Hey I have a passport 8500 x50 and I was wondering how you guys set it up considering the power outlet is right next to you. Thnx

 

hardwire it. valentine v1 is better for hardwire but you can hardwire both. or if you are lazy just plug it into cig lighter.

 

I cany see how the V1 is better to hardwire. Both offer a hardwire kit.

 

hardwire kit comes with V1, you have to buy hardwire kit seperately from passport.

 

what do you mean by hardwire kit?

 

hardwire kit: a kit that comes with wires, fuse, and sometimes an external mute button used to hardwire a radar detector to the electrical system of a car.


BTW yeah the V1 comes with it, but your also paying over 100 bucks more in total for it. Arrows are great, but the thing looks like something out of the 80's. Id get one if they ever update the design.

 

hardwire so the wires are hidden and you don't have it hooked up the cig lighter.


v1 you can always upgrade the software on it for life, it has a better range, can track radar guns being shot behind you, bogey counter so you know how many there are (useful if you hear a beep and slow down, then later speed up cause you think your done but theres another), magnesium case...theres more. i don't like the design either but its amazing.

 

anyone know the best price for the V1?

 

used ones go for about 40 bucks less than new ones 99% of the time. try around $400

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by LAS2K &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">hardwire so the wires are hidden and you don't have it hooked up the cig lighter.


v1 you can always upgrade the software on it for life, it has a better range, can track radar guns being shot behind you, bogey counter so you know how many there are (useful if you hear a beep and slow down, then later speed up cause you think your done but theres another), magnesium case...theres more. i don't like the design either but its amazing. </TD></TR></TABLE>

my 8500 x50 does the same thing minus arrows. put it in expert mode and you can see everything going on with strength signals.

best 300.00 bucks I've ever spent

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by revhi &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
BTW yeah the V1 comes with it, but your also paying over 100 bucks more in total for it. Arrows are great, but the thing looks like something out of the 80's. Id get one if they ever update the design.</TD></TR></TABLE>

"$100 for Arrows" has been an age old debate. I had a v1.7 V1, then sold it for an 8500, then promptly sold that and bought a new v1.8 Valentine1. I can't live without the arrows. Even if the price difference was $200, I'd still get the V1. As far as the aesthetics go, I could care less. I do agree that it doesn't look as sleek as the X50, but it's a radar detector -- Function&gt;Form. Also, like "LAS2K" was saying, the software upgrades are there for life. If they come out with another radar/laser in a year, I just send my unit in and they upgrade it -- I don't have to spend another $300 for another detector while my old one becomes a paperweight. That's why they haven't changed the design on them. The people who bought first ones off the press years ago can still send theirs in and upgrade them to the same specs as my new V1. How's that for service?

Plus, the remote display is an awesome option. Here is what my setup looked like:





The main unit was nicely tucked away at the very top of the windshield.

I'd also like to mention that if you look on ebay or any other classifieds, you'll notice that V1's hold their value better than an ITR. If you get one, and you're past the 30 day trial period, you can get 98% of your money back by selling it yourself.

 

I'm running the V1 as well. I direct wired mine into my map lights took all of about 5 mins to install. It stays on all the time but it doesn't bother me :D

V1 FTW btw LOL

 

I have a Bel hardwired and it sits on the dash on the left.

 

The Bell Pro series highest unit is the same as the X50.