I have the Bel RX65 and love it.

One thing I like about it is that I don't get a lot of false alerts, like others I've seen and tried.

Will consider getting the newer Escort 9500i.

I just installed my 8500 x50 blue using the hardwired install smart cord and love it.
I was going to mount it like Jedi's but found it was too low for me, being 6'2" I sit up high enough in the 8 that the detector just blocked too much view for me.
I used the suction mount bracket and placed it above and to the right of the mirror.
I ran the cord off of the cigarette lighter and mounted the mute button in the ash tray. It sits high, it's range is excellent, and now the rear facing laser detector is pretty much useless :)

I'll try to post some pics of the install tomorrow, just got back from a drive down to SoCal to evict some tenants who thought rent was optional.

up

I'm looking at both the Escort 8500 X50 and the 9500i. I don't mind paying more if it's justified. I'm sure the ticket I just got is going to cost more than the $150 difference. I'll find out tomorrow.

I like my Beltromics STI......it has been very reliable without the false signals other detectors put out. hmm, now if I could only afford an interceptor...:eyetwitch

yes do you think it would be possible to set up a valentine 1 group buy? i'm fairly new though so i dunno how that would work. i'm the loser who thought that cobra's were cool until i finally saw the light (well actually the red and blue lights in my rearview) :banghead:

Does anyone know how to tell the difference between the Valentine1 versions? I acquired one today and the serial number is gone. (I got it from a cop, traded him an ipod for it). He said it was version 1.7 but I don't know for sure

Yup. Check out:

http://valentine1.com/lab/MikesLabRpt3.asp

This page tells you how to get the unit to display its software version number and option setup. I have an early 1.8, and I believe the biggest difference between 1.7 and 1.8 - besides the shorter case - is the addition of POP detection. So just go down to the POP option further down that page and see if your software version supports it.

I'm not sure if Valentine will support or upgrade the unit w/o a serial, but at least this way you know where you stand.

It's been interesting reading all the post on the various radar detectors, so I though I would way in.

I'm in sales and generally drive around 40-50k miles per year and have been doing so for the past 25years. I've run radar detectors since the days of the "Fuzz Buster", which was great at detecting Xband. Unfortunately X band didn't last long. I then move to a couple of passports, then the early escorts, and finally on to the V1. I've been using this detector since they first came out. Sold the first early one because it could not be upgraded and bought a second one about 9 years ago and had it upgraded several years ago with the current software. About 2 years ago, I developed a random short in the device and sent it to Valentine for repair. They repaired it and sent it back to me at "NO" charge. This was a 9 year old detector. Talk about customer service!

I never drive the car with out it, I listen for the KA braaap, and watch the bogey counter for the direction of the attack. The only time I've been popped is when I've been the only car on the road and got hit by an instant on at night. Some times you are going to pay a little "Stupid Tax". For the past 6 years I have had no tickets and I know the V1 is responsible for my clean record.

I tell you all this because if you make your living on the road, your not concerned with the cost but in the performance. The V1 is a great piece of equipment. If I could find a better detector I would buy it and not blink. I just don't think I'll find one at Best Buy or Walmart.

For those of you who drive fast in the city, you're just asking for a problem, with or without a detector. For those of you who expect the best performance you can find, do your research. The webb is a wonderfull tool.

Oh, and I'm not on Valentines payroll either.

Cheers,

Z10