Valentine One V1 Radar Detector

Valentine One has a patented warning system relying on both forward- and rearward-facing radar antennas (front and rear laser sensors too). It goes beyond Ordinary Radar Detectors by telling you -- on every alert -- where to look, and how many to look for. Once you have this intelligence report, you can easily decide when to defend, and when you can simply shrug off a non-threatening alarm.

Purchased a V1 with POP protection (version 1.8) as my first radar detector after doing a lot of comparison shopping. I am very pleased with the radar to date.

Pros: Excellent long-range detection capability, easy to install and use, directional arrows/bogeys counter/signal strength indicator make it easy to interpret threats. Great use on the open highway and freeways (which is where I go “faster” anyways…)

Cons: When used at night it is VERY difficult to determine which band is being detected (Laser, Ka, K, X) – this is because all of the LED are the same dumb color (red) and space close together. I always pay 100% attention to a Ka-band where as I might shrug off an X-band in the city. This radar does not have a GPS locator map to rule out area-specific false reads (i.e. convenient store automatic door that you always drive by), so this device is limited in effectiveness in the city. I’ve also received some false POP laser warning I was never able to identify??? But that is an infrequent thing and happened in a specific area.

Summary: I’ve mounted my detector high near the mirror to maximize view of surroundings and it works quite well with the hard wire adapter kit. The key here is this detector should be a COMPLEMENT to speeding defense – not an end all. Clearly this will not identify a cop car that is not actively running radar, so a good pair of scanning eyes (on you the driver!!!) is truly your #1 defense. This device works best in open areas and is a great tool that should be added to a driver’s defense bag of tricks. I would recommend the V1 and would buy it again if given the chance. Hope this review helps.

I was going back and forth between Escort and Valentine radar detectors and opted for the Valentine 1. I know the Escort is excellent but this Valentine 1 is incredible. It took a few test rides to figure out what it was telling me but now that I know...it can't be beat. Excellent Ka range,unbelievable range at times. Laser is adequate, after all, if the laser warning goes off you're caught. The only drawback for me is the K band sensitivity which picks up every garage door opener and security system around. Even so I wouldn't trade the Valentine 1 for anything.

Reading the review it seems people don't understand this detector. It has arrows precisely so you know if it is a radar or a store's entry system. The arrows tell you where to look. Many radars and lidars are instant on but still detectable by this system, police will develop more and more technology to defeat better and better detectors, however if it beats this, it will beat the other company's detectors'. A police officer is also not likely to explain how he got you, maybe it wasn't new technology. He may have paced you, or an overhead plane can be used and radioed a chase car. In Connecticut state police cars (staties) are frequently Mustangs, Mazdas and others, so watch out. You may save money on other company's detectors, but only on the price, not on the tickets or your insurance. In controlled tests by Car and Driver Magazine the Valentine One scored in the mid to hi nineties whereas no other brand scored above seventy. It would be interesting to drive with this and other detectors in the same car to see the results.

I have purchased 3 radar detectors in the past...this is my first Valentine...and the most expensive...close to $500.00.I have no problem spending more money on anything as long as it performs.I have to say that my Valentine One has saved me from more then one speeding ticket since i've had it.One speeding ticket would likely cost as much or more then the cost of my Valentine.A couple of things that really impress me about this unit is the fact that it picks up radar from both the front and back of your car...i believe this to be unique to Valentine One...most radar detectors only provide protection from radar in front of the car.Secondly,as new radar is developed,you are able to update your detector at no cost...FREE.Free is good.Also...and we all have had this problem with one or another devises that attach to your windshield,the windshield mount for the Valentine One stays put.I installed it with the little suction cup mount and it has never moved unless i moved it.The Valentine One might not be as sleek or the best looking detector out there...it's not.It might not have the pretty lights that change colors like a xmas tree...so what.What it has is the ability to warn you well in advance of any threats in front or to the rear of you which is in reality the whole pupose of buying a detector in the first place.Take my word...you will be happy with your Valentine One.Nothing i've had in the past comes close to this great product.The only thing i honestly regret about this detector is that i didn't buy it first.I hope this review is helpful to you.