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Author
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00521
DC Crew
Registered: November 2003
Location: SoCal
Posts: 42
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Review Date:
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Price you paid?: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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360 degree radar locator
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Cons:
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None
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I have tried every type of radar detector over the past 25 years.
This is the #1 ABSOLUTE BEST. PERIOD.
360 degree coverage of all bands, plus you can have it continuously updated by the factory. My Bel and Passport have (had, they're trash now...) only half the range of the V1.
The V1 has helped me MANY times. It costs twice as much, but how much is your license / life worth? Also, this device is the best, but without common sense no radar or brakes will / can help you.
'Uhhh...Your honor, my client was doing 1__ (fill in the blank) mph... due to ... uhhh...temporary ...insanity...???'
V1, the Best.
DRIVE SAFELY, PLEASE.
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blingblingz
DC Crew
Registered: July 2003
Location: Palm Bay,FL USA
Posts: 8
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Review Date:
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Price you paid?: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10
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Evado
DC Crew
Registered: July 2005
Location: Seattle, WA USA
Posts: 1
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Review Date:
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Price you paid?: $400.00
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Ease of use, accuracy, value of having location and number of radar signals detected is invaluable. Helps seperate out grocery store door openers from real radar I have prevented at least 4 tickets per year for the past 12 years.
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Cons:
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None. I have owned two since 1993 or so, and even the old one works incredibly well.
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There simply is nothing better than the V1. I had my local high end stereo shop run the power cable along the windshield and the unit is mounted on the window up high under the tinting, so you cannot see it from the outside. There is truly no product out there which works better than this, so look no further.
I design electronics devices for a living, so when I say it is good, I know what I am speaking of.
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C Bender
DC Crew
Registered: March 2004
Location: (Spring) Houston Texas USA
Posts: 236
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Review Date:
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Price you paid?: $400.00
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Very easy to learn and operate.
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Cons:
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Unit could be smaller, other than that it's perfect.
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I never leave home without my V1. It is the absolute best radar detector i've ever used - period. If one takes the time to carefully read the instructions manual you will find that the V1 actually talks to you.
Several of my friends who have been in my cars have inquired as to when do I know if the beeps are real or false alarms? They seemed perplexed as to me not slowing down or even being concerned to certain beeping.
I explain to them that once you've learned the different sounds the V1 makes and have actually taken the time to carefully read and understand the instructions manual that the V1 will talk to you in it's own way, which is true.
A V1 owner will no when the threat signal is real and when it is a false alarm i.e. store alarms or store doors.
The V1 will actually give off a sound that is so distinct when the threat is real that it is very unmistakeable.
In it's own way, the V1 will convey to the driver with it's unique sounds that it's a false alarm, hit mute and keep on cruising. And when the threat is real there is another more frantic unique sound the emits from the unit, warning the driver to beware. And when one hears this sound, you know that a patrol car with radar is nearby and if it is in front of you, behind you or to your left or right and how many there are. If there is a patrol car ahead of you and one behind you and both units are using radar, the V1 will let you know which one is the greater threat by blinking in that direction.
My V1 has yet to ever let me down or be wrong. I trust it 100%. I use it in town in daily traffic as well as out of state trips.
I've lost the power point part of the radar at least twice while traveling or switching from car to car and the piece cost's $20.00 plus shipping and handling . Each time I called up the company, explained what happened and they have sent the piece that I needed out to me as soon as possible free of charge.
The customer service and care they provide is excellent, not to mention V1 owners have the option to send their units in to the company for new software updates as they become available. Thus providing V1 owners with the most up to date technology to protect themselves from getting tickets.
I love the arrows!
The V1 is worth every penny.
-Chris
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Brett
DC Crew
Registered: September 2004
Location: Chicago, IL USA
Posts: 26
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Review Date:
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Price you paid?: Not Indicated
| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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360 Coverage, Arrows, Bogey Counter, Upgrade Path
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Cons:
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No Automute, Radar band LEDs same color
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I've been using a V1 since the mid 90s, and my V1 has been through 4 upgrades to the latest and greatest version (3.826). I recently purchased a 8500 X50, and did a real world comparison for a couple of weeks. The features I liked most on each unit are the arrows and bogey counter on the V1 vs. automute and band identification on the 8500 (the 8500 will do a quais-count in Expert mode, but it is hard to read due to the size of the display). I also found the windshield mount on the 8500 x50 rattled against the windshield quite a bit on rough roads. The radar band LEDs (X, K, Ka, and Laser) on the V1 are all red, which makes it hard to distinguish one from another in some situations. Both units are comparable range wise, for both laser and radar. In the end I sold the 8500 x50 on eBay, and kept the V1 due to the excellent customer service I have received from Valentine over the last 10+ years. Ideally, I would have a 8500 x50 (with a better windshield mount) for the city, and a V1 for the highway, but that really isn't practical.
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BubbleHead
DC Crew
Registered: January 2003
Location: Chicago Native in Austin, TX
Posts: 3012
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Review Date:
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Price you paid?: $400.00
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Great detector, super customer service
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Cons:
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none
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I've had mine since 2001 and have always recommended this detector to everyone.
I have gotten one speeding ticket since purchasing this detector. I pulled it out of my Vette because it was going to the dealership for some work. Once I got my car back, I didn't re-install the detector right away... and I got a ticket.
The V1 has paid for itself at least 10 fold. It's a great detector and worth every penny. I would buy one again, no hesitation.
And the Bogey counter impresses the ladies too. 
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olddog
DC Crew
Registered: January 2005
Location: PA or Jail
Posts: 4994
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Review Date:
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Price you paid?: Not Indicated
| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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It catches everything - really..
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Cons:
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It catches everything in town too.
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Great units, I have two of them. Very sessitive and great for instant on IF there is a car within 1/2 mile of you in front - - picks up the 'echo' signal. Great for all bands including interstate photo units and laser.
Down side is the echo problem in town or when going by a shopping mall: every darn door with an auto opener triggers the unit . . . it is a learning experience.
As to the arrows, used to think it was a gimmik until I got 'shot' form the front on the open road and then shot again from both the frond and rear - - yup, there was a second unit not 1/2 mile in front of the first unit....
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RaDaRkInG
DC Crew
Registered: December 2005
Location: CA
Posts: 31
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SinisterC6
DC Crew
Registered: August 2006
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 3489
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Review Date:
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Price you paid?: $400.00
| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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catches coppers, gives a decent heads up, tells you the direction of the threat, can be adjusted for its sensitiveness
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Cons:
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$400
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it is $400 but when you add up all the tickets you'll avoid with this puppy it becomes clear that it will pay for itsself. it gives you a good heads up about 5 seconds before you even see the cop. i found that it gets set off by cops who are just driving around (fantastic). if you find that it is too sensitive you can put it in logic or logic2 mods where it filters out non threatning signals. this dose not give you the freedom to speed as cops will chase you down if they see you flying through traffic, this will howveer give you an advantage when you are in a pack of speeding vehicles. it can be remotely wired so that no powercord is visible
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Longtimer
DC Pit Crew
Registered: November 2003
Location: So Cal
Posts: 5632
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Review Date:
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Price you paid?: Not Indicated
| Rating: 0
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I had a Cobra back in the 90's and never thought I'd buy another detector. But some DC members convinced me that I should have a Valentine from the trip from BG, Ky to So Cal. in August 06. Plugged it in while in the NCM parking lot and got 200 miles of experience and respect for it. Yes the arrows work and are important. Yes it is almost too sensitive and will pick up signals in town too often. But if you are planning a trek of any significant length, I rate this as a Gotta-have. By my reconning, it paid for itself by alerting me to three actual enforcement beams on our trip. However, I did slow due to probable retail sources at least 20 times - less frequently as my ability to "read" the Valentine improved.
Best there is - double edge sword.
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dmh1dgls
Registered: March 2007
Location: Hagerstown, MD
Posts: 272
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Review Date:
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Price you paid?: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10
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This is the best out there. Just picked one up. Ran it next to my escort for a week and returned the escort the following week. It's saved me already 3 times in the 2 weeks I've had it. It's right up there with my American Express, don't leave home without it!!
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jjwvette
Registered: October 2004
Location: WI
Posts: 3301
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Review Date:
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Price you paid?: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Protection from all sides
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Cons:
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none
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I liked my first one so much I bought another for my other cars.
I also like that you can get updates for the V1 and not have to buy a new one.
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Drakarula
DC Crew
Registered: May 2005
Location: Merrick/NY/USA
Posts: 374
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Review Date:
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Price you paid?: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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The arrows are very useful. Lets you stay out of jail!
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Cons:
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Too many false alarms........$$$
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I have been a 4 time V1 owner for over the last 15+ years. I would never own another detector. It has clearly kept me from losing my license. This is by far the best money can buy al thought it is a lot of money.
My Biggest complaint is the laser detector will be triggered by certain cars break lights. I went onto the V! website and they confirm that this is a problem. I guess I will continue to live with that flaw. All in all if you spend less you will make it up on your first speeding ticket. I have sent a few in and they will update it to new that is a nice feature and the price for that was reasonable.
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Patrick
DC Crew
Registered: January 2003
Location: Northern Illinois
Posts: 42089
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Review Date:
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Price you paid?: $399.00
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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The arrows are awesome
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Cons:
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Expensive
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You don't even need to read the owners manual, just put it on the dash and hit the road.
The directional arrows really work, and were incredibly valuable to me on a recent cross country trip. They were accurate every time. I never thought I needed this feature, but it rocks and I don't think I could have another detector without them.
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napacruzerC5
DC Crew
Registered: October 2003
Location: Napa/CA/USA
Posts: 58
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Review Date:
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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Price you paid?: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Easy to understand. Movable from car to car.
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Cons:
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Can't think of anything yet
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Recent purchase after reading reviews from several sources. Considered Passport especially with price difference. Liked the arrows on the V1 and finally pulled the trigger on it. Installed first in daily driver Nissan then in C5 that weekend. Took a drive and recognized immediately when CHP detected. Sure enough about 1/8 of mile later saw patrol car with...C5Z06 pulled over.
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