They should build a concealed display into a pair of sunglasses, mission impossible style.

 

You don't get it.
I don't slow down.
With most every beep, I take a look & go.
Four Val 1s.......all w/remote & concealed install.

 

I've searched the circuit city website as well as the Best Buy webiste but no escort products??? Only bel and cobra....hmmmm.

Are you sure about this???

 

Can any of them detect radar guns from above an overpass? That seems to be a favorite tactic these days.

 

My local BB has Escort detectors even the 8500. I noticed on their site that they dont have detectors listed because of some state regulations. I think its still illegal to operate a detector in Virginia and DC.

They almost all can detect radar this way. The question is can they detect it before you are caught. Instant on radar is impossible to beat now. Ten years ago when radars were analog it would take several seconds to display an instant on speed especially in moving mode. If you were sharp you could jam on the brakes immediately when you got the solid tone and no speed would be displayed. Now with DSP chips a speed is displayed to the officer in 0.2-0.4sec even in moving mode.

 

Best buy does have them, but not on the web. I didn't know about the restock fee, but you could ask at your local store.

 

I love the V1, but, will give you a big negative. As LED lights become more prevalent that V1 will be going off constantly. When Shank is behind me in my Z8, his V1 goes off non-stop. Its VERY annoying, so much so that it almost needs to be turned off.

Lou

 

Thanks for all the opinions so far. It seems like the V1 might be the better detector but all the falsing will most certainly cause me to turn it off. Since my travels don't include a ton of highway miles and I don't often see highway patrols lining these roads, the Passport should get it done.

 

The 8500 would be a mistake. I have these in my other cars. the TT has V1 and k40. K40 is the best then I would choose the v1.

 

An additional feature of the V1 is the bogey counter. Not only does the V1 tell you where the signal is coming from (front, rear or side) it also tells you how many signals there are. This feature is used when the PoPo strategically places there radar "traps" in areas that are usually flooded with radar signals. I've had the V1 now for 2 years and it has saved my butt more than once.

For Example:

I was driving up to my favor ski resort "early" one morning and had the V1 in my SUV. It was around 5:00am, super empty road and I was going well over the speed limit when a guy passes me going in excess of 140mph. He was slowly pulling away from me when I got hit with a faint Ka signal. Given we were on an "open" rural road, I hit the brakes and came back down to 70mph. The Ka was slowly gaining in strength and then full blast! CHP went by on the other side and pulled a quick U turn right behind me. He came up to my side, gave me a quick look like "hmm, you "must" have a radar detector since everyone else drives at 80+ you bastard" and takes off after the guy that passed me at 140. A good 15 miles down the road guess what I see? The 140 guy getting arrested!!

OWEYEA!

Thanks Mike Valentine!!

After that the V1 goes with me wherever I go!!

Whatever your decision, keep in mind that "any" radar detector doesn't give you a pass to speed. It just gives you a fighting chance to avoid radar "traps" when you're driving within "reasonable" speeds. If you're driving double to triple speed limit speeds it's so obvious your going fast that the PoPo don't need a radar detector!! Good luck!!

 

The escort also has a mode to count the signals in the advanced mode, even to tell how many of each kind. It is called "expert meter". Never used it.

Remember this is the 8500X50. A lot of the guys on this site have experience with the older unit, I believe.

Anyway, hot debate subject.

 

I have my wife's set up in this mode and it's excellent as it does tell you how many bogey's per band. Not quite as easy to read as a bogey counter but better in some ways since you can see the break down of each type.

Being in Cincinnati, home of both Passport and V1, I have received better service from Passport to be honest. Last week I drove up to V1 to have it upgraded with POP support. I did this ONLY after verifying with V1 support that it could be done in one day. Wasn't done by the end of the day .... ok, fine. Waited for call the next day ... no call. I finally called them and was told it still wasn't ready, no estimate and they would call me. Again they didn't!! Of course they were closed on Friday so no call. Needless to say I am very disappointed especailly since I was promised it would be ready and now I've been without it for almost a week (once I pick it up on Monday ... assuming it's done then).

Passport has never treated my wife this way!

 

You must have some wife there

 

True enuf!

 

I have to say, after a bad experience with them, I did some research on Best Buy, even employees don't like the way they have to swindle customers. http://www.bestbuysux.org/