Whats the deal? Hav'nt had one in many many years. Whats the best and what am I looking at spending. Realized after my first weekend in the new car I'm gonna need an extra set of eyes. Basically anything is legal where I am, so any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks

The two top detectors are:
1. Escort Passport 8500 X50 for $299 for a red display or $339 for a blue display. This is a new version (May 2004) with added features.
2. Valentine 1 for $399.

There are fans of both and arguments from both camps that will claim superiority over the other; the best thing is to check out the sites yourself:

Escort

Valentine 1

If you ask around the boards, there seems to be more users of the Valentine 1; they will rave about the directional arrows.
The owners of Escorts seem to be more low key; they like their detector but they don't seem to talk about them very much.

BTW: I own the earlier version of the Escort. I'm very happy with its performance.

__________________

Either lead, follow, or get out of the way...
Audis don't get out of the way and they never follow.

thanks, helpful. Figured it was either one or the other. Cordless?

Escort makes the Solo, which is the same as the 8500. I don't think it has the updated software/components of the new 8500 X50 though.

The Valentine does not come as a cordless model, but it has an option for installing a remote location of the display.

There is no option for a remote location component that is offered by Escort, but there is a nice article on hardwiring the Escort on AW.
"Hardwiring an Escort Radar Locator"

I'm working on a (secret) project for the Escort. It will be a hardwire and remote location modification. Don't hold your breath - I've been working on it very slowly for over three months!!

__________________

Either lead, follow, or get out of the way...
Audis don't get out of the way and they never follow.

I own both (V1 and Solo) and to me there is no comparison. Valentine 1. I've run them both at the same time and the Valentine consistently alerts quicker than the Escort. Fewer falses with the V1 as well. My wife uses the Escrt now and I run the V1 hardwired into the fuse box.

Interesting Doose... I believe the Solo uses the older software and it's sensitivity is lower than the 8500, let alone the 8500 X50.
Motor Trend's latest article puts the Escort 8500 X50 and the V1 neck-and-neck, but the Escort 8500 X50's new software edges out the V1. Here's the summary from the article:

Escort Passport 8500 X50
(94.9 points)
Top Protection Dashtop Radar/LIDAR Detector
The Passport 8500, with its high-sensitivity, state-of-the-art POP mode capabilities, small size, and high-quality construction, remains at the top of the pyramid for overall radar and LIDAR detection. With its optional ZR3 laser shifter ($500 MSRP), it's the lone high-end detector offering the ability to legally interrupt most laser guns, making it the choice in laser-rich driving environments.
WHAT'S HOT · Available optional plug-in laser countermeasures, with POP mode protection
WHAT'S NOT · X-band performance falls just a bit short of leader
BOTTOM LINE · Remains the gold standard in radar/LIDAR dashtop detectors
Price: $299 (manufacturer direct) Escort: 800/433-3487

Valentine One
(94.8 points)
Although the external case has remained basically the same through the years, the Valentine One V1 is a top-flight instrument to detect all bands of radar as well as LIDAR. Owners swear by the effectiveness of its front-panel direction arrows. While it offers the highest level of sensitivity, its level of user-friendliness, overall protection, and value falls just a bit short of competitive units.
WHAT'S HOT · Designates direction of the threat; high sensitivity in all bands
WHAT'S NOT · Less POP mode sensitivity, size of case
BOTTOM LINE · Great protection overall, but at a premium price.
Price: $399 (manufacturer direct) Valentine One: 800/331-3030

__________________

Either lead, follow, or get out of the way...
Audis don't get out of the way and they never follow.

True, it does use older software. The Solo is also less sensitive when running on battery. There is always at least one article in Car and Driver every month, I'll check and see what they say too. Is the new Escort a cordless too? My V-1 has saved me more times than I can count, certainly more than I spent to buy it. It's proabably like anything else, you get use to how it works and know what to expect. I haven't used the new Escort, but I wouldn't trade my V-1 for anything at this point.

I like the fact that the X50 is Shift+Link compatible with the Laser Shifter ZR3, too. Expensive unit, but the ultimate protection.
The X50 has 50% more range on K and Ka bands than the previous 8500.

And no... the X50 is not cordless.

__________________

Either lead, follow, or get out of the way...
Audis don't get out of the way and they never follow.

What is the laser shifter ZR3? We haven't seen that here in Indy yet. But it would be nice to be preapared when it does show. The only need I could see for a cordless would be in a rental car with a disabled lighter. It's too easy to hard wire them to worry about cordless.

Go here: ZR3 link

__________________

Either lead, follow, or get out of the way...
Audis don't get out of the way and they never follow.