Valentine or Escort 9500

I bought my first V1 17 years ago and my second about 10 years ago. They both still work. The newer one is in my daily driver. It's time to update the older unit for the LP640 and I am reading through threads I found in search.. But it's time for a new thread on the subject.

 

I like the GPS features in the Escort and most reviews seem very positive. I know that the V1 has probably saved me hundreds of times.

I've tried twice to add the poll.. no go

I would like to know as well.

 

I could be entirely wrong but I think the V1 is likely a "better" unit as far as detection is concerned, but the 9500 has all the bells & whistles to filter out and to remember the false alarms; so it may be boiled down to personal preference.

I would like to know as well.

 

I could be entirely wrong but I think the V1 is likely a "better" unit as far as detection is concerned, but the 9500 has all the bells & whistles to filter out and to remember the false alarms; so it may be boiled down to personal preference.

 

 

The V1 is the only reason I have a driver's license. I have been using them for 15 years.

The V1 is the only reason I have a driver's license. I have been using them for 15 years.

 

 

Are you still using your original?

Are you still using your original?

 

 

I have 2 now, the original one is 15 years old and in my Gallardo.

I have 2 now, the original one is 15 years old and in my Gallardo.

 

My older one is definitely not as quick as my 10 year old. I wonder if getting a new one to replace the 17 yr old is worth it?

My older one is definitely not as quick as my 10 year old. I wonder if getting a new one to replace the 17 yr old is worth it?

 

 

You can send them in for updates.

I believe detection range is similar. V1 gives you the counter and directional arrows.

 

The 9500 has GPS so it will remember false encounters once it detects them in the same spot a certain amount of times.

 

I prefer the 9500 for daily use and V1 for longer drives.

You can do a software update on the V1's if you send them in, I believe. I think you can plug the serial number in on their website and it will tell you if you're eligible. The 9500 and V1 usually compare so closely that it's a toss up. The 9500 is a little sleeker and the GPS feature saves a lot of aggravation (especially with X Band falses.) Doppler used by LEO's is all Ka band these days.. and LIDAR.. Low dispersion and target specific, but you can't run it passively like RADAR - the LEO has to be actively engaged. Here in NJ, with both LIDAR and RADAR, he/she has to have a visual, confirmed by tone and finally reading from their equipment (Stalker, MPH Industries etc.) You have plenty of range and sensitivity with either 9500 or V1 IMO.. 186,000 mi/sec is a real bitch, so you're not going to win with Instant-On unless you catch a ping...

Have owned 3 V1's and that's all I can bring myself to use. Can't live without arrows!

 

Went out of town once to buy a car and forgot my V1 so I went to a local best buy and bought an escort for the ride home. Just felt naked without my arrows!!

9500ci has tons of false alarms. It is hard to imagine since it has gps to learn not to do that

 

Most cops use laser now. So radar detector is helpless with that.

 

V1 can be programmed by user to disable x band, which no one uses. That eliminates 75% of false alarm

 

I may have a latest version v1 unit for sale soon for $350 if anyone wants it

 

Waze app works well on the phone. It's free and nearly no false alarms

I own 2 of each. My vote is for the 9500. It just seems to perform better which is more important than the arrows to me.

I am afraid to get one because I worry instead of getting pulled over for doing 75 in a 55 I will get pulled over for doing 125 in a 55.

I am afraid to get one because I worry instead of getting pulled over for doing 75 in a 55 I will get pulled over for doing 125 in a 55.

 

Lol, no you wouldn't .

Had 2 Valentines for over 15 years and liked them a lot, but after getting RR and MB they were useless. Then I learned how to observe the road and the surroundings ( and possible cops hiding) without them. No speeding ticket for 7 years straight!

Now, after getting Huracan my detailer talked me into purchasing Escort Passport Max 2, and I have to say that Valentine in comparison is grossly outdated.

 

Btw, got $120 off when trading in Valentine...

[quote

Waze app works well on the phone. It's free and nearly no false alarms

 

I think Waze is a great alternative, especially if you live in an area with other users (it needs crowd input to work best). Great for those blind crests and corners where State Pootrol like to hide for revenue generation road safety policing

http://www.caranddriver.com/features/2015-...-tested-feature

 

I would strongly suggest the 9500 CI. You really do need the laser jammers all around for maximum effectiveness.

Hmm, I have an 11 year old V1 that has been in my closet for about 6 years... I think its time to check if they honor the 'first update is free' policy that was around when i bought it.

I bought my first V1 17 years ago and my second about 10 years ago. They both still work. The newer one is in my daily driver. It's time to update the older unit for the LP640 and I am reading through threads I found in search.. But it's time for a new thread on the subject. I like the GPS features in the Escort and most reviews seem very positive. I know that the V1 has probably saved me hundreds of times.

 

 

 

 

If you send the older V1 unit back they will upgrade it for you. If interested go to their website input your unit's serial# and the site notifies you what upgrades are possible.

 

I understand that some of the newer units can interfere or are affected by the proximity sensors in lane changing systems, etc.

 

 

 

 

I bought my first V1 17 years ago and my second about 10 years ago. They both still work. The newer one is in my daily driver. It's time to update the older unit for the LP640 and I am reading through threads I found in search.. But it's time for a new thread on the subject. I like the GPS features in the Escort and most reviews seem very positive. I know that the V1 has probably saved me hundreds of times.

 

 

 

 

If you send the older V1 unit back they will upgrade it for you. If interested go to their website input your unit's serial# and the site notifies you what upgrades are possible.

 

I understand that some of the newer units can interfere or are affected by the proximity sensors in lane changing systems, etc.

 

 

 

 

Seems like 95% of the local speed traps in Vancouver are using laser. I've had a V1 for 6yrs and it works great for Ka and K bands if the cops are on the move in their cruisers...but it seems like the new school just camp and set up the tripod.

 

I havent added Laser jammers to the car yet (will be this summer), and until i do, i dont really trust the V1 to keep an eye out due to the influx of laser.

 

Best laser jammers anyone has direct experience with?

Seems like 95% of the local speed traps in Vancouver are using laser. I've had a V1 for 6yrs and it works great for Ka and K bands if the cops are on the move in their cruisers...but it seems like the new school just camp and set up the tripod.

 

I havent added Laser jammers to the car yet (will be this summer), and until i do, i dont really trust the V1 to keep an eye out due to the influx of laser.

 

Best laser jammers anyone has direct experience with?

 

AL Priority is what you want.

I went through the exact same exercise 2 years ago. Ended up with a V1 and couldn’t be happier. It’s saved me three times now, twice on I5 going south ~75 miles before grapevine and once in NV near Carson City. Both times on I5 it began detecting ~5-6 miles before the Ka trap.

 

Setting it up correctly is critical. On I5 I run it in detect all (A) mode, works well, but then again it's in the middle of nowhere. In the city it’s in adv Logic mode with a few other items set (I can look ‘em up if anyone’s interested). In the last year or so several major intersections that I frequent are really noisy even using restrictive settings. I’ve also noticed that some new cars, specifically MB and Jeep Cherokees, will set it off. Hopefully they’ll be an update to filter out those specific frequencies. It’s “detected” Laser a couple time but I never saw the bogy. From what I hear once you detect Laser he’s got you. Not sure how I’d ever get along w/o the arrows. It’s rock solid, metal, very well made. Will probably buy another soon rather than swapping between cars.

 

Regardless of what you choose Invisicord is a must (no affiliation). http://www.invisicord.com/index.html