Radar: Valentine 1 or Escort Passport 8500 X50
05-15-2005, 07:46 PM
#1
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Join Date: Apr 2005
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Posts: 20
Radar: Valentine 1 or Escort Passport 8500 X50
I'm making a 1500 mile trip over Memorial Day weekend and want to buy my first radar detector before this trip. Being a holiday weekend, i'm sure speed traps will be out there. But, I'm short on time.
I was ready to order a Valentine 1 at $400 until I just read this:
At RadarTest.com, reviewer Craig Peterson also notes the Valentine's inability to spot POP modes, "the competition has clearly passed by," writes Peterson. Motor Trend confirms, "its level of user-friendliness, overall protection and value falls just a bit short."
Rather than the Valentine One, reviewers now rank two models consistently on top: the Escort Passport 8500 X50 (*est. $300) and Bel Pro RX65 (*est. $330).
Now, I'm not sure. Help PLEASE. I need to order ASAP. I appreciate your thoughts on this. Thank you
I was ready to order a Valentine 1 at $400 until I just read this:
At RadarTest.com, reviewer Craig Peterson also notes the Valentine's inability to spot POP modes, "the competition has clearly passed by," writes Peterson. Motor Trend confirms, "its level of user-friendliness, overall protection and value falls just a bit short."
Rather than the Valentine One, reviewers now rank two models consistently on top: the Escort Passport 8500 X50 (*est. $300) and Bel Pro RX65 (*est. $330).
Now, I'm not sure. Help PLEASE. I need to order ASAP. I appreciate your thoughts on this. Thank you
05-15-2005, 07:55 PM
#2
I ♥ Acer
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Texas
Posts: 3,225
RE: Radar: Valentine 1 or Escort Passport 8500 X50
This is going to be one of those debates that each person is going to say what they have ( or intend on buying ) is the best. Kind of like discussing a computer mouse. What I have is the best, and what someone else uses isn't. Sorry to say that, but it is true.
For example, there was another radar comparison site ( don't remember the URL ) but they did testing on 6 units over $200 and 6 units under $200. After reading through that, I decided to buy the PNI 7500 Silver Bullett. Why, because it had better instant on detection that some of the high dollar units, it had greater Ku distance than all of the high dollar units, and it only costs me $99. Sure, it doesn't have a compass in it. You're right, it doesn't have a little LED arrow to point toward the direction of the radar. But in their real world comparisons it placed every bit as good as something that costs 4 times the amount. Do I think it is better than a Valentine, can't say, never owned one. But dollar for dollar according to their tests it performed just as well.
My best advice to you is to go with your gut feeling and purchase the one you think you want the most.
Editing because I found the link I was referring to
Speed Zone Radar Comparison
For example, there was another radar comparison site ( don't remember the URL ) but they did testing on 6 units over $200 and 6 units under $200. After reading through that, I decided to buy the PNI 7500 Silver Bullett. Why, because it had better instant on detection that some of the high dollar units, it had greater Ku distance than all of the high dollar units, and it only costs me $99. Sure, it doesn't have a compass in it. You're right, it doesn't have a little LED arrow to point toward the direction of the radar. But in their real world comparisons it placed every bit as good as something that costs 4 times the amount. Do I think it is better than a Valentine, can't say, never owned one. But dollar for dollar according to their tests it performed just as well.
My best advice to you is to go with your gut feeling and purchase the one you think you want the most.
Editing because I found the link I was referring to
Speed Zone Radar Comparison
05-16-2005, 03:10 AM
#5
1st Gear Member
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Native Texan
Posts: 72
RE: Radar: Valentine 1 or Escort Passport 8500 X50
Hawgman is right, it depends on what you want. I have the 8500 and swear by it. It has saved my butt more times than I can count. The biggest thing with Valentine is that they were the standard but havent come out with a Major release since the early 90's while Escort and BEL have been releasing new models. The Escort 8500 X50 and BEL RX-65 being the latest.
Here are links to several reviews. They also provide reviews for less expensive models.
http://www.consumersearch.com/www/au...s/reviews.html
Here are links to several reviews. They also provide reviews for less expensive models.
http://www.consumersearch.com/www/au...s/reviews.html
05-16-2005, 06:29 PM
#8
1st Gear Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location:
Posts: 125
RE: Radar: Valentine 1 or Escort Passport 8500 X50
anyone else have any experience with the PNI 7500; I also saw some good comments on the web and am considering it as well.
ORIGINAL: hawgman
This is going to be one of those debates that each person is going to say what they have ( or intend on buying ) is the best. Kind of like discussing a computer mouse. What I have is the best, and what someone else uses isn't. Sorry to say that, but it is true.
For example, there was another radar comparison site ( don't remember the URL ) but they did testing on 6 units over $200 and 6 units under $200. After reading through that, I decided to buy the PNI 7500 Silver Bullett. Why, because it had better instant on detection that some of the high dollar units, it had greater Ku distance than all of the high dollar units, and it only costs me $99. Sure, it doesn't have a compass in it. You're right, it doesn't have a little LED arrow to point toward the direction of the radar. But in their real world comparisons it placed every bit as good as something that costs 4 times the amount. Do I think it is better than a Valentine, can't say, never owned one. But dollar for dollar according to their tests it performed just as well.
My best advice to you is to go with your gut feeling and purchase the one you think you want the most.
Editing because I found the link I was referring to
Speed Zone Radar Comparison
This is going to be one of those debates that each person is going to say what they have ( or intend on buying ) is the best. Kind of like discussing a computer mouse. What I have is the best, and what someone else uses isn't. Sorry to say that, but it is true.
For example, there was another radar comparison site ( don't remember the URL ) but they did testing on 6 units over $200 and 6 units under $200. After reading through that, I decided to buy the PNI 7500 Silver Bullett. Why, because it had better instant on detection that some of the high dollar units, it had greater Ku distance than all of the high dollar units, and it only costs me $99. Sure, it doesn't have a compass in it. You're right, it doesn't have a little LED arrow to point toward the direction of the radar. But in their real world comparisons it placed every bit as good as something that costs 4 times the amount. Do I think it is better than a Valentine, can't say, never owned one. But dollar for dollar according to their tests it performed just as well.
My best advice to you is to go with your gut feeling and purchase the one you think you want the most.
Editing because I found the link I was referring to
Speed Zone Radar Comparison
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