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View Full Version : Escort vs. Valentine



Bill Howell
05-23-2007, 03:21 PM
It has been a while since I bought a new radar detector. Not that I would speed or anything, but with the Power Tour coming up, I thought it would be nice to have one so I could be ready and take pictures of the nice cops as we pass them on the interstate.
Anyway, I see Escort has a new passport (9500i I think) and I just wonder which is the better unit. Maybe there is something else out there I don't know about also. Any suggestions?

72NovaSS
05-23-2007, 03:40 PM
Valentine 1 Radar/Laser Detector

CraigMorrison
05-23-2007, 03:44 PM
Valentine1!!!!!!!!!

It's the #1 detector of choice for all the rally guys, and was the detector used on the recent NY to LA record run of 31h59m. The 9500i in theory has a lot of great ideas with it, but they aren't cutting the mustard. Running I5 when we tested the 3G Vette, we were catching smokies at up to 3.8 miles away. No BS and with cruise set at 72 (truck with trailer PSL is 55) it came in very handy.

Great website for you to reference is this one http://www.radardetector.net/ lots of great info on radar detectors, scanners, CB's, police frequencies, Laser Jammers, Laser Veil, Navalert.

http://guysoflidar.com/ another great site and they do a lot of great tech tests so you can see head to head what and how things perform.

Hope this helps. The Valentine1 is the first RD that I have ever bought and in the two months I've had it, it has paid for itself!

72NovaSS
05-23-2007, 03:45 PM
haha craig you are a crazy mo fo!

Bill Howell
05-23-2007, 03:46 PM
Thanks guys, I will order one tonight so I have it in plenty time for the PT. I appreciate the quick response.

72NovaSS
05-23-2007, 03:52 PM
http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/columns/worlds-greatest-radar-detectors-141101.php

This is a good read on experience with the V1 by Alex Roy from Team Polizei 144. He has used it in the Gumball 300 and Bullrun with great success!

I have used it as well. I really like it and would suggest it to anyone needing a really good radar/laser detector

72NovaSS
05-23-2007, 03:52 PM
Anything to help someone get out of a ticket haha.

CraigMorrison
05-23-2007, 04:03 PM
haha craig you are a crazy mo fo!
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/05/arr9okvi-1.jpg
Crazy mo fo? Just an average citizen with an interest in "automotive electronics"

bigvegan
05-23-2007, 04:08 PM
Take a look at Bel as well. The Bel RX65 or STI, the Valentine One, or the Passport8500/9500 are all going to be a pretty solid choice.

http://www.007radardetectors.com/tests.htm
http://www.radartest.com/article.asp?articleID=9090
http://www.radarbusters.com/belescortvalentinearticle.cfm

Valentine One originally got a lot of cachet because they sold through direct advertising and weren't sold in stores and were the first top-notch radar detector, but since Escort merged with Beltronics, they're putting out some pretty formidable product. The 3 companies are all putting out good stuff these days, so it's not like one is head and shoulders above the others anymore.

The Beltronics STI was designed for professional/commercial drivers to be completely undetectable to radar-detector-detectors, so if you're going to be driving through VA or CT, that may be a consideration.

Good luck!

72NovaSS
05-23-2007, 04:22 PM
haha i like the picture craig.

jimhamptons
05-23-2007, 05:34 PM
Another vote for the Valentine

PT Goat
05-23-2007, 05:53 PM
V1 - the optional concealed display and directional arrows put it over the top.

Goatman
05-24-2007, 03:02 AM
I have and love the Escort. Way better price than the Valentine, and it works just as well...


Its paid for itself 10 times over now...

KWIKND
05-24-2007, 03:47 AM
Valentines are for chicks!

Escort all the way

JChristian1835
05-24-2007, 04:56 AM
Hey Bill.. i have to say the new Escort is the shiznizzle... supposedly it has GPS where you usually when you pass a walgreens or something and set it off you can put that spot in memory and it won't go off there anymore... there are so many features on it.. plus if you ever wanted.. I know where you could get one for a nice discount and still have all the warranties and stuff....

silver69camaro
05-24-2007, 05:40 AM
Valentine all the way! I'll never use anything else...mine's about 7 years old and is still better than every new unit I've looked at. I keep wondering if anybody has anything new (say, like the GPS unit), but the V1 still is king.

StRacerDuke
05-24-2007, 06:00 AM
Learn from the pro's
http://gumball144.com/CMS/?page_id=8

I personaly have been using an Escort for the last 10+ years with great sucess. The Valentine wasn't even out yet when I picked my Escort up though :/ The next one will be a Valentine & a Laser jammer built into the grill.

Josh69
05-24-2007, 06:22 AM
Valentine One!

I've had mine for about 10 years, and it's still works as well as the day I bought it.

Another advantage to the Valentines, is that you can keep sending it in for the upgraded software, etc. The magnesium case is a nice feature, it'll handle some abuse, and it certainly handles the heat in my car during the summer!

Between the remote display, the directional arrows, and just the slick layout with the strength meter, bogey counter, band frequency, etc. all displayed at the same time, it just gives you all the info you need to make a good decision.

FWIW, Mike Valentine started Cincinnati Microwave (Escort and Passport), and left them in the dust. Go with the innovator, not the duplicator. ;)

TEDDYS CAMARO
05-24-2007, 06:28 AM
I Have Had A V-1 Since They Came Out, And I Love It!

BonzoHansen
05-24-2007, 02:01 PM
Valentine1!!!!!!!!!

I'm not even reading this thread. I agree, great unit. I don't use it too much now my commute is 10 minutes, but when I was 45 minutes if interstate commuting, it was awesome.. The range, the directional arrows, great. And mine is 10 years old. The rear arrow light went out, I hear they might have a trade-in program. If so, I might...


Biggest downside: it's size. And spring for the 'concealed display'. The lights are very bright (as in the cop behind you can see it from 250 yards).

Josh69
05-25-2007, 06:19 AM
Bonzo, they do have a refurbishing program. You'll get all the software updates as well.

BonzoHansen
05-25-2007, 06:33 AM
Cool. I must check that out...

Nine Ball
05-25-2007, 07:11 AM
Both work well. I've had two V1s and now have three Escorts. The smaller size of the Escorts appeal more to me, the arrows don't mean crap to me on the V1. I just slow it down no matter what direction it comes from. Those are the only two brands I'll buy.

ss dave
05-25-2007, 12:07 PM
I have owned my Passport for more than 6 years and has saved my butt many times, great distance locator, signal mute after a brief time is a MUST! Slim, lite weight. I do alot of Hiway time and wouldn't go without one.

HzEmall
07-15-2007, 07:14 AM
The Escort 8500 is the best one out there, it has won almost every test it has been in. The new 9500i is even better, it's insane with the programmable features in it like false alarm locations etc...........

If your looking for a build in radar, the SRX from Escort is a awesome piece, we install lots of them in people performance cars.

DarkoNova
07-15-2007, 04:35 PM
Radardetector.com says the Beltronics STi unit is waaaay better than the Valentine One. That's the one I was planning on getting.

Matt

Rick Dorion
07-16-2007, 06:40 AM
I have had a V1 for quite a while . I will say there have been reliability issues. Any refurbishment isn't cheap. I like the arrows especially for cars coming up from behind.

sinned
07-16-2007, 07:24 PM
Of course non of them are worth crap if the cop has the radar aimed in the other direction and switches just in time to lock on to you. Then of course there is LIDAR, in which case its just to late to react anyways.

You all realize that detectors only pick up on the rare times cops are being lazy and just turn it on while they take a nap. Guys actually looking to write some tickets already know you are getting a ticket, they just fire up the radar to back up their case.

audioman
07-28-2007, 07:58 AM
I like the bell STI the most

go see the reviews at www.radartest.com (http://www.radartest.com)

dino
07-21-2009, 07:12 PM
I have had a valentine since 2001 sent it in upgraded it and it always works.i have an escort in my work truck and it works o.k but to me the v1 is the best....anyway my .02

JamesJ
07-21-2009, 09:02 PM
The thing I hate about the new V1 is that the band indicator is a red dot next to the label, there is no way to tell what band it is other then its location, much harder then the older ones

raf0419
11-23-2009, 07:25 PM
V1 is the only way to go. GPS on the Escort and other units can be hoaky. Yes you can mark the position of a bogie, but what happens when there are two bogies at the same place. The units with the GPS do not alert. The V1 tells you there are two different radar signals pointed at you. This feature has saved my butt on numerous occasions. Once you drive roads with regularity, you learn where the false alerts will be. Only a V1 can tell you there are two or more signals and from which direction it's coming from.

DarkoNova
12-16-2009, 11:47 PM
Only a V1 can tell you there are two or more signals and from which direction it's coming from.

O rly?

https://www.escortradar.com/store/solo-s2-cordless.html

"expert mode" puts all the bands on the display and shows multiple signals for each band.

Matt