Just got my Car & Driver last night. They did a test of a number of top-end radar detectors. I know this topic has received some attention on this board, but in case someone is thinking about buying a radar detector, thought I'd point out the test. Bottom line is that the Valentine 1 is the most expensive but well worth the $$. It scored a 97 (out of 100). The closest competition was the Passport (scoring,I believe, a 73). The V1 was better in every respect, but they really emphasized that the directional arrows make all of the difference.

 

After getting my p-car, I already received 3 speeding tickets in the last couple of months. Looking for a good radar detector has been a top priority.

Unfortunately, the police here seems to use different frequency radars (different than the US?). I have heard that X, K, Ka, Ku (European photo radars), and even laser-type are used.

I wonder if Valentine one can detect all of the above bands? Maybe someone from Europe can contribute some comments.

Actually, I have a older Valentine one radar purchased about 5 years ago, but it seems not able to detect some of the photo radars.

I hope to spend my money on upgrades of p-car, and not on speeding tickets.

 

Griffin,

Thanks for your post.
I have been invulnerable to radar since I got my V1 five years ago. Photo radar is very common in some cities here in Arizona. The photo radar I have experienced has such
low power most detectors cannot warn in time but the V1 gives about 0.25 miles notice
which is just right.

I owned the original Escort and a few Passports before buying the V1. For quite a while, it was difficult for me to adjust to the V1 because the warning was far sooner than what I was used to so I would slow down a mile too soon. I am not complaining because with intermittent radar, you need long range to detect the hit on the traffic ahead of you.

The best feature of the V1 is the radar location arrows. No confusion about where the radar is. This saves time and reduces distraction while improving effectiveness.

I wish the V1 was smaller but I am completely satisfied with it and it has saved me costly tickets which would have been followed by much more costly insurance premiums.

Regards,
George
In sunny AZ

P.S. My experience with Cincinnati Microwave & Valentine Research is you have a lifetime warranty regardless of what the manual says.

 

Hi Guys:
I stumbled on radertest.com last year when I got my pcar and realised it was time to buy a new detector. FWIW, they rate the V1 at 77 and the passport 8500 at 97. Go figure. Anyway, based on that and the fact that I have a couple of older escorts floating around, I own the 8500. I just wish there was a feature that muted the music when that sucker went off! Any help out there?

 

I have had my radar going on 6 years. It's a Valentine 1 and it has paid for itself many times over.
There is a small learning curve when you first get it and like most radars, you have to learn to interprate what it's telling you.
Customer service with V1 is also great. My radar broke and was out of warranty. I sent it in. They repaired it, updated some of the components and upgraded it to current specs for free.
So, even though I can't comment overseas I will say if you live in the U.S. even though the V1 seems expensive, it will save you lots of money in the long run..
And believe me when I say I can tell you lots and lots of stories of how it saved me.

 

The guy who runs radartest.com is a paid consultant to various detector makers. Valentine refuses to use his services. Coincidntally, he always has terrible things to say about the V-1.

 

Regarding concealed display...

Has anyone else found a concealed display "box" for their V1? Basically, something that looks like a third-mounted brake light in which to put a V1 (clear plastic front and rear) so that the remote mount display could be put somewhere up front and not have anyone, ever, see the V1 unit?

Not that I would do this myself, of course, since I live in VA. Just theoretically...

 

check the 993 archieves for a thread that was posted on installing a Valentine. In october-november, i believe.