I've been a V1 person for a few years now. I send it in every year for 100 bucks to get it updated with the latest stuff. What really makes my V1 worth it's salt is the directional RADAR and LASER detection. I can tell where the threat is coming from and watch out for it.
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I have the 9500XI? I LOVE it. It has the GPS and I drive 130 miles a day to and from work in the Orlando Area. It hardly ever makes a sound (all of the false detects are it put in its database) unless their is something there. It has monthly updates for Redlight camera and speed traps. I had no idea there was so many redlight cameras. I now see big brother is putting them up in Polk county. So if us red necks have camera you know the big city folk must be crawling with them.
The radar detector seems to have very good sensitivity as well.
I just did this research last fall. This was my decision based on the info I could find.
I think brand loyalty can really distort the decision process (not to mention test results on the internet with hidden agenda's).
Detector performance was my number one criteria, but with most tests putting them very close the features were what put it over the top.
Either detector is top notch.
Mine talks to me in a sexy voice and gets in a bitch slapping contest with the GPS.
Follow a route through the city with redlight cameras. Its pretty funny they both are talking in 2 different female voices. Surprised I haven't shot myself yet. Guess I'm use to being driven around like a Tonka truck by naggin women.
Ed
PS hope the wife isn't reading this!
"fuck ups" I think you would get more help from the people your asking questions of if you accurately pose' your questions! Not really sure what claims escort makes about removing fuck ups?
Range of radar detector is not simply stated, Many facts affect their performance not the least of is the operator of the radar gun. My research showed that the escort 9500 and Valentine both have excellent detection.
I assume he means falses. V1 is usually pretty good about that, but it highly depends on the software version.
I've never used a 9500, but I can tell you V1s are WAY better than my 8500 X50. I'm considering sending my X50 in for possible repair, because it's never been anywhere near what some people claim.
However, since I haven't used a 9500, I won't vote in the poll, unlike some jackasses that just HAD to vote in that subwoofer poll.
__________________ 2009 Pontiac G8 GT
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My only complaints about screw ups on the V1 are that the laser sensor will pick up high intensity LED top brake lights from high end SUV's.
In stop and go traffic it can sometimes give you mutiple Laser alerts.
__________________ Street/Strip Car: Black 1999 WS6 Patriot Heads, Cam, LQ4 block with forged rotating assembly, Speed Inc. Custom Twin Turbo kit with PT-67's. Aluminum Fuel Cell, Twin External pumps, Burkhart Chassis Chrome Moly Cage, KBDD SFC's, Metco LCA's, Strange Engineering 12-bolt with 3.42 gears. ~900RHWP, TH400 racing tranny with 4000 stall. Best 1/4 mile ET 9.35 @151 MPH on 17" drag radials. Tow Vehicle: Blk 2002 Avalanche 2500 with 8.1 liter. Sunroof, Leather seats, etc.
Best ET 14.6 on Street Tires
...does the 9500 have rear detection, no....can you update the 9500 like you can (and I have) update the V1, no. All Escort offered me was like $50 if I traded in my 8500 x50 towards the purchase of the 9500.....no thanks.
My V1 was not working on one of the bands and it was due for an update. So I called them and they said the update also included the repair of my V1. That rocks! The update was like $140, sure as hell beats $500 for a new 9500....well $450 if I gave them my x50!
Is this sales hype, while true and a good sales point is it necessary or a gimmick to sell detectors? If you get hit from behind with radar it can happen one or two ways. 1) the speed radar is in continuous and they are driving up behind you. 2) They are hiding behind something and hand trigger it when you drive by.
First radar disperses and is highly reflective (laser reflects but does not disperse thats why both have more than one laser sensor) and if
Scenario 1 They are running up behind you then its highly unlikely they would get a discernable return off of you before you get anl alert of a reflection.
In scenario 2 he most likely would already have a locked in speed readout before you could react. Your hope to avoid that scenario would be a reflection off a car he shot in front of you. (thats why I try never to lead the pack) My V1 was not working on one of the bands and it was due for an update.
I don't send my detector back for updates, I hook it up to the computer and download them for free plus they email me to tell me their is an update, I don't have to figure out its not working.
Bottom line both detectors are top notch and that leaves brand loyalty and features.
I think My Trans Am benefits from low observability (stealth) in its design. Their are very few sharp or 90 deg. surfaces on the front of our cars. Thats front plate/filler is probably the worst part. Some RAM coating followed up with light difusing paint should reduce are cross section considerably!
ed
THE BEST TICKET AVOIDING SENSOR SHOULD BE BETWEEN YOUR EARS!!!!!!!!!!
I've got the V1 and absolutely love it, I do get some false signals and any time I'm near an Infiniti FX my radar blows up with laser and I get the same thing with bright LEDs giving me a false laser signal. A buddy of mine has the 8500 and is about to get the 9500 but until then I can't really say much about it. I have heard great things about it but a lot of the guys that have already gotten the V1 pretty much stay with brand loyalty and will say anything in the defense of the V1, but in the end they're both amazing radar detectors
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My buddy has the 9500i and it works great for the times that they are using radar, but in washington most cops will use the laser were you are screwed because it does not detect it until they have already nailed you...
__________________ 1998 Z28 Camaro Slp Intake, Magnaflow muffler, Monster Stage 3 clutch, UMI adjustable torque arm, Hotchkis spring, Kyb Agx shocks, Umi adjustable Panhard Bar
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Fixed it for you. The 9500's have 360* detection and can be updated. In fact, I'll be sending my 9500i in shortly to be upgraded to the 9500ix.
The 9500 does NOT have a rear sensor, the 360 detection is a lie. The only way it can pick up any signal coming from the back is when the signal passes up the front sensor. 2 sensors (V1) > 1 sensor
There is no update available for the 9500, only for its GPS. Maybe I wasn't clear enough. Lets say V1 comes out with a newer model, I can send mine in (and I did) to get it updated. When Escort comes out with the next model (10500 or whatever) you're screwed.
The 9500 does NOT have a rear sensor, the 360 detection is a lie. The only way it can pick up any signal coming from the back is when the signal passes up the front sensor. 2 sensors (V1) > 1 sensor
There is no update available for the 9500, only for its GPS. Maybe I wasn't clear enough. Lets say V1 comes out with a newer model, I can send mine in (and I did) to get it updated. When Escort comes out with the next model (10500 or whatever) you're screwed.
~ Craig
Who said the ESCORT 9500 has a rear radar sensor?
Someone said 360 degree coverage.
What comment do you have for my conclusion? (see bold below)
Oh by the way I have already updated my software twice so yes there are upgrades.
Do you own both the 9500 and the Valentine? Not an escort model several years old? With an opinion as strong as yours you hardly seem able to weight the facts and come to an unbiased conclusion. Yes the Valentine is a great radar detector, but is it significantly better than the new Escort. If not then the Reduced false alrms of the gps escort out weighs the valentine even if the detection range is slightly better. WHY you might ask, simple if my detector alerts I immediately apply the brakes. It goes off so rarely going back and forth to work (65 miles 1 way) that there is diffently something going on. I can drive 2 hours a day for a week and not get an alarm. that why our Military electronics (sonar, radar, ESM) have adjustable false alarm thesolds and complicated circuitry to deal with them. FALSE ALARMS INCREASES OPERATOR RESPONSE TIME.
AS I stated: Is this sales hype, while true and a good sales point is it necessary or a gimmick to sell detectors? If you get hit from behind with radar it can happen one or two ways. 1) the speed radar is in continuous and they are driving up behind you. 2) They are hiding behind something and hand trigger it when you drive by.
First radar disperses and is highly reflective (laser reflects but does not disperse thats why both have more than one laser sensor) and if
Scenario 1 They are running up behind you then its highly unlikely they would get a discernable return off of you before you get anl alert of a reflection.
In scenario 2 he most likely would already have a locked in speed readout before you could react. Your hope to avoid that scenario would be a reflection off a car he shot in front of you. (thats why I try never to lead the pack)
The 9500 does NOT have a rear sensor, the 360 detection is a lie. The only way it can pick up any signal coming from the back is when the signal passes up the front sensor. 2 sensors (V1) > 1 sensor
There is no update available for the 9500, only for its GPS. Maybe I wasn't clear enough. Lets say V1 comes out with a newer model, I can send mine in (and I did) to get it updated. When Escort comes out with the next model (10500 or whatever) you're screwed.
~ Craig
Craig, do you work for the company who manufactures the V1?
I own the 9500I. IT HAS 360 DEGREE DETECTION. YOU CAN UPDATE
THE FIRMWARE (SOFTWARE) AS WLL AS THE SAFETY CAM DATABASE.
By updating the firmware you are changing the programming of the device, therefore upgrading it.
From Escort's website:
Web Ready
The PASSPORT 9500ix is the first radar and laser detector that can be easily updated using your computer and the power of the internet. Simply connect your detector to your computer, log on to our website, and download the most up to date locations. You can even back up your data or update the detector's operating software, (firmware), if needed. The database is updated weekly, and Escort provides three months of downloadable updates for free. Database Subscriptions are also available to keep you up to date on future Speed Traps, Red Light Cameras and Speed Cameras.
As an added bonus, it actually looks like a radar detector made in 2009, not 1985 like
the one used in Back to The Future. LOL!!
The Gps function will display you speed. This is awesome! You dont have to look down
at your dash to see how fast you are going! tested up to 150mph (by me)
It will also display up to 8 different warnings at the same time using the expert meter!
You can lock out false signals, such as the convenience store you drive by every day with the GPS mark signal location. Stays im memory FOREVER, unless deleted.
If there is a cop in that location, it will still let you know, being that he will be on a different frequency.
I have picked up signals over 2 miles away on the highway!!
This is the best of the two by FAR!!
V1 does have one advantage, actually two.
1. It has arrows that show the direction that the signal is coming from...pretty cool.
2. If you have an older 3rd gen car, it will look like it came with the car!! UGLEEE!!
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Blevinator - No I do not, DO you work for Escort???
Do either of you guys own both, then your opinions are biased. I have 2 V1's and one x50. After the crap Escort has pulled and watching enough proof on youtube I'll stick with my V1 thank you. When your 9500 is outdated by the 10500 (or whatever) and the price goes even higher than $500, I'll try not to laugh at you while I only spend $140 for my OLD V1 to be updated to the newest version of the Valentine.
Again the 360 is a lie. One sensor up front does not mean you get a 360 true reading. How can they or any other radar say 360 when only one sensor up front, and if the signal from behind happens to hit the front thats 360?....no thats garbage.
Again, updates for speed traps and red light camera's is NOT a model update. That is GPS update.
Don't get me wrong, I do like the 9500. It has some very nice features, but again and again Escort falls into 2nd place behind the V1. And funny thing is, now the Escort nut swingers can't bitch about the V1 being more expensive since the 9500 is $100 more.
And you want to talk about looks? I don't care how it looks, this is not a clothing style trend. As long as its not shaped like a dildo or something then I'm cool.
Arrows? Yes V1 has them, they work and they help. I don't have to slam my damn brakes on if the signal is from behind, I'll keep trucking.
Valentine One VS Passport 9500i 
The update was like $140, sure as hell beats $500 for a new 9500....well $450 if I gave them my x50! 
