thegame

I was going to buy one but figured I would see if a forum vendor sold them. Anyone know for sure???

mjw930

Valentine 1's are only sold direct. Some sites show they resell them but Valentine Research's model is direct only.

thegame

Oh ok thanks. I'll order from the V1 site then

Keith N

I'll be ordering a new V1 when my C7 Coupe arrives.

jim213

Have used the V1 for years and for the price and performance of the unit it's awful hard to beat.

time2run

If you have an older V1 model they will give you a (I think) $100 discount on the newest version. Just enter the serial number in the "Upgrade" window and see if yours will qualify. The older model has to be semi-functional to qualify.

mjw930

Depending on how old the upgrade can cost as little as $99 and as much as $299. The typical upgrade price is $199. We have 2, 1 has been upgraded 3 times since 2000 and other once since 2005. About to upgrade them both.

Here's an example of the report you get on the upgrade page:

Z51VetteDriver

It really doesn't matter how good they are or how much they cost.
If the cops hit you with "Instant-on" laser/radar, you're dead meat!!!
By the time you brake they've got you.

I've had both, V1 and Escort and have gotten a ticket with both!
DAMN that instant-on crap!!! ARGHHHH!!!!! LOL!!!

thegame

Sure it's not guaranteed to never get a ticket but it's definitely going to help cut down issues. What about those built in laser jammers??

mjw930

Absolutely agree, none of these will help in every situation. These just level the playing field and when used correctly, can save your wallet in many situations.

You will lose to instant on if you are alone but I don't have enough fingers and toes to count the number of times I've picked up a blip from them hitting cars in front on me, sometimes nearly a mile ahead and been able to blend back into traffic while they target the guy/gal that blows past me when I slot into the crowd.

Laser is a bitch, no two ways about it and if you are in an area where it's heavily used then research on laser jammers is well worth your time. Luckily they aren't used much where I travel.

BTW, I built detectors and jammers back in the late 70's, early 80's and have been using electronic counter measures since the original Whistler brick from the mid 70's. Followed Mike and his father when they founded Cincinnati Microwave in '76 and have been a fan of his engineering and design sense ever since.

NavyBlue2

Can you pls clarify on the statement above?
Meaning that if I currently own 2 older working V1, I can purchase a brand new V1 (without trade-in) for $300 ($400 - $100 discount)?

Seems like a great deal, since they want $200 just to upgrade my current latest model.

So it'll be a no-brainer to spend $100 more to buy a brand new one & give my old one to my son...

Keith N

To upgrade your current Valentine 1, you need to ship in your V1 detector and they upgrade the firmware to the latest version. The cost depends on how old the firmware is on your unit. Go to the Valentine 1 website and input your serial number and it will tell you the cost to upgrade.

John Ulrich

I just visited their website to see what was new..... Looks like the same old chassis. No talk of anything new. They are due for something in a smaller case.
I'll keep the two 9500xi's going for now. As mentioned earlier...laser, forget it! But they save my from the locals regularly.

Indy-hp

The upgrade program is da bomb. I upgraded when I went from a C5 to my C6. They sent me a brand new unit for $200 and I sent back my old one. Plan to do it again when my C7 arrives.

NavyBlue2

I did that already, & it says $200 to upgrade.
But I give up my old unit.

Again, if I can buy a brand new (while keeping my old unit too) for $300, then the $100 difference will be great...

slesher

Tried several and the V1 is the real deal. Hope you enjoy it

AORoads

Getting a ticket with the latest any-detector has nothing to do with driving with no cars around or in a pack of many cars. It has to do w. how high is your speed, how fast is it possible to get it down, and if in a pack, who will be caught/singled out for the ticket.

mjw930

It doesn't work that way, you either upgrade, which means you send in your unit and they send you either a new one or your unit reworked, depending on how old your unit is or you buy a new one for $399 and keep your old one.

NavyBlue2

That's why I was confirming about post #6 above about the $100 discount off the $400 retail price, if you currently own a V1 already.

TKay

On the fence about getting one. It seems that I pass a ton of guys getting tickets from plain unmarked everyday looking cars. No detector is going to let you know a cop is tailing you.