Escort 7500 vs 8500

GScott · 06-15-03, 08:51

I'm looking for a new radar detector for my Z4. I've used the cheaper models in the past but they usually end up in the glove box because of the constant false alarms.

I would like to get the 8500 but I don't know that I can spend $300 on a radar detector. What is the difference the 7500 and the 8500? I've seen 7500's on EBay in the low $100's. I will also mainly be using it for highway driving.

Thanks.
Gary

BradNC · 06-15-03, 09:39

I was a diehard Escort guy until I ordered the Valentine One on the 30 day trial. You may be able to find one on ebay cheaper than a new one.

Just a thought.
Brad

2hotford · 06-16-03, 09:02

I am not sure about the 7500 but I love my 8500!!! There have been many tests from various organizations where the Passport 8500 came out on top. The Valentine 1 is also an excellent radar detector. You should do a google search for these tests, and remember, they may be biased.

All I know is that the Passport 8500 has been the best radar detector I have owned and I have owned probably 12 high end models over the years.

06-17-03, 08:34

like 2hotford said, I also own the 8500 (because at the time I only had a discover card and Valentine doesn't accept DC).

It has paid for itself soo many times, that I don't know what I did without it.

As for false alarms, I don't car what kind of radar you have, you will get false alarms. Unless it's an area that you're unfamiliar with, you learn to read the false alarms and ignore them. I know that the way that my radar works, I can immedietly tell when it's a true alarm and false.

Guess My Name · 06-17-03, 12:33

Rather have a false alarm then for the detector to miss the police.................

2500Hemi · 06-17-03, 02:17

My passport 8500 has paid for itself many times as well. It saved me today actually. I have learned to tell false alarms quite well. My buddy has always talked major crap about all radar detectors saying they were worthless. Today he asked how much I paid for mine and admitted that now he feels nervous speeding in his truck without one!

Brad B. · 06-17-03, 03:53

I know you didn't ask, but the ONLY detector recommended on the Porsche forum is the Valentine One.

dookiebob · 06-17-03, 05:04

My girlfriend got me one of these over the weekend for my birthday:

It has already saved my butt once:

This weekend, I was driving on I-95, which had a one of those radar signs telling you the speed limit and your current speed (near the Academy road exit). The valentine detected this one from about a mile away, which I expected. When I passed by it, I noticed my bogey counter read 2 and I had arrows pointing front and back. When I passed over the next hill, there was a patrol car on the side of the road, lightly hiding in the construction, with a radar gun outside of his car.

Any other detector would have been toast in this situation.

-Bob

RhinoNC · 06-17-03, 07:03

Car and Driver did a comparison a while ago and the Valentine trounced everything.

I think he's an engineer with vision who was too restrained when he worked for Escort and now he's been able to design just what he (Mike Valentine) wants.

I've never used either, but if it were me, I would get a Valentine.

BradNC · 06-17-03, 09:05

I didn't think the bogey counter or arrows would make much of a difference but I love them. For example, if you are in an area that always falses but you notice a number that is more than usual on the bogey counter you know something is fishy. This happened to me recently and that feature alone saved my butt. I ordered the Valentine One with the intention of returning it but I had to end up selling my Escort on ebay.

Brad

dookiebob · 06-17-03, 09:39

I just gotta use this pic again:

I get a semi-chub just looking at it.

-Bob

2hotford · 06-17-03, 09:42

Rather than start a "mine is better than yours" debate, here is a link to to a test site for radar detectors. Of course, take them with a grain of salt.

http://www.radartest.com/article.asp?articleid=1064

Point being simple, each individual will have his/her likes and dislikes. Valentine usually gets the distance nod in straight distance but the Passport beats it in over the hill testing. It goes back and forth for each test, one winning one, the other winning one. In the end, both are excellent choices!! What you gain with one, you lose with the other and vice versa. Magazine tests are usually sponsored. As such, they will be biased. If you do not own one of these, please do not "put-down" the other unless you have tried both!! Moreover, don't just read a review and determine which is best. Ask the people that own them!