ccrocker

Installed my Valentine 1 radar detector this weekend.

The V1 is located in the front bumper in an enclosure from Midcity Engineering. I'd take a picture, but you can't see it... The enclosure is white plastic, but I painted it flat black. I lose the laser detector with this install, but from what I understand its generally just a notification that your getting a ticket. Radar sensitivity seems good so far, but I'm open to moving it if it doesn't seem effective in the next few weeks. Wiring is run through the fuse box and into the dash.

I also installed the Midcity Engineering V1 interface which displays the V1 messages in the middle of the guages. This install was very easy. It just plugs in beneath the driver side door sill.

Power, volume, mute, etc are controlled with a Valentine 1 remote audio adapter, which I took out of the box and installed in the center console. I sat in the car for a long time figuring out where to install it. Besides the ashtray, there is not a lot of room. With some help from a dremel, it just barely fits into the gear shift panel. I did a lot of test fits to get it to fit properly. Luckily the hole lines up perfectly in the gear shift panel. Power is from the cigarette lighter.

ZeroSeVen

Clean install and thanks for the brief write up

phobos512

Very nice. I reviewed this product on the MidCity website and I don't see pursuing it myself. You lose rearward radar detection which is one of the primary benefits of the V1 (I believe it's the only one piece radar detector with rearward detection). I had an older one years ago and it served me well. Looking to get a newer one shortly.

ccrocker

I still have rear radar detection, but no laser detection. The sensitivity may be reduced, but so far I can't tell the difference.

jctevere

Is it annoying? With all the beeps and crap? Also, how do you get to the V1 screen. Does it become another listed option when you go through the menu or something?

ccrocker

You have to be on the "audio" screen for it to show and then it only displays when it detects something. Audio is a separate unit controlled by the knob. If you are not on the "audio" screen, you still hear the beeps, but don't see the display. You can turn it off, turn it on with no volume, or turn it up to any volume you want. In other words, it can be as annoying as you want it to be. Its not like its going off every minute...

The fact that its hidden and hard wired means I don't have to put it away to prevent someone from stealing it. It also means I don't have to put it back up - in which case I'd probably be lazy and after a while I'd probably stop using it. This way, its always there and I don't have to think about it.

I could possibly move the unit to the back center headrest or maybe the front of the headliner. Anyone put one in the headliner? I really don't want to see the unit at all.

-Reno-

wow nice
how did u connect it to the gauge?

Sportstick

I'm a major V1 fan, after having had Passport. Arrows and bogey counters are excellent, and sensitivity to falsing can be adjusted. The built-in installation is great, but too bad about laser. If you drive with the concept of having a "leader", you can effectively pick up the limited scatter of the laser gun when the leader gets "hit". I've used this technique successfully for years and the only laser ticket from waaaay back when happened when I was in front with no leader. The limitation is having to wait for some rabbit to come by who wants to drive at the speed you are hoping for and just trail about 1/4 mile behind. This is a highway technique...on city/residential streets, I am pretty strict about speed limits.

jctevere

Sportstick, I am surprised that you like Valentine V1 over the Passport. You had the one with GPS for false threat detection right?

How much of a problem is that with the V1, a lot of people complain about it.

Also, has anyone ever heard of the BEL 980. I saw it mentioned in a review where it did very well.

Speedriven1

Link to the review? I have a client right now asking about the Passport - I tend to like the V1, but still curious.

Sportstick

My Passport was an older model. I switched over to Valentine many years ago and became delighted with the arrows and counter. I have mine set to the "L" logic level which still has some false alarms, but they do fade into the background of consciousness after a while. Most of the complaints probably come during initial usage, but the mind accommodates (Reticular Activating System ). From what I've read, Passport is better at staying silent around false alarms, but that is not worth the trade-off for the arrows and counter for me, which have helped very often. If Passport figured out a workaround for Valentine's patent and added arrows and counter or if a new V1 launched with Passport's silence, I might be back in the market. Meanwhile, V1's features win for me.

jctevere

http://www.askmen.com/entertainment/...h_gadgets.html

It rates the 8500 #1, Bel 980 #2 and Valentine V1 #3.

However, it is a bit of an older review, the Bel 980 was replaced by the Bel 995. Can be found for around $200 new.

Sportstick

Just read that review and must admit to chuckling at the writer's logic. The V1 downfall to 4/5 is that it can be seen by police, to which I ask, "So?"

1) If it works better to give location and number of radar sources to provide better protection so you don't get stopped, it doesn't matter.

2) If you get stopped with one of the others (and it is not fully built in), the officer will be watching for arm movement (they are thinking drugs/weapons), so you won't be able to get a BEL or Passport off the windshield/visor without being seen, so, again, it doesn't provide any advantage once the office walks up to your door.

If that is the basis of being third place, I think a different reviewer should be consulted.

jctevere

Yeah, I thought the same thing when I read it. Don't the newer versions have a dark mode too?

Sportstick

http://www.valentine1.com/v1info/pdf...ns_pg14-16.pdf

Don't see one, but that would defeat the unique advantage of arrows and counter! I guess I don't see the value in running dark for the logic in my last post. Much better would be a full built-in with cluster read out that does not sacrifice the laser antennae.

ccrocker

The cluster read out does not sacrafice the laser detection. My mounting location sacrafices the laser detection...

Sportstick

I understand and agree. In my haste, I was two commas short. I should have written:

Much better would be a full built-in, with cluster read out, that does not sacrifice (with only one "a") the laser antennae.

This would have made my intent more clear. Thank you.

RLE

Keeping in mind that the closer to the road surface, the shorter the range.

I have my V1 mounted just to the right of the mirror (with hidden wiring, of course) and if I'm worried about the lights being seen by a following car, I can just tilt the visor down a bit.

RLE

The "reviewer" quotes radartest.com as a credible source of information and looking at their website, I see that they are, guess what, in the business of selling detectors.

Except Valentine which is sold direct by the manufacturer.

Looks a little fishy to me.

Yes, I'm on my third V1 and it's saved my bacon more than once.

Runamuck

I just got a new radar, I got the escort redline which is sort of a direct competitor to the V1. I will say the range on the redline is HUGE.

I just didnt want to wait for the V1 to come in the mail. Plus the redline works awesome in Texas against the Ka state troopers for my highway driving. Radar already paid for itself with 4 saves in a round trip from Dallas to Austin. I dont speed on city streets so it isnt needed there, just open highways.

Mixedfruits

just got mt 9500ix today still have no idea how to use this thing was tail gating about 3 officers today and no beeps at all.. Is it because they dont have there radars on?

romanservices

Yeah no..it's not a cop detector, so the radar would need to be on inorder for the radar detector to work.

Mixedfruits

prob just return I guess I have 2 more weeks with this if it saves me a ticket then its a keeper

phobos512

The dark mode is enabled by use of the remote control panel display which is a newer piece of hardware but is compatible with all V1s (as they can always be upgrade to the most recent specs by sending it in for a fee).

https://store.valentine1.com/Store/

Item 20110 Concealed Display with Band Identification

UK-C200

Got a 9500ci in the SLK, and it's paid for itself about 10 times over. Didn't like the options for remote install on the V1, and having a built-in / concealed unit was a "must have" for a convertible. Huge plus - for quality top down driving - is the "auto-mute" functionality that mutes the radio when the detector goes off.

Rob @ midcity was working on a CAN integration module, not sure if it's on the market.