Belscort that you don't with V1 - the freq of the contact if you have it set up that way. I don't find that all that critical as it's public knowledge what is being used in your area/State.
3. The magnesium case is superior, lasts longer - which might be why the resale value remains so high.
4. VR customer service is superior all day long. (And I say that and I've even had one problem with VR service. But all the rest have been stellar.)
5. Two antenna's is SERIOUSLY better - and is the basis of the arrows.
6. Yes, they are both good. I drive with the 8500 X50 on my motorcycle (for now). I also have the Blinder M25 Extreme on it. LOL
7. You're right, Belscort does use a different approach - but like you, I like the V1 and I think very serious drivers who want and need "situational awareness" will as well.
8. And you're right about what you put in your signature too. "Resistance is Futile. :-)
And the one thing people have to realize when considering detectors - is that its a mistake to think that the detector going off and no LEO is present is a false.
I thought the same thing until set straight by someone on this forum.
When it goes off for a door opener, for example, it is still picking up a radar source. So, making the detector more quite (filtered) is to also filter legitimate sources of radar thus decreasing your time to respond.
I'd rather know what is there, watch my bogey counter and NOT get a ticket than not know what is going on, have my detector be silent in the face of legitimate radar or give me to little warning. Does that make me "hard core"? I guess maybe it does.
One read of the V1 manual made me a believer. Mike Valentine describing "situational awareness" made all the difference in the world in my understanding of the true nature of the beast.
The rest was easy. I bought a V1 - when my wife saw it, she immediately wondered why no one had come up with the arrows before and wanted one too so got a 2nd one.
Someone uses a line in their signature that says: V1 is a Religion and I'm a believer. Well... me too.
I could go on, but won't. LOL
well i still think, if it's alerting for real, i slow down no matter where it's coming from. not to mention that many times those arrows getting a bit "wild"... sure it's nice i didnt say it's not. but not something i cannot live without.Quote:
1. The arrows are not just a big deal, they are a HUGE deal. I no longer waste my time trying to figure out if he's ahead of me, behind or if it's a concern.
in Expert mode, it wlil let you know that you have 2 KA and one K.Quote:
2. Far as I know, there's only one kind of info that you get with a Belscort that you don't with V1 - the freq of the contact if you have it set up that way. I don't find that all that critical as it's public knowledge what is being used in your area/State.
with V1 you will know you got 3 alert. maybe 2K and one KA or other way around. not that i need that info....but just for the argument :)
x2Quote:
3. The magnesium case is superior, lasts longer - which might be why the resale value remains so high.
x2Quote:
4. VR customer service is superior all day long. (And I say that and I've even had one problem with VR service. But all the rest have been stellar.)
yes i'm aware that those arrow needs the rear antenna to get the info.Quote:
5. Two antenna's is SERIOUSLY better - and is the basis of the arrows.
but we going back to 1) :)
yeah there no way this or any detector will save me if i will go fast all day.
i noticed here in Denver/Boulder I/O is popular :oops: and that makes me think .....maybe a detector was a waste to start with...
Excellent points.
I always appreciate a good discussion.
And I love my 8500 X50. When it goes off I slow down. But I do find myself missing the arrows to tell me where it is.
In the city, the arrows help me identify if it is a door opener (side arrows) or a real LEO. The arrows do tend to get more "confused" in the city vs. the highway.
The other day I got hit twice with instant on. It is a problem that's for sure. Still, most of the LEO's are lazy and easy to defeat.
Like you, I don't assume that I can drive fast just because I have one. It is simply a tool that helps me stay alert to the conditions, my speed and the possibilities.
And, I LOVED the 9500i when I had it. Only thing is the GPS had problems. I set it to alert me to the red light camera by my house and it did the first 3 or 4 times - then, it just stopped alerting that I was coming up to it any longer. But, that detector would make me happy as well once they get the bugs worked out of it. And it's based on the 8500 X50. :-)
yes the th the GPS idea is a killer in my opinion.
if it works or when it will work. i think thats the way to go.
you can "clean" all the false s in your are once and that is it !
i will stay tune to see how that detector is coming along.
maybe it just too new ...
That's why I returned mine, but it made me sad to do so.
And the 9500i feels really good too. Don't know what it's made of but it has a great feel to it.
Still, it doesn't have the arrows. :-( And with my modified concealed display with the different colored led's to identify the different bands, I don't know if I will be able to part with it.
But, once the gps works, and they make the program available for it that will allow us to put in all the red light cameras etc. I'll probably have to buy it again.
you can put red lights position camera in any regular GPS .
i can do it with my Nuvi-Gramin. if just had the data base ...
just bought a concealed display of Ebay ....have no idea why i'm doing this :)
You have been assimilated.
Resistance is Futile!
(You'll love the display, especially if you have colored lights. Now I can tell without hardly looking what I'm getting hit with.)
"You have been assimilated. " yep
yeah the color do make sense, but the way the detector is mounted now ,just below the visor i can see the display very well. its matter of or looking up or looking down to the concealed display.
i may do the color LED myself. i just need to find them and i will solder them myself.
maybe on the motorcycle it will make more sense. because on the bike i cannot see the display. i'm "above" the detector i can only hear it
The weirdness for me that I'm still getting used to is that the sound still comes from the V1 but the display comes from the steering column where the concealed display is attached via velcro. So I hear it from up above, but see it below. I'll get used to it.
I have the same issue with the motorcycle. I'm using an 8500 X50 and may not go to the V1 there due to having to mount an auxiliary audio part to pipe the sounds into my helmet (Autocom sound system - rocks by the way). I'm a bit over the detector so it's hard to see it. But I can tell by the sound so it isn't much of an issue, but I know what you mean.
What kind of motorcycle do you have? I have a Suzuki 2007 Bandit 1250S. I have the autocom and a Zumo 550 with XM receiver, 8500 X50 and the Blinder M25 Extreme on it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by danny_isr
it's a Honda CBR 900RR, i got the remote audio hooked to a headset under my helmet. not the best but works. takes long time to set up all the stuff before im riding.
i took a ride in the past on Bandit 400 if you familiar with it. was lots of fun
Nice bike. I was close to getting one but went with the Bandit.
Yeah, I'm familiar with it. It is nice. The 1250 is extremely powerful in comparison. :-)
yes i bet it is.
No, it's not. I haven't had a ticket in years, but I got my last one while I was running whatever the top of the line Escort was at the time.Quote:
Originally Posted by Eleggua
I was on Route 17 in Southern NY going WAY faster than the prevailing traffic when all of a sudden out of the clear blue the RD screeched full volume & pegged the needle for about 2 seconds. I looked all around & never saw the cop, but a ways down the road a State Trooper pulled me over & gave me a ticket for 90 mph in what at the time was a 55 mph zone......
He made a very nasty snide comment when he handed me the ticket "you slowed down real quick when that RD detector went off...."
~John
They can be jerks that's for sure.
Then again, if you put your life on the line for the meagerly salary they get, I suppose you'd have to take your aggression out on something/someone.
Ever wonder why they have very high incidents of: Alcoholism, Divorce and Suicide?
Looks like payback is a bitc*, isn't it. LOL
Quote:
Originally Posted by jmorton10
Story is; wait a while and surf this site alot before you buy anything.....
I watched videos before I got into this-and fell in love with the x-50 blue....Sounds are pimpin on the x50, dont ever let anyone tell you different, the ka is really really the best tone to date still, neither though the x50 is getting old...I even like the 9500's tones better then the v1's sounds...But thats what got me to get the x50 as my first, and of course the blue..
The v1 is the coolest little compacted super sensitive radar detector I have ever held or used to date, it is really cool to..
If I had to start over and buy a first radar detector again, id go nutts..
I own a v-1 3812, 2 x50's older horn technology, and a bel vector 995...
these all are great detectors and I like all of them the same..
Good luck and wait and watch some videos in the video section and deceide that way...
well for my looks and sounds are way way on the bottom of priorities.
performance is what i'm looking for. good range and minimum false s.
So Blue, or tones or even arrows , personally are not more then nice to have. i'm not going to choose a detector by that. unless they are identical in any other way...and they are not.
but hey this is my opinion to each is own.
another problem in this forum about the X50 that i found out. even if you do want to get one, sooner or later you will find out that ho yeah the X50 is great detector ....but they all here are talking about the Ver 5.
if you dont have the old Ver 5, then it's not as good , or just not good enough anymore.
And of course they don't sell the old Ver 5 anymore..... so we are back to the V1 :)
Why post if you already figured this out.
saying my opinion just like you... it's a discussion forum. :roll:
:wink:Quote:
Originally Posted by danny_isr