Radar Detector Guru's

[Scott4957]

Looking to buy used. I am eyeing the escort passport 8500x50, the 9500ix, the Valentine 1, 1.7 or 1.8. Any words of wisdom? I like that the 9500ix has GPS making it easy to lock out false signals. I live near St. Louis, last time I had a radar detector they were using mostly KA. I see a debate on the 1.7 vs 1.8 hardware, some say they prefer the 1.7 due to some issues with 1.8. I think only 1.8 does POP. Thoughts? Any other models I may want to consider?

Thanks,
Scott

 

[FoMoCoSHO]

I replaced my 8500 x50 with a Valentine one.

Multi bogey and directional arrows paint a much different threat picture than conventional detectors.

I'm pretty excited about this, pretty pricey though.


https://www.escortradar.com/max360/

 

[Scott4957]

Yeah the 360 has quite a price tag. What are your thoughts on the 8500x50 vs the V1? What version do you have?

 

[FoMoCoSHO]

V-1 is superior.

Multi bogey and directional tracking makes the 8500 obsolete IMHO, at least for me.

IDK which V-1 version I have, I got it for Christmas last year if that helps.

I should probably check for a firmware update.

 

[Scott4957]

Yeah you can plug in the serial number on their website and it will tell you the hardware and software version. Newest hardware is 1.85, then 1.8, 1.7 and 1.6

 

[Scott4957]

I will have to add the Escort passport Max to the list as well. The issue I have with the V1 is no GPS and all the false alerts.

 

[FoMoCoSHO]

I will have to add the Escort passport Max to the list as well. The issue I have with the V1 is no GPS and all the false alerts.

Yup, and it's very sensitive.

 

[66 Galaxie]

I've been happy with the 9500IX which offers a nice combination of GPS, multiple signal alerts, good anti falsing and I can update it with my computer at home.  The new 360 is next on my list if it ever has a reasonable price.

 

[BlueSHO]

I will have to add the Escort passport Max to the list as well. The issue I have with the V1 is no GPS and all the false alerts.

I have both the Max and a V1..Thinking of getting the Max 360 . I like the Max so much better I'm going to sell the V1..

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk

 

[FoMoCoSHO]

I will have to add the Escort passport Max to the list as well. The issue I have with the V1 is no GPS and all the false alerts.

I have both the Max and a V1..Thinking of getting the Max 360 . I like the Max so much better I'm going to sell the V1..

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk

I think I might sell mine as well...

 

[jtoddk98]

I got rid of my 9500ix for a max. It's great! I tried a friends v1, but it falsed way to much for me, especially when driving in the city.


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[Scott4957]

Did a bit more research, it has been 15 years since I had a radar detector. With my ham radio geekyness I grasp most of the concepts so I was happy to see that Escorts passport max, max2 and max360 all use DSP and I believe FFT's. This would put them in a class of their own and I can justify paying a bit more for the technology. They have basically turned these into SDR's "software defined radios" or in this case software defined receivers. This would also explain why it took about 5 years after Mike Valentines patent expiration for Escort to come out with the 360. My guess is they were focused on the DSP which is far more important then having a rear facing antenna.

As an SDR presumably using FFT's the receiver in these units would be able to see entire chunks of radio spectrum in a single glance, rather than scanning through a band much like a police scanner does. This means it has near instant detection, its POP performance has to be outstanding. You can replicate this with a simple PAL USB TV dongle and some free software. You can connect this to a PC and see the entire FM radio band at the same time streaming down a waterfall on your PC.

Another advantage of this is the DSP portion, they would be able to essentially fingerprint signals. I am sure that is how they get so few falses, they can easily tell the difference between a real radar signal and the blind spot detection sensors. This also allows them to attach GPS info to a known stationary false and block it forever. I borrowed a cheapo detector last year from a buddy for a "fast run" to Chicago and back. For 30 minutes I was slamming on the brakes and then speeding back up, turned out to be a Porsche who's blind spot detection was setting off the detector. 

Anyways, some might know this others likely don't. I just wanted to put it out there because its not documented very well, most publications and tests just call it magic in a box and don't talk much about the technology. If you are on the edge on what device to get like I was, $200ish for a used 9500ix vs $280ish for a used Max, hands down spend the extra money.

 

[chad1140]

I had an escort passport and went back to V1, maybe its because its what I am familiar with. No regrets

 

[Scott4957]

I was able to work a deal on a like new Max2 for $300. Should have it in a few days. I've always wanted a V1 but it would go nuts with false alerts where I drive. I will let you guys know my thoughts on the Max2.

 

[cror1]

I just cant believe they priced the new max 360 over 600, insane. I know I am not buying one for sure.

 

[ZSHO]

If your looking for a basic Radar detector with minimal false alerts and great performance would purchase a Passport 8500-X50,have mine for over two years now and has performed Excellent for the price.  Z

 

[Scott4957]

I agree ^^^

That is what I started looking at....then my need for geekyness overwhelmed me and I spent 3X what I would have on a used X50. Oh well, DSP rules and as long as we get firmware updates the new max line will be a top performer for many years to come. Now i need to start saving for a laser jammer. Unfortunately in IL they are not legal, wonder what the penalty is if you get caught?

 

[r1crusher]

Another very happy X50 user here.  Had it for quite a few years now and my father liked it so much I bought him one as well since he travels a lot from Northern Ohio to WV.  Only had 2 tickets in my time owning it, one from laser which is nearly impossible to beat with any detector when not in a **** ton of traffic and the other was purely my fault for going faster than I was able to react and slow down to be effective.

My general rule is no more than 10-12 over the posted.  This gives you plenty of time to react and a buffer as no cop is going to pull you over to write you a ticket for <9 over by the time you brake.  If so depending on the speed limit the ticket would likely not carry any points and to me that's the important part.

 

[FoMoCoSHO]

I think the 8500 is a solid detector.

That being said, the threat picture is much different with the V-1.

Multiple bogey detection with directional arrows are invaluable figuring out what and where the threat is.

Lots of false alarms but if you're like me and drive the same area over and over, patterns appear.

For example, a mall close to me always shows 7 separate signals, they are always there...when I'm driving through and see 8, I know there is a real threat.

What is exciting about the max 360 is it has the advantages of the V1 and the ability to filter out all the false signals . Coupled with their GPS database and LIVE, it should be a very powerful tool.

Honestly, it's probably worth $650, but I'm a cheap bastard!

 

[cror1]

I had an 8500 11 years ago, and ended up getting a ticket. And then I realized that a 60$ detector works about the same as 600$ detector. If you're not thinking ahead, you'll get caught with either one of the two.