V1 or Passport X50?

[Juanted]

Originally Posted by CGSTL

V1 $407 (delivered)
Hardwire $ 30
Always driving my X like I stole it: PRICELESS

I'm with you, though. That's exactly what I did (and do -- driving it like I stole it).

Juan

[tuan]

Cmon guys, the V1 is dated technology. If you're reliving the '90s, the V1 is suitable. IMHO, I think the V1 is over priced for what you get, mediocre performance. But if you're like me, living in California with CHP and local pd's using the latest in Ka band, and laser (Golden Gate Bridge), I'd go with the Escort 8500 X50. Side arrows are useless because radar is functional only on front and rear. Check out radartest.com and read the unbiased reviews. I have 2 escort 8500 X50's, one in my 996TT, one in my 996 coupe. I use a bel 980 in my X5 4.8is because the Ka sensitivity is outstanding. I have a custom installed K40 in my '04 E55 AMG. It's a piece of crap! The damn thing cost $1500 to install but it's not functioning properly. I might get another escort 8500 for the E55.

[CGSTL]

My V1 is A-OK for me. Zero speeding tickets; hundreds of traps found prior to my arriving. That's what drives my opinion.

Glad to hear you're happy with the X50 as well.

Chris

[x5Monkey®]

exactly how is it 90's technology? the v1 has Ka and laser detection, and it's the only one with PoP detection in every band, all the time. you have to select PoP mode on escort, which takes you out of normal detection mode. also, how can you say the side arrows are useless? how the f is knowing where a cop is exactly useless? did you ever think he could pace you or radio ahead to another patrol car? how about turning a corner?
plus, radartest.com is reputed to be put out by passport/escort.
speaking of technology, try calling up escort and ask them how much it is to upgrade when they improve technology in their detector. My v1 cost $50 for an upgrade to the latest and greatest.
Hey the escort is not a bad detector. it's just not in the same league as the v1.

Originally Posted by tuan

Cmon guys, the V1 is dated technology. If you're reliving the '90s, the V1 is suitable. IMHO, I think the V1 is over priced for what you get, mediocre performance. But if you're like me, living in California with CHP and local pd's using the latest in Ka band, and laser (Golden Gate Bridge), I'd go with the Escort 8500 X50. Side arrows are useless because radar is functional only on front and rear. Check out radartest.com and read the unbiased reviews. I have 2 escort 8500 X50's, one in my 996TT, one in my 996 coupe. I use a bel 980 in my X5 4.8is because the Ka sensitivity is outstanding. I have a custom installed K40 in my '04 E55 AMG. It's a piece of crap! The damn thing cost $1500 to install but it's not functioning properly. I might get another escort 8500 for the E55.

[Kewl X5]

First of all, the radartest is outdated because they are not using the latest V1....The V1 covers everything X, K, Ka and has 2-band POP. Unless they are using that V1 on the radartest, then their test is outdated.

Ahh, I live in CA and the V1 has saved me numerous time. First of all, what good is a Ka warning if you don't know where the heck it is coming from?

Actually side arrows also helps....

Scenario, local PD sitting at the right corner gas station intersection just waiting for people to blow by the red light or speed through the intersection....V1 does a Ka warning and it is front and side arrows and guess what....Local PD at the right front corner of the intersection....

Hmm, in the M3 driving on the 91 freeway at night.....V1 starts warning 1 Ka signal coming from behind for 3-4 minutes.....and then 2nd Ka warning but from the front but occasional....The rear one is getting stronger and of course I move to the middle lane and slow down to 60-65 mph....Guess what, it was CHP on a motorcycle.....BTW, the front Ka turned out to be another CHP cruiser on the right side of the freeway.

Driving to Vegas in the X5 in I-15.....everyone just can't wait to get to Vegas, but heck Vegas is open 24 hours/day so what's the rush....Anyhow, as I'm going down that hill right before Baker...The V1 alerts 2 Ka signal about 1-2 miles away.....found the first cruiser (fun to watch non-radar users slamming on their brakes).....then of course, everyone assumes that that was the only one....so then a few people start speeding again...I know better because after passing the cruiser, I have still 2 signals....now one in the back and one in the front and the front one is getting stronger....I keep under the 70 mph speed limit....then I see the second cruiser, but too late, the Honda civic in front of me is literally going 90 mph and gets tagged by the second cruiser.....(in this situation, a normal radar system only just beeps).

But too each to his own. The V1 does work well in California.

BTW, can the Escort 8500 X50 be upgraded when newer technology comes out or does one just chuck it away and buy another Escort?

BTW, I wonder if putting the radar detector high up on the X5 gives us X5 owners an advantage over regular cars since the X5 already sits higher than most cars?

Originally Posted by tuan

Cmon guys, the V1 is dated technology. If you're reliving the '90s, the V1 is suitable. IMHO, I think the V1 is over priced for what you get, mediocre performance. But if you're like me, living in California with CHP and local pd's using the latest in Ka band, and laser (Golden Gate Bridge), I'd go with the Escort 8500 X50. Side arrows are useless because radar is functional only on front and rear. Check out radartest.com and read the unbiased reviews. I have 2 escort 8500 X50's, one in my 996TT, one in my 996 coupe. I use a bel 980 in my X5 4.8is because the Ka sensitivity is outstanding. I have a custom installed K40 in my '04 E55 AMG. It's a piece of crap! The damn thing cost $1500 to install but it's not functioning properly. I might get another escort 8500 for the E55.

[adventurelarry]

Originally Posted by Kewl X5

Driving to Vegas in the X5 in I-15.....everyone just can't wait to get to Vegas, but heck Vegas is open 24 hours/day so what's the rush....Anyhow, as I'm going down that hill right before Baker...The V1 alerts 2 Ka signal about 1-2 miles away.....found the first cruiser (fun to watch non-radar users slamming on their brakes).....then of course, everyone assumes that that was the only one....so then a few people start speeding again...I know better because after passing the cruiser, I have still 2 signals....now one in the back and one in the front and the front one is getting stronger....I keep under the 70 mph speed limit....then I see the second cruiser, but too late, the Honda civic in front of me is literally going 90 mph and gets tagged by the second cruiser.....(in this situation, a normal radar system only just beeps).

I had almost this exact situation happen to me. I was showing 2 KA radar sources infront of me, so I pulled into the middle lane and slowed down. So did every other driver that had radar detectors. We passed by a cop who was hiding just beyond a bridge. My V1 now showed 2 KA radar sources, one ahead, one behind. All the drivers around me picked up there speed, I stayed at mine. About a mile down the road was a cop standing on the side of the road with a hand held unit, he was pointing at cars to pull over and there were a group of cops handing out tickets.

--Larry

[briandwlee]

The stealer here wants $100 to hardwire V1. they said they do not like to tap into sunroof. They said it they would directly wire into fuse box for separate power source. What's your opinion, guys?

[tuan]

Cmon guys, hey if I hurt your feelings let me be the first to offer my apologies. To each their own. I like the X50 because of the K and especially Ka sensitivity. IMHO, just as good as the Bel. According to Radartest.com the escort X50 "features a re-programmable Motorola micro controller." But hey, I gotta ask how many of you have updated the software or firmware in your V1? I like turning off my x-band in the X50. I haven't seen an x-band radar trap in about 10 years. No more annoying x-band false alerts, ever. I always run the X50 in expert mode so it tracks each radar signal, and strength. I don't know if mounting a radar higher is more advantageous. Laser is usually aimed at either the headlights, front or rear license plates. Laser is also a narrower beam than K or Ka, so mounting it higher could affect advance detection. Now if my Bel 980 could turn off the x-band, I'd get another one.

[Kewl X5]

Don't worry. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

Nevertheless, many people have one reason or another to like either the V1 or X50.

However, many of us have already upgraded the software to include the 2-Band POP.

Just curious, Car and Driver who did their own radar test a year ago or so still picked the V1 over the 8500 (but who knows who is right?)

There are different "smart logic" mode to take care of the X-band warning on the V1. You can even program the V1 to ignore X-band if you would like. However, some local NJ cops still use X-band, though that is changing as well.

I never had a problem with Ka sensitivity with the V1.

Again, I think that every is entitled to their own opinions, but don't mind people if they try to correct certain facts about the V1.

Again, the arrows and bogey counter are the features that separate the V1 from all the other radar detectors.

Originally Posted by tuan

Cmon guys, hey if I hurt your feelings let me be the first to offer my apologies. To each their own. I like the X50 because of the K and especially Ka sensitivity. IMHO, just as good as the Bel. According to Radartest.com the escort X50 "features a re-programmable Motorola micro controller." But hey, I gotta ask how many of you have updated the software or firmware in your V1? I like turning off my x-band in the X50. I haven't seen an x-band radar trap in about 10 years. No more annoying x-band false alerts, ever. I always run the X50 in expert mode so it tracks each radar signal, and strength. I don't know if mounting a radar higher is more advantageous. Laser is usually aimed at either the headlights, front or rear license plates. Laser is also a narrower beam than K or Ka, so mounting it higher could affect advance detection. Now if my Bel 980 could turn off the x-band, I'd get another one.

[CGSTL]

Originally Posted by briandwlee

The stealer here wants $100 to hardwire V1. they said they do not like to tap into sunroof. They said it they would directly wire into fuse box for separate power source. What's your opinion, guys?

Walk into the service area and ask of the guys to do it after work for $40 (US dollars) cash. You're likely to find someone who will do a side job for you. Mine was a side job and he only wanted $20. I'm not sure where he wired it - but the wire disappears into the ceiling and it is switched.

Check a few techs and check a few dealers. You'll find one. - OR - Ask your service advisor who he recommends. They usually know which techs will do side work and may set it up for you.

Good luck.