Do I really Need an Upgraded Radar Detector?

[Frogdog1]

I have an old Valentine One radar tectector that seems to work just fine both in towns and on Interstates. I entered my serial number into their site to see if it needed to be upgraded, and of course, it does. So, they offered to upgrade mine for the "low low price on only $489.00". Of course this is touted as a retail savings.

On their site, they use all kinds of acronymns that mean abosutely nothing to me in touting their new, more efficient designs. Just read their website, "everything is so much better" and for all I know it may be but how do I validate that as a mere, "radar detector long time user" that has no "modern" detector experience with an old one that seems to work fine. It still saves me a ton of tickets.

Question: is there any reason to buy an "upgraded" V-1 or any other brand's latest and greatest detector when I seem to always be the first one in a crowd to slow down when one is detected? V-1 for sure, seems to be selling a scam over what I already have from them but I wonder about their competition. Trying to sell me on technology I have no knowledge of or acroynyms I've never heard of doesn't work. I want verifiable data metrics to spend that much money on or my old one continues to get more experience. They almost sound like Carnival Barkers at V-1. I have the money partly because I don't just toss money around on every lastest and greatest thing.

Thanks, SG

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[Yamazuki]

Well, I had a pair of the gen 1 V1's, and now I have 3 gen 2 V1's.

Do they work any better than the old ones? Yeah, probably.
There's also the ability to pair the gen 2 v1 to your phone and get better filtering through the use of 3rd party apps. So things like radar from other cars, automatic door openers, etc aren't such a nuisance.

 

[flyinlow007]

I upgraded from a 12 year old Escort Redline to get better rejection of the spurious radar signals from anti collision systems in the cars around me. The redline was going off all the time in traffic. Otherwise I wouldn't have upgraded, the Redline had unbelievable detection range

 

[steveo1960]

Start here.

 

[buddyg]

I have an old Valentine One radar tectector that seems to work just fine both in towns and on Interstates. I entered my serial number into their site to see if it needed to be upgraded, and of course, it does. So, they offered to upgrade mine for the "low low price on only $489.00". Of course this is touted as a retail savings.

On their site, they use all kinds of acronymns that mean abosutely nothing to me in touting their new, more efficient designs. Just read their website, "everything is so much better" and for all I know it may be but how do I validate that as a mere, "radar detector long time user" that has no "modern" detector experience with an old one that seems to work fine. It still saves me a ton of tickets.

Question: is there any reason to buy an "upgraded" V-1 or any other brand's latest and greatest detector when I seem to always be the first one in a crowd to slow down when one is detected? V-1 for sure, seems to be selling a scam over what I already have from them but I wonder about their competition. Trying to sell me on technology I have no knowledge of or acroynyms I've never heard of doesn't work. I want verifiable data metrics to spend that much money on or my old one continues to get more experience. They almost sound like Carnival Barkers at V-1. I have the money partly because I don't just toss money around on every lastest and greatest thing.

Thanks, SG

You can get a brand new latest version for $599 why would you upgrade yours for $489?

 

[LouG]

You can get a brand new latest version for $599 why would you upgrade yours for $489?

The upgrade is new.

 

[LouG]

I've used V1's for 30 years. I won't use anything else, because nothing offers the countermeasures V1 and the JBV1 app does.
In one package I have excellent, perhaps the best? radar detection.
Crowd sourced alerts like Waze. Databases for speed/red light cams, ALPR cams, PAWS aerial surveillance, and too much other stuff to list.
Oh, and you can set up geo fencing which allows you to automatically switch settings and profiles according to where you're driving.
I just did the latest OTA upgrade for photo radar. This is the hardest to detect and it covers most units used in the US and here. So far it looks like 5 or 6 times more range than relying on K band detection alone. RDF forum "experts" said it can't be done.
On one quick trip with a talented rabbit I was getting regular waze and Ka alerts over around 150 kms of cop filled hell and avoided them all. Something I couldn't rely on even with the Gen 1's I used.
You can say I'm a believer.

 

[Zig]

Does your current version suffer from the undercover follower problem? Some of the new fancy self driving / assisted vehicles keep triggering my old (non valentine) unit.

 

[Skye]

If the existing system reliably works, meets your needs, and the threats in your area are not changing (as in, new technology the existing unit can't deal with) keep using what you have. You might appreciate some of the improvements in newer devices, or find they are unnecessary and stick with the older unit until it breaks.

I recently purchased a Uniden R4 at $400; it's a mid-range detector in their line-up. The purchase includes firmware, software and database updates. Like any electronic device, they'll be a time when I can no longer download updates.

Chips, firmware and software capabilities change. It's no longer cost-effective or physically and logically possible for the manufacturer to continue to support the older products. Buyers want new features and improved capabilities. Suppliers only make chipsets with newer architectures.

Using my purchase as an example, the higher-end and flagship Uniden units offered some impressive capabilities, but features I either didn't need or care for. I expect in as little as three to five years, or less, those abilities will be integrated into the mid-range units. Maybe there will then be a new feature I can use. Maybe the LEOs in my area will have upgraded their equipment to something else, IDK.

Some tech clients are in a near constant upgrade cycle. Others, keep devices and software until it's a practical impossibility to use them any further. It depends on the customer, their needs and what's currently being used.

Specific to tech, many companies get deep the in weeds with their literature but also offer message boards for discussion and insight. As part of the decision process, I used those and trolled through some LEO blogs.

 

[Junkyard Dog]

I upgraded from a 12 year old Escort Redline to get better rejection of the spurious radar signals from anti collision systems in the cars around me. The redline was going off all the time in traffic. Otherwise I wouldn't have upgraded, the Redline had unbelievable detection range

Why did you get?

 

[Flyingtexan]

After years of owning a Gen 1 and having it upgraded once I sold it and bought a new gen 2, what a difference. Best one out there, by far. By using common sense, Waze and this detector, I've mitigated the risk down to almost nothing. Don't bother upgrading, just spend the few extra bucks and get a new one.

 

[Junkyard Dog]

After years of owning a Gen 1 and having it upgraded once I sold it and bought a new gen 2, what a difference. Best one out there, by far. By using common sense, Waze and this detector, I've mitigated the risk down to almost nothing. Don't bother upgrading, just spend the few extra bucks and get a new one.

How is yours mounted and powered?

 

[Flyingtexan]

How is yours mounted and powered?

I use this mount and love it.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0065LWCYA?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

 

[Junkyard Dog]

Plugged into the USB port at the top of the windshield behind the rear view mirror?

 

[Flyingtexan]

Plugged into the USB port at the top of the windshield behind the rear view mirror?

Nope just the cigarette lighter plug in front of the shifter.

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