Valentine 1 Users, Chime in please!

[rjd598]

Originally Posted by Ateam

Give me a break

No op has a very good point and said it very well. No one regrets getting a good radar detector especially one like the v1. You are the first I've heard of having any issues with one and are most likely in an extremely small majority of people.

[sameh]

Originally Posted by Ateam

I don't know where people live but for the large majority of larger cities, instant on is the standard and the V1 or any radar often does nothing to catch this in time unless you have a car in front of you down the road getting "read" with his gun.

I had one but IMO it is more of a risk having one. When you have one you tend to speed more thinking your V1 will protect you. However there are many many times that it just simply does not work and various lasers also get around the V1 in addition to V1. So if you then feel comfortable to speed more than you normally would because you feel "safe" and then you get busted, you are usually quite a bit over speed and possibly dangerously so in a cops eyes.

Without one I found I just drive at less speed and do not get tickets. I actually have gotten no tickets without a V1 whereas I got 2 ticketes with one!

Better than a V1 is very defensive driving in regards to police. Of course this cannot always eliminate every risk but if you generally know the routes you drive and where cops tend to hang out with their guns or just hang out waiting then you obvoiusly take it easy in those zones. I constantly am looking in all my mirros and ahead of me at the cars coming on the on-ramps on the freeway making sure its not a cop, or not a cop somewhere in the distance behind me lurking. You get to be good at spotting a cop cars appearence in your rear view, even if its unmarked. Now there are some complete unmarked cops in normal vehicles that are impossible to tell but that is not the norm.

I personally only speed in the routes I know there is zero-low chance of a cop being around given experience driving that route tons of times. To me this is much safer than gambling with a V1 in unknown territory.

I moved to Dallas area about 3 months ago and all I see is cops outside cars or beside their motorcycles using instant ons. V1 would definitely get me in trouble here. And yes with a V1 I may drive 100mph like ALOT of cars here on hwys

[_Jono_]

One in every car.

[THE TECH]

I have 4...pretty much says it all.

[MDSKIER]

OP I will be looking to purchase a detector soon as well.

My short list is the V1 and a 9500xi. Both are very good detectors with advantages/disadvantages.

V1 - I like the directional arrows and the concealed display.

9500xi - I like the red light/speed camera detection and the learning capabilities.

The features for the V1 adding the iPhone app sounds interesting. I need to read up on that...........

[ajvee]

I have a V1 with the stealth display and absolutely love it. I actually think that the number of false signals has made me a slower driver on the road. I believe the beeping has conditioned me to generally drive slower though I never had an issue with speeding in the past.

I highly recommend keeping all the alerts on because of one incided. Driving through a wooded area in Wisconsin (no buildings around), I got a heavy K signal, which I was tempted to ignore but slowed down, and moved to the right lane. The highway was going up a slight incline and right at the top, there was a cop car hidden in the trees hitting cars as they came up.

[captainaudio]

Originally Posted by -=Hot|Ice=-

Basically, V1's will be able to talk to each other if you have the smart cord. If you're V1 alerts, you send that info out to others in your area with a V1 and the iPhone app. Thanks for all the reviews everyone! I can't wait till it comes in!

I believe that what you are talking about is an Escort feature.

I have had a V1 since the early 1990s and upgrade it regularly. It is hardwired into the E93 and I have the remote module mounted in the ashtray. I also have an Escort 9500ci installed in the car. They are both very effective. The Escort is a bit more sensitive but gets a lot more false alarms. I tend to leave it on but muted in the city and use it only for the arrows (a great feature by the way). The Escort is better at finding laser (probably because of the front and rear sensors mounted next to the license plates). The Escort also has laser jammers and a database of red light and speed detection cameras.

The Escort was a lot more expensive and can not move from car to car. The V1, even when hardwired, can be removed and used in another vehicle. I take it with me when I travel and have used it in a number of rental cars over the years.

I don't tend to speed but the reality is that a lot of "traffic enforcement" is geared more toward revenue than safety.

CA

[-=Hot|Ice=-]

Originally Posted by Ateam

Give me a break

Just because YOU use it for speeding doesn't mean everyone else does. Way to generalize. RD's were never built for you to speed. They're actually pointless if you speed. If a cop is using Pop(most do) You're screwed. Knowing what's going on around you is key.

[Ateam]

Ok other than speeding what information do you feel is helpful "around you" by using a radar detector? Maybe red light camaras (which are on their way out in this country given showing more accidents) but what other info if you plan to just go the speed limit, is helpful for you to see in a radar detector? You are in the small minority of people who do not buy a radar detector in order to speed more "safely"

[-=Hot|Ice=-]

Originally Posted by Ateam

Ok other than speeding what information do you feel is helpful "around you" by using a radar detector? Maybe red light camaras (which are on their way out in this country given showing more accidents) but what other info if you plan to just go the speed limit, is helpful for you to see in a radar detector? You are in the small minority of people who do not buy a radar detector in order to speed more "safely"

1.Actually, you're in the minority or using it to speed. Like I said, Being aware of your surroundings makes you a better driver. The more information you have, the better you make decisions. Sooner and earlier. I also don't speed. 6 years of driving and not 1 speeding ticket. Believe it or not, there are good drivers out there. I'm sure most others here agree with me. RD's are pointless because cops use POP. Driving normally and using it gives you the upper hand. Letting you know what's going on up ahead.

2.You know what's wrong with your argument? You're stating your opinion which holds no water. I'm providing you with facts and yet, you act like an arrogant prick.Red light cameras and speed cameras aren't on their way out. They were NEVER put in place for safety purposes. The purpose of speed and red light cameras are REVENUE.

Sidenote: Drop the attitude, I fully respected you. You comment like 'Give me a break' one more time and that respect goes out the window.

[dbjb]

Originally Posted by Ateam

Ok other than speeding what information do you feel is helpful "around you" by using a radar detector? Maybe red light camaras (which are on their way out in this country given showing more accidents) but what other info if you plan to just go the speed limit, is helpful for you to see in a radar detector? You are in the small minority of people who do not buy a radar detector in order to speed more "safely"

Hot Ice, let's try this again. More information just doesn't make sense. What information exactly? What? There's a cop up ahead. Maybe there's an accident to watch for? I just don't get it.

[M4Now!]

I was a loyal V1 owner for about four years, and it was great. But, after reading a review of the new (EDIT) Passport 9500 IX, ordered one. Two weeks later the V1 was sold.

The really cool thing about the Passport is that it locks out false signals through the GPS, after three falses in the same place. I didn't realize just how many false signals it locks out until taking a trip out of town into new territory. At home it runs less than one false for every real signal. And great range front and back.

I do miss the arrows, but like the Passport better.

Cheers

[stevenross]

V1 saved me many a times from getting arrested, saying that you have to pay attention to the road (on ramps, off ramps, around turns, etc), and rarely do i speed at night..

[MDSKIER]

Originally Posted by -=Hot|Ice=-

Basically, V1's will be able to talk to each other if you have the smart cord. If you're V1 alerts, you send that info out to others in your area with a V1 and the iPhone app. Thanks for all the reviews everyone! I can't wait till it comes in!

Ice,

Check this out.

http://www.escortradar.com/escort-live/

I looked on the Valentine site but didn't see what you were referring too.

Thanks.

[MDSKIER]

Originally Posted by M3Now!

I was a loyal V1 owner for about four years, and it was great. But, after reading a review of the new Passport 9500 IQ, ordered one. Two weeks later the V1 was sold.

The really cool thing about the Passport is that it locks out false signals through the GPS, after three falses in the same place. I didn't realize just how many false signals it locks out until taking a trip out of town into new territory. At home it runs less than one false for every real signal. And great range front and back.

I do miss the arrows, but like the Passport better.

Cheers

I don't see this model. Were you referring to a Passport 9500ix or a Passport IQ?

Thanks.

[-=Hot|Ice=-]

Originally Posted by dsbj

Hot Ice, let's try this again. More information just doesn't make sense. What information exactly? What? There's a cop up ahead. Maybe there's an accident to watch for? I just don't get it.

You get a signal of some sort from up ahead. It lets you know something is up ahead. Could be a cop, Could be a photo van. The fact is, it lets you know earlier so you can make a decision on what you need to do.

Originally Posted by SehrSchnell

I use my V1 for speeding.

You're not helping!

[-=Hot|Ice=-]

Originally Posted by MDSKIER

Ice,

Check this out.

http://www.escortradar.com/escort-live/

I looked on the Valentine site but didn't see what you were referring too.

Thanks.

I think the V1 version is still in the works. I read it somewhere. I'll see if I can find it for you. I see you're in MD as well? Where at?

[M4Now!]

Originally Posted by MDSKIER

I don't see this model. Were you referring to a Passport 9500ix or a Passport IQ?

Thanks.

Sorry, you're right: 9500ix

[MDSKIER]

Originally Posted by M3Now!

Sorry, you're right: 9500ix

The IQ form factor is pretty cool. Looks like a typical windshield mounted navi.

[ThunderMoose]

Originally Posted by -=Hot|Ice=-

You get a signal of some sort from up ahead. It lets you know something is up ahead. Could be a cop, Could be a photo van. The fact is, it lets you know earlier so you can make a decision on what you need to do.

I am calling BS on you. Decision implies to me that you're between two choices - continue speeding or slow down. If you're below the speed limit already, what decision are you making? slow down even more?

Most people that have radar detectors realize the limits and aren't going to use an excuse to drive recklessly. When my detector goes off, I take a peak at my speed and slow down if necessary.

Admit it bro, you speed and you use your detector to avoid getting speeding tickets.

[MilehighM3]

I've had a V1 for about 8 years. Love it and upgrade it every 2-3 years. It works great. I'm not sold on the escort for one reason being that I see cops in the same areas regularly and it would eventually block a lot of them. My V1 saved me back when I had my M3 headed across Kansas for a wedding. Running late and pushing it a little, it picked up a brief KA signal- just 1 bar. Never saw it again, I marked the distance with my trip computer and I was just about to run the speed back up after cresting a slight hill. There was the cop, 2.6 miles later. Sold IMO. I use the arrows more often than not in my area. I would have to drive with a 9500ix for at least a month prior to even consider dropping my V1. I'm quite happy as a V1 owner and have no plans to change it. I'm sure either are better than nothing!

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

Originally Posted by -=Hot|Ice=-

I ordered a V1. V1 owners satisfied with it?

I never use such devices ... I try to stay with the flow of the traffic or about 10% or so above posted speed limits when I drive in North America.

I get my kicks on the Autobahn when I visit the old country as the saying goes ... or as the American saying goes ... "I get my kicks on Route 66"

In all of my years of driving (and they have been many) I only had 3 speeding tickets.

Nevertheless Hot|Ice, I wish you well with your V1