Excellent range, audible warning patterns minimize need to look at detector, bogey count indicator, cheap replaceable power cord.

Rather large

I purchased mine used about 18 months ago for $325 (including optional second display). The guy I bough from only sold it because he had 3 units and sold one of his vehicles.

The previous reviews are pretty much on the money. This is the best radar detector I know of. The unit's ability to detect multiple radar threats and indicate the direction of the greatest threat puts it above 99.9% of the other detectors out there.

The unit has three modes: All threats, Limited Logic, and Advanced Logic. The later modes screen out much of the X-Band clutter from door openers/security systems while driving in the city.

SUCCESS STORY: On a divided 2 lane highway here in Michigan, I picked up a K-band threat in front of me. It turned out to be a cop coming the other way. Given our closing speed, I detected him at least 1.5 miles away. Just as the officer past me, I pick up a second threat (blinking indicator said the bigger threat was still in front of me). Sure enough, Smokey #2 came into view about 30 seconds later.

Even in the city in Advanced Logic mode, I usually get sniffs of a radar cop from close to one mile away. Given that a solid radar lock (for speed determination) is less than 1/8 mile, you have plenty of warning to make yourself the slower car on the road.

This unit has saved me from several tickets. I haven't gotten one since I bought it. I drive a bright red Grand Prix GTP which, like other fast cars, is discriminated against by traffic cops.

The only downside I've had with the unit: I have had several false lidar (laser guns) alarms with zero confirmed laser cops. In other words, I believe the unit mistook some light reflections as the real thing. This is not a frequent problem, occurring once every month or two.

In my opinion, the unit carries a 5 star rating for value, given the lower insurance premiums I'm enjoying. It also gets a 5-star rating for providing reliable detection of traffic cops.

Sensitive, great display, good quality.

High priced, could use automatic audio level

I got it as a present, my wife paid $399 for it. It is a really good unit, but perhaps overkill as my old big Escort really did a better job as it's lesser sensitivity gave less false and premature warnings, but I love the directional pointers, and the dual audio levels, I just wish there was a mic so it could automatically lower the beep level at idle and raise it when the stereo is loud and the car moving faster.

Similar Products Used:

Escort, Bel, Uniden

The best radar detector period. Lets you know where the radar sigmnal is coming from and how many sources of radar. Hae many different types of information on the display such that you can determine the threat.

High Price

Would highly recommend to anyone and say the high price is woth it.Have not received a speeding ticket since I have had it.

Similar Products Used:

Passport

Radar Location Arrows, Good Sensitivity, Good Construction, Automatic Night Dimmer, Multiple Radar Location Display Counter.

High Price

I have been using this Radar Locator for 4 years. It is buit well (except the front locator bulb just burned out) and feels very solid. In addition to the bulb, the power cord had to be replaced when the RJ connector broke. I could have replaced the connector, but it was cheaper to get a new cord from Valentine (connectors + crimping tool = not worth MY time or money for this one thing.) I think I paid $12 for the cord. Customer service is excellent! It has saved me it's purchase price in tickets. I will be adding the Laser option in a few months. If you want the best YOU WILL HAVE TO PAY. Oh well, I guess you can't have it all.............

Similar Products Used:

Escort

Has saved my ass a number of times.

Kind of big.

Same things everyone else has said. By far the best R.D. out there. Well worth the money. Oh, and to the guy below me, the cables are STANDARD TELEPHONE PATCH CABLES. They cost 99 cents at most stores. You can even get them in black. Just make sure you get a 4 prong cable.

Similar Products Used:

Whistler

The Arrows...end of story.

At $399, just a tad more costly than it could/should be. Slightly bulkier than others.

If you want the best detector, this is the one. The reason is The Arrows....the indicators which tell you which direction the signal is coming from. Without them, you're only guessing which direction to look. Just the other day, I thought I had passed the key radar source, one of those "You are now traveling XX MPH" set ups. However, the V1's Arrows were reporting another radr source still in front of me. Sure enough, there was a police radar set up just down the road...and the Arrows on V1 didn;t let me confuse the real theat from the fake one.

Any more questions?

Similar Products Used:

Passport 7500, Escort Solo, Escort (the original!)

Hands down, absolute bar none the best radar locator one will ever find. Expensive, but well worth the investment. Easy to use and interpret. Well thought out.

Expensive

If you are looking for the best, bite the bullet on the price and invest in one of these. It will change your life.

Arrows. 3 modes (Logic is my choice). Arrows. Bogey Counter. Arrows. Cables are telephone chords. Arrows. Blinking stronger bogey. Adjustable muted volume. Arrows. (Optional) concealed display. Different tones, all distinguishable from each other. Arrows. 4 frequency ranges + laser. Comes with car wiring kit. Oh, I like the arrows too.

Bulk.

This is an amazing product. The only problem is the other radar detectors out there that like to set my unit off (they should be illegal, since I'm sure they violate FCC terms of radio device), so I have to get away from those cars before I want to drive them off the road; this isn't an every day thing, just when I'm near someone with a Radio Shack or maybe a Bell,Uniden.

I use the conclead display (optional) becuase it's safer. The radar detector is up near the passenger sun visor (for best reception). If I looked up there every time it beeped, I would have driven off the road by now. I have the display near my tachomter and spedometer where I look all the time.

Once you use it for a week, you will understand all the blips and lights, and know exactly what is happening out there in RF land.

It is pricey, but worth it.

Similar Products Used:

Passport (original)

Consistantly rated the best in Car & Driver magazine comparison reports

Somewhat large.

For guys who appreciate engineering excellence, this is a masterpiece. The body is magnesium, the mounting mechanism is elegant in its simplicity. It tracks up to eight bogeys at one time, which means the cops can't "hide" their signal in areas you'd normally receive pings, such as radar burglar alarms. The arrow display points to the general direction of the radar emitter. If you can afford that BMW or Vette, the Valentine 1 should be one of your mandatory options.

Similar Products Used:

Bel, Uniden

Been using the V1 for about 5 years, just had it upgraded last fall to 2000 specs.
Absolutely love the arrows, would not have a detector without them. An example is recent trip on hilly interstate. Started getting intermittent alert, with rear arrow lit. Progressively stronger untill all leds were lit, but it was still intermittent. As I went down hill, alert would go off, then back on. Because I knew he was behind me, I could finally pick trooper out of the traffic. He was a tiny spec, but when that spec came over the horizon, the alert came on. With that knowledge, I resumed my 85 cruise on the 60 mph interstate. Miles later, when I pulled off, I waited to see if I had picked the right car - definitely was a slick top SC Trooper! I have not had a radar ticket with this unit in the 5 years of ownership. Now with its upgrades its better than ever. Magnesium case is better than plastic.

A bit large, but I've gotten used to it. Don't like sound of alert.

The arrows tell me where to look for the alert. best feature Using Full Logic reduces false alarms. Love phone jack type power cord, let me easily make my custom wire hookup. No tickets in 5 years and upgrade policy is best around. Its expensive, but one ticket costs more than a V1!

Similar Products Used:

Used Passport, riden with people with newer Escorts, BEL and radioshack, V1 outperformed them all.