Any advice on radar detectors?

[Lebowski]

I have a new daily driver and find myself getting into trouble... thinking of getting a radar detector but I'm undecided between Escort and Valentine V1... I know that nothing really protects against an instant on laser, but still thought it might be worth it for my daily commute...

Anyone have any experience with the various models and/or any thoughts if they really provide any protection with the current laser guns?

Thanks!

[John_in_VA]

(nt)

[Samplemaven]

Clearly, Valentine One is an excellent detector.

Nothing will save you from troopers with "instant on" detectors...unless you get a warning beep from the trooper scanning someone else in front of you while you're some distance behind.

[Harv]

I have had a V1 since 2002. I would not trade it for any other device. Now, I haven't sampled the new escort (if you can call it that) with GPS and speed trap memory. The V1 has real quality and the interaction with the company is first rate. If you call them on the phone you might get Mike himself.

I vote V1. I know it's a lot of money, but it's worth every penny.

John

[Lebowski]

Thanks John(s) and Jim. I have always heard good things about the V1, but I didn't know anyone who actually uses one... until now. Yeah, it is a bit over my price point, but it is upgradeable in terms of firmware/software which helps lessen the blow. I got fed up with reading all of the pro/con posts on the web for Valentine=good and Valentine=old tech, hence my question here.

I think I'll ask the wife for some $ for my upcoming birthday... my "petty cash" fund is running low with all of the work I still have to get my EFI system done before MidAm Fest in April...

[Samplemaven]

I think you'll be very happy with the Valentine.

[jlandreth]

I also recommend the Valentine.Mine has been bulletproof and spare cords and suction cups are cheap and quick to arrive.More companies should emulate Valentine!

[M3M3]

hands down V1. I have both. V1 is weapon of choice.

(this is of course for use outside the state of VA and District of Columbia, whom have not gotten with the program like the rest of the country....)

[Lebowski]

Thanks to all of you. It turns out the Valentine is actually very competitively priced with the newest GPS Escort units. Having heard some good and bad stories about the V1, it is good to finally hear from people who actually use one.

I actually am a pretty conservative driver, but on days when I'm flying along with traffic on the way to work it would be nice to have some extra measure of security. I don't want to end up like our friend FunElan over in the general forum... sorry dude!

Thanks for the help! I'll report back in a couple of months...

[ray_]

What bad stories have you heard?

I love mine.

Cheers,

Ray

Thanks to all of you. It turns out the Valentine is actually very competitively priced with the newest GPS Escort units. Having heard some good and bad stories about the V1, it is good to finally hear from people who actually use one.

I actually am a pretty conservative driver, but on days when I'm flying along with traffic on the way to work it would be nice to have some extra measure of security. I don't want to end up like our friend FunElan over in the general forum... sorry dude!

Thanks for the help! I'll report back in a couple of months...

[Lebowski]

Ray, most of the rumor mill stories about the V1 are that it is older technology and not as good as the escort in laser detection, that the directional arrows don't provide much help, GPS feature is worth it, blah, blah. The problem with reading some of this stuff is that you don't really know who is posting and if they even own the product they say they do, etc.

Glad to hear several of you whose opinions I trust, use and recommend the Valentine product. Few online forums are as constructive and collegial as this one...maybe that is my biggest mistake... trusting you jokers!

[John_in_VA]

I thought at one time Valentine sold some customer-returned units, offered for a discount. You might ask about that.