Im really interested in the valentine1, i know there are professional reviews out there but i dont trust them each one is being paid by the other manufacturer in my opinion. id like to know some first hand experience with the V1 the design and reputation intrigued me Pros and cons thanks

Slow down,and you won't need one!

Slow down,and you won't need one!

This

Valentine V1 is nice.  I use an Escort Passport X50 8500 myself - it's saved me from several tickets.

damn it, two people beat me to it.

 

Slow the hell down. =)

 

When you are out of state... own up to it, pay the fine, worst case, only 2 points come over. =P

ok ok... otherwise.... Escort 8500 is supposed to be good, The V1 is also supposed to be. I am sure the speed racers on the forum will be here to answer it soon.

 

Think of it this way, when you get pulled over for speeding anyway.... would you rather have the LEO see your radar detector or not? think you will get a warning with a V1 on your dash?

Valentine V1, anything else is a waste.

Buy a CB radio

Radar detector equals automatic speeding ticket.

Our family has escorts 8500 and a passport.  Before them older models.  They have always worked well and give warnings well in advance of radar you are approaching.  

You can check the web even Consumer Reports.

 

Start here ---http://radartest.com/article_2.asp?articleid=100610

Second the Valentine. Has very long detection range. The count of detected signals is great.

Have had mine for >10 years and have gotten zero speeding tickets while in use.

I have the escort passport X50 as well, but it won't protect you from a lazer. Once they have you in sight, you done. It does help slightly, normally stay at no more than 10mph over, it's the unofficial rule of the road and I never been pulled over. I used to have a lazer jammer in my mustang, but I never confirmed it work. The tolls area usually have K-Band and LEOs are KA-Band, every now and then I encounter a LEO with a K-band ( I guess switching it up).

Radar detector equals automatic speeding ticket.

That's why when I would be getting pulled over I am already ripping it off the window and stashing under back seat...

Or atleast used to....

Valentine also....my unit has saved me enough in potential tickets to purchase another car in the 8 years I've had it.

I know a number of people who own and swear by Valentine detectors. 

 

I run an inexpensive Cobra...it works well enough for me so far...and it has saved me many times...

 

I had to mess with it to fix the volume (soldered a bridge so it is always loud, the sound was getting scratchy before I did that), and lately, the LCD has stopped working most of the time.  Considering it is 6+ years old, I've gotten my money's worth...

 

Slowing down...? ehh...

I have a beltronics. Works well

Ive had the V1. I prefer the escort 9500. I travel all over and prefer the database of camera lights and speed cameras,

 

should also note that beltronics is a subsidiary of escort.

Buy a CB radio

Lol been watching to much smokey n the bandit...

Radar detector equals automatic speeding ticket.

Not if you don't get caught....

 

I hid mine anyways. I have a passport 9500IX, great for places like NJ with tons of false signals. It remembers repeat false alarms and locks them out through GPS. I'll only hear it when it's a real call versus my friends V1 that is always screaming, and ultimately gets turned off and becomes useless.

How the hell fast do you guys drive to need a radar detector? I don't remember the last time I got a speeding ticket, and I usually am no more than 10 above the limit, and usually 80 on the pike.  The last two times I was pulled over, both times let go.  No radar, no use for it.   In florida, most places I visit have 70 mph limits, and never any issues. 

 

My brother had a radar detector... and would still be getting pulled over.   How stupid fast do you need to drive in NJ with all these idiots on the road?

 

Ok, rant off. 

You'd be surprised.  It also depends on the time that you're driving.  If there's nobody around you at 2AM - you're probably going a little faster than usual and the cops will surprise you...

What maks said. I do a LOT of highway driving and don't go under 75 if traffic allows. Haven't been jammed up.

If your going so fast in residential neighborhoods that you need radar you need to slow the f down

I have two Beltronics for many years, both serve me very well. I don't go nuts at all, but I like to know when the po-po are around. At least you know its a bad time to pass.

You guys do realize that Radars have an on/off switch for sending the signal that you are trying to catch.  I used to leave it off until I physically observe a faster car than the others.  Flick it on, then BAM.  Your ass is mine.

How the hell fast do you guys drive to need a radar detector? I don't remember the last time I got a speeding ticket, and I usually am no more than 10 above the limit, and usually 80 on the pike.  The last two times I was pulled over, both times let go.  No radar, no use for it.   In florida, most places I visit have 70 mph limits, and never any issues. 

 

My brother had a radar detector... and would still be getting pulled over.   How stupid fast do you need to drive in NJ with all these idiots on the road?

 

Ok, rant off. 

It's not the speeds on the pike or Garden state that a radar is effective for , every one is doing 80 or 90 and you take your chances, it's the town and country roads the have 10mph speed drops that a radar comes in handy, In Monroe it's Applegarth or driving through Jamesberg where 5mph above is all it takes to accumulate a slew of tickets.

I drive to Maine and Montreal maybe 4,5 times a year and the roads in the Adirondacks is perfect for spirited driving so the Valentine is a constant and valued companion.

It's not the speeds on the pike or Garden state that a radar is effective for , every one is doing 80 or 90 and you take your chances, it's the town and country roads the have 10mph speed drops that a radar comes in handy, In Monroe it's Applegarth or driving through Jamesberg where 5mph above is all it takes to accumulate a slew of tickets.

I drive to Maine and Montreal maybe 4,5 times a year and the roads in the Adirondacks is perfect for spirited driving so the Valentine is a constant and valued companion.

 

Yes, I will give you that.. Appegarth is bad, and Monroe cops are nazi's... yes I said it.  Got pulled over there once, driving on near bald BFG Street Drags... after rain in my Camaro on way back from Englishtown.  Speed limit was 55, I was going around 60.  Got pulled over, with the LEO giving me crap for having a screwdriver and a CAI on the backs seat, claiming I was going 75......

 

yes.... on Rt 33 with the ruts in the road with water.... on Street Drags.... if I was going 75 I would of end up in a ditch.  No radar used, nothing.  Ugh, young kid in a Camaro Z28, with loud exhaust.... live and learn.

 

But tell ya what... get a boring Tan BMW and no one will give a hoot. =)

 

A nail sticking out gets hammered.

You guys do realize that Radars have an on/off switch for sending the signal that you are trying to catch.  I used to leave it off until I physically observe a faster car than the others.  Flick it on, then BAM.  Your ass is mine.

I've always heard that by the time you pick up the radar they already tagged you. Any truth to that?

I've always heard that by the time you pick up the radar they already tagged you. Any truth to that?

Yes.  The issue is that the operator could here the higher tone distinguishing the faster car, but it doesn't lock in to the speed because another car is blocking the signal.  The more traffic, the harder it is to get speeders.

Radar detector equals automatic speeding ticket.

my V1 is Concealed..

I've had it since 2005 and it's just something that's always been in the car. I've still received tickets from getting flipped, but it will pick up a signal from very far away. I have to say, radar detectors are more annoying recently then ever. Typically you pick up signals from shopping center automatic doors and red light cameras, but now every friggen audi and bmw gives off a k-band and infinity trucks give off laser signals. My fathers 5 series was giving me Ka when parked(car off) right behind him.  older Trail Blazer tail lights used to set off the laser in traffic to the point i would just turn off the V1.