Both are excellent, but I prefer the V1.
I've owned a V1 for years and recently had a chance to swap for an Escort 8500 X50 for a couple weeks. I guess once you get used to something you prefer it, and maybe that is why I was less than enthusiastic about the Escort. I like the arrows of the V1. I like the signal count feature, which has saved me at least a couple times. (I've not had a radar speeding ticket in nearly ten years.)
I would consider getting the Escort with the red lighting for my wife's new Si just because she doesn't drive like I do and it would be a much better unit than the tired old Uniden she has now. Plus, it would match the interior lighting of the car.
(Okay, here's a question for you: why does an Escort 8500 with
BLUE lighting cost $50 more than the same unit with
RED lighting? Any GOOD LOGICAL reason why this is the case?)
I don't think you'll go wrong with either one. They're both well-rated and well-made.
(FWIW, I can tell you that NEITHER one of them works against VASCAR!
)
Mike