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Originally Posted by kgalvin131  i guess wat i want to know is most common things about the v1 from its users....and wat makes it better than the 9500i |
Good question and like you, I too have always been an Escort guy.
I do not have/own/or have run a 9500, so I dont know it's real world performance. The GPS feature is nice, but it kinda turned me off as I dont need all that in a detector (K.I.S.S.).
The V1 in my opinion is very much like the old school CMI Escort in detection range. Remember the hootin and hollerin of how far out a CMI Escort would sniff out the fuzz?? That's how the V1 performs to all of todays threats.
I bought one last year and it's the latest version.. 3. whatever... and to be honest.. it's really not all that chatty as I've heard most folks say it is.. so I'm assuming the latest version might be the way to go v.s. say... an older version V1... but I'm not that picky or technically anal to care... all I know is I have the latest and it's no more talkative than my 8500 unleaded. If there's radar a-foot... V1 will let you know and usually at a very respectable distance.
I use my V1 as a hwy detector. 2 lane rural and 4 lane divided hwy type driving.
The one thing that I've come to like, are the radar direction arrows. Some folks say you get "zombied" by having or looking at these.. but I will tell you, they are nice and give a 3D element to radar detection.
My X-50 or 8500 will beep/brap... but that's it. I dont know what direction the radar is coming from until I can visually verify. With the V1, if it beeps/braps and gives you a Ka band warning and the arrow points rear... then ol' smokey is behind you... so you know he's behind you. It really is a nice feature.
Things I like about the V1
upgradeable without having to purchase a new model
seperate signal strength/band detection/directional arrow alert indicators
Good volume and a preset level for muted alert function when you press the mute. You can adjust the muted volume to your liking/envoirnment!!
Works perfect when the kids and wife are
in on night trips... I can adjust the muted level to fit the quiet envoirnment, but still have it so it wont wake them up.
I like the options of remote mounting and adustable remote audio control mounting. My opinion is, the V1 comes with a good windshield mount and visor mount and robust power/lighter adaptor. Coupled with the optional remote mount display.. gives you a ton of different mounting options and helps you be that much more discrete in mounting it.
Some say the unit is "bulky" - ugly... whatever... I was shocked at just how small the unit really is!!! Ugly?? I guess that's opinion... I never known Johny Cash to wear anything other than black!!
Black works!!
(see my V1 on the bottom left compared to the others I have - not that big!)
Great support if needed from V1, solid built piece of gear - though my on/off knob doesnt have that old Escort type feel... I personally love the V1's old school feel/look.
LOVE the detection range on the Hwy.. it really does blow away the X-50/and unleaded 8500 ( I run all 3 and own all 3), on the Hwy.. V1's on the windshield, I'll pull out the Escort if runnin around in town as they seem to be less sensitive in the city enviornment. (see my radar real world report from my recent Fla vacation trip:
http://www.radarreviews.net/forums/v...ound-trip.html <- link)
Things I dont like about the V1:
ALL RED LED alert display!!!! at night it's as confusing as tryin to figure out which of my kids stuffed the chocolate bar down the back seat!... There are folks that make the mod of changing the color LED's on the display and I "highly" recommend it!!! Would be the right thing for Valentine to do... loose the ALL RED!!
Off axis performance doesnt seem to be on par with the X-50 leaded/8500 unleaded. More cardioid in pattern vs. omni directional. Once lined up to a certain point though.. will detect as expected, but 90 to 45 degree angles in "my exerience" arent the V1's specialty.
Would be nice for $399 for the V1 to at least come with the protective carry case...
Anyway,, I'm no expert.. just someone that's always had radar detectors, I like collecting old Escorts and I'm a enthusiast like most folks here. I'm not that technical and to be honest could care less what 3.4560 KA super narrow wide giga frequency thing-a-ma-jig alerts at 4.30Alpha Backer Tango miles... I just want somethin that works, doesnt need a whole lot of input from me and I can turn it on and go. The V1 fits my pre-resiquite just fine and works pretty damn good!