Valentine One Owners
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 996
Likes: 13
From: Dallas TX
Originally Posted by DANNOV
I love my Valentine. But, last month on a trip back from Memphis I rounded a curve and right in front of me was an Illinois trooper aiming his radar or laser right at me. Point blank range.....the Valentine did not register anything at all....just silence.
I was lucky because some cars ahead had slowed me down to about 70 mph. But it was a bit baffling why the Valentine was silent, if it was a laser perhaps he was aiming but did not shoot. My Valentine unit is about 3 years old and has not been upgraded. I wonder if the Illinois troopers are using something that my older Valentine is not detecting. Just what is the latest upgrade and is it worth having?
I was lucky because some cars ahead had slowed me down to about 70 mph. But it was a bit baffling why the Valentine was silent, if it was a laser perhaps he was aiming but did not shoot. My Valentine unit is about 3 years old and has not been upgraded. I wonder if the Illinois troopers are using something that my older Valentine is not detecting. Just what is the latest upgrade and is it worth having?
If it was instant on radar then it's very likely you wouldn't have picked up anything unless you were in the path of the cone when the trigger was pressed.
With the exception of POP, radar gun technology really hasn't changed in 10+ years so I can't see an upgrade being the source of any missed transmission.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 8,133
Likes: 144
From: Ex-SF Bay Area; now happily Denver area
I have it in both cars and it has saved my rearend a number of times...so I don't really care what it costs or the debate on looks, etc. And I would have a hard time living without the arrows.
Once I was on the freeway getting a fairly strong signal from behind. This went on for maybe 3-4 miles and I could find nothing in the rearview mirror except another car and a truck, but I kept the speed down anyway. Finally, a motorcycle cop punched it from where he was hiding behind this farm truck and passed me. I don't know for sure, of course, but I think he was hanging back there to see if I would pick up some speed or something in the Vette. Without the arrows I would never have known that he was behind me and would have thought that it was coming from off the freeway someplace. That alone sold me on the value of the arrows.
I'm keeping mine and don't want to go out without them.
Once I was on the freeway getting a fairly strong signal from behind. This went on for maybe 3-4 miles and I could find nothing in the rearview mirror except another car and a truck, but I kept the speed down anyway. Finally, a motorcycle cop punched it from where he was hiding behind this farm truck and passed me. I don't know for sure, of course, but I think he was hanging back there to see if I would pick up some speed or something in the Vette. Without the arrows I would never have known that he was behind me and would have thought that it was coming from off the freeway someplace. That alone sold me on the value of the arrows.
I'm keeping mine and don't want to go out without them.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 414
Likes: 0
From: MA
exactly. this story plays out often on MA highways where the troopers now have the same direction DSP radar so they can stalk you while they're behind you on the highway.
other than the highly amusing case where you pick up K-band ahead of you. you approach a large 4-lobe cloverleaf cautiously. then the forward arrow becomes side arrows. as you creep forward, then the signal points to the rear as the trooper has traversed the cloverlead and merged into traffic behind you.
other than the highly amusing case where you pick up K-band ahead of you. you approach a large 4-lobe cloverleaf cautiously. then the forward arrow becomes side arrows. as you creep forward, then the signal points to the rear as the trooper has traversed the cloverlead and merged into traffic behind you.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 860
Likes: 2
From: Naples. FL.
Had my frist ever Radar device in any car and it's the V1 in my C6. Saved me so many times(apart from being done by an overhead plane). Think I have had mine for about 8 months now.........when is it normally time to upgrade? Does the Company write to you, or should I just view their website from time to time? 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 984
Likes: 1
From: Austin Texas
Originally Posted by branmin
Had my frist ever Radar device in any car and it's the V1 in my C6. Saved me so many times(apart from being done by an overhead plane). Think I have had mine for about 8 months now.........when is it normally time to upgrade? Does the Company write to you, or should I just view their website from time to time?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,238
Likes: 14
From: Charlotte NC
I’ve been using the V1 since the early 90’s when it first came out.
I think I’ve had seven or eight of them total over the years.
I sell them on EBAY every 2-3 years and buy a new one because they have excellent resale value.
It’s cheaper then upgrading through Valentine.
Upgrades run 100-200 dollars depending on how old your unit is.
You can sell a used V1 on EBAY and they go for 300-325 every day.
That way “upgrades” only cost me 75-100 dollars when I flip one and I always have the latest and greatest system.
It’s big, it’s ugly, it’s expensive, but it works great and I love it.
Shawn S
I think I’ve had seven or eight of them total over the years.
I sell them on EBAY every 2-3 years and buy a new one because they have excellent resale value.
It’s cheaper then upgrading through Valentine.
Upgrades run 100-200 dollars depending on how old your unit is.
You can sell a used V1 on EBAY and they go for 300-325 every day.
That way “upgrades” only cost me 75-100 dollars when I flip one and I always have the latest and greatest system.
It’s big, it’s ugly, it’s expensive, but it works great and I love it.
Shawn S
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Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
Originally Posted by Shawn S
I’ve been using the V1 since the early 90’s when it first came out.
I think I’ve had seven or eight of them total over the years.
I sell them on EBAY every 2-3 years and buy a new one because they have excellent resale value.
It’s cheaper then upgrading through Valentine.
Upgrades run 100-200 dollars depending on how old your unit is.
You can sell a used V1 on EBAY and they go for 300-325 every day.
That way “upgrades” only cost me 75-100 dollars when I flip one and I always have the latest and greatest system.
It’s big, it’s ugly, it’s expensive, but it works great and I love it.
Shawn S
I think I’ve had seven or eight of them total over the years.
I sell them on EBAY every 2-3 years and buy a new one because they have excellent resale value.
It’s cheaper then upgrading through Valentine.
Upgrades run 100-200 dollars depending on how old your unit is.
You can sell a used V1 on EBAY and they go for 300-325 every day.
That way “upgrades” only cost me 75-100 dollars when I flip one and I always have the latest and greatest system.
It’s big, it’s ugly, it’s expensive, but it works great and I love it.
Shawn S
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
Originally Posted by FunDriver
I have it in both cars and it has saved my rearend a number of times...so I don't really care what it costs or the debate on looks, etc. And I would have a hard time living without the arrows.
Once I was on the freeway getting a fairly strong signal from behind. This went on for maybe 3-4 miles and I could find nothing in the rearview mirror except another car and a truck, but I kept the speed down anyway. Finally, a motorcycle cop punched it from where he was hiding behind this farm truck and passed me. I don't know for sure, of course, but I think he was hanging back there to see if I would pick up some speed or something in the Vette. Without the arrows I would never have known that he was behind me and would have thought that it was coming from off the freeway someplace. That alone sold me on the value of the arrows.
I'm keeping mine and don't want to go out without them.
Once I was on the freeway getting a fairly strong signal from behind. This went on for maybe 3-4 miles and I could find nothing in the rearview mirror except another car and a truck, but I kept the speed down anyway. Finally, a motorcycle cop punched it from where he was hiding behind this farm truck and passed me. I don't know for sure, of course, but I think he was hanging back there to see if I would pick up some speed or something in the Vette. Without the arrows I would never have known that he was behind me and would have thought that it was coming from off the freeway someplace. That alone sold me on the value of the arrows.
I'm keeping mine and don't want to go out without them.
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
I love the V1
I love the V1. But I agree that it did Xband false a lot until I turned on the logic mode. But has saved me a multiplicity of times. As for the grocery stores setting it off occasionally, Im ok with that.. its the long range detection when Im out in BFE somewhere or driving up one of the nearby canyons.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
Originally Posted by c69z28
I love the V1. But I agree that it did Xband false a lot until I turned on the logic mode. But has saved me a multiplicity of times. As for the grocery stores setting it off occasionally, Im ok with that.. its the long range detection when Im out in BFE somewhere or driving up one of the nearby canyons.
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
Logic Mode.
When you power up the V1 you get an A displayed which means it reports EVERY threat as real. if you push the on button for about 1 second it switched to an "L" which is the logic mode and the V1 determines what is real or false. Really cut down on false reporting for where I live.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 996
Likes: 13
From: Dallas TX
Originally Posted by FunDriver
...And I would have a hard time living without the arrows.
Once I was on the freeway getting a fairly strong signal from behind. This went on for maybe 3-4 miles and I could find nothing in the rearview mirror except another car and a truck, but I kept the speed down anyway. Finally, a motorcycle cop punched it from where he was hiding behind this farm truck and passed me. I don't know for sure, of course, but I think he was hanging back there to see if I would pick up some speed or something in the Vette. Without the arrows I would never have known that he was behind me and would have thought that it was coming from off the freeway someplace. That alone sold me on the value of the arrows...
Once I was on the freeway getting a fairly strong signal from behind. This went on for maybe 3-4 miles and I could find nothing in the rearview mirror except another car and a truck, but I kept the speed down anyway. Finally, a motorcycle cop punched it from where he was hiding behind this farm truck and passed me. I don't know for sure, of course, but I think he was hanging back there to see if I would pick up some speed or something in the Vette. Without the arrows I would never have known that he was behind me and would have thought that it was coming from off the freeway someplace. That alone sold me on the value of the arrows...
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 14,137
Likes: 2,984
From: Iowa
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
strong signal....no, a weak signal...yes. Small beeps from the rear arrow on the V1 means speed up 
There are 3 modes, A, L, and small L all dealing with the sensistivity of the detector. I live in bumf--- Iowa so A mode just suits me fine on the highway
There are 3 modes, A, L, and small L all dealing with the sensistivity of the detector. I live in bumf--- Iowa so A mode just suits me fine on the highway