Radar Detectors
04-08-2006, 03:59 PM
#81
Originally Posted by HyperSprite
There are other factors that made me decide to go with the V1 over the others besides just the arrows, although having them makes it even better.
1) The single control, everything you need to do in one place, no trying to remember what button on top of the unit was city and what was dim, that sort of stuff.
2) Volume level is obvious in the dark by touch and sight by day so you aren't surprised when it alerts and you accidentally turned it all the way up or worse, all the way down without realizing it.
3) The forward arrow is huge, even if you have the volume down, it gets your attention.
4) 1 year warranty included, after that most repairs are $45, the others want another $29 for a 2 year warranty and then I wonder if it can be extended.
5) Upgrades forever for the price of the parts and shipping. With new technology coming out every so often, do you really want to by another detector for $300?
6) Add ons like the remote display etc. Because it has retained a similar design for so long, there are lots of people doing mods. I can't think of a time I have seen a rear view mirror with a Passport display inside of it. There are also people working on PC software for remote display and since I have a CarPC, it is something I might want to play with.
Just my thoughts
Chris
1) The single control, everything you need to do in one place, no trying to remember what button on top of the unit was city and what was dim, that sort of stuff.
2) Volume level is obvious in the dark by touch and sight by day so you aren't surprised when it alerts and you accidentally turned it all the way up or worse, all the way down without realizing it.
3) The forward arrow is huge, even if you have the volume down, it gets your attention.
4) 1 year warranty included, after that most repairs are $45, the others want another $29 for a 2 year warranty and then I wonder if it can be extended.
5) Upgrades forever for the price of the parts and shipping. With new technology coming out every so often, do you really want to by another detector for $300?
6) Add ons like the remote display etc. Because it has retained a similar design for so long, there are lots of people doing mods. I can't think of a time I have seen a rear view mirror with a Passport display inside of it. There are also people working on PC software for remote display and since I have a CarPC, it is something I might want to play with.
Just my thoughts
Chris
Goto this link. It describes how to adapt the RJ-45 connection on the V1 to go into USB I believe. The best part, the software is free.
http://www.kc8unj.com/radar/softwareone.html
-Acree
04-08-2006, 08:49 PM
#82
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Originally Posted by HyperSprite
There are other factors that made me decide to go with the V1 over the others besides just the arrows, although having them makes it even better.
1) The single control, everything you need to do in one place, no trying to remember what button on top of the unit was city and what was dim, that sort of stuff.
2) Volume level is obvious in the dark by touch and sight by day so you aren't surprised when it alerts and you accidentally turned it all the way up or worse, all the way down without realizing it.
3) The forward arrow is huge, even if you have the volume down, it gets your attention.
4) 1 year warranty included, after that most repairs are $45, the others want another $29 for a 2 year warranty and then I wonder if it can be extended.
5) Upgrades forever for the price of the parts and shipping. With new technology coming out every so often, do you really want to by another detector for $300?
6) Add ons like the remote display etc. Because it has retained a similar design for so long, there are lots of people doing mods. I can't think of a time I have seen a rear view mirror with a Passport display inside of it. There are also people working on PC software for remote display and since I have a CarPC, it is something I might want to play with.
Just my thoughts
Chris
1) The single control, everything you need to do in one place, no trying to remember what button on top of the unit was city and what was dim, that sort of stuff.
2) Volume level is obvious in the dark by touch and sight by day so you aren't surprised when it alerts and you accidentally turned it all the way up or worse, all the way down without realizing it.
3) The forward arrow is huge, even if you have the volume down, it gets your attention.
4) 1 year warranty included, after that most repairs are $45, the others want another $29 for a 2 year warranty and then I wonder if it can be extended.
5) Upgrades forever for the price of the parts and shipping. With new technology coming out every so often, do you really want to by another detector for $300?
6) Add ons like the remote display etc. Because it has retained a similar design for so long, there are lots of people doing mods. I can't think of a time I have seen a rear view mirror with a Passport display inside of it. There are also people working on PC software for remote display and since I have a CarPC, it is something I might want to play with.
Just my thoughts
Chris
04-08-2006, 08:49 PM
#83
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Originally Posted by Acree
Since you mentioned PC Software, there's already a windows based program that puts the V1 display on to the desktop.
Goto this link. It describes how to adapt the RJ-45 connection on the V1 to go into USB I believe. The best part, the software is free.
http://www.kc8unj.com/radar/softwareone.html
-Acree
Goto this link. It describes how to adapt the RJ-45 connection on the V1 to go into USB I believe. The best part, the software is free.
http://www.kc8unj.com/radar/softwareone.html
-Acree
04-09-2006, 04:10 AM
#84
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Originally Posted by ckny
Last couple of sites I read (radartest, radarbuster) seemed to put the v1 behind the rx65 from bel and 8500 x50 from escort (same detector im told). sure they say the v1 is great but not better than the other two unless you need arrows and is 100 more.
so i throw this out there - is the v1 really the best or is everyone just programmed to say that
so i throw this out there - is the v1 really the best or is everyone just programmed to say that
Read about him here:
http://www.valentine1.com/lab/V1Hater.asp
The man behind the byline
Rather than trying to explain Peterson's mysterious results, let me just remind you that his credibility has long been in question. In response to his December, 1995, test, Automobile admitted a flood of "angry letters" which "criticized our selection of the BEL 745Sti Plus as our first-place winner over the Valentine One, which tied for third place. Amidst all the allegations of invalid test methodology and unfairness were suggestions that Peterson showed undue favoritism to the BEL unit because he has consulted for the company."
In the March, 1996, issue, Peterson replied, "Having consulted to every major detector manufacturer, suggestions that BEL received preferential treatment are nonsense."
He's wrong on that point too. He's never been a consultant to Valentine Research, although he's approached us more than once. We declined his advances each time.
As for Radar Roy of Radarbusters.com, he doesn't sell the V1 so why would he praise it on his website where he sells Escort and Bel products? Radar Roy did talk about the V1 on his radar detector forum and here are a few quotes:
http://www.radardetector.net/viewtop...ghlight=#42353
Radar Roy from Radarbusters.com said this about the Valentine One, "Just spoke with Carl Fors from SML, his website will be going online tonight with the 2005 results. He has declared the V895, 8500 and the Valentine One as the top performers. Motortrend, who was also at the test, will be declaring the Valentine One as the top detector based upon its detection of laser.
Radar Roy said, "There were results that they (Guys of Lidar) got during the test that I was not exactly pleased with, such as the discovery of the Blinder not having Stealth Mode installed and the Valentine beating out the Escort and Bel in the range tests. Even though I don’t sell the Valentine, it does have slightly better range than both the RX65 and the 8500 and I also show this same fact on my site. Would love it to be the other way around."
Last edited by RaDaRkInG; 04-09-2006 at 04:14 AM.
04-09-2006, 05:00 AM
#85
After lots of research, I bought the BEL RX65. Several supposed experts claim that the top models from both BEL and Escort have now surpassed Valentine. The RX65 can be programmed to display the detected radar frequency, which after some experience, allows you to weed out non- speed trap sources such as garage door openers.
04-09-2006, 05:49 AM
#86
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Originally Posted by NCPG
Several supposed experts claim that the top models from both BEL and Escort have now surpassed Valentine.
04-09-2006, 08:17 AM
#87
Testing Bias
Originally Posted by RaDaRkInG
Wrong, if the experts are Craig Peterson from RadarTest.com and Radar Roy from Radarbusters.com, they are biased.
I couldn't find any independent testing results on his (Valentine's) site. After mulling over his arguments against Peterson, I reviewed the 2005 Motor Trend article, which indicated Valentine was the only manufacturer unwilling to cooperate in the tests. Motor Trend had someone order a V1 anonymously , so they could go on with the test.
Although the V1 did slightly better with Laser, I don't think it merits the the extra $100+. Besides, the BEL can be mated with their laserblocking system.
04-09-2006, 04:40 PM
#88
Originally Posted by NCPG
Biased because Ron Valentine says so? During my research, I went to the Valentine site, and clicked on their "Detector Testing" tab. It took me to results from February 2002.
I couldn't find any independent testing results on his (Valentine's) site. After mulling over his arguments against Peterson, I reviewed the 2005 Motor Trend article, which indicated Valentine was the only manufacturer unwilling to cooperate in the tests. Motor Trend had someone order a V1 anonymously , so they could go on with the test.
Although the V1 did slightly better with Laser, I don't think it merits the the extra $100+. Besides, the BEL can be mated with their laserblocking system.
I couldn't find any independent testing results on his (Valentine's) site. After mulling over his arguments against Peterson, I reviewed the 2005 Motor Trend article, which indicated Valentine was the only manufacturer unwilling to cooperate in the tests. Motor Trend had someone order a V1 anonymously , so they could go on with the test.
Although the V1 did slightly better with Laser, I don't think it merits the the extra $100+. Besides, the BEL can be mated with their laserblocking system.
Went ahead and got a rx65 myself this week. Mounted it using Mike's radar mount and hardwired to the mirror - it's a beautiful thing.
I'm not saying V1 is better then the others or any of the others are better than V1. I DO think there's something to be said for arrows and a bit better range but let's be honest here
1. Arrows are nice but if I get hit hard with radar or laser, i'm slowing down no matter what. Am I going to speed up because it's behind me? No.
2. The V1 may be a little better but to me, it's not worth $150 more than the rx65. ESPECIALLY when most sites (biased or not) place the rx65 right in the running with the v1. Let's be honest, as biased as radartest, radarbuster, radarwhatever.com may be... valentineone.com may just be a little biased themselves.
This is all my opion of course and bottom line is, whatever works for you works. I just always wondered where the fanboyism came from on the v1, that's all.
04-10-2006, 04:46 PM
#89
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Originally Posted by NCPG
After lots of research, I bought the BEL RX65. Several supposed experts claim that the top models from both BEL and Escort have now surpassed Valentine. The RX65 can be programmed to display the detected radar frequency, which after some experience, allows you to weed out non- speed trap sources such as garage door openers.
04-14-2006, 08:20 PM
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One sad thing that cops are now obligated to do, if you have a radar jammer, and they cannot clock your speed they will pull you over for reckless driving and just state that you sped past them at an undetermined speed....frickin pigs.
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