Does anyone know if the V-1 is available anywhere other than the internet? :chevy :flag

 

You can order by fax: 513-984-8976. You can order by phone 9-5:30 M-F 800-331-3030. I got this off their web site, http://www.valentine1.com

 

The V1 is only available direct via either internet, mail, or phone.

tom...

 

wow, you guys think the same way I do. :)

I have both the 8500 and the V1. My V1 is in the Z06 and the 8500 is in the truck. Threat evaluation is key when there are so many signals to interpret. The V1 is THE best unit out there with the 8500 running second place IMHO. Both allow you to program out X-band and virtually any other operation functions.

 

Well I tell you what - The whistler 1770 is a piece of junk. Just bought it last night. Lo and behold, this morning, I got to try it out - what timing!!! I drive by a common speed trap and I suddenly see everyone slowing down. I see a couple of motorcycle cops writing up tickets. So I figured I would have some fun and test this new gizmo out. So I make a u-turn about 10 blocks down the road. I wait a couple of mins in hoping that one of the officers resumes tracking/shooting. Well I start cruising and one of the cops is now in action. But this damn thing never picked up a signal until a few hundred feet away. I couldn't believe it. Plus, the rear tracker antenna, that wan't working because I got no alerts as I passed him. So I mak another U way down the street. Wait a couple of minutes. This time, as I went by, both cops were shooting. Still, not one peep until I got within shouting distance from this guy. So I pull over and ask him, is that Laser or Radar? He says laser, why? I told him I was testing out this new "Whistler" and told him how much of piece of crap it was. He laughed and told me to get my money back.

The V1 is alot of $$$. It also takes some wiring work from what I hear. Also, I'm a very buyer-beware cautious consumer and purchasing a product from the manufacturer raises flags and future concerns. In addition, I'm not trying to beat the system here. The fact is there are scenarios where the Best Radar/Laser equipment in the world won't help you. All I'm trying to do is have a reminder to watch my speed - thats it (of course some added protection won't hurt) Thats what I likied about ny old cheap Uniden before it started crapping out on me. It gave off false alarms regularly, beeed at lights, etc. But it served as this reminder. The whistler, however, hardly ever whistles and it seems by then its too to late.

I'll have to think long anbd hard on the V1. Maybe if the CF can convince him of a GP - don't know if thats possible.

 

I’ve owned many radar detectors including the V1, but I must tell you all the "uniden GPSRD" is by far the best. Its a detector and GPS. What is really nice is its anti-false data base. It only falses once per false signal. Its GPS database stores the false's location, radar type/strength and will only sound if a stronger signal is detected the next time.
It even will store 8 waypoints and has directions to 1,200 American cities.
I eventually grew tired of legacy type detectors (all w/o GPS) because of the falsing. I decided to forgo the warnings and just do the speed limit w/o any detector because the falsing was so aggravating.
Even the V1 with its fancy arrows was a pain. The Uniden GPSRD has arrows also, they tell you how to find a waypoint.
It also displays your direction, speed, lat. and long, and time to destination and all that for $210. Trust me guys its the best accessory you can get. I know the V1 owners think they have it all with the arrows. What good is an arrow unless it tells you where you need to turn?

 

UNIDEN??? HUH? You don't work for them, do you?

How bout Radar/Laser Jamming devices. I started a Topic on it
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=260581

but haven't received any responses. How effective are these? They make one (PHANTOM II) that is suppose to be a warner and jammer which is wht they recommend. I've asked for some Scientific or University studies on this product but they haven't responded yet. Any opinons?


[Modified by Ha-Ha, 4:12 PM 3/19/2002]

 

GPS+radar and waypoints? Man I had that idea a long time ago :smash: Guess a trip to the patent office is now moot:) Sounds like a good premise.

 

Yea, i just read up on this product. I downloaded the MANUAL - WOW!!! I like that trap speed entry capability. Thats impressive. The thing, is how good is the actual detector? All the bells and whistles are fine but how does it measure up to the V1? $200 tells me it may not measure up but I am curious.
Think I'll drop by Bransdmart and try one out for 30 days.

I still say that Jamming devices are the way to go, if that technlogy really works. Three is a Jmming dvice that plugs into Radra Devices but I forgot what it was. If jamming is relaible, it would be good to have both.

 

Jamming is active (transmitter) and is a big "no-no" as far as I am told.

Ever heard the story about the guy who left his set for 55 and went through a school zone? :eek: Probably urban legend...

Anyway my thoughts exactly WRT the Uniden. They never have made anything that worked well with the exception of the Cobra CB, which was anothe business purchase anyway. But I'm open minded... Great Idea with the Way-point - false signal database even though I should have beat them to it:) IF it works well, thats a KILLER APPLICATION.

 

Actually, the devices I am speaking of (www.radarcops.com) are not transmitting anything - which is what makes them FCC legal . The only states they are illegal in are the same states that prohibit radar detectors. Its an interesting concept but I'm unsure as to its effectiveness. Need some objective studies on it. The manufacturer of one of these reoducts state they will pay a % of the ticket providing its not alcohol and/or accident related and the speed is no more than 15 over. Don't know how "binding" this guarantee is.

I just bought the UNIDEN - I'll play with it for the next 30 days. I've never been a Uniden fan - typically they offer low end products if you ask me. But I think ESCORT and other popular manufacturers may jump in the the GSP Technology and claim to make a supeior product. The thing is, this UNIDEN has been out for more than 1.5 years so what exactly is taking the other manufacturers so long to jump in?

 

UNIDEN has never had a good detector. So adding a lot of window dressing to a second rate detector leaves you with......a second rate detector :rolleyes:

tom...

 

I kind of agree with you Tom. But I'll give it a shot. I'm thinking about trying an Escort 8500 (which has been known to at least compare to the V1) for 30 days as well so I can compare units side by side.
.

But I don't want to get the V1 yet cause I much prefer trying out products that I can get at a Walmart, Brandsmart etc and retirn with no shipping costs, restocking fees, etc.

I just need to find one of those "Your Speed Is" readout signs that the Police install in various places.

 

I have the V1. But before it I had a very early Escort and loved it. But it died on me. So I ordered the Escort Passport 8500. It is a very good detector. But it was not what I was expecting after my previouse experence with Escort. It is huge, heavy, and the plastic case makes it appear second rate. I returned it (at their expense and got full refund including shipping). Then ordered the V1 and have never regreted it. The V1 is much more like my old Escort (the same guy designed them both). V1 is large but not near as large as the 8500 and it has a solid quality feel to it, probably because of its metal case.

tom...

 

I've had my V1 for 6 weeks now and I'm 1000% satisfied with it's performance. It's already paid for itself. I've tried at least 5 different brands of
detectors (they're all piled up in a box in the garage) and none came even
close to the V1 in reliability (and the stealth feature is priceless). Also, it's great to know I'll never have to buy another detector again! So, for me,
it's V1...enough said! :D

 

I have a V1 in my vette, and 8500's in the wife's car and my 'other' car. The V1 is a couple of years old, but it does seem large, heavy and dated next to the 8500. Having said that... I prefer the V1, for the arrows (they ARE worth $100, trust me;>) and because I've had one of the 8500's false detect LASER (how is that possible) twice. Other than that, they are both good. I'd like Valentine to shrink the case, add a 'dark' mode, and an indepenently programmable band detection disable function. Why should I worry about X band if the cops around here don't use it? Maybe Valentine has done some of this - mine IS 2 years old... As for the 8500, the remote doesn't give enough info - just a blinking red light.
Just my 2 cents.
I would also add that BOTH have saved my butt more than once! :cheers:

 

They have done that. Contact Valentine to get it upgraded. The V1 is now smaller and lighter then the 8500. Also has a dark mode when using the remote head. And it has three levels of filtering for X-band. Give them a call.

tom...

 

Thanks, I'll do that! :D

 

The X band and virtually every thing else on the V1 IS programable. It is just not in the owners manual :smash:

Here you go... http://www.valentine1.com/lab/MikesLabRpt3.asp





[Modified by figment, 6:53 PM 3/20/2002]

 

let us know how you like the Uniden please.