Escort Max2 or Valentine1?

[Hashmatt]

I know these are going to quickly be outdated but I have a buddy that has both and looking to get rid of one. He says he likes both for different reasons and from everything I've read, I'm leaning towards the Escort but I'd be interested to see what some of you other members on here think. Picking up my car August 18th... so close now I can taste it!

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[THX 138]

I've had V1's since the early 2000's, and the directional arrows and bogey counters have saved me from countless tickets in the past. That said, I have one that's only a couple years old sitting in my garage right now that I just don't even bother using anymore. It's useless on the interstate, since there are just too many vehicles these days with integrated devices that set off the radar sensors (radar-controlled cruise control, "crash imminent" detectors, etc.). Took a 4-day trip to the Ozarks last fall and finally just turned the V1 off, because it was constantly giving alerts, even in the least sensitive mode. I'd be surprised if the Escort would fare any better.

 

[zombiekiller]

I've had V1's since the early 2000's, and the directional arrows and bogey counters have saved me from countless tickets in the past. That said, I have one that's only a couple years old sitting in my garage right now that I just don't even bother using anymore. It's useless on the interstate, since there are just too many vehicles these days with integrated devices that set off the radar sensors (radar-controlled cruise control, "crash imminent" detectors, etc.). Took a 4-day trip to the Ozarks last fall and finally just turned the V1 off, because it was constantly giving alerts, even in the least sensitive mode. I'd be surprised if the Escort would fare any better.

you do realize that there are new junk blocker filters right? you can send that old v1 and for $100 have it updated.

That being said, here's how i look at it.

I have an updated v1 and an escort max 360.

Tickets with the V1: 0

Tickets with the max360: 2

The max 360, even though it has a laser sensor, does not pick up laser at all. I had a cop buddy point his dragoneye right at it from 5 feet away. NOTHING.
The V1 will pick up on people ahead of you getting zapped about 1/2 mile away.

The max360 seems like it could be awesome, but it doesnt do the greatest job.

my setup now is Run the v1 and escort 360 on my passenger visor. I set the escort to highway. I also have a 4 sensor ALP rig.

Between the jammer and both noise machines, I 've avoided quite a few Tx cops when making the brisk drive from lake charles to houston.

 

[mdmoore23]

I've had V1's since the early 2000's, and the directional arrows and bogey counters have saved me from countless tickets in the past. That said, I have one that's only a couple years old sitting in my garage right now that I just don't even bother using anymore. It's useless on the interstate, since there are just too many vehicles these days with integrated devices that set off the radar sensors (radar-controlled cruise control, "crash imminent" detectors, etc.). Took a 4-day trip to the Ozarks last fall and finally just turned the V1 off, because it was constantly giving alerts, even in the least sensitive mode. I'd be surprised if the Escort would fare any better.

Not sure about all, but I have an Escort Redline and I can disable all the radar frequencies that law enforcement doesn't use (they only use a few to check speed). I get hardly any false alerts now, but got a ton before I disabled all those crowded bands.

 

[GrabberBlue]

Valentine One. There is a reason they have had only one unit all these years because they work. They upgrade the internals every so often, just send it in and get the latest tech. PHX to SD road trips I have picked CHP miles out. Valentine has a ton of great accessories, relocation display, Smart Phone connection, speed sensitive alerts. You can't go wrong with a V1.

 

[Hashmatt]

I forgot to actually add that the V1 was just recently updated a few months back...

 

[Spa2k]

you do realize that there are new junk blocker filters right? you can send that old v1 and for $100 have it updated.

I had my V1 updated, and it absolutely does not filter out the radar-controlled anti-collision, auto-braking and "intelligent" cruise controls. Infinitis seem to be the worst offenders, but next year when just about every car has these systems, the V1 will be pretty much useless unless you're alone on the road - and the other manufacturers' units will be just as worthless. Radar-based systems aren't the only issue; a lot of them use laser, too, which the V1 easily detects. (Just ask the driver of any Volvo product.)

What we need is the next Mike Valentine to come along and save us with arrows and super filters in a V2. Until then, the Waze app will be part of my arsenal against the anti-destination league.

I love my V1, but it just hasn't kept up with today's technologies.

 

[stanglife]

I've had a V1 before and liked it..... That said, if you're an iPhone user, afaik, there is no good way to block regular false positives and such - as the preferred app is only on Android. Is that still true? Also, the thing I don't like about the V1 is that to do any of that cool speed-sensitive stuff, remote display...seems to require a few different pieces linked together with cables = messy. Can an experienced user chime in?

 

[Kurac]

Interesting. Do the new detectors filter out the new car based radar controlled cruise control?
I had a V1 years ago and just loved it before a piece of shit pried my frameless window open on my Gen4 Z28, unlocked my door, and snagged my beloved V1.

 

[dgc333]

Everytime I read a review of detectors the Valentine 1 always gets knocked for not being good at filtering out false signals, seems to be at or near the top for everything else.

I have been using detectors continuously since the mid 70s and have never gotten a ticket from radar. I have always had mid priced Whistler Detectors but they don't do a good job filtering false signals and it was getting to the point I was going to stop using them.

I wound up getting the current generation Passport. I turned off X band and have the rest of the filters on. I seldom get a false and almost none of the lane intrusion or adaptive cruise systems bother it.

 

[jonesd]

Escort actually just released a new detector this week called the escort ix. One of its key selling points I noticed was this:

"Significantly more advanced K-band filtering to radar-based automotive collision avoidance systems so prevalent today"

Thinking about getting it and trying out their 30 day money back guarantee.

 

[Mike02z]

V1 for me for the last 15 years. It's been upgraded 4 times, the most recent update cured my issues with blind spot mirrors has saved my thousands on tickets. I now use V1 connect and Waze for total situation awareness.

 

[Old Car Guy]

I just received a new Escort 9500ix but do not have it mounted in my 350 yet, was waiting on BlendMount Radar Detector Mirror Mount for my car just recived it Thursday. So I just can not give any info on the Escort 9500ix but looking forward to geting it hooked up in the 350. :ford: :cheers:

 

[Doctor Fishtail]

Redline. Love it. Best on the market. I watched independent tests on this detector. Range is ridiculous.

 

[XKRJAG]

Depends on the version, your experience and where you're going to use it. The Max 2 is a good detector, and is great for those not used to a "chatty" detector. It can autolearn and lock out falses on your repeat drives. That said despite all the "digital filtering" that Escort has in the Max series, its still bad about blind spot systems, so it will still false. Also remember this unit has the camera database in it so as long as you update it (have to buy subscription), it has that advantage.

The V1 depends on version first, http://www.rdforum.org/showthread.php?t=7830 Later ones have some pretty good filtering (not flawless, but good). Look into the YaV1 app if you go this route. The V1 is good, but you need to spend some time learning the settings to make it good, adjusting filtering and settings isn't as easy as the Max, but has more things you can do. Arrows are an obvious advantage for the V1.

I own a V1, Max2, Redline, Radenso and several older Escorts. My wife runs the Max 2 as she likes the autolearn and display on it. I usually have the Radenso in my Mustang, it's range is great, filtering is better than the rest and still has the camera database (but I have some concerns about its database being as good as Escorts). That said I'd throw in the Redline if I were going out to do something stupid, its very chatty, but i just trust it for extreme range more than anything else. Honestly I haven't had the V1 out in a year, I just don't use it much.

http://www.rdforum.org/showthread.php?t=47170

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