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After messing around with a Passport and finally deciding the Valentine One is better IMHO. I settled on the placement in the pic. I did not care for it being on the drivers visor, and I didn't want it wired directly to the mirror. What works good here, is that it's a shorter path to the fuse-box and the passenger foot-well. Also, the vanity mirror is still usable and it's an easy reach to hit the mute button. I can glance over as well, because it's slightly canted in my direction. Unit works great as it's not obstructed or affected by anything. Nice and clean, chord all tucked away. Functional and simple.
After messing around with a Passport and finally deciding the Valentine One is better IMHO. I settled on the placement in the pic. I did not care for it being on the drivers visor, and I didn't want it wired directly to the mirror. What works good here, is that it's a shorter path to the fuse-box and the passenger foot-well. Also, the vanity mirror is still usable and it's an easy reach to hit the mute button. I can glance over as well, because it's slightly canted in my direction. Unit works great as it's not obstructed or affected by anything. Nice and clean, chord all tucked away. Functional and simple.
It's cleverly concealed around the visor. Thus, you can't see it unless the visor is down. It then jumps across to the A pillar and goes behind the cover. Then goes down and comes out at the fuse box in the foot well. Where it is hooked up to an ignition on only power source. You see zero chord when the visor is up.
Is the rear-facing antenna unobstructed in that position? On my EscortMax360, the rear antenna receives its signal via a small bump on top that would be totally inoperable where you have yours. Does that position have a clear line of sight around the top of the passenger seat and through the rear glass?
Is the rear-facing antenna unobstructed in that position? On my EscortMax360, the rear antenna receives its signal via a small bump on top that would be totally inoperable where you have yours. Does that position have a clear line of sight around the top of the passenger seat and through the rear glass?
Not at all, being where it is. It has a great shot going out the rear. Red arrow is where the rear sensor is. Works great.
Yeah - love the V1. Not a fan of all the new fangled stuff. Real time updates, special technologies, blah-blah-blah. Gotta have a new gimmick to sell things nowadays I guess.
It's unfortunate that it hasn't been updated in years, and won't for the foreseeable future. Going to go with the R7 personally.
What are you talking about?
It has been updated multiple times over many, many years. It is the only radar detector that can be updated from the factory. I have had the two I own updated many times. You send the unit in and new software; sometimes hardware, is installed for far less than the price of a new unit, and your 'old' unit is returned. TBH, I wouldn't be surprised if many times only the aluminum shell isn't the only thing they return; all the 'innards' being new. Occasionally for about $150 off of MSRP if your V1 is very old, they'll just send you a brand new one and keep the old V1.
It has been updated multiple times over many, many years. It is the only radar detector that can be updated from the factory. I have had the two I own updated many times. You send the unit in and new software; sometimes hardware, is installed for far less than the price of a new unit, and your 'old' unit is returned. TBH, I wouldn't be surprised if many times only the aluminum shell isn't the only thing they return; all the 'innards' being new. Occasionally for about $150 off of MSRP if your V1 is very old, they'll just send you a brand new one and keep the old V1.
I was referring to them updating the firmware. As far as I'm aware the only way to keep it up to date with current features in radar detectors is with 3rd party apps. But they abandoned firmware updates 3+ years ago.
Agreed the aluminum case and arrows make the V1 great. I ran the new plastic uniden at same time and alerts were very close.
AMG17
Uniden's are very good at signal detection but you never know where the signal is! Major fail in my book however they have a new model coming out with arrows. Still, saved me from two cites near Blythe, CA.
Nope as Bish mentioned they are the best in the business about keeping their technology current.
They are always in the top 2 or 3 units in supposedly objective evaluations.
Unless you want to pay 3 or 4 times the cost for a high end hidden one, you can’t go wrong with a V1.
The V1 hasn't had a firmware update since 3.8952, in 2016.... The R7 seems to beat it in all tests that Ive seen, is a new and currently supported product, and is only $40 more. I don't see a reason to buy a V1 when it seems to have been completely abandoned, though I'm sure it's still perfectly fine if you already have one.
Originally Posted by Jim Brady
AMG17
Uniden's are very good at signal detection but you never know where the signal is! Major fail in my book however they have a new model coming out with arrows. Still, saved me from two cites near Blythe, CA.
It's out as of the 14th, and there are lots of tests on youtube for good comparisons.
I think peeps need to read all the tech info Mike Valentine provides on his clunky website.
He debunks all these gimmicks other manufacturers have as a waste or not real protection..
Explains how to use arrows.
What effects reception range
LASER...
etc...
I mean the site is a GEEKS dream but not awesome on the selling side...
He must be an engineer with a company full of engineers...
I have been using Valentine since 2001 and have gone thru 3 updates... the last a couple years ago and he tweaked software to account for all those BUICK SUV that have their Rear RADAR on all the time.
Bought one for the wife she - she likes it because it is simple and press one button for mute....
Now if I could get her to keep it level mounted to windshield...arggggggg
The V1 hasn't had a firmware update since 3.8952, in 2016.... The R7 seems to beat it in all tests that Ive seen, is a new and currently supported product, and is only $40 more. I don't see a reason to buy a V1 when it seems to have been completely abandoned, though I'm sure it's still perfectly fine if you already have one.
It's out as of the 14th, and there are lots of tests on youtube for good comparisons.
these “tests” are all horse shiite. The only reason they exist is the link at the bottom allowing you to buy from the test page. Try it yourself on a trip running both detectors.
these “tests” are all horse shiite. The only reason they exist is the link at the bottom allowing you to buy from the test page. Try it yourself on a trip running both detectors.
??? They're third party independent tests that people run and put up on youtube... You can watch the entirety of the test yourself... Also, running 2+ RDs next to each other is a great way to completely invalidate any testing you do. I get that people want to defend their purchases, but come on, it's not that serious.
I had no idea that stating what I was personally planning to buy, and why, would cause so much strife. But it seems to be derailing the thread, so I'll leave it at that. Enjoy.
these “tests” are all horse shiite. The only reason they exist is the link at the bottom allowing you to buy from the test page. Try it yourself on a trip running both detectors.
I don't know about R7, but I did run 2 different detectors to decide what works best for me.
I switched from Passport to V1 several years ago. The main reason for switching was the arrows. I found them very helpful. When Max 360 came out with arrows, I thought I would give it a try as I was tired of V1’s false alarms.
I put both detectors for a week in one of my cars in streets and high ways. I couldn’t tell much difference between the 2 in terms of detection capabilities, but the false alarms were much more on V1. Max 360 also has the learn capabilities which V1 didn’t have at that time, not sure if that feature is now available on V1 or not, but I really like it. I also used the cloud feature of 360, but now a days Waze is a better option.
I sold all 3 V1s on ebay and bought 2 more Max 360s. I am brand agnostic and choose based on what works for me.
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