VALENTINE ONE Is it worth it?

[wat2022]

I was wondering if anyone has a VALENTINE ONE & is it worth it?

[bsrpilot44]

I was wondering if anyone has a VALENTINE ONE & is it worth it?

Yes...once you go arrows you never go back!

[ItzDarrellS4]

absolutely!!!! saved me time and time again.

do it. you wont regret it

[zachf88]

Oh Yes!!!!

[Ill 3.0]

Having just purchased mine, also agree. Look at ADR interface too, I installed mine and love it. Probably the best $200 I spent on the car (aside from maybe short shifter and RS4 rear sway). It's only not worth it if you very attentive to speed limit and never go over. Otherwise buy one.

[CARTEL]

I think so... It's saved my ass so many times.

[blacka4]

saved my ass a few times. I usually cruise 10 to 15 over the limit regularly and its great

[Randy M]

Absolutely. Feel naked driving without it.

[wat2022]

Sweet thanks guys

[S4B6Dave]

Absolutely, I have always had a radar detector over the last 20+ years of driving, this is the best one, hands down. I also have an escort, no comparison. If you can swing the cost, go for it.

[nimski62]

Absolutely. Feel naked driving without it.

LMAO i know how you feel.. deff get the naked feeling, infact I use the same terminology when talking about driving without my V1!!

[dr.evil]

Although awesome, your still not bulletproof. If they are using POP or Instant On and you dont see them in time your screwed regardless. I got a ticket recently with the V1 on full alert. But its more than paid for itself in times its saved my ass!

[Apex]

I have a V1 as well and live in and around Seattle like you. I also have a laser jammer though (Blinder) b/c 95% of WSP use laser and V1 won't stop that. Still gotta be on the lookout for instant on, ghost cars and VASCAR. Laser jammer is awesome to have but also not 100% bulletproof.

[channad]

I only use it for long trips. In which case, it's saved me twice, and saved my cousin once. Since he was driving to Mammoth, I brought it with me. He was very amazed. He was doing 90 when it went off, and CHP was waiting after a crest in the road about 1 mile down. He would for sure have gotten a ticket.

At any rate, I don't drive with it all over the city, it's a little annoying. It will keep you safe except in certain instances. You will still have to be aware of your surroundings.

[ngng]

all I have to say is...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZnAjzVw-KI

[wat2022]

Hey APEX where did you get the jammer?

[wwb4]

Definitely.......can't imagine driving without one.

[jester7677]

In NE, I would say that the laser jammer would be my first purchase, the V1 would be my second. My Blinder has saved me 7 times over the last year. My V1 has saved me once in the same period.

Cannot say if V1 is better than Escort, but I've had my V1 for something like 8 years now and love it. In those first 7 years the V1 probably saved me 10 time maybe, and I got 3 laser based tickets. Hence the Blinder install.

[ItzDarrellS4]

i posted above how it has saved me in the past. but i have a quick story... this morning i woke up late and i had to go to work. i have an hour commute, so i really had to hurry to make it on time. if you dont know NH, our state troopers drive these....
they camouflage with our green state very very well... anywho. i was doing 20 over when the KA band and the forward arrow went nuts, i hit the brakes but had no idea where the cop was, sure enough up the road a bit i caught a reflection on the side of the road, it was one of these chargers hidden in weeds about 20 yards in off the road. ive never seen a cop hidden so well, if it wasnt for the V1 id be late for work and out a $240 fine minimum and a must apear in court (add the court fee, and loss of half a day of work on there also) + the insurance hike. paid for itself right there.

best investment ever

[Apex]

Hey APEX where did you get the jammer?

Some shop in Kirkland. I paid $500-550 installed. I think the unit (Blinder M20) retails for $350 so I paid $150-200 for install which is probably a little on the high side as far as installation costs go. You can also sometimes find the M20 on Ebay for cheaper but buyer beware since you know how ebay goes sometimes.

They don't produce the M20's any more though b/c the new M25's have taken their place so if you see an M20 it's prob leftover stock. Check the reviews on the M25 b/c some say it doesn't work as well as it should.

You could also get a Laser Pro Park (LPP) but it costs significantly more. One thing I like about the LPP is that the sensors are so small and are easier to mount up front. The blinder units are large by comparison.

There's some guy that is marketing Laser Star (a new jammer) but I don't know too much about it.

[NYCS4Avant]

yes. 4 years and a bunch of tickets later (all w/o V1 in the car/on). V1 has saved my ass too many times to count. V1 FTW!

[isb]

These guys give the nod to the Bel STi over the V1: http://www.radartest.com/article.asp?articleID=100542

Does anyone have experience with both?

Cheers, Ian

[Tiesto]

Aren't most departments going to laser now? Why would they continue to stick with radar? Do they want to deliberately lower their chances at catching speeders?

[b00st]

i love the valentine one but it seems to be losing battles lately...more technology coming out in these newer radars...and they seemed to be out performing the V1. had to do escort. loved the arrows but i think it was time.

lots of great info in here.

http://www.radardetector.net/

[Maverick]

time to get one now

[JoeM]

Aren't most departments going to laser now? Why would they continue to stick with radar? Do they want to deliberately lower their chances at catching speeders?

I think Laser still has issues with bad weather such as fog or heavier rains and snow. Where as Radar still works in those conditions.

[vinny.dtw]

Worth every penny. Saved my booty so many times.

[EUROTEK//S4]

Yes...once you go arrows you never go back!

+ 2

[oatzel]

+ 2

+3

[wat2022]

I got one this past weekend and it has already saved my ass!!!!!!!!

[40valve]

all I have to say is...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZnAjzVw-KI

Is this with custom interface or is there a kit to buy?

[DTMOOOO]

^It is a kit that you have to buy ^

[a2gtinut]

I see V1 worthless since State Police uses laser only.
going driving 10-20 over speed limit I get to my destinations only 1-2 minutes faster. With out worhtless V1 I drive slower while more ralaxed and less stops at the pump.

[kloover]

1-2 minutes faster? Maybe on a few mile trip. But consider a long trip (for instance, my trip to visit my parents which is 420 miles). Doing 60 mph takes me 7 hours. Doing 80mph would take me only 5h 15m.

I'm not advocating speeding, but it does save time (unless of course you get pulled over)

[wat2022]

I know some of you hard wired the V1 and I did read the thread on it but don't want to use the sunroof for pwr source,so could you please help me out, I have the pwr going to the fuse box, I can't find a wire to tap into for pwr when you turn the key.

[|FYASKO|]

V1 i coming !

[Mooneywa]

I'd say one of the seldom mentioned benefits of the V1 is the service. I bought my V1 back in 2002 and since then they came up with some new updates for POP Ka-band. Additionally my V1 started acting up and for $75 they ran diagnostics, replaced a couple things, and did the software update. I haven't heard of passport or cobra or any of the other companies doing this. V1 is a company devoted to radar detectors - not CB's, scanners, and oh btw radar detectors. They know what they're doing and I've been very pleased with mine. The only time I've been pulled over since then (knock on wood) was when the unit was turned off.

[ItzDarrellS4]

V1 saved me once again this morning. thing is amazing

[wat2022]

I'd say one of the seldom mentioned benefits of the V1 is the service. I bought my V1 back in 2002 and since then they came up with some new updates for POP Ka-band. Additionally my V1 started acting up and for $75 they ran diagnostics, replaced a couple things, and did the software update. I haven't heard of passport or cobra or any of the other companies doing this. V1 is a company devoted to radar detectors - not CB's, scanners, and oh btw radar detectors. They know what they're doing and I've been very pleased with mine. The only time I've been pulled over since then (knock on wood) was when the unit was turned off.

Do you guys have any meets there in okla? I'm driving there next month to visit family.

[Randy M]

I see V1 worthless since State Police uses laser only.
going driving 10-20 over speed limit I get to my destinations only 1-2 minutes faster. With out worhtless V1 I drive slower while more ralaxed and less stops at the pump.

You're in the wrong car. Perhaps you should get a smart car or a prius or something a little more meager since you don't really enjoy performance.