If you decide to do the install, look for my V1 install thread, it has a few more details further down that didn't get into the faq on s2ki.com.

V1 all the way... has s saved my but many a time in the past few weeks. And yes, direction arrows make a difference!!!

[Edited by loki on 02-25-2001 at 04:09 PM]

 

I agree with Bruce316. I won't say anything bad about any of the "other" detectors, but I do know that the V1 is hands down the best detector I have ever used or owned. Having the directional arrows is such a tremendous advantage.

It's not the most elegant design, it's not huge and it's not tiny. It's one kick booty of a machine. It's saved my butt many a'time. I'm not saying that others wouldn't have, but with the arrows and overall capability of the device, it's all about the V1. No questions asked...

You want to have every advantage and the directional lights on the V1, among other things, gives you all the advantage you need...

 

Even though I am a V1 user, I am impartial here. If I could find a better detector than the V1, I would be using it - regardless of whether it was more expensive, or cheaper.

All I can say is that the V1 rocks! I had my first V1 stolen and had the opportunity to replace it with an 8500.

I didn't.

I bought another V1.

I do not regret my decision.

You cannot underestimate the advantage that the V1 directional indicator provides you. When you get an alert, you know EXACTLY where it is coming from and can slow down decisevely. For example, if you are behind another car and you get the frontal indicator, if it IS a cop signal and then he tries pulling you over, that dog WON'T hunt as you have the defense of proving in court that there is another car ahead of you (as long as the other guy is also approaching the cop car). There would be NO way that the cop could book you with another car ahead of you.

Also, if the bogey is from the side, you can't get booked either. It's helpful to know that too. Cops will say the darndest things to get you to admit you were speeding - even if you there was no way that it was YOU he could have detected.

Plus, even though you get this 'half-assed' remote mount for the Passport, it doesn't have directional, AND it can only be used with the cigarette adapter - REALLY HELPFUL if you drive an S2000!!!

The V1 is stealth black, where as the Passport is nice and shiny silver. Which one is easier to hide? V1 is also a metal body whereas Passport is cheap plastic.

Sure, as Oufly2 says, the Passport IS the best bang for your buck. And, you CAN'T beat it! It does work comparable to the V1. But, I'm not after best bang for my buck - I'm after a device that will consistently provide me with failsafe detection that aids my judgement with as many advantages as possibleI don't need to know what damn frequency the cop is using, I need to know here the threat is, how many of them there are, and which is the strongest threat. These are the advantages that the V1 has, that the Passport does not.

V1 does this - in my mind (and from experience), there is not a product that can beat it.

Price should NOT be an issue here. Besides, the V1 is only $100 more than the Passport. Spend the extra money, it will be soon forgotten. You'll be happy you did.

Final note: You get what you pay for in this game!

PS. Ditch ANYTHING cordless - they do not give you the protecton that you need. Testing has proven this.

 

I'll post this again...

For a good comparison of the Passport 8500, the latest version of the V1, and the Bel 980 click on http://www.speedzones.com and drill down to the Passport 8500 review.

Here it is...
http://www.speedzones.com/companys/Passspo...t/passport.html

This review shows that, essentially, all three are in the same ballpark for sensitivity to radar from in front of you. Then add that the V1 is the only one with directional indication and the only one with a 40 degree view for laser and the only one with a rear facing antenna, and it is hard to believe that either the Passport 8500 or the Bel 980 are better.

Speedzones will have a new comparison published in June, 2001. In the mean time, you really can't go wrong with either the Passport 8500 or the Valentine One. Pick your poison.

Barry

 

Here is the link to the V1 review at Speedzones......... http://www.speedzones.com/companys/valenti.../valentine.html

 

Is it true that the V1 is the only detector with a rear antenna? If so, how can the 8500 pick up laser if you get hit from the back?

"Valentine One is the only detector with two radar antennas -- one front and one rear
http://www.valentine1.com/home.asp
"

 

I use the 8500, has done all I bought it for perfectly.

 

The V1 is not that much bigger than the 8500 *if* any.

Knowing the direction does help... the more informatin the better.

 

"these days here in miami, (i dont know about other places you guys live in) the cops use their own judgment to educatedly guess your speed, so you cant beat that b/c they are certified!"

Ummmmm, no. That's not the case at all. Down in Miami, as well as the rest of the state, they use good old fashioned radar. Some K-band, some laser. I've been targeted many times in my M Coupe, the Valentine 1 has saved me many times more, and never once has an officer pulled me over because "he is certified" and he knows how fast I was going.

Drive with some common sense, and you won't get pulled over.

But then again, if they DO start hiring cops with some sort of sixth sense, that's when I'll have to pay the utmost attention. Or get the V1-ESP that Barry is talking about.

Sheesh...

 

I must have a 8500 prototype because mine does have a rear looking sensor.

BTW, I love my 8500.