[BLURAY_Z51]

Hey guys,

I looking into getting a radar detector and have narrowed my choices to the Valentine 1 or the Escort Passport MAX. I've done quite a bit of research online but would like to get our community members census.

https://www.escortradar.com/Passpor...WgAOA&ef_id=UOs4yQAAGBbcNRdS:20140513193525:s
https://store.valentine1.com/store/

Which one would you go with and why?

 

[ALF01]

Not saying better or worse than Passport, as I'm not familiar with it, but my V1 is about 20 years old, still works like a champ, and has paid for itself many times over.....

One story...here in PA, they often put radar emitters in the programmable road ("digi-dot") signs...you pass them daily, you learn it's not a true threat. But the V1 shows the number of sources...so, when coming up on one of these signs one day, my V1 went off, but it showed "2" (sources) where it usually showed "1". I slowed down to watch a guy in an Audi blast by me, I could see his (not a V1) detector all lit up - presumed he thought it was just warning for the sign.

As I got within visual range, I watched the trooper who had been parked under the sign take off, lights on...and another 3/4 mile up, he nabbed the Audi.....

 

[Johnmkirchner]

My Valentine 1 is really a great detector. I just got it a month ago to replace an old, very old Passport 4600 which I bought in 1997. I've always had high end detectors and I like this Valentine 1 the best. It was between the Valentine 1 and the Escort Max and I went with the Valentine 1 with no regrets. I heard you can't hardwire the Escort Max and still have the Live function work since it needs that special cord for the Live function. The arrows on the V1 are very informative.

 

[stanton]

I went with the MAX w/live cord but don't have my car yet. My understanding is that the V1 can be pretty noisy and go off for everything, essentially conditioning you to think everything is a false alarm, whereas the MAX has a focus on weeding out false alarms and being more practical for daily use.

If you're a super speeder and need the ultimate protection, I get the feeling the V1 is the "better" protector In terms of detection. But if you just want some peace of mind and something that might be more daily friendly for "punching it around" every once and a while and still got just as great reviews, the MAX is probably the way to go.

I'll post back once I get some drive time with my MAX though.

 

[jsvette]

You might want to do a search as this has been discussed a couple of times on the forum. I personally use the MAX with LIVE and have found it phenomenal in terms of early detection, accuracy and ease of use. Originally I did not know whether I would find the LIVE worth while but now wouldn't drive without it. It coordinates through your iPhone or Android and sends you immediate and relevant updates such as 'live police 1234 feet in front of you 15 minutes ago'. Whenever your MAX receives a ping it automatically enters it into the LIVE data base so anyone coming through the same area will get the alert notification if they also have LIVE.

 

[BLURAY_Z51]

Thanks everyone for the responses. I just wanted to have a thread that compared the two.

How much extra do you pay for live?

You might want to do a search as this has been discussed a couple of times on the forum. I personally use the MAX with LIVE and have found it phenomenal in terms of early detection, accuracy and ease of use. Originally I did not know whether I would find the LIVE worth while but now wouldn't drive without it. It coordinates through your iPhone or Android and sends you immediate and relevant updates such as 'live police 1234 feet in front of you 15 minutes ago'. Whenever your MAX receives a ping it automatically enters it into the LIVE data base so anyone coming through the same area will get the alert notification if they also have LIVE.

 

[jsvette]

Thanks everyone for the responses. I just wanted to have a thread that compared the two.

How much extra do you pay for live?

It was part of the early adopters package I got, so I am sorry I don't recall but it was a good deal. I have owned Passport/Escort radar detectors since almost the first ones were offered.

 

[BLURAY_Z51]

Would you say that MAX is still worth getting over the V1 without LIVE?

It was part of the early adopters package I got, so I am sorry I don't recall but it was a good deal. I have owned Passport/Escort radar detectors since almost the first ones were offered.

 

[Derrick1812]

Does the max have a front and rear antenna for detection like the valentine 1 does?


Sent from my iPhone using Corvette Stingray Forum

 

[jsvette]

Would you say that MAX is still worth getting over the V1 without LIVE?

I don't have experience with the V1, but have lots of ticket free enthusiastic driving with MAX. The LIVE is a nice but not necessary addition if you are looking to save some $. It (LIVE) makes long drives (especially if your are by yourself) much more enjoyable since you get this 'spontaneous' relevant updates. The new MAX has an incredibly fast response time along with having outstanding early warning to allow you sufficient reaction time to slow down if necessary.

 

[Johnmkirchner]

Both are great detectors. You can't go wrong either way.

 

[BLURAY_Z51]

Agreed! Just want to make sure I make the right choice for me before spending the money.

Both are great detectors. You can't go wrong either way.

 

[urrtoast]

Neither
Go with a Bell or Escort they are superior to both those brands

 

[Fdxpilot]

V1 for all the mentioned reasons. My wife likes the passport.

Btw - urrtoast, passport is made by Escort, and Bell is Escorts budget brand.

 

[BigRed]

Neither
Go with a Bell or Escort they are superior to both those brands

Agree! Go Bel sit r plus stealth install

 

[urrtoast]

V1 for all the mentioned reasons. My wife likes the passport.

Btw - urrtoast, passport is made by Escort, and Bell is Escorts budget brand.

Please provide links to the connection. As Beltronics has been around a long time
Beltronics Radar Detectors :: Performance Rules
I know passport is Escort its a model name..lol

Thanks

 

[BLURAY_Z51]

Thanks for everyone's responses. I finally made up my mind last night and decided to go with the Escort Passport Max. I also purchased the Escort Live Direct Wire kit as I got a bundle discount of $60 which made it only $39 ($10 more compared to the direct wire kit without LIVE).

Although the Valentine 1 has better laser detection, here were my deciding factors to getting the Passport Max:

• Modern Appearance - Max looks more modern which blends better with the interior of our cars. The display is much better and makes the Valentine 1 look like a CB radio (no offense to V1 owners).
• Anti-False Reporting - This feature in itself will make the radar detector more useful especially since my C7 is a daily driver. I'm pretty sure I will be annoyed with false reporting happening a lot.
• Escort LIVE - Provides advance information of speed traps via social networking. I hear nothing but great things about this feature so far so we will see. Plus, the bundle discount made this feature a no brainer to get.

One feature that I will miss from not getting the Valentine 1 is the "arrows". The "arrows" are an awesome feature of the Valentine 1 which lets you know the direction of the detection. Hopefully, this will be fulfilled by the Max with Escort Live service.

I plan to do a direct wire install and have also ordered the new BlendMount C7 mount with a 10% OFF discount.
If anyone plans to place an order with BlendMount, you can use this 10% OFF discount using this link: BlendMount | J28 Design Inc. - Discount Coupon

I will post pictures of when I receive the unit and do a direct wire install.

Thanks!

 

[rdslon01]

Thanks for the detailed, thoughtful post, BLURAY_Z51! I am sure many others will find this thread helpful.

 

[BLURAY_Z51]

No problem Rodney! Hope to meet you Saturday at the Rio Vista meet.

Thanks for the detailed, thoughtful post, BLURAY_Z51! I am sure many others will find this thread helpful.

 

[jsvette]

I think you are going to be very pleased with your decision BLURAY Z51. While MAX doesn't have the arrows, the LIVE does tell you that the police are in front (and how far in front) of you as well as graphically shows your route with the police locations indicated.