Escort 8500, Bel RX65 and Valentine V1

[strsout]

I'm try to educate my self with radar detectors and after researching web sites like

http://www.radarbusters.com/
http://www.speedzones.com/

Looks like the Escort 8500 and the Bell RX65 are much better then Valentine V1.
But on this forum here, looks like the majority likes Valentine V1.

Why this? is the Valentine better for motorcycles? (those web sites always test it on cars, not motorcycles).

Which one do you prefer and why?

[meese]

Most studies I've seen place the 8500 and V1 at pretty much the same level. I don't know much about the RX65.

I like my V1 because it gives directional information. Knowing whether a source is in front or behind you can be extremely useful.

Also, the V1 is only sold through the manufacturer, whereas the other units can be bought a lot of places. I'm not saying the websites you mentioned are directly affiliated with the resellers, but it does raise some questions.

If money isn't a concern, then there are some things to be said for the fully integrated (hidden) detectors, some of which can be fitted with laser jammers. But while laser jammers aren't Federally restricted, certain states do limit their use.

[motorhead]

:D FWIW ... my 8500 X50 works great !! ... But then again the directional hit display of a valentine unit is pretty damm cool ;)

I was $$$ shocked when shopping for these high end units and convinced myself to stop at the $309.00 price and save a $100 that a valentine would have cost me. ( + cost of paying for an external output mod so audio could be run into my comm :eek: )

Scott

[strsout]

Scott,
Can you please elaborete your tought?
You are saying that with Valentines I cannot plug direclty to my BMW Comm 2?
and with the 8500 I can?

I would like a unite that I can use on the bike and on the car with minimal eforth.

[RaffyK]

You can with the V1. You have to send it to J&M and have them modify the unit. they will have a pigtail that you connect to the Comm System wiring.

[Texas42]

Yes you can plug the 8500 directly in however I had to add a ground loop isolater from escort ($24.95 ) and the direct wire kit ($10.00) to connect it to my Starcom 1 Advanced. It works great, it has saved me numerous times, especially on those rides though small towns on the backroads, where you start to get on it a little too early leaving town. :)

I use it on both of my bikes and in my car.

[meese]

The V1 does not have a headphone output jack. You have to buy their Remote Audio Adapter box for $49 that allows you to plug in a wire that goes to your intercom. J&M can also modify the V1 to add a headphone connection that works with their ComSystem (as installed on the LT).

[CriticalMass]

I'm try to educate my self with radar detectors and after researching web sites like

http://www.radarbusters.com/
http://www.speedzones.com/

Looks like the Escort 8500 and the Bell RX65 are much better then Valentine V1.
But on this forum here, looks like the majority likes Valentine V1.

Why this? is the Valentine better for motorcycles? (those web sites always test it on cars, not motorcycles).

Which one do you prefer and why?Although I've enjoyed using V1s for years, I recently succumbed to the seductive advertising hype you find on those websites and decided to give the Escort 8500 a try. It was a mistake. The 8500 has many more falses, and it lacks the directional display the V1 has. The 8500 has been relegated to my motorhome, where rear signals can't be received anyway (no rear window), and I bought another V1 to use on my LT.

Reason those sites hype everything but the V1 and offer "test" results that show their products in a favorable light is because the V1 is sold factory-direct. They aren't going to report the best performance in a product they can't sell.

On the "audio-out" question, it's true the V1 doesn't have an audio jack, but that's an easy workaround. As someone already said, J&M will install a jack for you (for a price, I assume), or, just buy the $49 external controller from Valentine, and get remote control of power and volume, as well as both a 2.5mm and a 3.5mm audio out jacks. It's worth noting that the Escort 8500 has some issues (http://www.tesseractcorp.com/faq.htm#I%20am%20having%20issues%20with%20hearing%20the%20alerts%20from%20my%20Escort/Passport%208500%20or%20Solo%202...How%20do%20I%20correct%20this) with the "audio-out" it provides, acknowledged by Escort themselves, and they sell an accessory "ground isolator" needed in many installations (I had to do it on my Goldwing) just to get any audio out of its jack.

[motorhead]

Sounds like you got your anwser on the valentine audio out.

My Escort is hooked direct into my Baehr comm system & required NO ground loop isolator.
Only issue is that the audio output level at headphone jack was too loud with detectors volume at lowest setting. A radio Shack inline volume control fixed that for @ $6.95

The only false hits my 8500 gets are laser :confused: and typically out in the rural areas with nothing around ... Go figure :rolleyes:

[CriticalMass]

The only false hits my 8500 gets are laser and typically out in the rural areas with nothing aroundOh, jeez, my 8500 gets falses from every single store door opener and security system I pass. It's a real PITA.

[Keith]

Count me as a +1 for the Valentine. ABsolutly has saved my bacon numerous times. I've also gotten hits a 1/4 mile or more before my friends Escort... on more than one occasion.

The best feature for me is the directional indicator, that combined with being able to count MULTIPLE bogeys (second car hiding ahead) and being able to read TYPE of radar(dismiss door openers and banks) and follow the signal strength. I once had a trooper come at me from the front on the interstate, I watched the signal grow, saw him go by and then cranked back up my speed. However, the V-1 told me he was still back there and not getting weaker. He had U-turned in the median and would have got me from behind with out my trusty V-1 to tell me that.

Yes the V-1 costs more... the best always does! ;)


BTW, the founder of Valentine is also the founder of Escort. After the sale of Escort, as soon as his non-compete agreement expired, he started Valentine. Valentine IS second generation(read upgraded) Escort. This guy is driven to beat "da man".

[tmgs]

I'm try to educate my self with radar detectors and after researching web sites like

http://www.radarbusters.com/
http://www.speedzones.com/

Looks like the Escort 8500 and the Bell RX65 are much better then Valentine V1.
But on this forum here, looks like the majority likes Valentine V1.

Why this? is the Valentine better for motorcycles? (those web sites always test it on cars, not motorcycles).

Which one do you prefer and why?


The V-! has turned into a cult detector, also many like the directional arrows, personally I like the 8500 X-50 better, and I say this because I ride with a couple that have the V-1 my x-50 always picks up Ka K and laser way before the V-1 it has saved my arse several times on the highway mainly because once the other idiot drivers see a cop they all slam on the brakes with radar detector you know something is up and to prepare yourself.

it seems to pick up KA about 2 miles and further away, can drive you nuts cause you think it's freaking out or something then you see there is comes the LEO!

POP will drive you insane!! it could wake a dead horse!

now LET ME SAY THIS!
if you start using a radar detector, remember none of them are a magical thing that will tell you cops are there, they will ONLY work so good, get a cop right behind a big truck and and they will let you know there radar way too late

going over steep hills? well they will go off like a tornado warning siren, about the same time you and the cop hit the top of the hill a half mile apart!


GET USED to using a radar detector!

one thing I really like about mine, when coming into construction area that you are not familiar with, if they have those elec speed signs the k band will go off way before the speed zone preparing you to slow way in advance, before the insane cage drivers are all slammin on the brakes at the last second, it comes in handy on long days when you might not be as alert as you should be

[tmgs]

I'm try to educate my self with radar detectors and after researching web sites like

Looks like the Escort 8500 and the Bell RX65 are much better then Valentine V1.
But on this forum here, looks like the majority likes Valentine V1.

Why this? is the Valentine better for motorcycles? (those web sites always test it on cars, not motorcycles).

Which one do you prefer and why?

let me add this as well, I bought our x-50's at best buy and a exttended warrenty, I was headed to CCR and and it took a hard drop and thje lights quite working, I punched in best buy in my GPS and there was one about 40 miles up the road, walked in got a new unit and left with my radar detector !

that was great!

[tmgs]

Although I've enjoyed using V1s for years, I recently succumbed to the seductive advertising hype you find on those websites and decided to give the Escort 8500 a try. It was a mistake. The 8500 has many more falses, and it lacks the directional display the V1 has.


Not in my experience. iot seems they both have good amount of falses but the X-50 does not miss a radar gun as much as the V-1 , I say this because of my expoerience riding with some that have the V-1 I'[m backed off way before they are they got the tickets <G>


On the "audio-out" question, it's true the V1 doesn't have an audio jack, but that's an easy workaround. As someone already said, J&M will install a jack for you (for a price, I assume), or, just buy the $49 external controller from Valentine, and get remote control of power and volume, as well as both a 2.5mm and a 3.5mm audio out jacks. It's worth noting that the Escort 8500 has some issues (http://www.tesseractcorp.com/faq.htm#I%20am%20having%20issues%20with%20hearing%20the%20alerts%20from%20my%20Escort/Passport%208500%20or%20Solo%202...How%20do%20I%20correct%20this) with the "audio-out" it provides, acknowledged by Escort themselves, and they sell an accessory "ground isolator" needed in many installations (I had to do it on my Goldwing) just to get any audio out of its jack.

both need a ground loop isolator v-1 happens to be made in the 49 buck audio remote, one thing I really like about hte V-1 is the remote lights!

[tmgs]

Yes you can plug the 8500 directly in however I had to add a ground loop isolater from escort ($24.95 ) and the direct wire kit ($10.00) to connect it to my Starcom 1 Advanced. It works great, it has saved me numerous times, especially on those rides though small towns on the backroads, where you start to get on it a little too early leaving town. :)

I use it on both of my bikes and in my car.

BTW you can get the ground loop isolator from other places aswell for less, if I can fiund the info I will post it

[bruce2000ltc]

Most studies I've seen place the 8500 and V1 at pretty much the same level. I don't know much about the RX65.
Beltronics was bought out by Escort so the Bel Pro RX65 is essentially the same as the Escort 8500 X50. It has performed better in some tests and offers more features. These being: recognizes European radar, has voice alerts (tells you what kind of radar is alerting) and has a voltmeter built in.
I have mine wired into my Voice II and it work well with no ground loop problems. I choose the Bel because of the test results and the voltmeter.
As far as performance I have experienced few false alerts and it has already paid for itself by saving me many tickets.

You can't go wrong by choosing the Escort 8500 X50, Valentine V1 or the Bel Pro RX65.

Bruce Hodges

[CriticalMass]

both need a ground loop isolatorNope. V-1 doesn't. If you had to install one, you have some type of issue in your installation.

[tmgs]

Nope. V-1 doesn't. If you had to install one, you have some type of issue in your installation.


I was thinking of the isolation cable for the garmin unit i had to buy, oops