I'm looking at either a Escort or Valentine. Curious on how many people still use these? Or is it a loss cause?

It's on my mod list... I always seem to buy other things before looking into this, although I am keeping my eye open for a Valentine, I've heard those are the best.

It's on my mod list... I always seem to buy other things before looking into this, although I am keeping my eye open for a Valentine, I've heard those are the best.

Although radar has advanced considerably in the last 10-20 years, the Valentine has gone nearly unchanged for roughly 15 years. Loyal Valentine owners will defend it to the day they die (no doubt you'll see such posts after mine), but unless I were back in the early 90's I wouldn't own one. The only cool thing about the Valentine is that it gives you a directional indicator of the threat, and that it can track multiple radar sources at once.

The first is irrelevant as far as I'm concerned because a valid radar signal means slow down if I'm going too fast, and when the signal is gone and the coast is clear, I can resume my previous speed. I don't care which direction the signal was coming from. The second function is also irrelevant for essentially the same reason, I don't care if there are 1 cops or 5, if they're using radar I'm going to slow down until the signal is long gone. Besides, I've very rarely seen multiple cops using radar on a stretch so small that the detector has to track multiple signals within its limited range at once.

Those are the only two goodies about it, aside from the fact that it does have good laser performance, but there are plenty of things to not like about it, namely the ancient technology, and the fact that it's about the size of an 8-Track tape (fitting since that's about how old the technology is).

I'm not hear to advocate for any particular brand, I just think it's a mistake to purchase a new Valentine if you don't already own one and you're in the market for a good detector. Do some research, or read up on the research that has already been done. There's a good comparison of the best detectors on the market by RadarTest.com here: http://www.radartest.com/article.asp?articleid=9090. They included the Valentine in that test because there are so many loyal owners, so if you're really interested in one then you can see how it stacks up against the competition, namely the Escort Passport 8500 X50, and the Bel Pro RX65. Not included in this comparison is the wireless Escort Solo S2 which I personally have. It's basically the Passport 8500 X50 but wireless, with very small compromises made for the sake of battery life.

Good luck with whatever you get.

Although radar has advanced considerably in the last 10-20 years, the Valentine has gone nearly unchanged for roughly 15 years. Loyal Valentine owners will defend it to the day they die (no doubt you'll see such posts after mine), but unless I were back in the early 90's I wouldn't own one. The only cool thing about the Valentine is that it gives you a directional indicator of the threat, and that it can track multiple radar sources at once.

The first is irrelevant as far as I'm concerned because a valid radar signal means slow down if I'm going too fast, and when the signal is gone and the coast is clear, I can resume my previous speed. I don't care which direction the signal was coming from. The second function is also irrelevant for essentially the same reason, I don't care if there are 1 cops or 5, if they're using radar I'm going to slow down until the signal is long gone. Besides, I've very rarely seen multiple cops using radar on a stretch so small that the detector has to track multiple signals within its limited range at once.

Those are the only two goodies about it, aside from the fact that it does have good laser performance, but there are plenty of things to not like about it, namely the ancient technology, and the fact that it's about the size of an 8-Track tape (fitting since that's about how old the technology is).

I'm not hear to advocate for any particular brand, I just think it's a mistake to purchase a new Valentine if you don't already own one and you're in the market for a good detector. Do some research, or read up on the research that has already been done. There's a good comparison of the best detectors on the market by RadarTest.com here: http://www.radartest.com/article.asp?articleid=9090. They included the Valentine in that test because there are so many loyal owners, so if you're really interested in one then you can see how it stacks up against the competition, namely the Escort Passport 8500 X50, and the Bel Pro RX65. Not included in this comparison is the wireless Escort Solo S2 which I personally have. It's basically the Passport 8500 X50 but wireless, with very small compromises made for the sake of battery life.

Good luck with whatever you get.

That's some good information there, I will do some indepth research before making the decision to buy one. I have not really researched the topic, as I guess you can tell by my ignorance of its ancient technology, and its size...lol I would want the best one on the market when I get one. I guess I was going by those loyal Valentine owners opinion that got me sorta hooked, but now I see the light and will actually research which one is best for me.

Thanks for the link! Great information :cheers:

edenney, that is well put. I have an escort Passport 7500 and love it. I also know for a fact that the 8500's pick up their signals a decent distance ahead of mine so they are even better yet. I highly recommend the 8500 and they are reasonably priced if you check out ebay!

edenney, that is well put. I have an escort Passport 7500 and love it. I also know for a fact that the 8500's pick up their signals a decent distance ahead of mine so they are even better yet. I highly recommend the 8500 and they are reasonably priced if you check out ebay!

8500 is the latest and greatest right? Any ideas how often do they update or come out with new models?