Since I appear to be "Mr Webster" I will continue on that theme.

My next word of the day in obstinance -- don't worry I will let you look that one up

The arrows are useful -- especially when it comes to determining if a signal came from behind or in front of you. I am sorry that you refuse to or cannot understand this.

To me, and many others, it is worth the money. No justification for "hype" – it is just a good detector.

 

And what you seem to refuse or understand is who cares where the signal comes from? Does the situation warrant you to slow down? Did you pay attention to where you just were or where you are going? Can you visualize any areas a cop my be hiding? Or do you need arrows to think for you?

It's called common sense, I'll let you look that up.

And Happy Madison (<---love your originality btw), you know nothing about me. Enough said.

 

Who cares where the signal comes from?
I do. It helps me determine if the threat is a legitimate one.

Does the situation warrant slowing down?
There are several things that come into play. Most important is the strength of the signal. A close second, however, is where the signal is coming from. This honestly plays into my decision. The direction helps me discern whether the threat is credible and how soon I can speed back up.

I can give an example of when I have been paced by an officer on the highway. He was a good ways behind me and waiting for me to step on it again. In this situation the arrows really helped me locate him.

Perhaps you would have spotted him easily with your superior situational awareness. For me the additional information the arrows provide is helpful.

I really don’t know what else I can say to stop you from bashing the “retarded arrows”. They are useful and I truly believe that if they were not patented by Valentine then the 8500 would have them too.

 

Having trained with traffic units using radar & laser and knowing how a radar signal works, I would have to say the arrows affer an exceptional edge of defence when used as a counter- measure. Radar cannot be used effectively to determine speed from a side angle, it can only be used to track an approching or departing object, hence the benefit of the arrows showing the direction of the signal. A side alarm isn't an immediate threat, but with the 8500, you wouldn't know where the radar was coming from. Of course knowing where the best spots are to set up a radar/laser ambush on unsuspecting motorists helps greatly. I've owned an 8500 (still have it too, but wouldn't think of going back)and owning the more costly V-1, I really appriciate the advantage of the arrows and it's ability to track multiple targets at one time while keeping me aware the different bands & strengths.
A weak rear signal gives me an indication of the threat level (how far behind me a "Clingon"is) and whether or not to motor on or de-accelerate.
While both the Passport 8500 & Valentine V-1 are excellent ECM's, I will stay with the directionally superior V-1 over my 8500.

 

PS.
Sorry for the spelling errors!

 

Back in 1996 I picked up my first V1. I've not received a single speeding ticket since then. The quality of the unit is amazing (it's magnesium), the range is better than my previous 'store bought' units (whistler/bel- of course this was the units avail. in 1996), the directional arrows mean I can more quickly determine the severity of the threat & focus my attention on the area where it's coming from and not wasting time looking in the wrong direction for the officer, and I'm able to send my V1 in for upgrades. Valentine even has sent me free replacement suction cups over the last 10 years I've had it.. and even a replacement power adaptor. (free- not even a shipping charge) Their customer service is top notch. One time I sent my unit in for an upgrade they realized they sent the unit to the wrong address. Before I even was expecting to receive my original unit back- they had fed-ex'ed next day a replacement unit to me. for V1.

-nixx

 

you need to do a little research before you get on you high horse sir. The valentine one is not a great product because of the arrows. It is a great product because every year for the last decade it has scored the highest among any radar detector anywhere in the world against every type of radar tested.. It's not the arrows that make it great.. Those are just a bonus.. It's the fact that it makes you look like a cheap skate with little to no intelligence for bashing a product that is by far superior, in every tested category, to yours

 

That's all debatable. The tests I've read about have all shown the V1 to be only as good as the Passport 8500 or the BEL RX-65... Please post links to the tests you are talking about. I'd like to see them.. Oh yeah, your tone in answer to Cirrusly Evolvd sounds like you are the one on the high horse

Anyway, please post the tests that show the superiority of the V1 (except for it's superior arrows of course )

 

valentines rule.ive had many and none compare...how do u live without the arrows?

 

I have not used a single internet webpage to do my research so I would not have any links to post here.. Also I did not mean to sound like I was being erogant in any way, shape, or form.. I just hate it when people post false hoods as fact. If you read car and driver; every year they do a test of the top radar detectors. The last one I read showed valentine scoring something like 97 or 98 out of 100 and the passport 8500 at under 75. Also turbo magazine, super sport, and robb report have all done independent testing.. All though they all use different grading scales they have all rated the v1 higher. In fact I have yet to see a report that rates the V1 higher as an overall product.. If you know of one please advise. I would be happy to see it.

 

I've had my V1 for a few years now. The ability to detect weak signals is more than anyone could need. I suspect the x50 has a similar range of practical sensitivity. The arrows on the V1 are cool, but IMHO, the relatively inexpensive upgrade cost of the V1 is what makes it worth it. I just upgraded my V1 to detect POP radar, and it was $90. Not super cheap but it beats buying new radar detector.

Its already been said on this thread, but for emphasis, I'll say it again; the effectiveness of a radar detector is highly dependent on the environment where its used. For most intents, radar/laser detectors are useless at night. Eventually, you'll get nailed with laser radar (I can speak from experience). Laser/radar detectors also have limited utility on lightly travelled roads. On empty roads where there is little opportunity for the police to zap the car in front of you, make sure that you can see a long ways down the road before you open it up. Finally, laser jammers are a great thing.

 

well a friend of mine who has the X50 said that he can upgrade or update his X50 from the web. so does that mean that there is no cost to upgrade the X50 but $90 for the V1?

 

My mom just got her third ticket in 3 years, i'm going to get her a radar detector this week. crazy old lady

 

Valentine One is the Best hands down !!! i had all 4 SRX,Valentine,X50,K40 and i even have the blinder x20 laser jammer, VS1 and blinder is my suggestions.

My driving record no Speeding tickets ever!!!! Knock on wood!

 

The "tests" conducted by Car & Driver were anything but impartial. As I recall, that particular "comparo" was so biased that it spawned a scandal. The main writer and the one who conducted the test was actually a paid employee of Valentine at the time the article was written.

I have not read any articles about radar detectors in Turbo magazine, so I have to refrain from commenting on it one way or another. Now, if you go to radartest.com you might find some interesting articles and tests of various units. Do a search in the web and I'm sure you can turn up at least a couple or more articles on the subject. When I did that before, I always found that the V1 was "not" rated the highest in all respects and actually, it was surpassed in some aspects by other less expensive units. True, it was always rated very highly, but never the absolute best, hands down winner.