Lex Talionis Posted January 9, 2008 Report Share Posted January 9, 2008 (edited) I am curious what you guys might use, if anything. I have not used one in like 10 years, but always had a fascination with them and was curious if people are still using them, what they have found that works well (or not). Edited January 9, 2008 by Lex Talionis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abrannan19 Posted January 9, 2008 Report Share Posted January 9, 2008 STRONG SUPPORTER OF ESCORT WE HAVE 6 OF THEM..NOTHING BUT GOOD TO SAY ABOUT THEM. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lex Talionis Posted January 10, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2008 Escort was like the shizzznit when I was younger... interesting to see they are still producing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brucesmays Posted January 10, 2008 Report Share Posted January 10, 2008 i have a Beltronics unit in my Sport Trac and a Cobra unit in my Edge. I need em, as many times as I have to drive to Corpus Christi and back, and there is always a Texas state trooper sitting on the side of the freeway halfway there shooting radar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tiaquessa Posted January 10, 2008 Report Share Posted January 10, 2008 I Love my Valentine 1. The arrows and bogey counter really come in handy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sengland Posted January 10, 2008 Report Share Posted January 10, 2008 The inventor of the escort is Mike Valentine, he and his partner sold the Company, Cincinnati Microwave, and had a non compete for a few years. Mike started just making intrusion alarms and some of his people wanted back into the radar detector business. Mike agreed with one stipulation, build the best of the best and price it accordingly. Make it upgradeable, and stay on top of the market. So the Valentine One was born. I have one and my son grabbed it up. I am buying another one, as a matter of a fact thanks for the reminder. I'm going to buy one today. Thanks. I know these things because I was in Cincy and drove to his office. He was very cordial and we visited in his office. I have sent him some old Escorts that I have found here and there and he fixes them for me. Just so I can have an Old Escort in working order. I am looking for the original Passport and the original Solo also. Anyone have one??? My vote for the Valentine is mostly because Mike has been there and knows what works and what doesn't, he also puts the best of the best components into his detector so it will last. He isn't concerned with everyone owning one for a Price Point, he simply builds the best their is and if you want it fine, if you don't, then buy another brand! His wealth is NOT in Jeopardy of Radar Detector Sales. I have owned one for 11 years now, I am finally getting the latest one available. I could have upgraded the one my son has many times in 11 years but never wanted to be without it I guess. I've been winging it for about 2 months now. It's time, Hello Mike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMan's_2008_Edge Posted January 10, 2008 Report Share Posted January 10, 2008 Noticed the thread's interesting subject line... and then became even more interested once I read sengland's post above regarding the C.M. Escort/Passport units. I was working in Cinci in/around 1987 or so, and for 6 months was commuting there weekly from Western PA at the time (Rte 70==>Rte 71). I had initially borrowed an original Escort model (the big black boxed one with the huge red light on the front!) from a friend to use during the drive. It worked well on the Ohio State Police radar, and I could make that trip in slightly over 3.5 hours with good weather and a heavy foot. Soon after, I found time to drive a short distance up the road from my job site near King's Mills (there was a large Amusement Park there at the time, not sure if it's still there...) to the Cincinnati Microwave office/factory, and bought a brand new Passport. Can't remember exactly, but I think I paid at least a few hundred for it at the time, but it has long since returned the investment. It was without question the leader of the (radar detector) pack back then and ahead of its time. Many models that appeared later mimicked the Passport's innovation. It still works great on conventional radar types, and I still use it today. Excellent compact design and rugged construction inside that metal case. I use mine on the windshield above the rearview mirror with the suction cup mount (from where it has detached many a time in the past and fallen to the dash, without damage..!). My occupation no longer requires the drive time of yesteryear as I have a daily commute of only 20 miles one way each day now, and speed traps are few and far between. I still use the Passport only because I have it, it's paid for, and it still works on PSP radar (no laser here yet)... Plus, the nostalgia factor ala this thread was a nice reminiscence... :yup: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lex Talionis Posted January 11, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 11, 2008 how about installing?? I see most so far are just doing the section cup windshield thing.... I am a big fan of hiding wires and having a clean cockpit. In my current VW, and my 1974 FJ40 I do a lot to hide wires and tie into the battery (with removable fuses and relays where needed) or right into the fuse box. I have done this on many an item, like my Sirius radio in my VW for example. All wires are hidden behind the panels and molding. Anyway, I am thinking a real clean way on some of these would be to mount to visor. not so visible to cops or prowlers and lookie lous, still great line of sight for the radar, and can run the wires from the fuse box and tuck them right up the pillar panel and out to the visor. Clean... now, it is just a mattter of whihc one to get :car: so I will continue to see what people report here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sengland Posted January 11, 2008 Report Share Posted January 11, 2008 (edited) how about installing?? I see most so far are just doing the section cup windshield thing.... I am a big fan of hiding wires and having a clean cockpit. In my current VW, and my 1974 FJ40 I do a lot to hide wires and tie into the battery (with removable fuses and relays where needed) or right into the fuse box. I have done this on many an item, like my Sirius radio in my VW for example. All wires are hidden behind the panels and molding. Anyway, I am thinking a real clean way on some of these would be to mount to visor. not so visible to cops or prowlers and lookie lous, still great line of sight for the radar, and can run the wires from the fuse box and tuck them right up the pillar panel and out to the visor. Clean... now, it is just a mattter of whihc one to get :car: so I will continue to see what people report here. On My Edge with the power roof the yellow wire with green tracer is hot on ignition and has the battery saver on it also, so it shuts off about 15 minutes after I turn off the ignition. Simply run the wire up under the head liner and tie it in right under the Power block where the controls for the Map Lights and Sunroof controls are. Nice and clean. Edited January 11, 2008 by sengland Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lex Talionis Posted January 11, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 11, 2008 On My Edge with the power roof the yellow wire with green tracer is hot on ignition and has the battery saver on it also, so it shuts off about 15 minutes after I turn off the ignition. Simply run the wire up under the head liner and tie it in right under the Power block where the controls for the Map Lights and Sunroof controls are. Nice and clean. saaaaweeet tip... thanks. glad someone already tracked that down as - with wiring (the ultimate PITA when working on your own vehicle) keeping the wiring straight and clean helps a ton on down the line as you wire more and more into the car. In this case, the Edge has most everything I want built in (Sirius, DVD Nav) so there are 2 things not needing wires right off the bat. BTW, what did you wire up to find that out... you not the loan visor mounted fuzzz buster vote are you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sengland Posted January 11, 2008 Report Share Posted January 11, 2008 saaaaweeet tip... thanks. glad someone already tracked that down as - with wiring (the ultimate PITA when working on your own vehicle) keeping the wiring straight and clean helps a ton on down the line as you wire more and more into the car. In this case, the Edge has most everything I want built in (Sirius, DVD Nav) so there are 2 things not needing wires right off the bat. BTW, what did you wire up to find that out... you not the loan visor mounted fuzzz buster vote are you? No I had mine on the windshield so as not to affect the Valentine with the tint strip on the top part of the Windshield. I mounted mine right under the rear view mirror so the Valentine had good visibility both back and front and HOPEFULLY NOT interfere in the event of a collision with an occupants head. My Edge is an SEL + and has dark back glass, so I already have decreased sensitivity from behind. There are wires that COULD be tied into right under the Rear View Mirror, however you must use the Valentine Supplied Hard Wire Kit and that would look like $hit hanging down there. Good Luck whatever you decide. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sengland Posted January 22, 2008 Report Share Posted January 22, 2008 Man I switched gears!!! I never thought it would happen because back in 1999 when I bought my first Valentine One it was the Mack Daddy. I did some research and found that the Escort 8500 X50 has identical performance on X, which isn't used any more, K, and Ka bands as well as 1/10 mile less than valentine on Radar. 1/10 mile. I really don't care about the Bogey counter, however the Escort 8500 X50 has that feature also, even though it is slightly different, and it has Auto Mute which I am certain I will enjoy. Yeah I am a big time believer in Valentine but I just bought an Escort. I had an Original Escort back in the 80's and still have it. I had the original Passport and wish I could buy one in excellent condition with all the stuff that came with it, I even had an Original Solo that ran on a 9 volt battery, wish I could find one of those also. Sorry Mike, I just couldn't see 399 vs 299 for the same performance and auto mute feature. The Escort also comes with a Box to travel with, a concealed display, and the hard mount is only 29.99. Add all that up for your Valentine and you get a tidy sum of 500.00 plus. Maybe I am stupid and will regret this later but for now I am very pleased with my decision. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sengland Posted February 2, 2008 Report Share Posted February 2, 2008 Okay I stand corrected! I had the Escort 8500 X50 for two weeks. I noticed a ton of false alarms. Driving in Rural conditions I received many alarms and even a few Radar. I was very suspicious so I borrowed the Valentine I gave my son that I bought in 1999. I put the Valentine on the side of the Driver and the Passport 8500 X50 on the passenger side. I made certain they had all the room possible between them. I mounted them both high on the windshield and again made certain of no obstructions. Just what I thought, Escort drew several alarms the valentine never went off. No threat to be found. I switched sides with the detectors and again the same thing, Passport goes off, no threat to be found. I traveled some Major roads in the greater STL area. Valentine goes off and the passport goes off a hair later. Johnny law passes by in the oncoming lane. I have several speed alerts on Highway 61 north of I-70 where I live. Valentine alerts me of a K band threat, Passport Nothing. I crest the hill and there it is one of those speed alerts. They both freak. Although the Valentine went off before the crest of the hill. Had that been Johnny Law I would have been busted with the Passport. The only thing I did notice was that both alerted RADAR when traveling behind an Envoy using it's brakes lights. I had to pay Best Buy a 15% restocking fee for the Passport and promptly ordered the a New Valentine. I should have known better but I thought the tests I read were good and I would be happy with the Passport X50. Turns out I was wrong. I travel three States in the Midwest. I am on the highway daily. I rarely speed, maybe 5 over the posted limit. However when traveling back roads and going through small towns that have 40 mph limits I like to know if Johnny Law is around because I often forget to lower my speed from 60 to 40 in these areas. I am certainly no expert and do not claim to be. In my crude test I found the Valentine to be more sensitive, Much more sensitive without false alerts. The only thing I liked about the Passport X50 is the Auto Mute. Other than that I learned an expensive lesson. Valentine you have my vote and my Sincere Apology! SRE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lex Talionis Posted February 2, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 2, 2008 sengland... so which exact Valentine did you order? you might not be an 'expert' - but it is hard to beat feedback from a guy who uses them both and does real world testing.. thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sengland Posted February 3, 2008 Report Share Posted February 3, 2008 I did not know there was a choice on Models. I simply ordered direct from Valentine a Valentine One Detector 399.00 plus an extra Cord. It arrived Friday about 6pm and it is smaller than the one I bought in 99 that my son has. I assume it is the latest greatest that Valentine has to offer. I do not want to bash the Escort Passport 8500 X50 but I was used to my old Valentine and since my son has it I felt naked running down the road without any Detector. I read several tests from online sources and they all said that the Passport 8500 X50 performed right with the new Valentine One and since it was 100.00 less I thought it was great. I bought one and was unfamiliar and thought it went off more often than it should especially since I could rarely find the law when it reported a threat. What really gave it away was the alarms in rural areas where the was nothing to set it off. I don't understand why it reported a threat on a two lane road with nothing around but cows and the occasional Farm house. That is when I connected both of them in my Edge and went for a drive. I left them together in my edge for three days and even drove to Springfield IL and back through downtown St Louis back to home out here in the sticks of Lincoln County MO. The passport continually reported threats that I could not find, maybe they were door openers or something, however the Valentine stayed Idle. When the Valentine went off it was clear that Johnny Law was around because I could see them. I don't understand why they both reported when I was following an Envoy that kept hitting the brakes, but both of them reported RADAR when that happened. Even switching sides of the car made no difference. I obtained the same results. So like I said I took the Passport back to Best Buy and paid their bullshit 15% restocking fee of 46 dollars and ordered the Valentine One. My son was very glad to get his back, he is 24 and has a Toyota Prerunner SR5 TRD with a Super Charger on it and he also has a lead foot. What the dead give away was, is that on Highway 61 North of I-70 we have several Speed alert contraptions that set still, are solar powered and give your speed and the occasional Slow Down Warning. The Valentine gave an alert before the crest of a hill and the passport was silent. When I crested the hill and could clearly see the Speed Alert the passport came on. But that would be to late. When you Crest that Hill you can read the words on the sign, that is how close you are at that point. I could have easily been busted if that had been the law, strickly using the passport. My wife said that damn thing is worthless, lets get another Valentine. The rest is history. Does Valentine offer another model? I can't find one on their website. SRE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.