tprice

I have a Valentine 1 radar detector I keep in my Vette, I am guessing it is probably 10+ yrs old

Really don't rely on it but do turn it on when on trips

Couple weeks ago wife and I took a trip to a conference I had to attend and used it in her Tahoe on the interstate .

Seemed to pick up radars and not many false alarms

I keep thinking of upgrading it, I think V1 gives you a $100 credit toward a new one

Are the new ones that much better

dshamrick

Go to the Valentine 1 website. There is an upgrade page where you can enter your serial number and it will tell you what the cost is for you to upgrade it.

Then only you can tell if you think it is worth it.

CSixDude

Your money would be better spent toward an Escort, like maybe a 9500ix. The false alarms on V1's make them pretty much worthless if you ask me.

John's vette

I have wondered the same thing. Mine is about 10 years old and seems to work great still. Not sure it worth upgrade cost to replace, I have checked and it is close to cost of new one. Mine currently is a little sun warped though, do they upgrade your firmware or send new one?

groran

The false alarms like k and x band can be programmed out. I think the anti collision sensors on newer cars throw ALL detectors for a loop. After programming my V1, I hardly get false alarms and this thing picks up radar forward backwards and sideways and tells you which direction the radar is coming from. It's hands down the most sensitive one out there. I love mine and it's a year old and has saved my rump many times. I would get a new V1 because after the old one sat in extreme heat so many years, the components may be worn or heated too many times.

hdrider1

I've got a V1 in each of my 3 cars. I upgrade them every few years and they have all the capabilities of a new V1. if your unit is 10+ years old the upgrade will bring it up to like new capability. Depending on the age they may upgrade the firmware, the internal boards, and the front display. it will perform like new when you get it back.

AORoads

I think it depends on whether you want to pay the cost to upgrade, where you drive (determines how many false signals you'll get from the new lane-change, LEDs, electronic road signs, etc.), etc.

Me, I've got so much money into my Valentine that for now I choose not to "upgrade" it. As said above, plug in your serial no. on their website and it'll tell you what it will cost. If it's software update, it's relatively minimal, plus your initial shipping cost of the unit to them.

Many times, the older models are not worth updating and Val. just charges a lower, new-unit cost (mine would be about $280 vs. higher new cost), but you have to send in the old unit, at your mailing/insurance cost.

Is it still the best unit? I don't know. That's for you to determine. I still like mine but at all in cost of about two and half times the retail price of a unit, I'm all "expensed-up" for now.

BadAV

I had (still have) an Escort when the speed limit was 55 and I was doing regular, long highway trips. Speed limits are in general high enough today that I see no reason to use a radar detector. As always, YMMV.

HMannini

I used to be a die-hard Escort fan until they sold me a unit that was supposed to be upgrade able, when the new version came out I called them to purchase my upgrade and was informed they changed policy and I would have to purchase a new unit and they offered me 50 bucks on my old one! I sold that one and bought a Valentine V1 and have had it over 10 years with 2 upgrades it's like new and the last upgrade got rid of all the false positives.

I will never own another Escort, my Valentine is the BEST radar detector I've ever owned!

VintageBikesUSA

I am in the same boat, went with the V1 when they came out, ended up giving it to my brother and bought another in 99. Checked it the other day and they only wanted to give me 100.00 on trade in so I will pass it along and get a new one for the holidays.

The V1 has paid for itself 10 times over but I really thought they could give me more than 100 bucks credit toward a new one! I was just reading where you can program out the "false" signals with the app for the I phone BUT the app is now 10.00 to upgrade.

Kenny94945

Yes...worth updating.

But...only $100 credit IMO not worth trading in...better to "pass it along" or install in a secondary car.

(Debate rages on whether V1 or other make/ model is best....your decision)

dshamrick

They don't really advertise it so much, but depending on the age, they will just grab a new one off the shelf and return that to you.

The last firmware upgrade I got almost completely removed the false alarms from the stupid side alert, cruise control sensors.

If you just want to get rid of it, let me know. I may take it off your hands.

RobLo

Is your Valentine really "the BEST radar detector" you've ever owned or are you just pissed at Escort for screwing you over and changing their policy? I'ts like people who HATE President Trump, when you ask them what he's doing wrong to warrant all that hate they say "nothing, I just hate him"...they're O.K. with his policies but hate HIM!

Vet Interested

Never thought I'd see Trump referenced in a Thread about radar detectors!:
Stick with the V1 either by upgrading or purchasing new. Can't go wrong!

dmk0210

Unfortunately, the speed limit is still held at 55 on big four lane interstates in many parts of the country.

dmk0210

That's really the question, isn't it?

Does the newest firmware really do a good job of filtering out adaptive Cruise control and blind spot radar noise from the cars around you?

dshamrick

YES IT DOES! In fact, the first time I drove an interstate after the upgrade I thought the detector was broken. It was that quiet. I know now it is not broken, it just does that good of a job.

The other thing that is very important to me and if I was going the other way Sunday is the "bogey" counter. Saw a setup where there were Two state patrol guys, in the same side of the interstate, separated by about 1/4 mile and a hill at an interchange. You pass one and the radar shifts to the rear arrow, but the counter goes from 1 to 2 you know you still have one more out there.

I bet they tagged a number of cars that morning.

Vettevick

What version # and what mode are you using? I recently bought a used V1 with version 3.894 and using mode L. I seem to have many false alarms and since I have nothing to compare it to I'm just curious if a newer upgrade will make the difference. However I am in the DFW area, that could be a factor.

dshamrick

As far as the version, I don't remember at all. As far as programming, I have it defaulted.

AORoads

I don't think so re the underlined portion of your post. I've been with them for well over 14 years. In that time, they've offered to do software updates, at a relatively small cost. Which I have had done at least twice.

And they've offered to do major work at a much higher cost (approx $250). That was the "grabbing off the shelf" you speak of, and it was by no means free. And I had that done, too, several years ago.

So is the next major update I have been told I need for the last 1+ years: it will cost me about $280 which is another "grabbing off the shelf" and replacing mine with a new one.

Your experience may however be different from mine but that's why I posted previously in this thread.