Passport vs. Valentine?

I've been doing a lot of research lately on the purchase of a radar detector. This valentine one radar detector looks pretty promising, but the new Passport 9500 has an upgradeable GPS which tells you where the speed cameras (etc.) are. ALSO - I've heard of such a radar detector that scrambles the laser code to the point that it can't tell your speed. And if the "We'll pay your ticket" part is true???
What's your preference? Any input would be nice.

There are a lot of reviews out there on these models. I have a V1 and it is very sensitive. That's the complaint some people have about it, but others consider the high sensitivity a good thing. The 9500ix has less false-positives according to the reviews I've seen

I had read some pretty good reviews of the Escort model. I have always heard that the laser jammers were a scam, but some professional reviewers put the Escort to the test and they performed pretty well. They tested at close and far laser distances, when you are hit with the laser the jammer kicks a signal back and warns you in the car at the same time. The jammer only gives you a short span of time, so you have to slow your roll real quick. I know, people always say "they will know you have a detector when you hit the brakes hard" - so what, they can only ticket you for what the speed reading is, not for what they think it was before you jumped on the brakes.

The laser jammer module is an add-on item that has to be hard wired to the front and rear of the car. Typically the front jammer is mounted in a grill area, the rear is mounted by the license plate. Not 100% sure as it has been a while since I read the details. But you have to run wires from the front and back to the cockpit of the car, for most it would be a pro install and fairly expensive. So you have to buy the detector, then buy the laser jammer module, then have it all mounted. Get on google and check out the details.

The complaint with V1 being to sensitive is not valid. You can adjust the level of sensitivity (in the manual) so that only known radar sources set it off. I believe it ships with the most sensitive option enabled. In the last 10years of use I've gotten so comfortable with the notice that I trust it implicitly.

Please search, we have discussed this many times.

Personally, I am a V1 fanboy for 3 years.

Yeah, this debate has been fought the rounds many many many many times. Both are very good. Some love V1, some love Escort.

I'm a PC, oh I mean, I'm a Passport. I've been on trips (convoys) of BMW's and my Passport worked better than some V1's. The Passports look a hell of a lot better in my opinion. The V1's are outdated and square looking.

You won't go wrong either way. With the one you are looking at, they are near the same price. My argument before was that the 8500 is a bit cheaper than the V1.

Both me and the wife got our V1's off Ebay, we got them for about $300 each, I would say that my V1 has saved me at least a half dozen times, my wife (textjade) has been stopped a couple of times (by the same officer) and on both occasions she was caught by the "instant on" radar which is the only type of gun that the detector cannot protect you from because the detector can only detect the radar beem when its on and the radar gun gives a speed reading in less than a second and by then its too late.
It says in the manual that is the only radar gun it can't protect you from.

V1 for highway driving, Passport Escort for city driving

but I have heard that you need to have both - a laser jammer and a radar detector

Originally Posted by AM3

but I have heard that you need to have both - a laser jammer and a radar detector

Which I do have

Check the sponsors sale section, I have a group buy going for the Blinder laser jammer.

Originally Posted by petros2r

I've been doing a lot of research lately on the purchase of a radar detector. This valentine one radar detector looks pretty promising, but the new Passport 9500 has an upgradeable GPS which tells you where the speed cameras (etc.) are. ALSO - I've heard of such a radar detector that scrambles the laser code to the point that it can't tell your speed. And if the "We'll pay your ticket" part is true???
What's your preference? Any input would be nice.

Radar scrambles are a joke. It is against the law to sell/own one in the USA. Go to this site and read what Radar Roy has to say about them. He is an ex-cop you test all radar detectors out there.

His # 1 picks are the Escort Redline, and #2 the Passport Escort 9500ix.

I have the 9500ix and it is awsome. No...and I mean no false alarms. Once you drive around you city a bit it knows where all the false signels are and locks them out. When my 9500ix go's off...I know its the real deal.

If you dont mind a lot of false signels then get the Escort Redline. It can see a lot futher then then V1, but Roy only recommends it if you do a lot of highway traveling.

Stick with the 9500ix. My buddy had a V1 and after I got my 9500 he switched to escort. He said the false signel filter was way better, and by that there is no guessing. we did some test too with his V1 vs 9500. no comparison...get the 9500ix.

Not saying the V1 is bad, but this day in age you need the GPS. V1 is and anolog player in a digatal world...obsolete

http://www.radarroy.com/

V1's not a problem for me since they don't use X or K in NYC, so if it beeps in my case it's real.