Made the switch from the Passport Max to the Valentine1. Just ordered the V1 today.

Any advice, comments and/or suggestions are always welcomed.

Hope I made the right choice.

Best,
David

Sent from my iPhone using NAMotoring

 

David:

Hope you did too!

I'm a long time fan/user of Escort/Passport (currently in all 4 of my vehicles) but I've looked hard at Valentine in the past. The primary advantage of the tried-and-true V1 is the ability to better identify the radar location, but I've never really cared where the radar was coming from, just that it's on and I'd better slow down quickly. In the end, the Passport has saved my butt way too many times over the years to make the change.

Please post again in a few months after you've tried it for a while with a review!

 

Will do Kenny. The V1 arrives today.

Sent from my iPhone using NAMotoring

 

Let the fun begin (or do I hope).

Sent from my iPhone using NAMotoring

 

I have had 3 V1's and currently run one in my MINI. Personally I turn off "POP" mode to reduce falses, and I also turn off X and K band. All officers around here run Ka or Laser so I don't need them. With my settings this way I haven't seen a false alert in years.

It also shows you the number of active radars currently being picked up too. Now that I have had the arrows I can't go back to not having them. Helps you locate the "threat" much quicker. And I've seen police use multiple cars to try and fool you into thinking you've passed the car shooting Ka, but it's still showing you an arrow forward (next car), and arrow behind (car you just passed) and radar counter is at 2. So you are instantly aware of the next car waiting for you.

 

^ this

i've made the switch from passport to v1, can't go back without the arrows now.

that said, i really don't speed any more, it's hardly of any use to me. more of a peace of mind kind of thing

 

The v1 can be hard wired for power? Never really needed a radar detector but the peace of mind is always nice.

 

Yes, it comes with a hard wire kit in the box.

 

Nice! Thank you.

 

I purchased my V1 years ago; it even saved me in a 25 mph zone when I could not see the radar car but it was there as the V1 warned !

Its a great product watching the front and rear !

 

Anyone ever set the "t" function to ON (arrow down)? I set that custom function and it worked pleasantly.

Although the "T" in the instructions looks nothing like the T on the device. Takes a little getting use to but so far I like it.

Sent from my iPhone using NAMotoring

 

I'm not sure if I've ever used that. I used to get "J-outs" meaning a junk radar detector (Cobra) set off the Ka alert. After disabling "POP" I no longer get J-outs. I think with POP on the V1 will alert you of any K or Ka threat before it filters it, just to get you an alert as fast as possible even if it's a false. After it filters it then it will J-out if it's not a Ka radar source. I got tired of the falses and shut it off.

 

Hmmmm "J-Out" I need to become familiar with the terminology. I was thinking of disabling X-band as I doubt that gets used in SW Florida. Not sure about eliminating pop. Although I think if they "pop" you, by the time you're warned, you're basically clocked. Right?

Is it safe to just use Ka and Laser? Although with laser, the same thing applies I suppose. :(

 

A "J-Out" is when another radar detector sets off your V1. It will beep Ka then flash "J" when it realizes it's a "Junk" radar signal. Disabling POP stops this from happening. I don't use POP because if they instant on you with Ka they are probably going to get you before you have a chance. Usually they alert me anyway by hitting cars in front of me first. So they extra half a second warning with POP on isn't worth the numerous "J-Outs" that come with it. If you're in a rural area then leaving POP on is probably a good thing, it's better suited for emptier roads out of the city, something I never really drive on.

I use just Ka, not even laser. X and K don't exist around here, and even laser is extremely rare. Plus as soon as your V1 goes off with laser they already have you, the only way to protect against laser is with Jammers. Really all your settings are more determined by your area, and how the police try to get you.

 

Hmmmm. This sounds interesting. That said, would you and/or anyone else recommend the iPhone Bluetooth adapter? I see the V1 app (see attached) has the ability to setup and switch between endless user-defined monitoring profiles.

Thoughts?

Sent from my iPhone using NAMotoring

 

I have wanted to try the app I just haven't done it yet. I even upgraded my V1 to be compatible with it but never bought the adapter.

 

If anyone has a V1 and prefers an alternate way of securing it for far less than the blend mount- I purchased this gem from eBay. $29.99 holds sturdy and VERY well made. The seller shipped the same day. The V1 won't budge. Worth every cent IMO. I believe he has them for other detectors too.

Sent from my iPhone using NAMotoring

 

Another pic.

Sent from my iPhone using NAMotoring

 

So I'm cruising down the road with Zippy to fill her up with gas (Sunoco 93 all the way), when suddenly my V1 (I call her Valerie) starts telling me to slow down. I look around and can't see what Valerie is talking about, but take her advice and slow-down anyway. Suddenly, out of nowhere there he is -- a bogie. Kudos to Valerie (V1) for the save!!!

Here she (V1) is with her new shoes (replaced stock V1 suction cups with this). Nice fit, sturdy and certainly worth the $29 bucks IMO.

Oh, as the bogie approached and passed me, I snapped a picture. At which time Valerie pointed to the sides then rear, as if to say, "There he is!! See, I told ya!"

Sent from my iPhone using NAMotoring

 

Alert

Sent from my iPhone using NAMotoring

 

Bogie

Sent from my iPhone using NAMotoring

 

Personally can't have a detector without the arrows, I find it so useful knowing where the boogie is coming from especially when it is coming up on me from behind. Of course the V1 will also show other threats in front and on the sides at the same time! The best add on I can suggest is the concealed display. Keeps the unit dark where others can't see it, especially at night!

 

Pauliekeys, that's a nice accessory. Seems small enough to conceal it anywhere.

 

Congrats, you did.
Don't forget to hard-wire it so that 12V comes on every time you start the car (to protect you), then goes out after you park (to avoid draining the battery).

I have hard-wired V1's in all of my cars for the past 20+ years, including the minivan. Feel naked driving rentals, so I usually pack V1 with me on all major business trips ;-)

a

 

V1 usually wins radar shoot-outs on highest sensitivity as well as 2 antennas (front and rear), and thus ability to distinguish and report the directional of the thread via the arrows and threat count.

Arrows are priceless in allowing you to pinpoint the source of the strongest signal, and track its strength grow/decay as you drive towards/away from the threat.

Any radar detector is better than none!

a