The new detector knows the alarm. If it is hit with an additional signal in the same place where there is usually a false it still will go off.

 

So it's effectively the same thing as the V1's bogey count, only it doesn't work as well?

Okay then.

 

I have heard 2 schools of thought on the patents:

A utility patent normally lasts 20 years from the earliest filing. V1's "dual antenna" patent (5083129) was filed February 25, 1991, and granted in early '92, the same year V1 was first produced. Assuming maintenance fees are paid, this would mean that the earliest it could possibly expire is 2011? The case design wasn't patented until 1993 (D338841), and a "design patent" only lasts 14 years, so that one could expire in 2007. The earliest patent granted to Valentine Research listed in the back of the V1 manual is from 1989.

All utility patents which issue from applications filed on or after December 12, 1980 are subject to maintenance fees, which must be paid to maintain the patent in force. These fees are due 3 1/2, 7 1/2 and 11 1/2 years from the date of the original patent grant. Fee payments must include both patent and application numbers. If the fee is being paid for reissue, the application number required is the reissue application number. A maintenance fee payment may be made through the mail or electronically over the Internet! So, as long as Mike Valentine keeps renewing the patent it stays his.

 

Integrated K40 w/laser diffuser FTW...

 

According to Escort's website, "Our patented design captures the location coordinates and the exact frequency of the signal and stores them in memory. Once stored, TrueLock will reject these signals, but is intelligent enough to warn you of a new or different signal in that same location."

The problem is that X and K band door openers may operate at the same frequency of the cop's radar that is hiding there. X band can be anywhere from 10.500-10.550 GHz and K band can be anywhere from 24.050-24.250 GHz. What happens if you save a location and frequency with your 9500i as a false and then you drive by the same store when it is closed so the door openers aren't on and a cop is hiding there with the same frequency?

Also, Bels and Escorts are known to not be very accurate when it comes to displaying the actual frequency of a signal. I just think that there are too many "what ifs" when it comes to this technology that Escort is trying to promote. They aren't the first ones to try GPS technology either because Uniden tried it back in the day and now they no longer make or sell radar detectors.

 

For those that under estimate the usefulness of arrows, all i can say is you just have to try it.

it makes it much easier to weed out false alarms. it also give you the ability to tell if you have a cop traveling towards you or behind you. say you are on a long stretch of highway and the cop is traveling with his radar unit on. you'll know at least which way you should be looking. at least if the detector is going off for ten minutes straight and the arrow is pointing behind me, i know i'm being followed.

it will also show where a cop might be hiding. there are many hidden speed traps that you can't see till you've passed them and look in the rear view. the arrows will alert you to exactly where they're camping out as you pass by.

it's hard to really explain it, but like i said, once you start using the arrows, it's hard to not use them...

 

I have both a V1 and 8500. For me the 8500 is better, I can turn off X altogether. V1 is too sensitive to x and still falses all the time. Pain in the ***. Also the auto mute on the V1 is worthless.

 

You should read your V1 directions. You can turn the x band off on it too.

 

It is not a false if your V1 detects X or K band radar from a door opener, they all operate on the same frequency as police radar. It seems like your 8500 falses less because it is not as sensitive to radar as the V1 and it lacks the rear antenna of the V1 so it will alert for less time than the V1. Just like Deputy said, go to the V1 site and you can shut off X band because it is rarely used.

Just check the latest test and you will see why your 8500 is inferior to the V1.

http://guysoflidar.com/radar-detecto...ctor-test.html

 

It is off, but they feel strong signals are still supposed to be alerted and so it still goes off all the time.

 

No need to read any tests, I have real real life experience with both. In fact, I have a K brand false I drive by on the highway to work everyday, I've done a small test and both detectors pick it up at roughly the exact same spot/distance. They both work great at alerting me, one just has better options to how I want to be alerted.

 

I think if the V1 had and auto mute instead of the manual I might get one.

 

It's the taillights on GMC/Chevy SUVs. Check it out next time it happens. Don't know why but they seem to be in the same spectrum as the lasers.

 

That's good info thanks. Just to clarify though, the patent fees will only allow maintenance of the patent during the 20 year life not beyond, so as to the dual antennas that looks like 2011 when we'll first see the Escort with directional arrows!

 

What are you talking about? If it's off, it's off. It will not detect X band if your turn it off. That was the first thing I did when I got mine. It's been much quieter. Law enforcement doesn't really use Xband anymore anyway.