Just hardwired my Passport 8500

[naveedafridi]

Seems to be working. I placed it to the right of the rear view mirror .

[johnww]

[StahlGrauM3]

[2003M3TopDown]

Any hints? Did you use a DIY for help ... I wanna permanently install mine as well ... but in a convertible ... let me know any hints you may have.

I also like the 8500 ... the only complaint I have is that it is not always loud enough with the top down ...

'03 M3 Cab
Steel Gray/Black leather, SMG, Xenons, HK, 18" (245/275), heated seats, lumbar, PDC

[gusser]

[naveedafridi]

That was the reason I stuck with the Passport.

[jason2]

[naveedafridi]

http://www.bmw330ci.com/DIY_V1.htm

and


http://www.bmwm3.org/diy_valentine_v1.shtml

I am not sure how to do teh convertible. However the kit that I ordered from Passport
http://www.escortradar.com/accessories.htm was $10 and worked well.

[spookm3]

...like SMG vs. manual, there will always be champions for both sides.

I'm with you, and it didn't take a C&D review for me to make the decision. To me, the arrows make all of the difference in the world. I drive between LA and SD frequently...some of the most populated areas of the country...and almost never have a false alarm. If I do, it's on K-band (I disabled X-band), which CHP doesn't use, and it's only for a beep or two...which will happen with any radar detector.


spook
Los Angeles, CA

[johnww]

[RoadRat]

[RoadRat]

[StahlGrauM3]

I tested them myself, so I don't have to rely on a magazine. Magazine biased...no way that could never happen ;-)

[quickburn7]

I promise you that CHP uses X-band. In fact that is almost all they use. I do get some CHP that use K and ka bands. But i do agree that the arrows are the reason the V1 is excellent


Stolen on 12/30/03 recovered on 01/12/04



2003 Six Speed Coupe
titanium silver/black napa leather
UUC ssk
PSS9s coilovers

[johnww]

[RoadRat]

I'm now using the 8500 x50 which has a little longer range than the 8500............



History.....

My first radar detector was the original Passport

3 years ago, I bought the Solo Cordless

I have a k-40 installed. I ONLY use if for directional purposes (comparable to the V1 arrows) since it gives MANY false alerts

I sold the Solo.

Ok, I bought a V1 and hardwired it a week and a half ago. It is on Advanced Logic (L).

Problem 1: Every railroad crossing I come across, K-band alerts with the arrows corresponding to my location relative to the railroad crossing. This is a major annoyance as the highway I live near runs parallel with the railroad track. I have repeated this drive everyday since I installed it with the same annoying results.

Problem 2: On a 15 mile stretch of the freeway....both ways....K-band was alerting 90% of the time (up arrow only), with some KA alerts occasionally. This is the major problem, because either I am going to start ignoring K alerts (which would be stupid) or I am going to drive the speed limit and have no need for a radar detector. I replicated this drive 2 times now with the same results. Why? Because there was the possibility that I was behind a cop both ways. The second test reduced the chance of that possibility and I wanted to give the V1 the benefit of the doubt.

Problem 3: I test the V1 again on the way to a friends house this afternoon. Same results near the railroad tracks and NOW I get K-alerts when I pass sliding doors (convenience stores, grocery stores, etc.). The Solo never did this....if anything...it would give x-alert which I ignore anyway.

That's it, I give up. V1 is getting sent back tomorrow. Is it possible that it was just a defective unit. YES. Is it possible that I am not used to the high sensitivity of units like the V1 and 8500? Yes. I just don't have time to mess with this thing anymore. I know many of you swear by it, but know this.....I really tried to love this thing. I just can't. It annoys me.

Ok, so next up is the 8500. Just got off the phone with Escort and told them my story. She looked in the computer and saw that I was a long time customer...blah blah blah. They are sending the 8500 and not charging me for shipping...they are sending it 2-day and sending me a FREE hardwire kit which they typically nickle-and-dime you for.

Do I expect better results with the 8500? Maybe....I know Escort has better falsing technology. But, like I said, I may not be used to the high sensitivity of either unit. If it gives me the false K's, its going back also. Dang, I wish I didn't sell my Solo on ebay.

I really did like the arrows on the V1, but my K40 will give me that advantage. Also, the main thing I loved about the V1 was the bogey counter. Well, the Passport 8500 has that now too!

Sorry for the tirade........

Test Specifications
∙ Location: Houston, TX - Freeways, Highways, Surface Roads

∙ V1 settings: Primarily Advanced Logic (L), but did repeat testing on All Bogeys (A)

∙ 8500 settings: primarily Auto Sensitivity (Auto); Expert Meter ON

∙ Exact same roads and similar weather conditions used to test each detector

∙ Each detector was used for 10 days at separate times.


V1 Advantages
∙ Rear facing antenna

∙ Arrows

∙ Easier to read bogey counter

∙ V1 includes hardwire kit and both visor and windshield mount

∙ Upgradable - customer pays for parts and shipping


V1 Disadvantages
∙ Cheaper quality, in particular the volume knob and mute knob/lever

∙ Customer service was not as friendly as Escort and one lady was just out and out rude.

∙ More false alerts than the 8500. This may be caused by the longer range of the V1, the rear antenna, or simply a lack of anti-falsing technology like the 8500

∙ Price ($399)

∙ No auto mute as defined below. V1, instead, can be programmed to not alert you audibly until the signal reaches a pre-set strength


8500 Advantages
∙ Price ($299)

∙ Customer Service was great! They gave me a free hard-wire kit and free 2 day shipping. I didn’t even have to ask them for it.

∙ Nice travel case included, but it is really big

∙ Upgradable with a $29.95 “warranty” - yes, the 8500 is upgradable (not planned obsolescence as Mike Valentine claims) contrary to popular belief

∙ Auto mute - auto mute means that the detector warns you, then lowers the volume automatically after 5 seconds or until another signal is picked up


8500 Disadvantages
∙ No arrows

∙ No rear facing antenna

∙ Escort nickle-and-dime’s you on accessories


Summary:

Both detectors have great detecting range and both pick up K, Ka, X, and Laser. Both have rear laser detection. Both units can be upgraded (for a cost).

The V1 is certainly inline with Mike Valentine’s philosophy of alerting you to everything and letting you decide what to react to and what not to react to. This may be desirable for some, while annoying to others. I love the easy-to-read bogey counter. The arrows are nice.....damn nice. I can certainly see why some people are sold on this unit based on this feature alone.

The 8500, while lacking the arrows, also has the bogey counter (in expert mode), I can generally determine where the threat is, though not always. As for customer service, Escort was better. The greatest thing about the 8500 is it’s auto-mute feature.....warn me, then shut up. Simple.

So which detector wins? For me, the 8500 is the clear choice.

Despite my decision to go with the 8500, I do believe that this decision comes down to personal preference. The V1 falses more.....much more. Regardless of price, if the V1 auto-muted (alleviating the constant annoyance), I would have gone with the V1. By the same token, if the 8500 retained its current features, and came with arrows, I would go with the 8500.

I would highly recommend that anyone who is trying to make this decision, try them both out. Each one has a 30-day test drive. Take advantage of this.

Happy Driving!




Disclaimer:
These tests were not scientific. They were done primarily for my benefit in selecting the best radar detector and the hope they benefit others.


I'm not trying to piss people off that have a different opinion from me. I am trying to make an intelligent and informed decision on which radar is best for ME. What is best for me may not be best for you. I will test the 8500 and then pick a winner....strictly for ME. I post the info here, because I think others will benefit. If you don't like it, don't read it. It is entirely possible, at this point, that the V1 is better than the 8500 by MY measures. Only time (another few days) will tell.

[spookm3]

CHP uses Ka exclusively now, at least down here. You don't think they're screwing 12 year old radar equipment to those new $20k BMW motorcycles, do you? Or into those Camaros last year? And every Crown Vic I've seen in the last two years has the same Ka unit visible in the lower left corner of the rear window.

spook
Los Angeles, CA

[Burgundy]

[RoadRat]

the V1 shows you "2" for example and you know that two sources of ka (or whatever band) is hitting you....thus you can assume there are two cops

The 8500 shows you two spectrums (in expert mode) to indicate the two sources.

The V1 can track up to 6 (?) bogeys at a time, while the 8500 only can track two. I figure two is enough....heck, in most cases....1 bogey is enough

[jimslade]

my 8500. It has paid for itself many many times over already.
jim