Very sensitive across all radar ''X'', ''K'', ''KA'' bands. The mute volume function deters the annoying falses while cruising in town. Very easy to install out of the box. Audio and visual displays are very adequate. Will reduce contributions to the state, county, city coffers.

Would like to see a more defined display between the radar bands on the Valentine during night time operation. The audio does differentiate between the detectable radar bands when one gets accustomed. This is the reason I''m scoring a ''4'' for overall rating.

This is my first radar detector. Decision to purchase was based on the 2002 C&D radar detector review. Detector goes nuts in and around town driving with all the situated automatic doors. There is no avoiding this detection. There will be times where the concentration of automatic doors will get the Valentine to display 5 bogeys in a combiination of ''X'' and ''K'' bands at various strength levels. What a light and sound show! Out on the Interstate is where this puppy shines. My valentine will detect patrol radar before you can even distinguish the patrol cruiser way far ahead or behind. In just a months time, I''ve picked up differing patrolmens methods of applying his/her radar in differing situations. One situation is when the patrol cruiser is far far out ahead (again, can''t distinguish patrol cruiser) approaching in the opposing lane. The patrol cruiser has traffic in front(same direction) and passing him (opposing direction) and he''s applying selective instant-on-off ''KA-band''radar as detected and displayed by the forward antenna. During this selective instant-on-off exercise, he goes to a locked radar-on for an extended period then returns to an instant-on-off. My driving habits definitely adjust rapidly towards correction. As we pass each other, the rear antenna detects the same instant-on-off ''KA'' band radar for a short distance, probably to keep me and common directed traffic in check! As long as there is active traffic ahead & behind, you and the patrol cruiser, surprises will be diminished. There are the speed trap exceptions though (haven''t encountered Lidar/Laser & arial yet). I have already encountered one speed trap on a pitch black night (cruiser darked-out lurking in interstate center divider) with instant-on habit again. No surprise there, thanks to my Valentine, was forwarned far in advanced. If you keep a knowledgable awareness of the Valentines''limitations, it will perform with a reasonable amount of intended satisfaction. Drive with mature judgement is my motto these days. I still have a profound respect for my troopers abilities.

Tells me if I''m sneaking up on a cop with moving radar, or if one is sneaking up on me. Catches very short instant-on''s. Detection range is more than enough.

Can''t tell which band is the threat at night. Can''t tell the difference between a real threat and road-hazzard signal (maybe that''s not it''s fault). Could use a sticky-er bottom surface. Gets very hot when operating.

After having one or two cheap detectors confiscated by cops with VG-2 detectors in the early 90''s, I swore I''d never buy another "detectable" radar detector again (yup, they''re illegal to own here in Ontario). Yes, the V1 does false quite a lot in commercial / retail areas. Those damn automatic door openers (why do they have to operate on K band???). But on the highway, geeze, I''ve seen some complicated situations of cops with moving radar in front and behind me, and the V1 was right every time! In some jurisdictions around here they''re using some kind of super ka with a short instant on, and my V1 picks that up at lease a mile away. Being that I keep it on the dash instead of mounted high, I''d like to see a non-skid underside (instead of the duct tape I use now). It does get hot (actually, very hot). And I agree with a few other reviews - the LED''s that indicate different bands NEED to be different colors (you can''t tell in the dark just which one came on!). I''m not sure why the knob is 2 parts (inner and outer shaft). I just keep them turned to the same position. Two or 3 times a year, for some reason, I get a false laser display (and man that will make you jump!). I think it has to do with a quirk in the outdoor ambient light level. Since I haven''t seen a magazine review for a few years, I''m glad to read that there is a very recent one. Does anyone know how much better (if any) are the new V1''s versus one that''s 3 years old? Even though radar detectors are illegal here in Ontario, for some reason some of the portable highway maintainence signs emit VERY strong K band signals (is this a road-hazzard signal?). It would be nice if the V1 could recognize these as a non-threat. Most falses are detected as a 1 or 2 strength X band. It would be nice to mute the beeper in those cases. Most (or all?) real X band cop radar is much stronger (yes?) Unless that''s what the different operating modes do (L logic mode, etc).

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A few cheap detectors more than a few years ago.

Longevity, location arrows, remote mounting kit

All my friends want one

I started out using the original Escort in 1985 and have used Escorts until they sold out in the 90s''. The V1 is the absolutely best detector on the market. The directional arrows have saved my bacon on more than one occasion. I can''t believe someone who tells me that the arrows are not effective. THEY ARE NECESSARY FOR RADAR LOCATION. I have never needed the features that some of the other users speak of. It is a well thought out product without a lot of junk piled into it.

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Escort, Bel

Range, directional arrows, bogey counter, automatic light dimming, size.

None

I totally agree with the previous reviewer(Jack). This is the best radar detector on the market. I am not going to argue who has the longest sensitivety range; Escort, Bell, or Valentine. But I will argue that the directional arrows and numerical bogeys on the Valentine make all the difference in the world. Think about it! When you are driving at night and the detector sounds the alarm. Isn''t it a great advantage knowing where the radar is especially if he is right behind you. I know with my other detectors I had over the years, it was a major distraction to try to find him in the dark. So, just for safey and peace of mind alone, this detector is awesome. The only minor complaint I have is that the police in NJ all use the X-Band and I get some falsies. But it is still much less than the other detectors I had. My recommendation: Just buy this detector. It is worth every Penny.

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Cobra, Bell cordless

everything

price

why do you need features? V1 has features, everything is automatic ex: auto dimming, one touch mute control what else do you need? a compass? well this is radar detector if you want feature buy navigation system! radar and laser detection is the key!

Sensitivity and the bogey counter and directional arrows are very important if you are doing any serious driving.

Only the price but with the performance and factory support it is still a bargain.

I have used radar detectors since the mid 70''s. Super Snooper, Fuzz Buster, two early Escorts and a 92 Passport. With all the recent Passport 8500 advertising I was beginning to wonder if my VI was still the best. I think the long overdue Car and Driver test (Feb 2002) settles that issue. Despite the claims, no other detector can match the VI.

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See Review above

Strong performance and the ability to show radar location.

None in my view.

Before I write anything, I would like to state that I don''t work for any radar detector manufacturers so I won''t get any false accusations from some strange people out there. I am merely writing about my experience as an owner of V1. Being a car freak, I drooled after high-performance sports cars, but I could only afford a "fun-to-drive" sporty car. But when it came to buying a radar detector, I promised myself to get the best detector available on the market (I would give credit to Car and Driver for my decision in getting V1). I got my V1 on ''96 for $399, which was considerably more expensive than other detectors on the market (no discount whatsoever). Some people also said V1 looked bulky compared to other sleeker looking radar detectors. But I didn''t care about these issues since I was (still is) very happy with V1''s performance and its ability to show the location of radar. I never got a single speeding ticket every since I got V1. Although there has been one or two times where I didn''t receive any signals from V1, yet the lurking police managed to pick out its next victim among the fellow motorists whom I was sharing the highway with. But, I would say this was a very rare occurence. V1 has saved me enough times to justify its $399 price tag and I feel confident in its performance. I would gladly recommend it to anyone in the market for a high-end radar detector. I have enclosed the following information to show some skeptics out there that I do indeed own a V1 and that I don''t work for any radar detector manufacturer. Status Report on Your Valentine One Serial Number 0872450407 V1 Description: Radar circuitry known in-house as V1.7 gives high performance on all radar bands. Also, it remembers your “mode” setting when shut off. Laser warning is front and rear. Upgrade Recommendation: While this version is not quite up to today’s V1 standard for Ka, it’s almost always good enough, and always better than detectors from other makers. X and K performance is excellent. Upgrading merely to improve radar performance is not cost effective, in my opinion. Upgrading does bring other benefits, including our latest Generation 3 laser warning, and LEDs for band identification.

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Borrowed and used friend''s Bell 840sti (?: don''t remember the exact model) for some times.

directional arrows, bogey counter, reliability, sensitivity, support, price

None

I started looking at replacing my V1 a couple of weeks ago by searching the web for reviews. In doing so, I came across the review that indicated that the V1 was no longer rated very high, compared to the Escort 8500, for example. The reviewers indicated that the directional arrows were not very useful. Well, I am living proof of their usefulness. I travel a very busy interstate KC everyday to and from work, 100 mile round trip. On this particular morning, my V1 picked up a bogey as I was climbing this hill east bound on I435. Sure enough, as I looked ahead, a state trooper was pulling over a car on the west bound lanes. My V1''s directional arrow indicated that the bogey was in front of me as I approached the state trooper. After reaching the troopers location, and subsequently passing him, my V1''s arrow continued to indicate that the bogey was ahead of me, so I continued to drive at a reduced speed. Just over the crest of the hill sat a city trooper, radar gun going full blast. THANK YOU V1. I pity those other radar detector users who assumed that the state trooper on the west bound side was the only threat on the road at that location. I''ve already boxed up my V1 to send it back to get it upgraded for $279. The initial purchase price may be rather high. But the ability to upgrade to the latest V1 technology for what one would have to pay for a 8500 continues to make the V1 number one in my book and in my car. I plan to "test" an 8500 while I''m waiting to get my V1 back. Stay tuned.

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Bel, Escort

2 volume settings, auto dimming, location detection, programable, upgradable, bogie counter, metal case

Cost

Have 2 Valentine1 radar detectors (2000 & 2001 yr.) I''ve had a radar detector (mostly Escort) in my car for the last 15 yrs. and never have I seen a detector work so well and offer more features that really work! Long range, 2 volume settings, auto dimming, location detection, programable, upgradable, bogie counter, metal case, etc... If you want the best buy a Valentine.

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Escort xxxx, Passport, etc...

The arrows - nothing more to say about that; Mute settings are adjustable - a great feature; solid design - not the cheap plastic of other detectors; uses an easily replaceable telephone cord as it''s power cord; Just a great buy

Hard to see the TYPE of threat at night. Nothing else. Period.

I have been using radar detectors for about 10 years now. I had owned a Passport whch I felt was very reliable, but unfortunately left it in a rental car last year. That unfortunate incident has now turned into a good thing! After researching many radar detectors (Including using this website), I selected the Valentine One and have never been happier. The arrows are a great feature that I cannot live without. They alert you to WHERE the cops are - something no other dedector can boast about. On a long trip to Montreal this past Labor Day Weekend (When all the State Troopers were out), I was able to really see it in action. I practically knew where all the cops were hiding and the arrows enabled to spot them quickly. I felt very safe and confident with the Valentine One patrolling the Road ahead of me. I would buy it again in a flash! Hopefully I will keep the Valentine One for a real long time!

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None