Let's settle this.....

So many of you have claimed the V1 is superior. I have a Passport 8500 still in the box, I bought it 4 days ago and now wonder if I should have bought the V1. Problem is that I haven't seen anyone comment on either with experience comparing them against one another. The V1 ads and even the site refer to a compairison in which V1 smashed the 8500, too bad the test was done in Feb of 2002! The people selling Passport all rave about it and claim the newest model is much approved and beat the V1. Who to belive?

 

All the people that I know that have V1's, would never go to anything else. These are people with Ferrari's, Porsche's, etc.... Anyway, they claim the V1 has saved them big $$$ in tickets.

If I were to buy one, I would get the V1.

 

Unless the laws of physics have been changed in the past year, I would suggest the V1 and not worry about the validity of a year old comparison test. Both are good detectors and neither of them will save you from an instant-on or laser detector, but they will scare the crap out of you as they alert you that you will soon be seeing flashing lights in the rear-view mirror (ask me about my $329 speeding ticket in Kansas)

Unfortunately, radar detectors, regardless of their high quality, are really becoming a thing of the past now that the instant-on and laser guns have become more prevalent. Used to be that you could put the V1 on the dash and let it warn you well in advance of upcoming radar traps. Now, I still use my V1, but do not consider it a perfect suit of radar-proof armor.

Like m3ster said, whenever I see a really nice Porsche or similar expensive sports car, I only see V1's on the dash.

If I were to spend the money today, I would look into the best sort of radar/laser jammer I could find, because passive detection is nearly worthless against the instant-on guns being used today.

 

The main thing I learned from rich people with fast cars is that they only will use the V1 for the rest of their lifes. I talked to ~30-40 people at the Dallas stop of the Gumball 3000 in 2001. They all said how they all use the V1 with the Blinder M10 lazer jammer. Most of the guys with the passport8500 got rid of it after only a day of driving and getting signals WAY later then the people with the V1....hope this helps.
-yeagy

 

Yes I have Porsches and Jags and a V1. It stays in the MCS. Check out their web site. Did you know that V1 have an update/refurbish programs for every V1 ever sold. It makes long term ownership mush less costly in the long run when you start replacing the detector every 3-4 years. But hey the 8500 is a fine machine; I just have found the V1 a better product in the long run. I've had one since my wife was clocked at 140+ MPH on I75 in the 928. V1 have never let us down except once in Ga. (instant on laser on I75) I was doing 80 and being passed. He turned it on for the first time that day Iand I was the lucky target. 80 on I75 S off Atlanta is bull #$%#. The traffic usually runs 85-90. Oh well.

Motor on

 

3 Things!

1. The V1 scans from the front AND the rear AND the sides mostly.
2. THE ARROWS!!! You always know where the radar is coming from so you know where to look.
3. THE REMOTE DISPLAY!!! It's a little display you can mount anywhere and it turns off the main unit's display so people behind you don't know you are using a radar detector.

These three things make the V1 superior. Hands down.

 

The Valentine is the best! In the direction book, it says that you have to use it wisely. It has incredible range and also counts how many sources and where they are. Nothing will help w/ laser, but it gives a good warning for it. The trick is really paying attention to what it's telling you is ahead, behind, or to the sides.

Some guy stopped me at a do-it-yourself car wash and asked if I wanted to buy a Passport @ 1/2 price. I told him I have a Valentine and he walked away. He didn't even try and argue with me. Another guy did the same thing at a stop light.

Happy shopping! ( http://www.valentine1.com/home.asp )

 

Since I have 4 cars, I have 4 detectors (8500, solo, & two V-1s). The other day, I placed 8500 side by side with the V-1 and yup, V-1 detected the signal before 8500 over 90% of the time. The only feature on 8500 that I wish V-1 has is auto mute, which can be troublesome hitting that mute botton every few seconds in the city. I do love the arrowns on V-1.

V-1 is my choice!!! :smile:

 

I now have a V1 and had the Passport 8500. I think performance is very similar. The big advantages are:

1. Directional Arrows ^<>
2. "bogie" count
3. larger rear detector

It also comes with a straight cable, and wiring kit for direct wiring. The Passport performed very well and I loved it till the day it was taken from me. If you are good with the more "normal" detector functinality the Passport will suit you fine.

 

NAM has multiple threads on radar / laser detectors. The majority of those of us who seriously use one on a daily basis seem to prefer the V-1. I swear by mine. In four years of use, I've been nailed a total of 0 times. Detector use must be combined with intelligent defensive driving techniques, and this is especially true of laser patrols, but if you want the best protection out there, get the V-1.

 

I know this is sort of off topic, but how many times did you get nailed before the V-1 MGCMAN? The reason I'm asking is because I was thinking about getting the V1 as well, just saving up the requisite 400 bucks for it. But I always drive 10-20 over, depending on traffic situations, and have yet to get stopped without a radar detector in the past 11 years. I'm pretty alert when driving, and always look ahead to see the traffic situation. Often there will be one really fast and crazy driver doing 30+ over the limit, and I'll let him take the fall before I do. The other thing I noticed is that radar is SHEIT in traffic. And you're driving the smallest production car sold in America (if you're driving your MINI). If you're passing a big rig, the radar gun is going to get the rig before it gets you. The odds of you getting nailed in traffic is slim if you're in the pack. And laser won't work either on you unless you're at the front of the pack.

Just my two rational cents. I'll still pick up a V1 eventually, just because I like to know where cops may be if they're still hiding behind a bush or two. :smile:

 

I would read reviews testing at:

http://www.rader-detector.com

 

KerMini

sorry the link above was wrong..... I would check

http://www.rader-detectors.com

for reviews.

 

It has been well known for YEARS that radartest.com is bais against the V1. I think the V1 site says something about it.....

 

>>Let's settle this.....
>>
>>So many of you have claimed the V1 is superior. I have a Passport 8500 still in the box, I bought it 4 days ago and now wonder if I should have bought the V1. Problem is that I haven't seen anyone comment on either with experience comparing them against one another. The V1 ads and even the site refer to a compairison in which V1 smashed the 8500, too bad the test was done in Feb of 2002! The people selling Passport all rave about it and claim the newest model is much approved and beat the V1. Who to belive?

Really, the V1 is an asset, but like all detectors, if the cop's got instant-on radar and you're on some desolate highway somewhere (or he's got laser and knows how to use it), you're dead. Happened to me, even w/a V1.

Find a rabbit to follow, or go about 10 over. Otherwise prepare to get jacked during insurance time.

 

>>I know this is sort of off topic, but how many times did you get nailed before the V-1 MGCMAN? The reason I'm asking is because I was thinking about getting the V1 as well, just saving up the requisite 400 bucks for it. But I always drive 10-20 over, depending on traffic situations, and have yet to get stopped without a radar detector in the past 11 years. I'm pretty alert when driving, and always look ahead to see the traffic situation. Often there will be one really fast and crazy driver doing 30+ over the limit, and I'll let him take the fall before I do. The other thing I noticed is that radar is SHEIT in traffic. And you're driving the smallest production car sold in America (if you're driving your MINI). If you're passing a big rig, the radar gun is going to get the rig before it gets you. The odds of you getting nailed in traffic is slim if you're in the pack. And laser won't work either on you unless you're at the front of the pack.
>>
>>Just my two rational cents. I'll still pick up a V1 eventually, just because I like to know where cops may be if they're still hiding behind a bush or two. :smile:


My driving style is similar to yours, generally I drive 10 - 15 over the limit, conditions allowing, or at about the 95% rate (only 5% of the folks out there would pass me on a regular basis). In the US, prior to getting the V-1, I received two speeding citations in 6 years of driving there. (I lived abroad for a number of years, the US figure is an aggregate spread over a longer calendar period.) Remember, economically, the fine for speeding is usually supplemented by a healthy increase in insurance premiums.


p.s. check out http://www.speedzones.com/ for good test results on many detectors.
_________________
BLUBELLE - 2003 MCS IB /W Premium, Sport, Cold pkgs, Lapis blue interior, Magnecor wires, Alta Pulley, Moss Skid Plate, Chrome Trim Interior

 

Hey MarkC

You mean www.radar-detectors.com, right? :smile:

 

That was an informative reading and the most updated review. Thanks, MGCmen!

My personal experience concurs with their test result! :smile:

 

Becuase Speedzones.com doesn't sell detectors, their result "might" not be as bias as radar-detectors.com, who sells 8500 but not V-1. Hmmm!!!

 

>> I talked to ~30-40 people at the Dallas stop of the Gumball 3000 in 2001. They all said how they all use the V1 with the Blinder M10 lazer jammer. >>-yeagy

The jammer equipment is what really has caught my interest. I didn't know it existed until I started looking for a detector. (Previous to getting my MINI 10 days ago my daily driver has been an 88 Jeep Grandwagoneer, = not much speeding!)

A couple of members of the local MINI club here in the Dallas area (metroplex MINI) spent the money on the SR7 remote unit and the remote "Laser" shifter. $1600 installed is a bit rich for me though.

How does the Blinder work? Is it remote mounted (bumpers?), can it be DIY mounted, who sells it, and finally, how much is it

 

I'm also interested in the Blinder. So I started a
thread regarding laser jammer.

Bliner M20 retails over $300, I believe. I've seen it for sale on ebay for $280.

 

I love my V1. The 3 points that were previously pointed out were the key for me. It makes it far superior, even if as a detector the others are as good.

I would like to learn about jammers, I don't think most work, but would definitely be interested if someone could convince me my belief is wrong.

jc

 

Thread Moved from MINI Talk to:

(thinks for a second... off topic? interior/exterior mods? ... ah HA!)

Moved to Performance Mods

 

Sure are alot of V1 fans here!

I read all the reviews and bought a Bell 985 ($200) when I got my MCS and it has given me excessive warning over the last 10,000 miles. I drive 15 over everywhere.

No tickets.....where is that wood?