Having recently started looking for a radar detector, I was about to order a V1 after all the stories praising it on this forum. However, I just read several good pieces of information on the Escort Passport 8500, and now I'm not sure what I should buy.
See here: http://groups.google.com/groups?q=V1+8500+Ka+spectrum&hl=en& safe=off&rnum=3&selm=93aplh%2474f%241%40nnrp1.deja.com
After reading through all the links provided in that message it would seem the 8500 is definitely a peer of the V1, and possibly better in certain areas. Here's what I've come up with...
- The main advantage the 8500 holds over the V1 is it's greatly reduced number of false alarms. This is the biggest factor that's making me lean towards the 8500. About 12 years ago I bought a cheap Whistler that made so much constant racket, that I stopped using it after only a few months. While I'm sure the V1 is much better than an old Whistler, I don't want a detector that keeps making noise every few minutes. Any comments from V1 owners?
- In opposition to many reviews, I prefer the asthetics of the V1 over the 8500. Also, I really don't like how the 8500 is colored silver. IMHO, silver standsout too much and is not very stealthy-- it's more likely that both theives and the police will notice it. The black brick-like appearance of the V1 is better, especially since (like most NSX's) my interior is black as well.
- The V1 has the direction indicators. The author I linked to above does a good job of pointing out how they aren't as useful as some think they are. Yet, the idea still appeals to me. Useful or not, I believe they would make me "feel" better seeing that information. I remember back with my old Whistler how it would go off and you'd always wonder where the signal was coming from. I even read at least one review on groups.google.com of a guy who bought both units, and decided to keep the V1 despite his admittance that the 8500 was in most ways better. His reason? He had become used to the direction indicators and just couldn't live without them.
- I am very concerned about the ability to conotrol brightness and volume level on the V1. The 8500 offers good control here, but the V1 only has an auto dimming feature based on light? Is this correct? If so, is the light output from it too bright at night as radartest.com suggests? Also, from everything I read, I could never figure out if the V1 has adjustable volume? If it does, can someone tell me if it provides good control. Can it be adjusted from barely audiable all the way to annoyingly loud?
- The 8500 has noticably better Ka band detection.
- The V1 has noticably better laser radar detection.
- Both units have fairly similar X and K band detection abilities.
Thanks for any info anyone can provide me. I realize I can try both for 30 days, returning the one I decide is the lesser of the two, but I'd rather avoid the hassle if possible.
[This message has been edited by BB (edited 31 July 2001).]
See here: http://groups.google.com/groups?q=V1+8500+Ka+spectrum&hl=en& safe=off&rnum=3&selm=93aplh%2474f%241%40nnrp1.deja.com
After reading through all the links provided in that message it would seem the 8500 is definitely a peer of the V1, and possibly better in certain areas. Here's what I've come up with...
- The main advantage the 8500 holds over the V1 is it's greatly reduced number of false alarms. This is the biggest factor that's making me lean towards the 8500. About 12 years ago I bought a cheap Whistler that made so much constant racket, that I stopped using it after only a few months. While I'm sure the V1 is much better than an old Whistler, I don't want a detector that keeps making noise every few minutes. Any comments from V1 owners?
- In opposition to many reviews, I prefer the asthetics of the V1 over the 8500. Also, I really don't like how the 8500 is colored silver. IMHO, silver standsout too much and is not very stealthy-- it's more likely that both theives and the police will notice it. The black brick-like appearance of the V1 is better, especially since (like most NSX's) my interior is black as well.
- The V1 has the direction indicators. The author I linked to above does a good job of pointing out how they aren't as useful as some think they are. Yet, the idea still appeals to me. Useful or not, I believe they would make me "feel" better seeing that information. I remember back with my old Whistler how it would go off and you'd always wonder where the signal was coming from. I even read at least one review on groups.google.com of a guy who bought both units, and decided to keep the V1 despite his admittance that the 8500 was in most ways better. His reason? He had become used to the direction indicators and just couldn't live without them.
- I am very concerned about the ability to conotrol brightness and volume level on the V1. The 8500 offers good control here, but the V1 only has an auto dimming feature based on light? Is this correct? If so, is the light output from it too bright at night as radartest.com suggests? Also, from everything I read, I could never figure out if the V1 has adjustable volume? If it does, can someone tell me if it provides good control. Can it be adjusted from barely audiable all the way to annoyingly loud?
- The 8500 has noticably better Ka band detection.
- The V1 has noticably better laser radar detection.
- Both units have fairly similar X and K band detection abilities.
Thanks for any info anyone can provide me. I realize I can try both for 30 days, returning the one I decide is the lesser of the two, but I'd rather avoid the hassle if possible.
[This message has been edited by BB (edited 31 July 2001).]
