[nickgiacalone]

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[SS 1LE]

I have a Valentine 1, pretty much the highest rated, and a Beltronics (forget the model) that was voted best $200 detecter, and they both work great.

Seems Valentine 1, Beltronics and Escort are the highest rated. Pretty sure the last two are owned by the same company too.

[SS 1LE]

Originally Posted by nickgiacalone

I was looking at an Escort but I have no idea about them. I was looking to get either a 9500 or the new 360. Just looking for other input to compare since my choice is off of very brief reading on the inter-web

Those are both great choices. I had a 9500 before my V1.

[infinitiboy92]

Escort is the best. Use to get a ticket every few months. Since I've had the Escort I haven't gotten a ticket in 2 years.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/escort-p...&skuId=6384192

[jimmypop13]

I've had a Valentine 1 since around 2002. I've always loved it and it works great. The cord finally frayed to the point it stopped working two years ago and I haven't used a radar detector since. I really need to send it in to get updated and get a hardwire kit and use it again now that I'm back in a sports car!

[B][GT]

Radarbuster dot com. Great site for reviews by a former cop! I'd suggest the Escort 360.

[AN0NYM0US]

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/escort-p...&skuId=9009048

Best one out there, even though it was $299 on Black Friday it's still worth the price...

[bhavyas]

Do the Escort ones show you in which direction the cops are? I know the V1 does that...

[bpang1234]

Both Escort and Valentine One are great detectors:

Valentine One:
1. For a VERY LONG time they were the only ones with arrows which give you a higher level of situational awareness...meaning you basically know where the cop is shooting from OR if there are more than one in separate directions you know not to speed up once you pass the first one or they overtake you.
2. It is now only SLIGHTLY more sensitive than the Escort...this used to be V1's other calling card but Escort and others have caught up.
3. V1 is a little different in that they will update the hardware instead of make you buy a whole new one every generation (FOR A PRICE).

Escort Passport Max 2 (this is what I have):
1. Has Digital Signal Processing (DSP) that filters out many of the false alarms that we all hate including sensors from cars. The only times mine goes off are for those emplaced speed signs (the one that tells you how fast you're going) and certain automatic doors whereas the V1 has less of an ability to filter those out (you CAN program it to filter out stuff but it takes someone willing to learn to do it and even then not as good because of #2).
2. It is CONNECTED TO THE INTERNET via phone app. This is truly it's "killer app" if you will. You basically pay $20 a year to be a part of the Defender Database which all Escort Passport Max, Max 2 and Max 360 users are on. It is a crowdsourced real-time database pulling data from all of our devices. So it knows where cops have recently been sighted, the red light cameras, speed traps, etc. It's f'ing awesome!
3. It is "nicer to look at" and you can change the colors (just 3 choices red, blue or green).
4. The phone app gives you a wide-range of access to parameters to suit your needs. For instance, if you know your state doesn't have any cops using X-band or K-band you can filter them out from there (you can do it on the device too).
5. You can choose for it to beep, speak or both. It will also alert you over your bluetooth connection to your car's stereo IF you are listening to the music from your phone.
6. On the display it will show you the Speed Limit and your speed..that's pretty neat. You can also tell it when to tell you that you're going too fast, I set mine for 10mph over the limit.

A note about the Passport 360...I am hoping to get it soon OR get the next generation after it. It incorporates arrows pretty much the way that V1 does...so that eliminates one of V1's advantages. They are also offering ticket protection right now (basically they pay your ticket) from the emails I keep seeing. The 360 would be my recommendation if you are buying brand new. However, I could be convinced to sell my Max 2 now that I am thinking about how much I'd like the 360.

Really, I will only ever buy an Escort unless Valentine unleashes a seriously new model (which he can name Valentine Two). It is still a good detector (and will likely save you from everything short of laser) but the others have FINALLY caught up and are now overtaking it.

Here are some reviews:
http://radar-detectors-review.topten...ax-review.html
http://radar-detectors-review.topten...rs-review.html

Fun Fact: Both Escort and Valentine are based in Cincinnati, OH.
Fun Fact 2: Mike Valentine (or some say his wife) bought one of the first Tesla Roadsters and used to show it at the local Concours event.

[JeffMorse]

I picked up a Passport Max 360 and am very happy with it.

[Cautionary tale]

I got a max 360 also, it's not cheap but neither is a ticket, works great

[JeffInDFW]

How old am I? Old enough that I bought the ORIGINAL "Escort" detector. The one designed by Mike Valentine before he left to start "Valentine 1". I did buy a Valentine 1, and I *LOVE* the fact that they will always update your detector when new improvements come out. I've sent it in 4 different times in the last 20 years for updating. Mine has been in daily use for over two decades and has never broken. I'm a storm chaser, drive 30,000 miles a year mostly at really bad high speed and the only ticket I've gotten in 20 years was for 96 in a 55 when I forgot to turn it on. It is a bad ass.

HOWEVER......as mentioned above, you have to do a workaround to keep it from going off because of the damn lane departure radar on some luxury cars. Go to Valentines web site for details on how to do it. I did it, and thank God it works (that was driving me NUTS). All seems to be good again.

I've been watching the Escort 360 for a while now because it has fantastic features. HOWEVER, the reason I have not purchased yet is because the "Escort Live" app seems to be very buggy according to the reviews on the Apple App store and online forums. Go read for yourself and decide. If they ever get that squared away, I might have to finally move on from my beloved Valentine 1.

[twr0912]

I've had an escort since I've owned my 5th. They're worth the money

[fastball]

Escort 7500 and above, or V1. You will not go wrong with any of them.

I've owned Escort Passports since 1998. My stepbrother has used them since the 80s (he's 14 years older than me). We both have heavy right feet.