I have one called The Silver Bullet. My cousin bought it for me for Christmas; I think they sell it at Brookstore. Even though it is cordless, I worry that if I am pulled over I can't pull it off its holder fast enough from the windshield. Should I even do that? Since I have only had it a few weeks, it really only gives k3 at Vons and other stores with the sliding doors. Probably doesn't work well anyway

 

If you don't see the difference in those statements, I guess there's no need for me to try to explain it to you...

 

The very newest Valentine ads are comparing it to the Escort 8500 and using tests that are 4 years old. I figured if the Valentine was better than the 8500 X50 they would be comparing the Valentine to the X50 and not the older 8500. Very happy with my new X50-shipped for $260

 

So I have a friend that went with the Bell due to the fact that the Bell has "Ku" band, and it appears the others do not. He was sent an article that Arizona was supposed to be getting Ku guns. Wouldn't this be reason enough to swing to the Bell unit??

 

The Valentine 1 has the option of enabling the Ku band. I don't know about the Escort.

 

Ya get what you pay for. If I was interested in how cheaply I could persue my need for speed, I wouldn't be driving a Vette. Most of us think nothing about spinning the crap out of $300+ tires, why go cheap on the detector? Heck, $130 is what, 3 tanks of gas?

Besides, if you want to compare real world value? Go to eBay and see what the open market says about the used units. Go on, I dare ya!

 

 

Ku band is probably not going to be used in the US because it is as easy to detect as X band. Even if it is used in the future, the V1 blows away the Bel on Ku band.

 

 

 

Actually, very little of this is true in the real world, daily driving experience.


Incorrect, most of the time. The detector is at eye level by rearview mirror and within less than .5 second I know from what direction and what kind of radar (from the alert tone), thereby able to decide how to react. If, as you say, by the time I've made my call it's too late, then I was hit with Instant On and nothing, anywhere, can save you from that. I'm hit with Instant On in about 5% of the alerts I get.

Again, incorrect most of the time. If it happens that fast, it was Instant On.

If you are talking within .5 seconds or less, then yes, you are correct. In those cases, Instant On was used and you're had. With experience and knowledge of the detector, plus knowledge of the area, you can almost instantly have the information you need to make a call.

The units are most effective on your daily route. You get to know where they false and don't false, so if you get an alert in an area where you normally don't, then take note. Information is the key and that is where the V1 comes ahead. It can tell you what the others do, plus from what direction. I will respond differently to a moderate/strong Ka front than I will a weak Ka rear. I could give more examples but I think the point is clear. I don't slow down every time it goes off...depends on "how" it goes off.

All the tests for distance really don't matter all that much. In theory, yes, but in the real world no. I never, ever get a hit from 10 miles out. It's usually 1.5 at the very most, and normally 1 mile or less. Most LEO's don't leave their units blasting away and you don't normally have a long, straight, unobstructed path to the source. With that said, even the cheapies will alert well enough. Personally, I really like to know where it's coming from, in addition to what it is, how many, and how strong. The V1 is the only one that points to the source. It's not a gimmick. Once you get used to it, it's really nice.

 

I 100% agree. I got mine off ebay for $250 shipped. I should be here tomorrow. This weekend I will hardwire it for both the Vette and the daily driver.

 

I can't believe the amount of posts/opinions/some facts/suggestions/proffessional discussions my thread has started and not even closely eneded!

Funny thing is that I've already decided I'm going with the V1, and everyone still seems to be

 

Yeah...we love this one....each time it comes up....

 

I would not get one off of E-bay.... I read a thread on THIS FORUM from a guy who had a V1 that Valentine said was not worth upgrading and was wondering what to do with it, Someone suggested putting up on E-Bay for 300 bucks and some unsuspecting dolt could by it and he could get a new one.

 

I don't think there's too much fighting about this. Well, ok, maybe there is. LOL But I think you really have two things going on, and it's really apples to oranges: The non-V1 guys tend to cite price as the reason they didn't get the V1, and suggest that the arrows weren't worth the additional money. The V1 guys claim that the arrows are invaluable, and that the arrows -- at least -- are well worth the price...

So, what if the prices were the same? Who WOULDN'T get the V1 over everything else out there if it cost the same amount as, say, an Escort? That's the real issue, I think. I can understand people not wanting to spend more money on something that they're not convinced is "worth it" (despite me believing that the protection from the V1 IS worth it). But the benefits of the V1 over everything out there get lost in the price with some folks.

I think that the people who are passionate about the V1 aren't trying to make themselves feel good about spending $400 on a detector -- rather, I think they're convinced that it's the best thing out there that money can buy. I think these same folks would say that the Escort is awesome for the price -- but it's not as "good" as the V1 since it doesn't give you as much info as the V1.

-Kirk

 

I wouldn't.

I've had the V1, and now the X50. I like the Escort better, it falses much less.

The arrows, to me, aren't that important. If you have any experience using radar detectors, you'll find it isn't that tough to figure out if it's a real threat and where it's coming from, just based on the nature of the alert.
Further, if you are that naive when driving to need the arrows to figure it out, it's just a matter of time before you get caught anyways. You can't rely on a detector that much, awareness is still the most important thing you can possess.
When I get a stong signal alert, I'm not looking at the detector, I'm looking out. Most of the time I run with the display off anyways. I don't need it.

To each their own...but I like my Escort, and wouldn't trade it even-up for a V1.

 

I warned you man, you you didn't listen. You would have been better off getting the thread locked.

This topic ALWAYS brings out the worse in people. It's like they all have huge personal shares in the individual companies so they have to cheerlead for their vendor of choice - and savage the opposition!

I have a V1 and I love it. But I have nothing against the other vendors and I think they all make fine products.

Now...

Gladiators : let the games begin !!

 

Well, you're an idiot.

COMPLETELY KIDDING!

I hear you. I've done some of my fastest driving to Virginia and back in Virginia where detectors are illegal (and where I actually take my detector down, believe it or not). And if you know I-95 in VA to Richmond, you know that there are tons of cut-throughs where VA's finest sit and time traffic. So, there are huge merits to simply being more aware and knowing the terrain.

You having experience with the V1 but choosing another makes your argument much stronger. Too many people bash the V1 on price. Maybe it really depends on where and how you drive.

I never have the V1 on around town here near Philly. The local police don't (can't?) use radar -- so, all I'd be getting would be bank security alarms and whatnot. It would be falsing all day. But, on the highways around here, I live by the V1. If it DOES false, I know where it does it -- and have no reason to believe that other detectors wouldn't false at those places, too. And I've had too many experiences where the arrows made a big difference.

How long ago did you get rid of the V1? With my (maybe not "the") last upgrade, a false-sensing mode was added or enhanced. It now tells you with a "J" when it quickly rules out what it determines is false. Interesting.

-Kirk

 

Geez, man! Wy are you so biased?! Is Mike Valentine your son-in-law or something?! Enough with the V1-gushing already! You're the worst with this kind of pro-V1 comment! Man!



(I'm kidding, or course. )

-Kirk