Valentine 1 or Escort 9500ix

[Blitz]

In anticipation of the arrival of my new Cop-magnet, I think it is time to upgrade from my old Cobra Radar detector.

I have read through the RADAR sticky and done some other research and I have narrowed it down to either the Valentine 1 or the Escort 9500ix. While I'd love to get the Escort ci, the budget is not there!

So, you can see where this is going, I'm looking for people who either have one or the other and why they like / dislike it. I'm leaning towards the V1 since it's $100 cheaper, but if the Escort is truly better, I'll go for it.

Thanks!

[Vsolo]

Humm what is the price of one ticket ?
There other thing you can look at it size ?
How much dash (or window) space are you willing to give up.
I have not gotten one in a while (last one was an Escort 5000), I need to get a new one.
but I lean towards the 8500 X50, not sure if I need GPS to mark the spot of radar site.
Running red lights is never a good idea.
I did download the red light cameras for my Garmin GPS, it is surprising to see which neighborhoods in Baltimore have lots them.

[SSOOCH]

Save your money and don't get either. I suggest you obey posted speed limits and if you want to do any spirited driving that you take it to a local track. Besides most Police Officers use LIDAR and once they've zapped you they got you!

[Vsolo]

Altho I agree. There are time during the years (like nice spring days)I live in a radar alley (Rte 83 just North of the MD/PA border, in PA).
So if I'm out just driving along, it gives a heads up.
Also I drive my Camaro allot around the US, there are certain towns that do the 55 to 45 to 35 in a very short distance and it gives a heads up to theses traps too.

[Blitz]

Yeah, I'm not planning on street racing or anything like that. It's more for the drives to the beach where I tend to have a lead foot! The only ticket I ever got was for going 80 in 65 in South Carolina. They had a trap set up shooting down from a bridge and then had like 5 cars lined up on the on-ramp to pull over the cars. Those are the types of tickets I would like to avoid!

[CamaroDreams07]

Well again, like SSOOCH said, most places use Li-Dar. Once that hits you, you're done. Radar detector won't do much there. I do think there are shifters for lidar but I doubt they are legal.

[2010SSRSM6]

I've been looking at the 9500. Haven't seen too much about the V1. I like the ease of install and the clean look that goes with the 9500.

[600hp-lpe]

Valentine 1 is the best...

I have one for every vehicle. I won't use any other radar detector.

[1 bad azz ls3]

i have the 9500ix and i love it. you can't go wrong with it. also ck out bell also made by escort.

[TTown]

I'm in the same boat as well. Probably the most discussed comparison. But never any solid conclusion is reached.

Apparently (from what Ive read)the V1 can detect radar at longer ranges than the 9500. It can also detect QuickTrigger a LOT better than the 9500 (a lot of cops use this method).

The 9500 on the other hand has built in GPS, so it eliminates false alerts and stores them. It has voice. And is blue! It cant detect quick trigger as well as the v1 (most of the time it doesnt even detect it), and detects not as far as the v1.

Both units dont have laser protection, but I think they both have laser detection. So if you hear that going off a lot, time to invest in a laser jammer (if its legal in your state).

All in all, V1=better detection, longer range, but more false alerts and older looking
9500: good detection, not as great as the v1, cant detect QT as well, less false alerts, newer looking, voice.

V1=better detection
9500=Ease of Use, Convenience

That sound about right?

[Blitz]

Originally Posted by TTown

I'm in the same boat as well. Probably the most discussed comparison. But never any solid conclusion is reached.

Apparently (from what Ive read)the V1 can detect radar at longer ranges than the 9500. It can also detect QuickTrigger a LOT better than the 9500 (a lot of cops use this method).

The 9500 on the other hand has built in GPS, so it eliminates false alerts and stores them. It has voice. And is blue! It cant detect quick trigger as well as the v1 (most of the time it doesnt even detect it), and detects not as far as the v1.

Both units dont have laser protection, but I think they both have laser detection. So if you hear that going off a lot, time to invest in a laser jammer (if its legal in your state).

All in all, V1=better detection, longer range, but more false alerts and older looking
9500: good detection, not as great as the v1, cant detect QT as well, less false alerts, newer looking, voice.

V1=better detection
9500=Ease of Use, Convenience

That sound about right?

Sounds about right. The Escort definately looks better but I''m not going for looks. I know you're pretty much screwed by laser unless you're willing to pay $1500+ and I'm not... at least now. I just know an Orange vert is going to draw a bit more attention than my Black Acadia so I want to be prepared and have a little help.

In the end I don't think I can go wrong with either for what I'm interested in. I know my Cobra isn't up for the challenge and I don't even really bother using it anymore.

[Rcfiddy1]

I use the V1 with blendmount. The Popo around here are still using radar, some instant on. I don't speed since I have a CDL, so its usually just a heads up that Mr.Man is hiding in the gas station a mile away and to look at speedo. I like the directional alerts and have been snuck up on by 5.0 a few times.

[deljaso]

Another vote for V1. It has saved me a few times in the last year when I wasn't paying close attention to my speed
Once you have the arrows, you'll never go back.

If you need to know about the different settings or want to research, go to www.radardetector.net.

Throw that cobra in the trash.

[Ucantctchme]

MOST COPS DO NOT USE LIDAR. I agree once you see the laser alert you're done. My 9500ix is the least annoying radar detector I've ever used. I don't usually drive more than 5 over but it's nice knowing where the cops are at. The cops around here leave the radar off until they see you but the range on the 9500 is long enough that you will be able to see it coming even when on the interstate.