Valentine One Radar Detector by Valentine
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Our Price: $499.95 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $365.00 (click here) Category: Car Audio or Theater See more digital camera details and other models |
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Digital camera reviews of Valentine One Radar Detector
Digital camera Review: I've tested all the top models...this is the hands-down winner
Summary: 5 Stars
For years Valentine had Escort and the others completely trounced. Finally, with the X50, Escort came close to Valentine in some respects. Their new GPS detector the 9500i is also based on the 8500 X50 model. The thing is, Valentine keeps a commanding lead in four respects:
1. Yes, Escort now equals Valentine on K and Ka (but not X band); however, Valentine responds much better to instant on.
2. Valentine's laser detection is insanely good. No one comes close...and that's what you need with laser, because it is very hard to "spot."
3. Because of patent considerations, Escort can't have front and rear antennae on their unit and tell you what direction the radar is coming from. This is actually a VERY useful feature...and the rear antenna lets you know when a mobile instant on unit is creeping up behind you.
4. Valentine detects instant-on POP radar nearly 100% of the time. Escort just plain doesn't see it half the time.
I've driven with one since the mid 1990s, and never received a ticket while using it. It's the best investment you can make in driving peace of mind.
Digital camera Review: Just Got a Speeding Ticket from CHP
Summary: 1 Stars
I've heard so much hype about this Valentine One Radar Detector about how good it is and how it can detect the radar signals from miles away but from my personal experience in the real life ---- "It doesn't work" I just got a ticket for going 80+ MPH by the CHP (California Highway Patrol). My V1 which I bought for $400.00 direct from V1 website was not even chirping... nothing... no signals... no WARNINGS... then CHP pulls up fast behind me with the lights going and pulls me over and tells me that I got clocked with his Radar detector for going 85 MPH. What was my V1 doing during all this time when CHP was clocking me? From my personal experience, V1 gives a wonderful show with lighted arrows and chirping sounds when passing by the shopping mall or grocery store with automatic doors but when it comes to detecting actual radar detector that CHP uses.... Na Da - Zip - Nothing At All!
Don't waste your money and don't waste your time...
Digital camera Review: Measure Twice, Cut Once
Summary: 5 Stars
I have owned a Valentine One for many, many years now and it still works just fine. The case is not plastic, it is a quality metal build. Just the other night it picked up some police radar from an impossibly-long distance away (or so it seemed to me) - slowly building the signal over a couple minutes and several miles of highway, albeit in very flat terrain. I estimated the initial alert to be about 3 miles from the source, which is plenty of time (for me). The unit is a little bit larger than some models, and heavier. The windshield mount has two suction cups for redundancy, and it works fine, once you get the hang of inserting the unit and removing it with some minor articulation between the unit and the mount. I have checked once or twice with the Valentine web site to see if they recommended a software update and both times they pretty much recommended keeping the unit as it. There have been updates, but none that they felt justified the whole shipping it back and forth process. The V1 also utilizes basic telephone cords for the power - and I am currently using one after the little plastic tab broke off on the original phone-like cord.
One minor quibble is that the red lenses on the hidden display optional accessory have come loose over the years. I have used that accessory alot and can't complain.
I have owned a Bel and an Escort before this unit. Neither worked as well. It's expensive, but it is cheaper than buying new units every few years, and certainly worth the price of avoiding one or two tickets!
Digital camera Review: None Better
Summary: 5 Stars
Ive been using Radar Detectors since the early Seventy's when I was driving over the road and alls I can say is the Valentine-1 is #1. Its saved my bacon more times then I can count, that must be the reason that its the radar detector of choice for the drivers who participate in the Coast to Coast Cannonball Race and also the reason why Mercedes Benz offers it as an option in thier big sedans. By the way Valentine sells their units factory direct for $399.00 which also comes with their full factory warranty, you should never buy from a reseller or pay more then the MSRP $399.00.Digital camera Review: Obsolete, Undependable Company
Summary: 1 Stars
First of all, people claim that they have purchased faulty units and the company doesn't want to know them. That alone was enough to keep me from purchasing. Secondly, the unit is obsolete because it doesn't offer GPS. Camera red light and speed enforcement is taking over because municipalities don't have to purchase them. The companies trade free equipment and installation for a percentage of the ticket proceeds which is estimated to be in the billions per year. There are no court expenses for the municipality because there is a video of the violation. If this detector doesn't offer a warning for these cameras it is useless. Thirdly, it is so ridiculously expensive to purchase and maintain. $85 per year plus shipping both ways for upgrades. For under two hundred dollars you can purchase the new for 2010 Cobra XRS 9550G that covers every possible alert with 360 degree read and includes GPS with a lifetime subscription to Aura database included. It is updated every 12 hours and is a quick and free download so the unit will never be obsolete. Maybe Valentine used to be the best but now it is extremely outdated and overpriced. Welcome to 2010. I had a chat on the Beltronics website where I asked for a tech to answer questions, all I got was a salesperson throwing pitches and not answering questions. Websites claiming that these overpriced units are the best must be receiving a nice kickback! Beware and listen to dissatisfied customers before you become one.