Radar detectors need a rethink...

My Valentine One radar detector is about 12 years old and Valentine will upgrade it to current tech for about $279. They imply that once they receive my older unit, they will just ship me a new one. Worth It? Notice a difference or improvement?

They say I get some stuff like the ESP firmware that will then work with my Android phone for more detailed data, some improved sensitivity but only on one of the bands..... and I think I can set a minimum speed underwhich, it suppresses alarms (this one thing actually sounds really good).

Insights?

Peace
Bruce in Philly

Mine has been updated a couple times over the past dozen years or so. I believe anything that can give you an edge and possibly avoid being ticketed for a moving violation is worthwhile, both from a financial and record standpoint. In your case it seems easier for them to just send you a new unit, maybe because it's so old, even though Valentine says any V1 is updatable. That said, Valentine is certainly a reputable, trustworthy company.
I purchased the Savvy device that allows for silencing the unit below a user settable speed. It attaches to the OBD port. Unfortunately, the 981's port is located in the driver's side fuse panel. (Don't know if the 987's have it, but the 981 has a passenger side fuse panel, too.) I got an L-connector, which is somewhat thinner than the Savvy, but as it still won't clear the panel cover, I purchased a spare cover that I intend to cut open. There still may be an issue with my left foot knocking into the connector.

... Mike Valentine himself a little while ago and asked him if it was worth the shipping and expense.
He told me that I would probably not notice a difference.
The real difference with mine is that since it is 15 years old it is the LARGE box.
V1 started manufacturing a thinner unit so that if I upgraded I'd have the smaller one but performance wise there'd be no big improvements.
He did ask me to send it in for them to update the software which they did for free.
Happy Boxstering,
Pedro

Pedro Bonilla
1998 Boxster 986 - 311,000+ miles: [www.PedrosGarage.com]
PCA National Club Racing Scrutineer - PCA National HPDE Instructor - PCA Technical Committee (Boxster/Cayman)

---

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It used to be, but technology caught up with it, the police caught up with my 'friend', he lost his V-1 and got a $300 ticket.

The Bell Sti (the subsequent purchase) is undetectable, and has saved my friend's bacon a number of times, but he sure misses the V-1's arrows.

Mike won't ship a V-1 to any jurisdiction where the use of an RD is illegal. That strikes me as a bit odd. Someone living in Ontario, who travels to the US often (or at least annually - say in May of each year) might want a V-1, to use lawfully when in the US.

I can't help but wonder if it's because he has some sort of gentleman's agreement with big brother, that Mike has chosen not to update the non-detectability of his V-1.

Bell appears to currently have the non-detectability market cornered.

or at least that's the implication here: [www.valentine1.com]

Interesting reading.

My 'friend's' V1 was current (as of 3 years ago) when it got picked up by Canadian police. My friend wasn't speeding - the cop simply had his radar detector-detector turned on, and it was game over. Instant confiscation, and the $300 ticket. in the years before, the V1 WAS undetectable, but big brother's technology advanced.

He bought the Bell Sti online later that night, and was using it within a week. He has since received hundreds of alerts as he drove by police cruisers with their radar guns blazing. The Bell continued to sound the alarm, and he's never been stopped, for speeding, not for using a detector.

He misses the arrows, and bogey counter, a lot. But he lost his V1 because it was detectable.The Bell isn't detectable; it's that simple. It probably doesn't give as long a warning, but it gives enough. And, because it's undetectable, it will do it again, and again.

I know Mike runs a good shop and has a great product, with top-notch customer service. I've been a disciple for more than a decade. But I have a hard time buying the notion Mike is unable to develop stealth technology. Not when Bell's been doing it successfully for years.

"he's never been stopped, for speeding, not for using a detector."

should have been:

he's never been stopped, for speeding, NOR for using a detector.

Quote
Roger987
Interesting reading.

My 'friend's' V1 was current (as of 3 years ago) when it got picked up by Canadian police.

I know a similiar 'friend', however he sold his V1 on eBay about 5 yrs ago when the 'new' spectre RDD came out. My 'friend' also changed to a Bel STi, and has been happy with it. He also just told me he misses the bogey counters and arrows.

Of note, he also just told me that the STi started acting up about 3yrs ago, but was able to send it in the Bel for a small fee for an update. He said it stopped alarming at known false alarm spots. You might want to tell your 'friend' to watch out for that.

FWIW,
Peter

When my friend bought his STi, he felt it didn't warn early enough. He sent it to Bel and asked them to check it out. They did, adjusted something, and indeed, it worked better.

It's a robust unit, and so far, has worked well. At night, he's able to turn off the warning lights (so as not to attract attention) and relies on the audio. In the Boxster, he installed more or less permanent wiring from the fuse box to the point where the A-pillar meets the dash. The avoids the hassle of using the cord. In his winter car, he uses the portable cold and the handy mini-display that plugs into the power receptacle.

How does your friend secure the sti to the dash? My friend uses one of those sticky pads to set cell phones on and stuff, but sometimes he says it goes flying.

Peter

A couple strips on the back of the detector (the soft fuzzy side there, so that it's not trying to stick to sweaters, the glove compartment, and whatever else it may come in contact with), and a couple strips on the dash. The detector will stay put, but is easily removable when the 'circumstances' suddenly change.

I am impressed with Mike's openness regarding this stuff. Most companies just lie about what they or doing or their product whatever...

Despite the price, I like my V1 and have no reason to dislike it.... I have owned mine for many years.

Peace
Bruce in Philly

but the $49 "v1connection" module is (https://store.valentine1.com/store/) and there is some additional functionality available if you get the ESP upgrade.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 04/22/2013 10:38AM by Boxsterra. (view changes)

I'm been a loyal fan and owner of Mike V's products since his days of the original 'Escort', Passport, and V1, and have saved perhaps thousands of dollars of tickets. However, these days I find myself using my up-to-date V1(s) less and less. Why? Three broad reasons...

1) Excessive K-band falsing from other devices sharing the spectrum, such as blind spot detection, radar-based cruise control, etc. Audi's seem to be the most egregious offenders.
2) Excessive laser falsing from LED headlamps, etc., road signage, etc. Inifiniti's seem to be the worst offenders.
3) General rise of laser usage. Laser was the game changer... just too impossible to detect due to lack of scatter. Even using the old K-band trick of trailing someone by 200 yards doesn't work, as the cop will have time to pick out both of you.

These days I prefer to 'speed intelligently' (e.g. 8mph over the posted limit), rather than relying on an increasingly outdated device. Not sure I have any legal suggestions (i.e. jammers, etc) to improve the situation, but here's hoping some enterprising startup steps in!

- JohnL
Boston

I was confused several times until the pattern began to emerge.

I wonder if they also mess with the police' radar, acting as a jammer?

Grant

Grant

gee-lenahan-at-gee-mail-dot-com