Any recommendations or help on this very necessary pre-mod purchase? I currently reside in Georgia and will be moving to Florida, so I don't believe there are any state specific legal issues with any of the systems.

'07 997TT if that matters.

Thanks in advance for any help...

 

Valentine all the way!

Hope this helps: Passport, K40, Valentine Thread

I am sure many others will agree with me.

 

Valentine.... I tried all the other and kept switching back. Valentine 1 was the best hands down for me....

 

V1 is hands down the best unit

 

V1 is simply the best protection money can buy. Don't speed without it

 

Valentine is the one for me.

 

First off, radar detectors are a lot like talking about religion, it tends to be very heated and opinionated.

I cannot speak for the V1 but I have done a side by side comparison of the K40 and Passport 9500ix. This was done over a 2,000 mile road trip from Dallas, TX to NC and back. The K40 RL360 had front and rear radar detectors as well as a front laser jammer. The 9500ix was mounted on the front windshield.

Both units were as equally responsive to front radar with the K40 RL360 consistently giving an advanced warning about 1 second sooner the 9500ix. What I did like about the K40 RL360 is that it also had a rear sensor allowing me to know if I was in front of or past the LEO. What I like about the 9500ix is the red light camera and speed trap warnings, which the K40 does not have. All in all, radar detection and false alarms we relatively equal in both units. I give a slight edge to the K40 and the fact that it is a stealth installation so I do not have to worry about someone breaking in to steal the unit, nor is it visible to local law enforcement. Is it worth the extra cost, probably not, unless you are **** about the appearance of your car, plus I hate having something suction cupped to my windshield and having to run a cord to cigarette lighter, or you can have the power cord hardwired which does help somewhat with aesthetics.

It is also my understanding that the old K40 Calibre units were not very good, and this is the unit that most people are referring to when they speak poorly of the K40.

Honestly, I think you are good to go with any of the 3 units you mentioned. Each have their pluses and minuses. If you can borrow a friends do that and try to make your own decision.

Plus you are kind of asking what is better Porsche, BMW or Mercedes.

 

V1 for sure!

 

I've tried both side by side (V1 and Passport SOLO II) on a road trip from northern to southern Utah along I-15 which is notorious for cops using varying technologies. The SOLO II consistently alerted faster, around and over turns and hills. That said, I still went with the V1 because if you take your time to learn what each indicator means, you get a lot more information about the source(s). It's a really tough call though, because a 1 second more warning could equal several hundred feet additional breaking time at highway speeds.

EDIT: if you're not going to act a nerd and spend a few hours with the users manual, don't even consider the V1.

 

I have the 9500 CI and just took a long trip to visit my son at Colgate. It was fanatastic. Saved on a curve with KA coming right at me. Alerted me in more than enough time. In fact there was a line of cars that I know where following my lead because they assumed I had radar protection driving the TT, and as I hit my brakes the entire line behind me came to a halt. Saved them all.

Jay

 

It all depends if you want a windshield mount or a remote installed unit. Windshield mounts are significantly less expensive.

In my opinion K40 is overpriced, and offers poor to none laser protection. The best remote installed radar detector is the Beltronics STiR+. Beltronics and Escort are different divisions of the same company. The STiR is almost the same as the Escort 9500CI, but is more sensitive due to more programming options, and is less expensive than the 9500ci because the stir does not have laser shifters of the 9500ci which perform poorly. The STiR+ has GPS to notify you when approaching red light and speed cameras.

The Escort 9500ix is a windshield mount radar detector, but does not have the same internals of the 9500ci and the IX does not perform nearly as well as the CI.

The Valentine 1 is my favorite windshield mount RD. I love the arrows. Not as sensitive as the STiR+ (I use both at the same time) but still provides more than enough warning. Only down side is that it does not provide GPS based warnings for speed and red light cameras.

If you desire laser protection, Laser Interceptor is the only way to go.

Pm me if you have any questions. I know you will have some.

 

I was big advocate for the V1 and still like it but if you hate constant false alarms it will drive you crazy. I have a Beltronic STiR in my TT. The GPS really is great at filtering out the false alarms and is great at informing me of red-light cameras etc.

I Just bought a 9500xi for my truck to give it a try. I just am so sick of the the constant nonsense alerts from the V1. Not all alerts can be programmed out of the V1 unless you want less protection.

Unfortunately the V1 is getting dated and its only big advantage is the arrows. It is time for a V1 overhaul.

 

I had a 9500 escort for years always saved my ***... upgraded to the v1 when I got my viper and it was very impressive ... I like the arrows... i sometimes get weird false responses like where it acts like a cop is following me.. then i unplug it and plug it back in and it goes away... actually if anyone else has this problem chime in please lol

 

Send it in to Valentine Research for a tune up.

 

Valentine 1 all the way.

I too have tried them all - From Jersey to North Carolina and back again over many times a year, over 15 years. Always trying the "newest/better/best" system. Most are very close, if not tied in some bands (not all), to the V1, but the V1 wins the overall - AND - tells you where it's coming from and what band so you know how to respond.

At the same time, Radar Detection and Radar Detectors are becoming obsolete - every day another Police vehicle is upgraded with Laser Detection. Sadly, just about all the Laser Detection systems out there will tell you when you've been caught.

The only answer today is investing big money on Laser Jammer systems, but make sure the installation is VERY STEALTHILY installed so you don't get caught! Some states come down pretty hard on you if proven you're jamming/scrambling their laser detection systems. Connecticut includes the option of jail time.

Good luck my friends!