Shodan01

Just to not start a large Escort vs. Valentine war, I want to start off by saying I want both. I really love my 9500ix, but also want to personally see the difference. My daily driver is a 2011 Range Rover Supercharged and I want to put the V1 there.

My question is simple:

Ebay and Amazon have these listed for >400.00, however the valentine1.com website shows them for sale at 399.00. Am I missing something? When I look at the V1.com store, it shows only a few items, not different versions.....

I see on Ebay things listed separate as euro, popv2 etc.

Thanks for the help.

SC

HeyDanNiceShot

There's only one V1, sort of - Here's the Euro thing explained:
http://www.valentine1.com/Lab/EuroMode.asp

Pop refers to instant on radar detection, and the V1 has 2 versions of the firmware update I think. I'd buy from the source though. You can save on shipping if you order from V1s Amazon store though and get the free trial of Amazon Prime.

ByByBMW

Be careful of the Amazon prime thing. You have to give them financial info and you start paying for it after the trial period. Just make sure you buy enough from Amazon to justify the cost, kind of like Sam's or Costco.

not08crmanymore

Off topic (where this belongs) will get you more info.you will pay more on ebay then you will directly from valentine.

soetekouw

I have a Valentine 1. Good radar detector. I especially like the arrows. Why don't you just get one from the source. They will be able to answer all your questions and you'll receive the latest version. The price will be approx the same wherever you purchase it from.

Shodan01

Not a fan of Amazon Prime, and the source is near 80.00 cheaper. Thanks for the info. If I am not going to Europe, guess I dont need Euro- mode

Gearhead Jim

I've had a Valentine (actually, 3 of them) for over ten years and love the arrows.

However, the Valentine patent on the arrow system is supposed to expire in a couple of months, arrows might start showing up on other detectors whith nice features that Valentine lacks.

I still prefer the arrows, but IMHO Valentine has been asleep at the switch while everyone else has been making continually adding nice features.

Shodan01

I was curious when that patent comes up. I figure Escort would throw them in theirs....I am a huge fan of my 9500ix, but have always wanted the arrows.

Sadly the real reason I am looking is that I like the dashtronix look of the Valentine on the HUD more than the Escort on the HUD......

Vette5.5

I also own two V1's and got them directly from the source, for good reason. When you buy a V1, the S/N is registerd in your name for later warranty or upgrade claim's. Don't dismiss the upgrade offer, as traded in a very early model with $180 buck's, and sent me a complete brand new model with all the accessories. Don't know of to many places doing that.

jls288gto

Having been on both sides of the speeding "war", I offer the following... I had a passport for years and it worked well. I then bought a V1, and it worked well also.
Now, years later, I'm a NC State trooper armed with instant on radar with same lane/same direction and Lidar. I routinely stop people who have both the passport and V1.
My opinion is the following: in areas that you're familiar with where speed enforcement operations are and you know the weaknesses of radar and work within those boundaries, you will probably be ok. When you are traveling in unknown areas your odds of getting caught increase.
As far as the Lidar is concerned, people tell me that they only knew it when i clocked them. The precision with it is amazing.

Lastly: I have noticed that the ads for any kind of detector no longer have the "pay for your ticket" offer that they used to. That in itself should tell you something.
Drive carefully!

FunDriver

Good explanation and reasoning. I have two and they've helped a lot. I got one ticket from instant-on in the Vette in Oregon. He was stacked between 3-4 other vehicles behind an RV as I recall. Once in awhile the unit also reminds me to check my speed so in that regard it's kind of a speed control device on the side of law enforcement.

I'd buy from Valentine so that you can upgrade when wanted.

John in MD

I've had a V-1 for years and really liked it. I ordered it straight from Valentine and have upgraded it once.

However, I don't use it very often these days on my in town travels. Around here law enforcement is using their Laser more often on my normal commute. The V-1 will tell me when I've been hit with a Laser, but by then it is too late. I will put it up when I am traveling on the interstate.

John