JamE55

Hey all!

Just wondering if any of you guys are running Valentine 1 Radar Detector on you car, if so what are your experiences about it? I mean is it working good for you? How efective is it?


TIA!

Norm C32

JamE55, I have not used the V1 my C32, delivery is in March, but have used a V1 since 1997 when they first introduced laser detection. I have had it upgraded since with the latest software. Once it fell off the motorcycle and I sent it in to determine if it was salvagable. The front and rear face plates, made of platic, were gone but the metal case was intact with scratches. There is nothing that matches the feeling in the gut as you see $400 of hardware rolling down the road after you in the mirror. It passed all V1's tests so I was able to upgrade to the current face plate.

After recieving a speeding ticket from being zapped with laser from behind at 2:30am I upgraded to rear detection. I have been clocked once with laser from the rear after passing a cop parked in a driveway.

All my cars use the consealed display which is convient to reach into your ashtray to mute rather than up at your windshield. It also moves the V1 arrows out of the site of followers. I also used the remote control on the motorcycle which allows attachment of head phones to better hear the V1.

In the city where X-band is not used I can go into program and delete the detection of that band. This is nice feature in the city where there are allot of false X-band alarms. When I leave the non-X-band area(cleveland) I can turn it back on. I also have changed the sensitivity of Ka-band to be more sensitive. The auto magazines have shown that the Ka-band with an instant-on hit is quite poor. But that was probably tested in the least sensitive mode.

www.valentineone.com

Check out the Feb. 2002 Car & Driver for the latest review.

Norm

JamE55

Thanks for the good information Norm! I think i will be getting one.

MikeC

I have been using V1 for a long time. It is the best radar detector if you know and follow all the alerts. I have gotten alerts 1- 3 miles in advance and somtimes wondered if they were true. THEY WERE TRUE ALRIGHT!! I mostly use my V1 when I go out of town. Here in S. FL I think they eyeball you a lot and have a very good idea of the traffic speed, so if you are above that speed they will know quite easily. You have to be aware of where they sit and can't sit then let the "HAMMER" down.

MikeC
E55

hmrdwn

I got a V1 last summer and it has saved my *** a couple of times, but nothing is fool proof. I was cruising through the Cumberland pass on I64 in Maryland on a clear beautiful day going about 100mph or better, as I came around a big curve I see Barney sitting in the median, I brake hard, he gets me with instant on at 83mph in a 65, no mercy = $270. But that trip I averaged 78mph for 600 miles so if $270 the price of admission, I'll pay it.

I seem to get a lot of ghost signals on the highway --- and the one thing that really sucks is in PA and MD they put radar on their construction signs...and sometimes Barney will sit behind the sign. Fricking Road Nannies.

JamE55

So just out of curiousity is there any drawback to having V1? I mean i'm sure this is not 100% full proof but how many percent does this V1 work?

hmrdwn

JamE55,

Basically, all I meant was it will help you know when Barney is lurking, but you still have to stay alert for instant-on and laser. Nothing can help you against laser. Basically the V1 goes off when they light you up...and you are already busted. End of story.

But I would definitely buy one again. I bought one for my brother and it is the only thing that keeps him from losing his license.

The directional arrows are key to letting you know where to look, especially if they are sneaking up behind you.

Unfortunately, my experiece is mostly on long road trips since radar detectors are illegal in Virginia!

JamE55

Great!

thanks again hmrdwn!

mbmb

But I'm not entirely happy with where I've wired it in. It looked to me like the opaque paint on the inside of the windshield behind the rear view mirror and the sun visor might interfere with the detector's vision, so I put it immediately below the RVM.

As Warren Zevon would say, "it ain't that pretty at all."

Anybody have a better idea?

Norm C32

JamE55

The only thing that gets me on the brake pedal falsely is when the sun is flicker through the clouds on a clear winter day setting off the laser detector. Maybe it is the way I have it mounted below the tinted ban across the top of the windshield but the laser is very sensitive.

I have had an officer target a car between us and was able to pick up the scatter. Laser guns have been used by Ohio State Patrol since about 1993. So I have accepted allot of hits. Hope my retinas are OK.

hmrdwn, at least the state patrol in PA cannot use moving radar. Just stationary use and only K-band. You just got to watch from them in the bushes on I-80.

JamE55

Thanks for the info Norm!

MosE55

V-1 is the way to go...I have tried Bel, various Escorts and Uniden but it is by far the best detector out there plus the arrows are helpful. C&D review this month is right on...only downside is that it ain't the prettiest packaging out there although the new box is smaller. I mount mine on the windshield on top of the center of the dashboard...clear view forward and back and I don't need to do any wiring up through the A pillars.

JamE55

Mos

How's your V1 connected? Is it hardwired or lighter plug??

Thanks!

MosE55

I haven't gotten around to hard wiring it so I am using the lighter plug right now...I plan on running the wire to the top center of the dash so I don't have to deal with the expando-cord to the lighter. It's discreet enough sitting there, particularly if you have tinted windows or the rear shade up.

JamE55

Cool! Thanks. I'll probably set mine up for a lighter plug so that i can use it when i travel with my friend's car.

mbmb

The V1 comes with both a hardwiring kit and a lighter plug. Hardwire your V1 in -- you can still unplug it and take it to another car with a lighter plug.

Here's mine, hardwired in:

JamE55

That looks nice mbmb!

Rich

I have 2 V1's. It is outstanding. I bought my first one in 9/96. I have used them in my 911's and my E55. I have only received 2 tickets since going to the V1. The first one I had the volume turned way down and never heard the detector (78/65). The second one, I had the music on too loud while cruising top down in the 911 (106/65). I also had the remote placed too low to see the lights without looking down. There was an open stretch of highway and I had opened it up a bit. Unfortunately the next car I came up on was a VA State Trooper. Fortunately I was slowing down when he clocked me
If you get one, buy the remove display. That way you won't have telltale lights up on the dash or windshield. It hooks up with regular telephone cord, so you can get the appropriate lengths of wire for the hookup. Place the remote where it is in your field of view, but not easily visable from the outside. You still have to anticipate where the radar is hiding. Instant on radar makes it a bit more challenging. Most police radar now is K and Ka bands. When they are using it, you will pick up a brief alarm. As you get closer it will get stronger. I use mine in VA all the time. I drive from S.VA to PA at least monthly. They are illegal in VA, so that makes it even more challanging - You have to hide the detector when you are pulled over, without the police seeing you do it. With the E55, I keep the valet key in the lock on the glove compartment, then put the detector in and lock it. I then put the key back in the fob. It's worked so far.

hmrdwn

Rich,

Where do you put it on your dash? And the remote?

Do you only put it up on the highway? I worry that some cop is going to walk by and see it parked on the street and ticket me.

I have a friend who got stopped on the GW parkway, she had a remote detector in her BMW convert. and the cop took wire cutters and yanked it out right there. She got it back after court.

I think I am going to start running with mine. I think the cost of my last ticket will be greater than the cost of losing a V1 to a random Barney stop.

JamE55

Rich

Where did you buy your V1?? How much?

Thanks!

Norm C32

JamE55, new units can only be purchased from Valentine One. There are units available on Ebay for slightly less. If you do make sure that it has the latest software which cannot be determine from info on V1's website.

Good luck!

JamE55

Norm

Can you give me more info on this software that you're talking about?? Not really familiar with this? Is this something that's already pre-programmed or pre-installed on the V1 or what is this really??

Thanks!

Norm C32

You'll the VIN of the unit for this site:

https://store.valentine1.com/upgrades/

Rseults I have:

V1 Description: Radar circuitry known in-house as V1.7 gives high performance on all radar bands. Also, it remembers your “mode” setting when shut off. Laser warning is front-only.

Upgrade Recommendation: While this version is not quite up to today’s V1 standard for Ka, it’s almost always good enough, and always better than detectors from other makers. X and K performance is excellent. Upgrading merely to improve radar performance is not cost effective, in my opinion. Upgrading does bring other benefits, including our latest Generation 3 laser warning (front and rear), which substantially improves on the Generation 1 performance of this unit, and LEDs for band identification.

Our Instant Upgrade* will make the following improvements to your V1.


Our best Ka-band performance.
Our best X-band performance.
Our best K-band performance.
Adds radar coverage on Ku-band (used in Europe).
Our best, Generation 3 laser warning, front and rear.
Reduces V1's case height by about ¼ inch.
Reduces V1's weight by about 1.5 oz.
Adds stack of LED indicators for each band.
Latest windshield mount with new suction cups.
Latest visor mount.
New Lighter Power Adapter.
New Direct-wire Power Adapter
New coiled cord.
New straight cord.
New wiring-harness connector.
Dual-Lock® fastener.
New Owners Manual.
Spare fuse.
Spare suction cups.
One-year limited warranty, same as new units.

*INSTANT UPGRADE: As soon as we receive your old unit (in operable condition with no tampering of the serial number) we’ll exchange it for a brand-new, current-production V1. This is our way of assuring you’ll be without V1 protection for the shortest time.

JamE55

Ok now i understand.

Thanks Norm!

Mr. Xristo

Am I the only one here who uses the K40?

k40