V1 vs Passport 8500 testing

[Solokron]

Hah. That is why you remove your front plate if you are mainly on a freeway with photo cameras. mwahaha.

Originally posted by ///PCH
Good idea stan, but those detectors are few and far between.. there are some photo radars around, but they usually give you a signal from a great distance.

It appears that with constant signals, getting stronger as you approach, the V1 picks them up much faster, but with immediate and short-term signals, the 8500 picks them up first.

I'm thinking that maybe the soft-logic in the 8500 keeps a new signal under wraps until it reaches a certain intensity. Ie its attempting to determine if its a false signal, etc. Whereas the V1 goes off on just about anything.

///PCH

[Stan]

>>>>when you first get the signal the tone is loud (especially when you have it turned on to max). After about 4 seconds it cuts the sound down to almost nill, just enough so you can still barely hear it. <<<<

Okay. The V1 can be set for 3,4,5,7,15,20,30 seconds auto mute, at least on some bands. And then it will unmute under some circumstances, which can be tweaked. And the rear originating signals can come up muted at all times. Some other stuff like meter sensitivity and so forth too.

http://www.valentine1.com/lab/MikesLabRpt3.asp

Stan

[///PCH]

Tomorrow night the V1 goes back to the owner.

Yesterday was a wash, not much happened.

This morning i drove by 5 crusiers and 1 moto but no radar was used.

I aso switched the positions back.. 8500 at the top and the V1 back in the middle.

I have to say that both detectors have tons of options, and about the only drastic difference is the arrows on the V1.

I "was" starting to feel that the V1 was not that superior to the 8500. Its constantly going off on tiny signals in all the bands while the 8500 remains nice and quiet, not bothering you with these misleading signals.

Then on the way home day (another 4 crusiers pasted) the V1 proved itself again.

I'm driving down a long downhill and i start getting 1-2 notch ticks in the Ka band on the V1. every few seconds.. tick tick...

the 8500 is silent.. but theres enough reoccuring signals that i decide to take it easy and see how the situation develops.

Finally at the base of the hill, on the other side of the road in the right shoulder is a cruiser giving a camero a ticket.

the ticks were getting louder as i passed, and the arrow started to point to the sides on the V1.

the 8500 was still silent, not going off once.

as i pass by the scene and get about 100 yards up.. the rear arrow lights up and thats when i really get a strong signal.. for the next 20seconds until i was around a bend!

the cop had the radar in standby mode.. but pointing back behind him.. hence the stronger signal when i past...

The 8500 never 1 lit up.

Now you can argue that it doesnt matter.. it was a low signal, and the threat was on the other side and then behind you... but thats a pretty weak arguement.

So the V1 is again leading.. i think 3-2 now. It has salvaged itself from being too sensitive and at times annoying/distracting....

Final drive is tomorrow unless bmw breaks his car.

///PCH

[Stan]

BTW, what is the software version of the V1 you're using? And what state are you driving in?

Stan

[Uber Mcoupe']

V1 best thing out there!! no contest, thinking about hard-wiring it in there, still not sure though

[///PCH]

hey there stan. im in SoCal. radar capital of the world it seems.

I'm not sure of the software version on the V1, i do know its only 9 months old give or take.


direct wiring is great.. free up your cig lighter and you have no damn cord in the way, and the detector is out of your line of sight.

as long as you keep the sensor below the uv tint and not smashed in a corner your good ta go.

///PCH

[///PCH]

well the V1 is gone now. I got to test it for about 10 days, and around 700+ miles.


I may get a chance some other day to do more testing, but i think overall it went well.

Nothing happened in the radar world today, so theres nothing left to add.

Overall, i feel the V1 was slightly better.

The V1 had faster detection, but at a cost. You get around any signal and its going to let you know about it, whereas the 8500 only allowed 5% of false/weak signals.

The arrows and multiple hit counter are very usefull features. The 8500 will also allow you to display all the bands at once, but i havent bothered with that setting yet. (Each have tons of options for all situations)

For the extra $100 for the V1, maybe its worth it, maybe its not.

Both are excellent, and I dont plan on selling my 8500 for the V1, just not enough of a difference.

Both come through when it counts, and thats the most important part.

///PCH

[mazenz]

excellent article!

[Tom///m3]

This is a good article. I have an 8500 and I am very happy with it, my only gripe is I wish it had arrows, thats all I ask, if the 8500 had the patented rear sensor and arrows it would be far superior. As it stands now I do believe the v1 has a slight edge, but the v1 is ugly and the band indicator sucks, it is just a led next to small white writing vs. the digital read out of the band and srength.

Tom

[jderry]

I used the BEL 985 and Passport 8500 (you can purchase them from most places and return within 30 days -- just keep everything). Like most people, $400 is a crapload to spend on a radar detector. IF you spend $400, it better be able to perform.

My review is that it performs excellently. I have v1.8 software which is the latest version. I believe if your detector is 9 months old it will have v1.7. I think the v1.8 is more sensitive to Ka and laser as well.

However, I think I might have to tune the K off as well. However, on the highway, the V1 rules. I pick up things a good 3-5 second away, where I start thinking WTF.... but then lo and behold, up ahead comes an unmarked car, or sitting off the side of the road.
I definitely think it's worth 4 bones...... I mean, some people are using even older versions than 1.7 - and they STILL have superior abilities over other detectors.

Don't get me wrong - the passport is a GREAT detector as well. But - if you are going to spend $300, spend the extra $100. If you already have the passport - tough call...I'd probably keep it as well....but, if you have another car, it's great to have. V1.8 is much better than v1.7 IMO...I have v1.7 in one vehicle, and v1.8 in the FAST vehicle.....I've caravaned with both my vehicles and I can pick out bogey's quicker....EVEN though my vehicle has tinted windows versus non-tinted on the other vehicle.

Purchase a new one from V1, even the v1.7 model still sells for around $350 on EBAY. I don't understand that logic, why save $50 - what's the difference spending $350 for a used version versus $399 for a new version.....

[Paddy Mack]

Originally posted by jderry
I don't understand that logic, why save $50 - what's the difference spending $350 for a used version versus $399 for a new version.....

Perhaps MikeDav can help us.....which English/US colonist said 'Penny wise pound foolish'?

[Mikedav]

Originally posted by Paddy Mack


Perhaps MikeDav can help us.....which English/US colonist said 'Penny wise pound foolish'?

Im ashamed...I have no idea! I did a unit in American History when I was in Canada too...