Bring up this page while I explain: http://www.valentine1.com/lab/MikesLabRpt3.asp

I purchased my unit brand new about January 2001. I have software version 2.909

It appears 3.619 is the lastest software version currently shipping.

What's the difference? There are probably plenty, we'll never know about them because 1) the consumer is not supposed to know or be concerned about it and 2) we will never get to talk to the person who really knows.

I've said it in several posts and I'll say it again: "The manufacturer is not going to tell you about all the difference in new software/hardware/firmware and if they do tell you something, it will be minor things." I know. Because I deal with manufacturers all the time on this and they think it shows they missed something last round or it makes your previous version inferior or it compromised the seller's integrity.

I can already tell that the newest V1 software version has Ku band capability. What is that all about? I don't know yet but I'm not about to call up Mike and ask his trolls. Apparently they've already told someone here that there were no differences whatsoever. Maybe Ku is some subset of K or Ka and maybe it is still experimental or the Gvt is release that band for radar in January 2001. That's not the point....there's probably other things in 3.619; new algorithms, new processing, faster speeds, more horsepower, better sensitivity.... Yes, my V1 works fine today, it ain't so bad; but there's better. It's like the manual shift CL (to some) or the 2002 CL if it had 295hp out of the box.

It is painfully obvious from Report #3, that the newest software has Ku capability. Unless it's a major typo, and I doubt it because back in January, I used this page to modify a couple of default settings including increased sensitivity on K or Ka.

If somebody want to bug Mike and crew to try to figure out what this is all about, that's fine; I'm not going to call because I hate getting the runaround and listening to ghost-stories; I'm sure we'll hear about it someplace pretty soon. Perhaps someone here will have better luck than me.

As for the person who said the V1 hasn't changed in 10 years, well it has changed in the last 6 months. Can the 8500 detect Ku? No I don't think so. Does it need to? Probably not. Is there an 8500 upgrade? Maybe later, maybe not. As for the new V1....only a foolish company would put the same electronics in a slimmer housing, for what? No there are other changes too. You can bank on it. My V1 is going to eBay soon and I'm getting another one because I am almost convinced there is a hardware change which to me is major, not minor. I can probably get what I paid for it on eBay and I'm not going to pay upgrade money to Mike so soon after buying one.

I hope I am not jumping to conclusions; please somebody tell me I'm wrong and I'm seeing things....

 

I am looking but I think Ku is for UK, Australia, or some other country....

 

Ken, what are you doing to me? I ordered a V1 today to try out for 30 days, will have it tomorrow. Now you are saying the company is deceptive and bad???? (I still think it is way overpriced. Found someone at work who had one and played with it for a few hours.)

When I get it, how do I find out the software level?

Here is the Ku info from V1 website:
Ku-band
Not used in U.S. Ku is found in Netherlands, Belgium, and sometimes the UK. Ku coverage is standard equipment on all V1s starting with serial number ending 0600 or higher, but that function is not "activated" as they leave the factory.

[ 07-12-2001: Message edited by: fast_daddy_car ]

 

The new brochure/manual says that you can enable the Ku band (for the Australian users out there!

 

Ken,

You are absolutely correct. This is one big conspiracy, and your theory is right. You hit it right on the nail. Your 6 month old V1 is now obsolete. I will take it off your hands for $100

 

No, I still think it's a great device, no doubt. I was just pointing out that all manufacturers even Acura and Valentine are less than candid with their customers about their products. I probably came off a bit negative since it worked against me, but my main point was that you don't know what's in the new sfotware from V1 to Navi to whatever. And neither do most of them.

I also wanted to point out that the people that we as customers talk to don't know a damn thing and most importantly, V1 has probably changed for the better several times over the past decade. They don't need a V2 to improve.

If I sell my V1 on eBay, I will turn around and buy another one immediately. You probably got the best and the latest unless they reach in the back and pick an older unit (thinking they are all the same of course). Check your software by pressing in the power-on button as your turn it clockwise. Hold the button in for several seconds as your turn, let it go, then press it in again briefly. Read your software version, one number at a time.

P.S. I think Ku is a foreign radar band but it is almost guaranteed that there are other improvements involved besides Ku. IMO

 

When you see it on eBay, feel free to bid!

$330 is the going price for a slightly used V1. My friend's first edition V1 (first one w/laser, no rear antenna) went for over $250. Just look at these prices.

 

From manual page 2 (got unit last week):

13.45 GHZ (Ku-band): not used in U.S -- to activate Ku-band see valentine1.com (Adk Mike, Tech Reports, How to Reprogram V1)

My car doesn't have wings....

 

Interestingly, the Ku band is mentioned throughout the original patent Valentine has on radar detectors from 1991 (yet they just added it to the unit?): http://p-digest.ip.or.th/html/5068663.html

A similar situation: I had some minor problems with my G-Tech unit a few months back so I called them and they explained a lot of the older units had similar problems (with 60 to 0 braking measurements). They said they had a new version of the software that addressed the problems in currently shipping units. How are we as consumers supposed to know this?? (Which is the whole point of these companies keeping quiet about software upgrades...)

 

You do remember Word Perfect and the little minor releases they would slip out the door. Almost every embedded system I've worked on gets a set of key punches to enable a s/n or ver # output via display, series of flashes, or a "connector." To not do so would be foolish...

 

Now you tell me. I would have given you $300 for it. Well, new one will be in my hands in a few hours.

 

Cool; is there anything else that the manual mentions that might hint at some of the other improvements (if any)?

 

I will wait for a MAJOR improvement before I sell mine.
EBAY is the best way to go instead of upgrading through Valentine.

Last June I sold my SEVEN YEAR OLD non-laser V1 on EBAY for 265 dollars.
I turned around and bought a new one with remote display for 440+ shipping.
Total upgrade fee was 135 plus the cost of the remote.

To upgrade through Valentine would have cost 250+ remote+ shipping.

Hang tight Ken, we still have the best protection money can buy right now.

Shawn S

 

Shawn,
Since you have the remote display, why did you put your V1 on the left (driver's side) instead of on the passenger's side, so you could use your visor all the way?

Also, its tough to tell from your photo, but is the front of your V1 all the way hidden behind the top windsheild tint, or is it just below or half&half?

thanks!

 

The “Eye’s” on the V1 for the rear RADAR/LASER detection are on the right side of the unit.
Placing it on the drivers side allows for it to “look” directly through the center of the car and out the back window.
If you put it on the passenger side, the “eye’s” are too far to the side of the car’s interior.
Plus, I trust myself more then my wife with being careful with the sun visor.
Honestly I don’t really use it, I have dark sunglasses that work better.

Only the top 1/3 or so of my V1 is blocked by the “tint”.

I’m not too concerned because it operates flawlessly and the tint area is the part that is transitioning to full clear so I don’t think it matters.

It works perfectly from the outside because you can’t see the unit unless you know it is there.
The tint I have on the side windows helps to protect from prying eyes as well.

Shawn S