Valentine One Radar Detectors

[Frogdog1]

My OLD but updated according to V1, I think crapped out yesterday. I was switching it back to my Mustang, it made a funny noice on power up and quit working (lights out). Cord looks good so I will call them tomorrow and see what they think (buy a new one of course). Mine has saved me a large fortune in fines and probably my license over many years so I do have some loyalty to them but still open minded....later.

My question is concerning V1's only at this point. and it is:

Is anyone using a new or newish V1 and what is your experience with it. Thanks, FD1.

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[Yamazuki]

Well, I've been running V1's for probably 20yrs now so I'm maybe a little bit biased in my opinion; and you'd be hard pressed to get me to consider anything different. I currently have 3 of the Gen 2 V1's, and while the original V1 was great (I still have 2 of them), IMO the Gen 2 V1 puts the Gen 1 to shame. Hands down, full stop.

Both my Gen 1's and Gen 2's have saved me more times than I can remember, with the most notable saves probably coming via the Gen 2's. I don't really think you can go wrong by upgrading to one of them. Especially if you were happy with the Gen 1. Although, Uniden and Radaris(?) are both supposed to have some excellent offerings as well.

A couple of the things I like about the Gen 2 are:

1. Updated design (More modern looking), although this does make changing volume settings a little more challenging.
2. Detection Range is off the charts. 8 miles in a straight line is child's play.
3. OTA firmware updates using the V1 Connection app and your phone.
4. Bluetooth and a ton of different 3rd party apps available for Android and iOS.

A couple of things I don't care for so much:

1. Bluetooth'ing the V1 to your phone and running a 3rd party app will typically mute the V1 for a quieter ride and known false location lockouts, then unmute V1 once the app determines the threat is real. Visual alerts are still nearly instant, but audio alerts can be delayed by several seconds. This is very bad, IMO.
2. No path to upgrade from Gen 1 V1 to Gen 2 V1. You're gonna pay full price for the Gen 2.
3. The man, the myth, the legend, Mike Valentine, has now transitioned. I feel like it remains to be seen whether, from a business and R&D viewpoint, Mike was holding back progress due to whatever beliefs he had regarding his products or if he was still the genius responsible for V1's updates and redesign. Not some 23yr old punk working for him.

 

[Alan Applegate]

Many years ago, I did buy a radar detector, but gave it up due to too many false alerts (yes I know they're much better these days). Nonetheless I've never gotten a speeding ticket because I don't give the agencies a reason to stop me!

 

[Zig]

By chance do they now have a floor for alerts? As in don’t alert me if i’m current at or below the posted limit. As was alluded, back in the way back, around town they (non valentine unit) acted more like an automated door alerts/notifier. I could tell where every rite-aid and cvs was long before sight made them apparent.

 

[Cz_Ziemniak]

My OLD but updated according to V1, I think crapped out yesterday. I was switching it back to my Mustang, it made a funny noice on power up and quit working (lights out). Cord looks good so I will call them tomorrow and see what they think (buy a new one of course). Mine has saved me a large fortune in fines and probably my license over many years so I do have some loyalty to them but still open minded....later.

My question is concerning V1's only at this point. and it is:

Is anyone using a new or newish V1 and what is your experience with it. Thanks, FD1.

Still have a V1, probably almost 30 years old now. Not newish, but worth mentioning.

Its simply behind the ball compared to even some of the cheapest radar detectors today. Has difficulty picking up some Ka freq's that are commonly used today.

Some dude did a test on the classic V1 vs new detectors. Its not worth it.

Switching to the Gen 2 was night and day.

EDIT: My bad, I got confused with their nomenclature, hahah.

If you were asking about the Gen 2, then I have almost only good things to say.

The only part I do not like is the lack of a volume knob. Otherwise, its saved me countless times.

Androids have a third party valentine app thats different to the Apple one which changes the entire experience. Its called JBV1. If you have an android, then its a no brainer.

 

[BimmerDriver]

1. The man, the myth, the legend, Mike Valentine, has now transitioned.

When I read that, I thought, what does transitioning have to do with running a business? Who cares if he's now a woman? Then I thought, perhaps Yama meant that he transitioned out of the CEO role, and someone has taken over. That would be more likely.

Then I did a little search and discovered that he passed away. RIP.

 

[Flyingtexan]

Sell your V1 and get the latest version, it's night and day, 100% improvement.

 

[Frogdog1]

Does the new V1 get many false positives?

 

[Wiley Marmot]

FYI

https://www.caranddriver.com/car-ac...d&utm_term=radar detector&utm_content=General

NOTE: The Uniden R8W has superseded the R8 feature in the above comparo

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F1DTVB84?tag=track-ect-bing-usa-984886-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1

 

[Ken H.]

I recommend the Escort 360c. Firmware updates over WiFi. Not detectable by police radar detector equipment (handy in VA). Long range detection. 360 degree coverage. Multi-signal detection. Good POP detection. POP is short burst radar blasts that some cheaper units & good name units with older circuitry/algorithms can’t detect because they process too slowly.
Definitely need to upgrade. I’m sure Valentine is as good. Just giving you options before you make the plunge.

 

[Ken H.]

Also, check out the BlendMount radar detector bracket. Mounts to your rear view mirror. Well engineered. I have them on all my cars.

 

[Garcia172]

A Valentine 1 user forever... While the gen 2 may be better... I want the simple functionality of the v1. The dual knob simple setup. I don't want to screw around with getting my phone connected bla bla bla.

Can the V2 be used as simple as the V1?

 

[LouG]

I've only used V1's for 30 years now. First it was because of the arrows, but even when others got them, I stuck with V1 build quality.
But the new Gen 2's are awesome, especially if combined with the JBV1 app.
The best detection I've had was 5kms (3 miles) with two sweepers and some foliage between me and the cop, not a straightline detection.
The latest update has photo radar detection added. Unfortunately it's not reliable on our Acusensus Harmony cams, but works really well with the US cams.

 

[LouG]

Well, I've been running V1's for probably 20yrs now so I'm maybe a little bit biased in my opinion; and you'd be hard pressed to get me to consider anything different. I currently have 3 of the Gen 2 V1's, and while the original V1 was great (I still have 2 of them), IMO the Gen 2 V1 puts the Gen 1 to shame. Hands down, full stop.

Both my Gen 1's and Gen 2's have saved me more times than I can remember, with the most notable saves probably coming via the Gen 2's. I don't really think you can go wrong by upgrading to one of them. Especially if you were happy with the Gen 1. Although, Uniden and Radaris(?) are both supposed to have some excellent offerings as well.

A couple of the things I like about the Gen 2 are:

1. Updated design (More modern looking), although this does make changing volume settings a little more challenging.
2. Detection Range is off the charts. 8 miles in a straight line is child's play.
3. OTA firmware updates using the V1 Connection app and your phone.
4. Bluetooth and a ton of different 3rd party apps available for Android and iOS.

A couple of things I don't care for so much:

1. Bluetooth'ing the V1 to your phone and running a 3rd party app will typically mute the V1 for a quieter ride and known false location lockouts, then unmute V1 once the app determines the threat is real. Visual alerts are still nearly instant, but audio alerts can be delayed by several seconds. This is very bad, IMO.
2. No path to upgrade from Gen 1 V1 to Gen 2 V1. You're gonna pay full price for the Gen 2.
3. The man, the myth, the legend, Mike Valentine, has now transitioned. I feel like it remains to be seen whether, from a business and R&D viewpoint, Mike was holding back progress due to whatever beliefs he had regarding his products or if he was still the genius responsible for V1's updates and redesign. Not some 23yr old punk working for him.

I have no audio delay with JBV1, it may be a settings thing. The team at V1 are still sharp as a tack, they finished and are refining photo radar detction after Mike left us.

 

[LouG]

Does the new V1 get many false positives?

You can choose how many you want according to what your local cops use. I have very few falses, and I know straight away they are false.

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