We have several of the speed limt signs w/ radar where I live. I noticed that my V1 was not picking up K band and laser as early as it use to (past 8 months). I called Valentine about the issue and sent the V1 to them for repairs. It turns out that the unit needed to be recalibrated. This could be due to sun or even the new distronic laser sytems today screwing up the sensors. I got it back yesterday (no charge btw just shipping) works better than ever. It now picks up the little speed limit stand 4x further than it did 2 weeks ago. Highly recommended.

 

that is great, but does it go off all the time now (overly ensitive)
I love my valentine ans swear by it.

 

Nope! It just works like it should. The rep told me most do not recognize an issue because it is a slow decrease in performance. He recommended sending it back to valentine every 2 years for recalibration and software updates.

 

Thanks L8Apex. I'll send mine in.

 

If you go to http://www.valentine1.com/upgrades/ and enter in your unit's serial number, it will tell you about upgrades that are available also. The upgrades may or may not cost money, but if you get the upgrades done, you get the state of the art protection.

Cyrus

 

how good is this valentine 1...can i hear some insight on this thing...people say its the best, but what makes it the best? anybody have a reason, or a story why its the best???...im intrested in buy 1, but would like to know why i should by this over the others

 

Check out the latest independent unbiased radar detector test for the reason why people want a V1.

http://guysoflidar.com/radar-detecto...mer-tests.html

 

Mike Valentine has set up his unit to avoid false alarms from the speed boards. My V1 doesn't pick up the speed board used around my town.

There's more info on this design feature at his website.

 

My unit is awesome against police radar - - I am super-reluctant to have it "upgraded" based upon all the recent technical revisions they've been forced to make.

 

What do u mean forced?....and why specifically do you think the upgrades are bad.........please elaborate

 

Start reading here:

http://www.radardetector.net/viewtop...=17819&start=0

you'll quickly get a taste of what's been going on. It primarily affects very new units.

 

Wow.... it used to be you could buy tech hardware and it worked.............now there are entire forums dedicated to multiple revisions and software updates, some of which do this and not that............this **** is too complicated

 

LOL, I know. That's why I've elected to leave well enough alone

 

you keep saying HIS...whos HIS?

 

i read the thread... not sure where it said anything relavent. please explain.

 

 

This is straight from Mike Valentine's mouth:

The failure to alert to a particular speed sign might have one of several causes:

1) The speed sign may employ an FM-CW modulation technique to sense the direction of vehicles in its field of view. This feature is used to isolate departing from oncoming traffic. The V1 does not recognize FM-CW modulation as a valid police radar signal and tries to reject it. FM-CW is allowed for license-free "Part 15" devices by the FCC. FM-CW is not allowed for police radar. There are numerous traffic-volume sensors using FM-CW spread all around metropolitan areas these days that detector owners would rather not produce an alert. Otherwise freeway driving (in Cincinnati, at least) would be very annoying. It's a good thing that the V1 rejects FM-CW modulated signals.

2) The speed sign may have drifted out of the police radar band from aging or temperature. "Part 15" devices are somewhat notorious for this behavior. Automatic door sensors and Doppler security sensors are both "Part 15" devices, too. Few automatic door sensors use FM-CW because of the added expense. The speed sign devices can afford the added cost of including the FM-CW modulating hardware.

3) The V1 in question may need for our service department to have a look at it to make sure it is operating correctly

 

They want $229 to upgrade my old V1. I would probably do it but I've got a K40 in my E55 and the IR glass in my GL seems to prevent it from working to its potential.

 

im still not sure why anyone would not want to update to the latest software. did they take something away? am i missing something?

 

If you look in your owners manual you will find that there is a cleared area on the windshield for transpass and radar detector use.