range is amazing, even from behind in a super long Suburban with car seat right in the path of the rear sensor. It still registered a visual LEO at least 1 mile behind me. I LOVE the directional. I switched back to my bel 870 just for a test and when it just went off I hated not knowing where the radar was coming from. Try this and you will be hooked on Valentine. Absolutely the best!

On my motorcycle, it had a habit of falsing a laser warning when I revved the throttle and then afterwards also. I had it connected directly to my battery so that was the cause of it. It does not do that in the car.

This is the best out there!!! The range of this detector, directional locators, value, construction. You can't go wrong with buying the best and this is it, period. If you have to have an idiot voice telling you which band it is and you don't mind that driving you nuts, buy another product. I used the Valentine on my Suzuki Hayabusa(fastest production motorcycle, thank you, with speedo to 220mph) and it worked fantastic!!

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bel 870 with voice(hate! voice), bel 760

I know you heard it a thousand times so one more won't hurt you. Directional Arrows!!!!!
Out performed Bel 980 on x band similar performance on k & ka.

Used to think it was no visual id at night but after speaking to a v-1 rep he explainded to try to get used to the audible alerts & focus more on the directional arrows. Not an easy task when you're used to visual id at a glance. But after 2 weeks using the v-1 I understand thier philosophy behind it. Listen & get used to the different tones you're getting hit with & focus in wich direction the bogey is with the arrows. Takes some getting used to but you have no choice but to learn in order to use it to it's full potential.

Got bagged doing 98 mph coming back from a weekend at the poconos. At the time had a Passport 7500. (that thing really sucks please avoid!!!) Anyway, smokey got me on ka band and the passport only alerted me within 30 ft of him!!! I'm still bitter about that. He was hidding behind a concrete barrier that held up the over pass. At the time did'nt know which way to go, v-1 or bel 980. Did some research & decided to go with the 980 mainly because of the price $240 at e-tronics.com and the reviews people gave it. Had to return it only having it seven days because voice alerts just stopped working. It did a great jog at finding radar. Audible tones were loud & clear, voice alerts kept you informed of what was out there without having to look at display. Customizible features really made it convienent for your driving preference. I even felt bad having to return it. But, god works in mysterious ways because here came the v-1! This thing is awesome!! The directional arrows are worth every penny people. Case in point. Going over the Betsy Ross Bridge, a notorious spot where smokey loves to hang out, v-1 picked up ka. At first I thought it was a false because all lanes were clear and I could'nt see any smokeys in sight. Strength and tone got greater then sure enough I found the source. It was a stationary unit that displayed your speed as you passed by. Directional arrows did thier job even tracked it from behind. Then, x band alert with arrow blinking ahead of me, strength & tone going nuts!! Continued doing speed limit 'till I got to the end of the bridge & there was smokey (hiding ofcourse behind some brush) expecting you to speed up after the stationary ka. Directional arrows found him for me. How the hell can you beat that?!! No other detector offers this kind of information. I honestly felt safe in knowing that smokey won't be catching me in his little speed traps. This thing inspires confidence, not to speed but in informing & alerting you of what's out there all the time.

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bel 980

Directional Arrows
Tells number of signals it's getting

More falses than I'd like
Big and Bulky

I actually like this radar detector, though, for the money, there's probably better out there now. It does false a bit often, but if used in advanced logic mode, it works pretty well, even in urban areas.

I saw all the negative reviews lately, but didn't feel they were too fair. Obviously, instant-on can get anyone, so that shouldn't be a minus. But the range of the V1 is pretty good. I can usually pick up a cop a mile or so away. The directional arrows are only accurate to about 100 yards or so, and do sometimes give bad info, but you have to take it with a grain of salt. Experience with the detector and a little common sense will let you know what's going on.

Overall, I'd say it was a good detector, but it hasn't changed much for a while, and as technology advances so should your detector. Until they come up with new features, I'd say there's probably a better one out there for the money, just look around a little.

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None

Directional arrows, advanced logic mode, loud

big and ugly

I drive about 3,000 miles a month and have been using the V1 for a little over a year. When I first installed it I was totally confused with all the different alert tones and different modes available. Given a little time with it to learn what the different alerts meant, and putting it in Advanced Logic Mode to eliminate all but the strongest automatic doors, it quickly became my best friend while behind the wheel. I drive 80-85 MPH on the freeway and have not received a ticket yet.... and have been warned well in advance of any potential tickets with the V1. I will never own a detector that does not have directional arrows.... I have found this feature priceless. When the signal is in front of me I worry. When it is behind me I just keep my eye on the mirror and slow down when the police creep up on me. When the signal is coming from the side I don't even worry about it.

I usually don't write product reviews, but I stumbled on the V1 taking some beatings from other reviewers and couldn't help but toss in my two cents. I love the thing, but am also aware that technology is always improving and there may be something better out there today then there was a year ago when I bought my V1. My conclusion though is that it has provided all the warning I need and very few false warnings.... so I have no need for anything else.

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Have used Maxxon and Cobra in the past... no comparison (but that was a few years back)

Multiple bogey detection and tracking. Bright alert arrows and display. Great X K and laser detection. Programmability- (you didn't know that?)for turning off the bands of choice (I.E. x band) and customizing performance.

Large size and over-priced. Replaced two arrow LEDs after they failed. (defective) Needs higher quality mounting accessories.

I bought my V-1 in '97 as a last resort. I had gotten a ticket with nearly every other big brand of detector. My style of safe-but-fast highway driving justified the spending though. I've driven up and down the east coast 5 times and all over my home state of PA since then and have only been ticketed once after 30 or so encounters with all kinds of speed traps. It was in a situation that no detector can protect you from: Instant-on with no other cars ahead. I was the only target on the road and it was an easy ambush as a SC trooper nailed me late at night with K-band on an empty roadway. It was a humbling experience. Previously I had felt almost invincible to radar. So why do I still believe in V-1? Folks, it's a radar detector, not a guardian angel sent from heaven to protect your license. Like the manual says it can only perform by the laws of physics. How's a detector going to "see" instant-on when there's no beam transmitted until you're the target? Modern DSP radar locks your speed in less then half a second and there's no (legal) defense against it when you're caught in it's path. And lets talk about these false alarms many others seem to be getting. After doing a little research either with the v-1 or elsewhere it is easy to find out which bands are used in a state or area and turn off v-1's detection for the bands that aren't in use. For example, I live in PA and here only state police use radar and that is on K-band, so I turn off X band and eliminate 98% of falsing caused by the door openers and such. This way when the V-1 lights, it's almost always a real k-band threat. Going up and down the east coast I noticed X band was only being used in the Carolinas, and the rest was all K and Ka throughout GA, FL, MD, VA, DC.
Program the V-1 accordingly and it will be precision instrument of ECM warfare. Use "full-logic" mode all the time when you are looking for X band. Yes it takes a few seconds of tough, button pressing work, but you can't expect to slap a detector on your windshield and have it magically program itself to fit your driving needs. Some may be asking "How do you program it? It's not in my manual!" V-1 just recently released the info publically on it's website. Before that it was underground information that v-1 didn't want you to know. They were afraid too many people would screw up the settings on their detectors. I think it makes the V-1 all the more marketable and valuable against it's competition. Next time you read a poor V-1 review (I.E. Craig Peterson and radartest.com)take note as to whether or not the programming was used, or even mentioned. It has been overlooked by nearly everyone. Moving on to other features, the V-1's multiple bogey tracking saved me numerous times because the state police k-banders intentionally hide under the cover of X-band transmitting message boards and try to "jam" detectors with the x-band, so much that they wouldn't even pick up the k-band gun. This earned me 3 different citations. V-1 was the solution! Now on to the alerting... The V-1 does have poor audio, I can second that, but I DON'T EVEN USE IT!!
You gotta love a detector that,with volume turned off, can tell you a threat is ahead, is K-band, and could possibly be in the form of 2 patrol cars. The V-1 display is so bright, simple and easy to read that I just don't bother to use the sound at all. I can see the lighting of the big red arrows at any time of day, even if my mind is elsewhere. Picture your car having a big red "radar trap ahead" light on the dash. If it came on you'd simply see it and take action. The V-1 is no different. And finally, I must say the V-1 like any well marketed item is over-hyped. It is fiercely over-priced. If it hadn't saved me so many times though I wouldn't be writing this. I have to agree in saying buy once, buy wise, and make the investment in the V-1. Remember Mr. Valentine promises upgrades for the eternal life of your detector. Most people have forgotten this. Even if the competition is getting close, (Bel 980) V-1 will have the edge in time with quality refinement. Earlier models like mine have had bad LEDS that burnt out or began to flicker. This has reportedly been fixed. NOTE TO V-1 OWNERS: TO ENTER PROGRAM MODE PRESS & HOLD CONTROL KNOB IN WHILE TURNING UNIT ON. HOLD FOR 3 SECS UNTIL SOLID LIT LEDS APPEAR. CLICK KNOB ONCE MORE, FOR SOFTWARE VERSION NUMBER, AND PRESS AGAIN FOR PROGRAMMING MENUS FOR X BAND, FOLLOWED BY K, KA, LASER AND ALL KINDS OF OTHER FEATURES I CAN'T MENTION HERE. TO CHANGE SETTING FOR ANY ITEM SIMPLY PRESS AND HOLD CONTROL KNOB UNTIL ARROW DIRECTION CHANGES. FOR QUESTIONS/COMMENTS E-MAIL MWalsh@WTPAFM.com

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Used following brands: Whistler, Bel, Uniden, Cobra... upgraded after each ticket. Did get one ticket with V-1 but I would've gotten a good dozen or more without it.

This thing has saved my @$$ so many times, I don't even know where to begin on talking about how well it works. I will never, ever even *consider* any other radar detector. I spent about $1200 on a nearly top of the line K40 custom mounted radar detector before this, and boy do I wish I had just gotten the V1 from the beginning.

Looks like a CB from the 70's.

$400 for the V1. Hell yah I would recommend it.

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It's in a class of it's own.

Bogey counter and arrows, The auto dimming display is very nice too.The whole package rocks Mr. Valentine knows he's got a good thing here.He pays attention to detail for sure.

The lights for x,k,ka,laser should be different colors to help tell the difference between bands.All in all this unit needs nothing else but a lower price, however I'm a firm believer that you get what you pay for,and this baby is worth every penny.!!!!

This detector/locator I highly recommend ! The Bel I owned was nice but you never knew of how many threats and where they were.
A perfect scenario to prove this unit is a situation where your driving your daily route by a building that always sets off your detector and you ignore it because it happens every day. All other detectors beep and light up, the V1 tells you that that there is 3 bogeys and you just past 2 that was the security system for the building and the locator is telling you the new threat is up the road ahead which is a state trooper driving at you with radar on.I'm sorry but no other detector can match that. So some detectors have a few hundred more feet of sesitivity, I'll take more information like number of threats and where over a little distance any day of the week. The more information you have the better decision you can make on whether to slow down or speed up. Enough said buy this unit and decide for yourself you won't be sorry.
Ps. Anyone want to buy a 3 month old Bel 980 box and all, I'll sell it cheap.

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Bel 980: The Bel was sensitive too but, I was always playing with the volume and the brightness. With the V1 I set it and forget it.Most of the time I leave the volume off and just go on sight confirmation of apparent threats.

Sensitivity, Arrows, Bogey counter

Price

This is without a doubt the best detector on the market. I live in an area with many curvy and hilly roads. The V1 has given me plenty of time to slow down on numerous occasions. I would recommend this detector to anyone. Once you get over the price and have this product for a week you will understand. So if you are hesitant, just go for it. It is fun to locate radar. Sometimes, if I am bored I will just cruise around and actually try to find police. The arrows lead you right to the spot.

The sensitivity is awesome on the straightaway as well. I was cruising along the interstate when the Ka band went off. The beeps started to get stronger but I couldn't see anything. This went on for 45 seconds, I thought it was a false alarms and started to get pissed off (recently purchased and have had false alarm experiences with other detectors). But, I couldn't believe it, there was a camaro z28 cop car coming the other way. It gave me almost a 1.5 miles on Ka. WOW!

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whistler, bell, cobra

This is the best s*** you can buy. It is basically impossible to get pulled over with this detector. It tells you how many cops (bogeys) there are, and what direction they are comming from. What other detector does that for you. Theres gotta be a reason why scince it came out it's been rated the best detector you can buy. Anybody that doesn't like it is just hatin on it.

Maybe a little big, but it's got all that s*** packed in.

My grandfather bought this new, never got pulled over. Gave it to me when I turned 16 and got my truck, still never got caught, now 19. I have a Ford Explorer so its not like I speed like in a sports car, but its saved my a** madd times. My mom has the 8500 by Escort, piece of crap. Yeah it goes off, but most of the time too late. She's already got 2 tickets within a few months. Too that guy that gave it single stars, like the other guy said you work for Bel or something cause you know it doesn't compare. You even said it was given the 98 in the test, that was a while ago. Can you explain to us then why up to today, it was rated the highest in every single radar test made from most magazines, guess who was usually the lowest, could it be the Escorts, Bels, and Cobras...ect. Guess that includes your 8500 too bad for you.

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Passport 8500 by Escort

Outstanding sensitivity, directional indicators (of radar source) are extremely useful.

A big unit, but would not give up performance for size.

Excellent range & selectivity, NO tickets since purchase 3 years ago (not a reckless driver or 150MPH madman, but do like to get where I'm going quickly & efficiently). Price was a big hurdle at first, agonized for about a month before I took the plunge, and have never regretted it.

Once you use a Valentine, particularly because of the directional arrows, and "bogey counter", you'll never feel the same about any other unit. I know where the threat is coming from, and which is the strongest. The PA turnpike has lots of radar activated signage, and the Valentine has detected these and the bogey counter has told me there is a second threat from the same direction. Sure enough, about 1/2 mile past the sign is our good buddy, trying to generate some more revenue for the state coffers.

Recommend opting for the remote display (~$40 more), gets the big lights down where they can't be seen by anyone (friend or foe) following.

One thing to watch out for is a site called "Radartest.com" which is written by the notorious Mr. Peterson, who has had an ongoing feud with Valentine for quite a few years. Site claims to be there solely as a "clearinghouse for information" yet conveniently shills his books. Caveat Emptor. And curiously all four Bel's are rated as "excellent" & "compelling" while the Valentine is "clunky". Laughable!

And for the reviewer who gave this fine piece of equipment single stars - you wouldn't happen to sell Bels & Escorts perchance? and try using spellcheck before you post a review ;)

This is the best product out there for the serious driver. And they are upgradable. Highly recommended!

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Unidens, Escorts - the Valentine is superior