Valentine radar detector opinions?

[user 28803]

Hello all,

I haven't owned a radar detector in over 10 years but I find I want to add one now.

I've been researching and comparing and I'm *this* close to ordering a *Valentine*. Before I do I thought I'd ask the opinions of anyone who *has owned one*. So, if you've owned a V1, and especially if you've owned other RDs *as well as a Valentine* and can compare, what are your thoughts about the Valentine?

Here's a question: what do you do, if anything, to or with your RD if you go somewhere they're illegal (VA for example)?

Thanks,

Jesse - not a speed demon but a little help is a good thing... especially when the FJR has a mind of its own

 

[ionbeam]

We have had some radar detector opinions. Recent:

Thoughts 1

Thoughts 2

Thoughts 3

Thoughts 4

Thoughts 5

 

[user 28803]

I hear you. I've read plenty if it myself. However, I'm asking specifically about experience with Valentine, not all the varied opinions about Escorts and/or speeding tickets.

Yes, my Googlefoo works, thanks.

 

[Klubis]

I really like my V1 but I've never owned another RD so I can't offer you a comparison. I did a lot of homework before I bought the V1 and I feel like I made the best choice, but that was 12 years ago. There may be better RDs available now, but I'm happy with what I have. I like knowing how many bogies are out there, and whether they are ahead of me or behind.

Of note, like many others on this forum I usually don't speed. When the V1 chirps it serves as a reminder for me to check my speed. Also, I have noted that the LEOs are more tolerant of bar hopping HD riders than they are of sport or sport_touring riders, IMO.

 

[Blind Squirrel]

Yes, my Googlefoo works, thanks.

ionbeam ->

<-earthrooster

 

[ionbeam]

I hear you. I've read plenty if it myself. However, I'm asking specifically about experience with Valentine, not all the varied opinions about Escorts and/or speeding tickets.
Yes, my Googlefoo works, thanks.

Yes, my Googlefoo works, thanks.

ionbeam ->

<-earthrooster

Hmm, there are lots of posts like these that I thought would be helpful. Note that I didn't tell you to search, I gave you the links. And, I didn't use Boogle which returns 27.6e6 useless hits. I'll go crawl back under my rock.

Just bought a new V1 for the KTM. The new models have two new trick features. First they have an adapter that plugs into a standard OBD port, powers the unit, and allows you to mute alarms below a set speed limit. For example, set to 35mph and the unit won't make noise until you exceed that speed, super useful for riding in the city. I love this for my car, since I have only one 12v outlet free.
Second feature is a bluetooth module that lets you use an iOS or Android device to view the radar alerts, and better, select specific bands to scan. Turn off xband and scan a narrow range of kband for example, useful for local trips.

Personally love the display of the V1, since one quick glance tells me where and how many signals.

Passport 9500ix.

Had it for years and I can't even imagine how much it's saved me. While useless against laser, it's exceptionally good at giving you PLENTY of warning about everything else. I considered a Valentine, but quite honestly, the arrows mean nothing to me and in all the reviews I read at the time, the passport was more sensitive and produced fewer false alarms. I want to know someone has me on radar...and as soon as possible. Doesn't matter to me which direction they are. As the signal on the Passport increases or decreases, I know I'm either getting closer to or farther from them or they're getting closer to or farther from me. Again, direction is less important to me. The Passport also does an exceptional job of eliminating false alarms and tells me when I'm approaching a red light camera so I know to come to a FULL stop before that right-on-red or be much more careful about racing the stale green or the yellow light. Pricey? Absolutely. But in this case, I feel you do get what you pay for.

To each his own, and the Passport 9500 is a great unit.
However, the V1 does tell you how strong/near the radar signal is, without a doubt -- both with lights and with audio, with flashes/beeps getting closer together as you get nearer, and further apart as you move away from the signal. I get notice of an active radar long before it could possibly have a lock on me, and when as it grows nearer, there's no doubt where it is.

And, the arrows really do give you valuable intelligence about the threat. The combination of arrows, threat counter, and signal strength/distance provided by the V1 are really useful in situations where multiple LEOs are active in the same area. (On rural interstates in Southern California, CHP has been known to park a unit in full view on the side of the road with a radar, and then have a second unit 1/2 to 3/4 mile further up the road hiding behind an overpass. Drivers will slow for the first unit, and then speed up once they're past it -- only to be snagged by the second unit. The arrows let you know about this setup.)

My V1 is 9 years old, and has been upgraded for free twice by Valentine, and has saved me too many times to count.

 

[user 28803]

ionbeam, I apologize if I offended you because that was certainly not my intent. Call it PTSD. I'm so accustomed to some people around here jumping down other people's throats for asking a question that I may have overreacted. You're right, you didn't tell me to do a search. I do appreciate honest attempts to be helpful.

 

[HotRodZilla]

Hey Earthrooster, DO A SEARCH!!

ducking and running for cover.

 

[user 28803]

Damn, I shoulda thought of that!

 

[Bugnatr]

V1 is the best but with laser and instant on that the cops have it's getting harder to break the law as rd detectors are worthless against those as when you get a hit they already have you.

 

[Fly Bye]

Earthrooster

I have owned my Valentine for many years and never had a problem with it with the exception of a bad cord.

I like the directional function of the valentine.

The new kid on the block is the Escort 9500xi. This unit has a lot of features and upgrades are available through internet.

Do a Google search on Radar Roy and watch his video.

Enjoy

 

[Ignacio]

ionbeam, I apologize if I offended you because that was certainly not my intent. Call it PTSD. I'm so accustomed to some people around here jumping down other people's throats for asking a question that I may have overreacted. You're right, you didn't tell me to do a search. I do appreciate honest attempts to be helpful.

Great sentiment earthrooster. Good on you.

One way to go a step further is to say something like, "I searched on "x", "y", and "z", but didn't find what I was hoping for. What might I search on to yield a better result?"

Folks like ionbeam don't have those links memorized. They actually do the search for you and wrap things up in a bow by providing a link. One of the reason some folks get jumped is they skip the courtesy of even trying to search for something they very likely know has been talked about so many times before.

Thanks ionbeam. Your patience is Job-like and Google Fu is Neo-like.

As for the OP, I own 2 currently, owned a variety before and the V1 source directional arrows are the thing that I've posted about many times before as being indispensable and superior to other detectors.

 

[tcfjr]

V1 is the best but with laser and instant on that the cops have it's getting harder to break the law as rd detectors are worthless against those as when you get a hit they already have you.

All true. In practice, though, if you're riding with other traffic ahead of you, the instant-on radar shot at the driver(s) in front of you will bleed enough for you to get a beep too. If that beep then goes away, you can be pretty sure you're in an instant-on area, and can adjust accordingly.

And when the laser detection goes off on your V1 (or any good detector, really), it lets you pull over and get settled before the LEO comes up to write your ticket.

 

[user 28803]

Thanks for all the help, guys. I do appreciate all the advice and experiences you're sharing. I know any RD is only a tool, not infallible or perfect for sure. Finding the best tool to fit my needs is a lofty goal, eh?

Thanks again

 

[MrZappo]

V1 is EXTREMELY SENSITIVE ... Almost to the point of rendering it useless (at least for me in my area) ... It goes off almost constantly which makes me learn to start ignoring it which is dangerous ... I don't find the arrows to be particularly useful but some do ... I abandoned it for an escort for one simple reason, it is hard to decipher when traveling .. There are 4 lights (X,K,Ka,Laser) and when I am approaching a bogey, and I look over at the unit, it is actually pretty hard to tell (with certainty) which one it is ... The reason for this is that all of the 4 lights are simply a red LED about 2mm apart ... And they are next a small silk screened font on the face of the unit so that they all look exactly the same for the most part ... I had to take my eyes off the road and really look at it to be sure ...

My Escort has a display which can be changed to an advanced mode where it shows in bright letters "KA" or "K" and then lines showing the intensity. For me this was much easier to decipher while moving .. It is not as "overly sensitive" as the V1 or has better software to eliminate false positives so when it does go off, I pay attention .. It has saved me countless times ..

Both worked but the V1 was more sensitive and science project like while the escort was a more corporate designed and refined unit.

It might come down to where you live/ride. If I was out in Montana or something (open roads) I might prefer the V1 for its sensitivity out in the country where the only signals are real cops ... But, anywhere in/around/near the city or suburbs and it was not enjoyable to drive with ...

For my area I cant imagine having the V1 constantly squaking at me ...

And as I said, there is such a thing as sensitive "enough". I do not get tickets (at least not since getting the escort). I'm not a huge speeder although I NEVER drive the actual limit ... For me the Escort has worked out well and Ill buy another when this one craps out ...

YMMV ...

 

[Lngrdr]

I bought a V1 after getting stopped in the How The West Was Won rally. I like it fine so far but I've only used it on one long ride to the IBA Meet. It does beep a lot in city traffic but is easily muted.

 

[Bugnatr]

V1 is the best but with laser and instant on that the cops have it's getting harder to break the law as rd detectors are worthless against those as when you get a hit they already have you.

All true. In practice, though, if you're riding with other traffic ahead of you, the instant-on radar shot at the driver(s) in front of you will bleed enough for you to get a beep too. If that beep then goes away, you can be pretty sure you're in an instant-on area, and can adjust accordingly.

And when the laser detection goes off on your V1 (or any good detector, really), it lets you pull over and get settled before the LEO comes up to write your ticket.

Around here the cops wait for bikes to blast with radar, they are sneaky-just look at Zilla.

 

[HotRodZilla]

V1 is the best but with laser and instant on that the cops have it's getting harder to break the law as rd detectors are worthless against those as when you get a hit they already have you.

All true. In practice, though, if you're riding with other traffic ahead of you, the instant-on radar shot at the driver(s) in front of you will bleed enough for you to get a beep too. If that beep then goes away, you can be pretty sure you're in an instant-on area, and can adjust accordingly.

And when the laser detection goes off on your V1 (or any good detector, really), it lets you pull over and get settled before the LEO comes up to write your ticket.

Around here the cops wait for bikes to blast with radar, they are sneaky-just look at Zilla.

You can't look at me cuz I'm hiding. Then I POP out and pull you over. By then it's too late. Haha...

The other night I paced a guy going 110 through the middle of Albuquerque. Had no idea until I lit him up. He had a detector on the dash, but I couldn't tell what it was.

 

[user 28803]

That dummy deserved to get caught.