This weekend I'm planning on getting a new radar detector, I bought my current one (Cobra 6-band 360* laser) about 2 years ago an has served me well and saved me ALOT of money, I'm not saying im the guy doing 120 in a 50mph zone but everyonce in awhile I'm doing 10 or 15 over the posted speed limit. Dont say you havent because I know everyone has, Anyway..My state has recently started using "pop radar" an my detector doesnt detect it untill im already screwed. Valentine one is $399.95, which IMO will pay for itself probably the first month of owning it. What detector do you use an what did you pay for it? An have you ever gotten a ticket while using it?

 

I have heard nothing but good things about the V1. I borrowed my friend's car not too long ago, and he has it in there. I am not used to having a radar detector (never owned one), but it seemed to warn me well ahead of time for any situations.

 

No radar detector is gonna help you if you get hit by an instant on burst. Cops don't have their radar on all the time.

I have a cheap Cobra I bought from Radio Shack, mostly 'cause I'm curious on the roads and want to know who's out there that I can't see. I haven't got a speeding ticket in about 10 years, mainly by going with the flow of traffic and slowing down at obvious speed trap locations.

 

Instant pop is point and pull... Its like saying can I dodge this bullet ?

They target vehicles that appear to be speeding and aim at places like their front license plate. You never know who is being targeted it. It isn't always on, so a signal isn't always being broad casted to be picked up. However, if the end user is targeting vehicles, you could potentially pick up a signal from him targeting other vehicles.

 

I've had a V1 for a few years now... Finest kind IMHO.

Poster above is correct.. You can usually pick up a 'burst' from someone ahead of you if they are being popped.. If you are are only one on the road, and you are the only target you are most likely had....

And nope, never had an (knock on wood here) ..er..incident.. since I've owned it.

The Valentine is one of the only ones I know of that will up-grade the unit for minimal cost as new technology comes out. I have upgraded mine once. I think it cost $50 or $75 bucks for the full upgrade.

It is pricey.. may not be for you.. I wouldn't have anything else anymore.

YMMV..
Cheers!
Bob P.

 

i have one and have gotten a ticket but like said above it will detect him targeting vehicles miles ahead of you, i got my ticket at 3am when there were no cars on the road

 

V1 is the best thing out there. Second comes the Passport/Escort 8500 IMO.

 

passport SRX pwns all

 

I have both a V1 and an Escort 8500. there are things I like about both. The difference in the two, as far a detection goes, is minimal, in my opinion.

As for which one I prefer.. at one time the V1 was in my Expedition, and the 8500 was in my Trans Am.. now I have the 8500 hardwired into my F150 and the V1 is sitting on a shelf.

the V1 is a great detector, but I would save the money, and get the 8500.

The 8500 is also upgradable, like the V1

 

Agree with Gripaw.. Or the series with the GPS.. would be kind of cool...

 

No detector can beat a instant on Radar, unless you are in the area when I am shooting it at other vehicles farther up from you! I even hide my patrol car behind buildings & bushes! Most people have no clue where I even came from!.............

 

Yeah..Yeah...My brother brags about the same way, Saying how he can hid his patrol car in cut-outs in the woods near the highway, an side roads were you wouldent suspect a cop to do radar.

I know theres no beating instant-on, but i usually travel in the "packs" of speeding cars. Usually behind about 4 or 5 guys who are doing well above the posted speed limit, so if someone gets bit, it will be the first or 2nd guy in line an I'll have time to reduce my speed. I know NO radar detector is 100%, but V1 at least will detect pop mode on other cars ahead of me before he puts the beam on me. My brother (state trooper) has showed me how his radar gun works (MPH Speed Laser-S) an i roughly know how far they can reach out. I know if i do 150 down the highway with no other cars around me im going to be screwed in a matter of minutes. I just want a decent detector to warn me of up-comming radar (even if its a city cop and they dont have instant-on) An all the remarks about V1 are good, I havent heard one bad thing about them.

 

Previous thread coverage:

https://www.f150online.com/forums/sh...t=radar&page=3


No ticket in the last 5 years with the V1, ~200,000 miles

 

Wow that's an old thread. 4 years ago. I can't believe I wanted a cordless model back than !!