it is an excellent RD. i compared it to the other very good one, the V1. the V1 designer used to work for escort. people do not realize one very important factor with the 8500. if you put it beside a valentine or really most RD's the performance will be dismal. this is how most amateurs compare these two models.
the DSP in the 8500 will desensitize the unit if it is in close proximity to another RD. this is to negate falses. the V1 does not do this. obviously this means that if you have both of them on side by side on the windshield the v1 will be much better than the escort. the v1 uses two antennas (one in front(the unit) and one in the rear of the vehicle). this means that even though there is interference with the two units the v1 will perform better when it is mounted close to another RD. the v1 falses all the time which annoyed me. the 8500 has never falsed and it has never let me down. even LASER worked very well and yes, i have been hit a few times with laser, but the guy in front of me got the ticket .
both are good units. the directional arrows on the v1 are good but i have never had a problem finding a radar source with my escort. the bargraph works just as well IMO. if you are approaching the radar it gets stronger and if your moving away from the radar source the graph shows the strength weakening. if your driving in the vicinity of a radar at the the same speed then who cares where the cop is? if you speed you will get caught.
this is a tidbit that some of you might be interested in. i had metallized tint in my M3 and the escort was much more sensitive than the radar units being used by the Police, so IMO this is not a big deal for most installs.
Flip a coin. I currently use the 8500 (gotta love paying $180) and I haven't had a single problem. My pops uses the Valentine1 and the same can be said -- although I paid far too much when I bought it for him.
ive owned 3 or 4 radar detecters. however last xmas my girl bought me a escort x50 and ive never been happier with a detecter. less false alarms and a super long K/KA range.
I own both a V1 and a 8500. I just sold my older 8500 because a local shop was blowing out the X50 models for $199 each, I got $180 for my old 8500 on eBay.
I wouldn't hesitate to buy a used 8500 off eBay, they are built very well, and will last forever. I bought one for a friend off eBay that was scratched up pretty bad, and was in pretty rough shape for $80. We got it, and it works perfectly.
As far as the whole V1 vs. 8500, I think they are pretty equal, the arrows are neat, but I think they are more of a novelty item. Cops can clock you from behind or from the side with the newer radar guns, I have a few friends that are police officers, so we talk about radar all the time.
They have the new POP guns and laser around here, so detectors are becoming less useful. By the time the detector goes off, you already have been clocked.
i got people telling me that radar detectors are illegal in NY but sites claim its only illegal in two places only/canada, they told me that cops will just take it from u...? how can they take it from u when its not illegal
If you're worried about legalities, just stash it somewhere the cops wont see it. Under the dash, in the glove box, in the center console, under a seat, etc...
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Originally Posted by cam2Xrunner
With a bangin sound system, Carputer with online connection, 1+ lateral G's, and a Twizler Dispenser. That's pimp right there.
how is it gonna work if its under the dash. radar doesnt go through metal. It is only illegal in Virginia and Washington DC. Virginia bans use and DC bans possessions altogether. It is illegal in some provinces of Canada except 3 or 4 i believe.
i got people telling me that radar detectors are illegal in NY but sites claim its only illegal in two places only/canada, they told me that cops will just take it from u...? how can they take it from u when its not illegal
I live in NY state...and it is legal, unless the vehicle is over 18,000 pounds (NYS V&T section 375 sub 34)....so just don't ride with fatchicks and you'll be ok
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does anyone know a price where i can it cheaper and opinions on it?
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