I've got my Valentine mounted right below my rearview mirror (I'm too damn lazy to stealth-mount it), and recently it's only picked up radar from the sides and behind, even if I'm driving right at a radar! Has UV light or something screwed up the front? I never take it down, so it does kinda sit in the sunlight for long periods of time...has this ruined the front sight of the detector? Has anyone else had this problem?

 

Anyone??

 

The V1 has 2 radar detector elements, one front and one back. The side arrows come on when the front and back are close enough to the same that the signal must be from the side.

If the sun cooked your unit (unlikely) I would expect some sort of electronic failure from heat, not light.

From what you are describing it sounds like it is just plain broken.

You should probably call Valentine Research and ask them about a repair. I had mine repaired once and they were cool about it.

I sent it back and authorized a repair charge (it was out of warrantee). When they yanked it apart they found a few cold solder joints so they did the repair for free! They really stand behind their product.

AndyB

 

Thanks for the help! I'll give them a call and see what they think.