wjbertrand
Ventura Highway
+1, this is the main reason I went with the Escort, the earphone jack is already there saving both space and money. I've got both the 8500 X50 and a 9500ix. Both are firmware updatable, but the 9500ix can be updated with your computer using Escort's Detector Tools software. The 8500 has to be sent in.One will also have to purchase the adapter for the v-1 that allows it to have a audio out so you can hear it go off in your ear, this pricey little adapter is prone to get mucked up by rain, some have had to replace it a number of times. I prefer the Escort 8500 (red screen) for 250 to 300.00 already has a headset output, they both do a great job of detecting radar and laser. Kieth (i do not sell either one.---I use a escort for the above reasons.....
The updateable traffic camera and speed trap data base in the 9500ix is really useful and it's GPS capability can be used to lock out known false alerts as well.
Valentine likes to brag about the ability to track multiple bogies but the Escorts can do this too, just by changing the display to "expert meter" mode, It tracks 6-8 bogies simultaneously. I really like the directional arrows on the V1 but I think the first priority when an alert goes off is to check and adjust your speed immediately, then worry about where the LEO is. If you've adjusted to the speed limit, where the LEO is becomes less important.
I've ridden thousands of miles with Hal Rumenapp who runs a V1 and comparing alerts, it's not really clear which performs better. Sometimes he gets an alert first and sometimes I do, most of the time it's nearly simultaneous. You really can't go wrong with either unit.