NoahD

I'm pretty much decided to go for the 8500 over the V1... most of the tests I've seen favor the 8500 for the type of speed traps (i.e. coming over a hill) that you tend to see in Massachusetts.

What's the best price anyone's seen for one? (and from where).

Thanks!

lionsfan54

...the most recent test that has an "over the hill" portion used hand held radar guns. Since even the slightest difference in the angle of the gun can skew the results I would do some more research.

Most people will tell you that the directional arrows and rear facing antenna are amazingly helpful.

LosGatosS4

$0... V1 is better... *ducks and runs out the door to lunch* ;-)

ÅllroÅd :DFW

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Blue DevilS4

the 8500 has saved my *** probably dozen or so times in the last couple months (I just ordered it directly from Escort, $299). I know the V1 and it have comparable range and sensitivities so it comes down to what you want. I went with the 8500 b/c it's smaller/sleaker design and b/c it's like $100 less than the V1 (plus Mike Valentine just looks like a douche bag).
<img src="http://www.valentine1.com/images/mikehome.gif">

It definitely would be nice to have the directional arrows, but they're not necessary (more of a luxury item). Also the rear-facing pickup would be an extra security measure, but I find that I still get a good read from the deflected beams. IMHO, I don't think that these features were worth the extra $100, but it all depends on what you want.

My $.02

lionsfan54

...make no sense to me. You pass on the better detector (the vast majority of enthusiasts and magazines back me up) for two cosmetic reasons:

The detector isn't sleek and that the inventor looks dumb. Hmm, I hope that those two thoughts offer you some consolation as you are getting a ticket from a "rear-attack" that you thought was a low level front warning.

I always use this analogy. If you were pinned down and needed close air support would you want the A-10 warthog (ugly) or the F-16 (looks cool) helping you out?

wolfwagon

I went with the V1 3 years ago and have transplanted it between 3 cars. 88 911, 93 318is, and now 01 S4 Avant. The Bimmer's gone, but the V1 isn't. I have hard-wires, remote displays and visor mounts in the Porsche and Audi. Not busting on the 8500, but the V1 kicks butt. I usually stay at least 10 - 15 MPH over speed limit on highways and have been saved by this thing too many times to count. No tickets since I've had it. I also use good speeding judgement, like stay in the right lane if I'm in a stretch of road by myself and try not to pass on the right. I think Mike Valentine is just the kind of geeky looking guy I want doing engineering work for me. As long as he knows what he's doing, which he most certainly does in this case...

Blue DevilS4

but you should see that the real point I was driving at is that the extra features are not worth the extra $$$ to ME (sure I didn't list that first as a reason...sorry).

The rear pickup would be redundant for me - from my experience in Cali, the cops don't use radar on most the freeways around the Bay Area (they just pace you, so any detector is pretty useless around there), and where they do use them (interstates), they use Ka band (at least from my experience), so I lay off the gas any time I get a hit (even if it's a low-level one - call me paranoid). That's the same reason I don't NEED the directional arrows...I'm sure the V1 works great in telling me where to watch - but I don't really care about that (again, stressing, these are my opinions). So overall, these features aren't worth the money to me, and the design of the 8500 sealed the deal for ME (oh, and the jab at Mike Valentine was obviously a joke).

I did like ground support analogy - but I'll tell you what, if I was pinned down far behind enemy lines, I'd opt for the Falcon over the Warthog any day since it'll only take 1/3 the time to get there.

LosGatosS4

around the South Bay and I'm thankful for the rear detection and heads up that the arrows provide. It's saved me more times than I can count that way... especially at night.

$.02

Blue DevilS4

where? - I've seen em on 280 only...

I drove on 101 (SF to Marin) 95% of the time and saw a million cops, and never once did one have the radar on -unless it was on and the 8500 never picked it up - then it's a piece of **** :-)