Escort 9500i or Valentine 1 ( Added a poll)

[vipsaloon07]

I am deciding between these two detectors. Which detector is better? I live in the Bay Area (Milpitas Area) in CA and I think laser is in use around the area. I have read and watched videos of the 9500i in action with the true lock feature. I don't really care about the arrows from the valentine 1.

I don't know too much about RDs besides the posts I have read using the search function. How often does the valentine 1 go off in the city? It seems the 9500i will give less falses.

So if you can only buy one radar detector, which one would it be? Is there something else out there that is better? Thanks in advance.

[kaotik78]

Have a look around in the Escort and Valentine One forums, the most recent posts will show a few people comparing and testing out 8500 x50's, 9500i's etc. I myself am in the same boat you are, however instead of wasting more time researching/comparing what other people say, if you can, buy both, and do the 30 day comparison and then send the one you don't like or doesn't suit you, back.

This was recommended by the fine folks here a few times, cause honestly I was beating myself against a wall between the 9500i and V1, both read as great detectors, it's how they are used and how they interact with the user is what makes them very capable.

I'll leave this to the more learned folks to chime in here

[Kayrac]

depends what you want, i've only had my 9500 for a few days, maybe a week now, haven't had any good chances to test it, but as is, it detects cops, however it's winter here in NH, cops don't sit around much in winter, so haven't really been able to see the range of the 9500i, the v1 had huge range, however the thing was annoying as hell, going off everywhere, even in advanced logic mode it was always going off, the escort, i locked out 2 areas(for when i go into walmart and the local grocery store), and use auto mode, peace and quiet :P

even when driving through the town where v1 would give me 9 damn alerts, i get 0 with the 9500, and i didn't even have to lock anything out

to be honest, even if the 9500i has half the range the v1(however tests show it's close ot the v1's range), the peace and silence and not hitting the mute button every 5minutes is worth enough


after owning the 9500i for like a week, and the v1 for 2 years or so, get the 9500!

i picked my 9500i up for 300bucks as a open box item from bestbuy, even if anything goes wrong with it, free fixing for a year from escort, but seems to work


disclaimer: my personal opinions, others, or yours, may vary!

[Virion]

People always say they don't care about the arrows and I used to be one of them, but after you have them it's hard as hell to go back. Living in VA I had no choice, but to sideline my V1 and get the Bel STi. The STi's performance has been stellar, but even after 6+ months with the STi I still miss the arrows tremendously.

To answer your question, the 9500i is a phenominal detector. It's sensitivity is very close to the V1. The V1 is still the class leader in all out sensitivity and the V1 is incredible on off axis detection. This comes at the price of more false alarms. You can program the V1 to be quieter, but the 9500i is the king in this arena. If it were me purchasing a new windshield mounted detector, I would get the 9500i. Then again, the grass is always greener on the other side. Then you realise it was already green where you were :wink:

[MEM-TEK]

Laser is heavily used throughout California. The V1 boasts the best front and rear laser detection, yet keep in mind that to truly minimize the threat from laser you really need to get a jammer as well. Otherwise, even with the V1, a laser alert usually means that you have just been nailed instead of someone else.

[TSi+WRX]

If you're not going the route of an active laser jammer, then I'd also recommend going with the V1, based on the above.

[djrams80]

You are deciding between the 2 best RD's on the market. Both are awesome! Both have their weak points and their strong points, but both will easily protect you from anything but laser and a perfectly executed I/O ambush. You will probably be more than happy with either. It will basically come down to personality type. If you are the personality type that doesn't want to hear your RD ever unless it's a real threat, then you get the 9500i. If you don't mind your RD going off all the time, then get the V1. V1 users love hearing their RD go off because that lets them know it's working and it keeps them company while they drive. Keep in mind that most people riding in your car with you will probably not be near as fond of all the noise as a RD fanatic will be.

All this being said, laser will still smoke you without a jammer! Both of these RD's will basically be a citation notifier against laser.

[CJR238]

I prefer the 9500I but ideally I would own both. The V1 is definitely a Laser and highway long trip king, but for most people that’s only 10-20% of there driving, that’s where the V1 falls short and the 9500I excels.

In an ideal world the RD you purchase should only alert to real threats only and give the best detection range. The problem is the V1 gives the best detection range and the 9500I gives the best accurate detection to real threats with out the falses.

The V1 is like a mustang cobra with duel exhaust and over 500HP.

The 9500I is like a BMW M sires with all the refinement and plenty of power.

In the end ether one you choose will be awesome.

[jimbonzzz]

In a way, these detectors appeal to two different markets/personalities. Here's what I would suggest:

- If you can't stand false alerts and want a device that is capable of minimizing them as much as possible with a small tradeoff in radar protection, then get the 9500i.

- If you don't mind false alerts, and want to be notified of every potential threat so you can decide for yourself if the threat is real or not, get the V1.

[Cips]

As said both are phenominal detectors.