Any Radar guys here?

TroyScherer

TroyScherer

Ummm.... Ya.....


I have been a long time user of the Valentine One radar detector. A little over 10 years actually. So in the past few months my long time buddy go has decided to give up on my so now I am at a crossroads. Do update / upgrade to the newest V1 or get a new offering.

I have spent the last 2-3 months reading up on the latest offerings. The Passport, Max, Max2, Redline seem to be some of the more popular options. They offer good detection and have GPS functions that can be linked to online information. They can also use Bluetooth to link to your phone.


So my question is can anyone give me so help and more info. Personally I really like the V1 and am considering getting another with its phone connect. I have found the direction arrows and counters to be very valuable but I would like other opinions. Thanks




 
Hey, Friend -

I have also had several Valentine-1 Detectors in several cars for 14 years and I would surely miss it if it was gone..

I dont really speed all that much compared to years ago, so it is more just an Information Tool for me than anything else..
Its also funny to see clowns speed by me after mine has gone off and then up the road a ways, there they are, pulled over, waiting to get their ticket..

Surely the newer ones - that just go - Beep - have more things on there but are those things really worth it to you ?

Having spent several years now travelling a few thousand miles at a stint, I cannot tell you how many times my V-1 has saved my bacon...
The range on this old one I have is still forever - it goes off way, way, before I ever see the unit coming or going by me, with its radar blasting..

And the GPS functions to online information - who puts the info on there and how current or accurate is it ?

I know when I hear mine go off, there WILL be something coming, and the arrows tell me in advance, where it is coming from, as you well know..

Good luck with your research !
Dan F
 
I have a 9500ci. It's got the radar detector and the laser jammer. It also locates red light cameras. It's updatable with. Laptop. Make sure it's legal in your state.


I will caution you that these will give you a sense of security that can make you speed. There is a constant war of toys. The cops get new radar/laser guns and we get new detectors. At anyone time it's anyone's guess whose on top. I like that mine is updatable.

There is a lot more thAn having the best detector. There are a lot of good forums. You can't be the leader and always win even with the best detector. I rely on the instant on gun getting shot at someone in front of me and my detector picking up that chatter. If your shot with radar your detector is simply telling you your getting a ticket.

Radar cannot legally be jammed because the frequencies are owned by the gov FCC and they won't let you block them with a device. Laser is not currently regulated so you can jam most guns. I say most because not everything is 100 percent.

The newest is the bell version of the 9500ci. It includes some features not on my system.

I'm happy with the product and the support of the manufacturer. The installer is key. Good luck.
 
I have a Passport 9500ix and for every day driving, I love it. It has gps and remembers false alarms, red light cams, and you can store spots. It will really will quite down your ride if that is what you are looking for. I bought it right when it came out and the Redline wasn't released yet. My stepdad has a Passport Redline and we set them up side by side. The Redline does have a little bit more distance, but mine wouldn't go off in front of places with electronic doors. It does take my radar 3 detections on the exact same gps location for it to remember.

My 9500ix has to be updated periodically from Escort for updated red light cams and speed cams. I believe it is public information, but I'm not positive.

The Escort live stuff is a bunch of crap in my opinion. Because there has to be other cars with Escort live in front of you to get the information. The chances of that is probably not very high. Last time I checked it was expensive.
 
JSFM35X said:
I have a 9500ci. It's got the radar detector and the laser jammer. It also locates red light cameras. It's updatable with. Laptop. Make sure it's legal in your state.


I will caution you that these will give you a sense of security that can make you speed. There is a constant war of toys. The cops get new radar/laser guns and we get new detectors. At anyone time it's anyone's guess whose on top. I like that mine is updatable.

There is a lot more thAn having the best detector. There are a lot of good forums. You can't be the leader and always win even with the best detector. I rely on the instant on gun getting shot at someone in front of me and my detector picking up that chatter. If your shot with radar your detector is simply telling you your getting a ticket.

Radar cannot legally be jammed because the frequencies are owned by the gov FCC and they won't let you block them with a device. Laser is not currently regulated so you can jam most guns. I say most because not everything is 100 percent.

The newest is the bell version of the 9500ci. It includes some features not on my system.

I'm happy with the product and the support of the manufacturer. The installer is key. Good luck.
Click to expand...

Also because the new Lidar stuff is nearly impossible to jam/detect. It is what you usually see when a guy is on an overpass and they have a speed trap set up. The gun is so expensive and hard to use so it isn't used as often.
 
I am old school, so I say update the V1. The reason you have a radar detector is to detect radar, not red light cameras, etc. I don't want more bells and whistles. I want to know how many instances of radar there are, the direction of the radar, and which type(s) of radar. KISS. Keep It Simple, Stupid.

As far as red light cameras, if you have a reason to run a light (such as a hospital emergency), you can get out of it. I cannot think of another reason to run a light...and I would hate to get my beautifully detailed car hit and then have to leave my paint at the mercy of a body shop. :ACK:

Also, I believe, and feel free to correct me, speed trap cameras must be clearly marked. In New Orleans, all of our speed cameras have speed limit signs and a sign noting there is a camera up ahead. Again, I am not sure this is mandated in other cities/states, but here the city lost a lot of revenue when the Louisiana Supreme Court found the cameras unconstituional without the warnings.

tl;dr: V1
 
The PASSPORT 9500ci looks like it is a great option. But at this time I'm not looking to have to do a full remote install.

The PASSPORT 9500IX is an option, but I think the RedLine or Max would better option for me at this point.

The escort online GPS stuff sounds cool but I am not looking to add another monthly payment for something like this. Being in Ohio and in a rural area the "Red Light" stuff is not a problem for me. So I really just need a good Radar unit.



I have been reading up that Valentine1 has some new patents and possible updates coming. But there is now word on when. Honestly, I am leaning towards the V1 + Waze + V1 Phone app. I have seen that you can setup an older Droid phone to run this stuff without needing it to be activated since the GPs works everywhere.
 
9500ix here. i love the gps stored locations. gets rid of of those annoying false alarms along the highway. the v1 arrow is pretty neat but i always slow down when my radar goes off anyways.
 
Troy, an alternate strategy would be to sell your existing unit and buy a fresh one. I find that can be more cost-effective.

I have a different detector in each car. I really miss the arrows and the info they provide when the V1 isn't with me :(
 
tom p. said:
Troy, an alternate strategy would be to sell your existing unit and buy a fresh one. I find that can be more cost-effective.

I have a different detector in each car. I really miss the arrows and the info they provide when the V1 isn't with me :(
Click to expand...

The last time I used my V1 it popped the dreaded "E" code which is the electrical error code. At this point I have not got it to work again. :(
 
I've been running V1s since they first came out, and will continue to do so. If only because I'm all dialed-in and thus don't have to go through any learning curve or "interpretation period" that could cost me a ticket. I don't want to spend a split-second thinking about it that I wouldn't spend with a V1.

I do sometimes consider adding a LIDAR blinder (pals who have them love 'em) but the LEOs I know all say they'd write it up as a "visual" anyhow if only to spank the guys who run such stuff.

This reminds me that I need to get at least a few of my V1s updated one of these days...
 
Ever since Waze came along, my reliance on a radar detector has become seldom to non-existent. I'll turn on my Escort S3 for long trips but seldom does it go off since Waze has already altered me whenever police activity is ahead and I'm mindful of my speed. In more rural areas w/o lots of Wazer around I can see a detector being useful.

Good luck with whatever you end up getting Troy.
 
Accumulator said:
Huh, interesting! Might oughta look into that if only to satisfy my curiosity.
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Beyond alerting you to the police, Waze is a great navigation app with tons of useful functionality. Plus if you ever need to drive through Virgina, where radar detectors are illegal, Waze is a license saver!!
 
The new K-40 is we use and sell the most. It has shifter, and diffusers. So if you get tagged by a cop it scrambles his gun, then turns its self off. Only thing you can see in the car is 2 LED's and it comes with a remote. The passport unit is really good I use to install them a lot but the K-40 has them beat right now on tech
 
I can't give you any real insight on how the V1 compares to the rest of the pack. I've read most of the reviews. I just did the upgrade on mine a month ago. I'm used to it. It works well and hasn't let me down. They send you a brand new ESP model with all the accesories. I put a hard mount on my mirror post and used a mirror mount wiring connector on my new vehicle. Works great and is exactly what I expected. Been using one for going on 15 years now.
 
GearHead_1 said:
I can't give you any real insight on how the V1 compares to the rest of the pack. I've read most of the reviews. I just did the upgrade on mine a month ago. I'm used to it. It works well and hasn't let me down. They send you a brand new ESP model with all the accesories. I put a hard mount on my mirror post and used a mirror mount wiring connector on my new vehicle. Works great and is exactly what I expected. Been using one for going on 15 years now.
Click to expand...

I'm surprised you can hear it :D
 
TroyScherer said:
The last time I used my V1 it popped the dreaded "E" code which is the electrical error code. At this point I have not got it to work again. :(
Click to expand...

Did you call Valentine and ask them about it ? They can repair them and update them too..
Dan F
 
Just out of curiousity, have you tried holding the power button down for about 5 seconds while turning it on? I think this resets the unit to factory settings.

By the way, where do others run theirs? I run mine in the extreme logic (Big L) mode and find it does away with most ghosts and false bogey signals. Have also found the updated version virtually does away with mirror monitors, adaptive cruise and side radars produced by other vehicles. I'm quite happy with the update.
 
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