Both manufacturers offer 30-day "test-drives" with full refunds (minus shipping, IIRC), and it would do you well to directly experience both, to find out which one suits your unique use-needs, best.
Note that the V1 can be coupled with the SpeedCheetah GPS-Mirror or C100 stand-alone, using the Detector Interface, mute all audible alerts when under a preset speed (determined by the Cheetah unit's GPS). The use of this kind of coupling will also give you access to the Trinity Database, of which the fixed camera threats location is what Escort licenses its Defender Database off of - and what's more, the Cheetah products will give you a free LIFETIME access to updating the database.
If you live in a detector-prohibited area, or frequently drive through one, then it's a no-brainer. Get the Beltronics STi-Driver.
I avoided recommending a V1 as the expressed concern was over achieving lower "false" rates and the initial question was between to Escort products not from any manufacturer...
My personal experience with the existing Cheetah interface to detectors is that the intimacy of the detection alerts is no longer there, when Cheetah alerts in the place of the V1. I personally prefer the particular alert nature of the V1, unmodified.
If money is not an object, either of these models would do quite nicely, the RX65, the 8500 X50, the STi Driver, or either the Passport 9500i or 9500ix.
We're talking [small] degrees of excellence, here.
I avoided recommending a V1 as the expressed concern was over achieving lower "false" rates and the initial question was between to Escort products not from any manufacturer...
My personal experience with the existing Cheetah interface to detectors is that the intimacy of the detection alerts is no longer there, when Cheetah alerts in the place of the V1. I personally prefer the particular alert nature of the V1, unmodified.
If money is not an object, either of these models would do quite nicely, the RX65, the 8500 X50, the STi Driver, or either the Passport 9500i or 9500ix.
We're talking [small] degrees of excellence, here.
Veil Guy
And if I were looking for a good deal, but something I could be very confident in getting the job down in mostly MA and RI, with about 90% highway driving?
If what you mean by a good deal is a "bargain" then I would add a couple value priced models like the Beltronics V955 or the Whistler Pro 78 or XTR 695 or newer SE models soon to be released.
Either of these models would do well on NE highways.
If money is not an object, either of these models would do quite nicely, the RX65, the 8500 X50, the STi Driver, or either the Passport 9500i or 9500ix.
The RX65 is the unsung hero of the countermeasures arsenal. It's a great performer if you don't need features like GPS. For someone just starting out on a budget that wanted good coverage, it would pair up very nicely with some Veil.