Well, just sold some shares of a dog stock that's been going nowhere for a long time. So, I'm deciding to invest in a Valentine. I've heard so many good things about it and since I'm a frequent speeder, I figure the V1 would be a good investment to have (at least better than that stock I had such high hopes for).:o Anyways, I have one question: Should I buy a brand spanking new one at $399 or should I trust Ebay and get a used one? This is one investment I really want to last since I can use it in different cars. Since I really don't see this thing being abused by users (I mean, how many people would bang on it?), I don't see any reasons why I shouldn't just get a used one. Any comments before I take the plunge?

axleback

 

I buy lots of stuff on ebay so I don't see why not. I ALWAYS pay by credit card, though, so if I get screwed I can contest the charge...Secondly, I'd use a seller with some feedback posted in possible...

Honestly, I like my Passport 8500 better. I've used my dad's V1 as well. The advantages of the V1 are less 'false' signals for sure, way less (like driving by the grocery store, etc...) and it does seem to have a better ability to pick up laser than my Passport from a greater distance. Conversely, I swear the Passport has a longer range for K and Ka where most of these Florida b@st@rds are hiding (no offense Copland)!

Good luck!

 

Funny, but my old V1 (two years old) was so bad at falsing in the city that finally had to stop using it for anything other than rural highway drives (kept it on the least sensitive setting, too).

 

LOL!
My dad's is f!@#$%^ amazing. You have to be like 20ft from the grocery store for it to go off! I thought it was remarkable! Go figure...

 

hmm what do u guys think v1 or passport!! im into the market for buyin either one.. u guys are kinda confusing me now....!!thanks

 

Just curious, what stock was it?

Also, I would buy new. The V1 is constantly being upgraded by valentine. The only way I would buy a used one is if the seller posted the serial number and then checked it here.

I have had my V1 since Christmas and I love this thing. It saved my ass a few times already.

 

I agree... get a new one. That way you're guaranteed to get the latest model. If you buy a used one, you may need upgrade it sooner then usual, which will just cost you more money anyway, so why not just buy new from the beginning.

The V1 is awesome... you won't regret it. If you commute, it's well worth it. About 3 weeks ago I picked up a signal from 2.3 miles away (I clocked it the next day). It sucked b/c I had to drive slow for a little over 2 miles, but it was cool that it picked it up that far away!! Now obviously that won't happen all of the time, but it just shows you how strong it is.

 

I picked up a V1 from the factory (no mail order) and this past Monday it was the best of both worlds. I was coming from the cemetary of my Great, Great, Great, Great Grandfather (Revolutionary War, lived from 1757 to 1849) when one of the local constibals came right up on my butt. He instant on-ed me about 4 times but each time I was 5mph under the limit. He finally passed me and gave my girlfriend a bad, pissed-off look.

 

Thanks for all the feedback guys. But what about the conceal module? For an additional $40, is it worth getting? I'm not planning on getting it because it really doesn't serve any purpose in my opinion because it's legal to have radars in Chicago so I could have it in plain view. Why conceal it?

axleback

 

To keep someone from bashing out your window and stealing your $400 investment!!!

 

Ah...point well taken. But since it's completely detachable, I'll just unplug it and hide it under the seat when I'm not in the car. $40 saved. :p

axleback

 

I actually bought the remote display. You're spending $400.. what's another $40? I have mine mounted right above my steering wheel console so I can see it w/o any problems. This allows me to have the V1 mounted as high as possible on the windshield, on the passenger side of the rear view mirror. Without the remote display I'd have to mount the detector lower for better visability of the display.

Plus, while detectors are legal in my area, that doesn't mean that I want everyone to see it... so with the remote display, only I see it, and should a cop pass me, he'd never know I have one.

 

I have an 8500 and the thing hardly ever falses as long as you have it in "AUTO" mode. It really does a good job of filtering out the garbage. The 8500 also has the ability to be upgraded like the V1 and I have caught K & Ka literally 2 miles away.

Both have the ability to tell you how many signals they are receiving. The 8500 can show you the strength of ALL of the signals as opposed to only the strongest one. Of course the V1 has the arrows that some people swear by.

Asking which one is better quickly becomes a religous debate. You won't go wrong either way, bottom line is that they have comparable detection range, and the extra $$ for the V1 buys you the directional arrows.

 

If you need to change your detector between cars you might consider the Passport Solo-2. Same range/sens. as the 8500 but uses two AA batteries. It does, however, cost $30 more. I use the Solo-1 and am generally pleased but it's not as good as the 8500 or V1 by any means.

 

I made some cuts in the grey foam holder thing my V1 came boxed in so it just fits wedged nice and tight into the middle armrest storage compartment (deeper/bottom one). Just pop it in there and its happy, happy, happy. BTW anyone who has the V1 and has not hardwired it.....do it !!!!!

 

I've had my 8500 for a year and a half now and the thing has pulled my arse out of the fire a bunch of times. Picked up signals from cops around bends over a mile and a half away. Been instant on'ed with the 8500 in the car from 2 cars back Knock on wood my 8500 has served me well and I recommend it to just about anyone. V1 is a sweet radar...but is it worth the extra cash?

 

you have your v1 hardwired in your armrest?

 

I think he is talking when he stores it when he leaves the car....

I THINK....

 

the remote display is to keep people from tailing you just because they know that you have a valentine. on my last road trip, this girl in a jeep liberty kept tailing me after seeing my v1 go off. i guess she wanted to bum off of my $400 investment! plus at night, the remote display keeps the arrows on the unit from appearing and attracting attention from cops etc...

peter.

 

Now that I made the plunge and got myself the V1 (so excited!), I'm definitely gonna hardwire it. The question is, any suggestions on where to mount this thing so it'd look as good as possible? I'm planning on mounting it as high as I could next to the rearview mirror so only a little of the cord could be visible while tucking most of it under the roof liner and the A-pillar. I notice the dot matrix behind the rearview mirror, if I install the V1 behind it, would that affect it's sensitivity?

axleback

 

The dots may or may not have an effect on the sensitivity but that's another one of those Zen arguments. I would love to put mine there but the suction cups won't stick up there. I though about just removing the dots with a hard plastic scraper and some bug/tar remover or even 3M's General Adheasive Remover but I'm not sure if I want to mess with it that sevearly yet since mine's only two weeks old.

I now have it just to the left of the dots and up out of the way. It is kinda "right in your face" when look at it there.

There are two parts to the headliner tucking. Be sure you gently pull down the liner it self and tuck it in there. It's kinda rubbery and you'll see it flex when you grab it right. The A-pillar cover comes off very easily. Just start from the top and work your way down.

To the left of the fuse box are a few plugs for wiring that come from elsewhere in the car. Towards the top is one that has only three wires coming from it. Those wires are also the largest guaged ones there. This is for the windshield wipers. The Blue one is the "Intermittent Wiper" signal wire...don't use that one. If you do the detector will shut off/on from a voltage drop every time the wipers make a sweep. The one to use is Green with a Black chaser (stripe). This is a 30amp wire supplying power to the wipers. It will only have a 1/4 volt drop when the wipers make a sweep and that's well within serviceablity range for the adding of the V1. The V1 only takes ~465 milliamps at full alarm, and that ain't much juice.

When you mount it on the windshield take note. Get a glass of very warm water (but not "tea kettle" hot) and soak the suction cups for a couple minutes. While that's being done go ahead Windex (or your favorite glass cleaner) the area to stick the cups to. They'll stick like super-glue. When I got mine to put it in the cups would only stick for a few seconds and the shape of them looked flat before trying. When the cups come out of the water they should be a lot more concave than before and should work fine. Dont' use paper towels or anything to dry the cups before you put the unit up. The fibers will rub off on the rubber and won't stick well. Just shake the water off and in a minute they'll be fine.

 

Yes it will...Even having a tint strip will effect the range of any unit...
I would say to mount it where is is just underneath or to the side of the dots...
While I have a tint strip, and while I have tested the sensitivity there and on the dots as well as the middle of the freakin' windshield, there was not a major difference between the middle of the windshield and strictly on the tint about 4 inches below the headliner, as opposed to on the tint and on the dot matrix which made a definite difference that was just too short a range for my liking (don't wanna hear shi+ about my run-on sentence, either)...

 

Ok, the V1 and Escort 8500 are hard beasts to compare. The 8500 filters more garbage out. the V1 only has 2 logic modes, that only affect X. The V1 was designed for the individual who wants to hear EVERYTHING, so they can make their own judgement, and the 8500 tries to figure it out for you.

My V1 blurts off all the time. the COOL thing is that when i go up and down the highway, i know exactaly when and where im going to get a false signal. so ive trained myself to remember all the false signals, so when theres something "extra" in there, i pay attention.

Either way, you cant go wrong.

Dont buy from eBay, even if they do post the serial number and its the 1.8. You cant get a V1 1.8 for less than $380. might as well just buy it new.

The concealed module is a good idea if you dont want to take your eyes off the road and you can find a good place to put it. My V1 is located just below and to the left of the rear view mirror. i can hear it better up there, and regardless of my big ass 3% tint strip up there, it is more sensitive and works better. also i was tired of having a big black thing in my line of sight. i know what to look for and what to listen for so up there was the best place.

-me

 

Thanks alot Tom, I wouldn't have known that that's the wire to splice. You were ahead of me in providing an answer before I even asked the question. This forum is great.

The V1 just saved my ass this morning on my way to work. I was going about 65 in a 45 zone and sure enough the V1 gave me enough warning ahead of time. Caught a cop hiding behind some bushes holding a radar gun. We made eye contact as I passed him. I think he knew I got a radar cuz he stared at me even after I passed him. He probably thought to himself: Damn these speeders with radar! "



axleback

 

I have a 1.8 V1, it's the fourth radar detector I've owned (yes I'm old). It's expensive but I think it's great. As others have said, not the best at filtering out the garbage, but the arrows will spoil you big time. They really do make a big difference.

I leave mine in full-logic (L) mode, which is the most filtered, unless I'm on a road trip.

Here's a tip for those who haven't bought yet and are cheap like me: Call them up and ask for a "Vacation Return". They get detectors back all the time from people who buy them just long enough for a road trip and send the back. They'll knock like $50 off the price. This is the ONLY way to get a discount on these jewels. I think I got lucky, I ordered a "Vacation Return" and the one they sent appeared to have never been opened.
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Darn, I wish I knew about that. Even though I think a $400 investment like this is worth it, a $50 discount would be awesome. Oh well, I hope others could benefit from this thread if they are considering getting it.

axleback

 

Tom,
I just picked up an '03 TL-S and I want to hard-wire in my V1. On my '90 Legend I mistakenly wired it into the windshield washer and every time I used it, it would recycle the V1. Will this happen if you use the Green with a Black chaser wire for the wiper and cycle the wipers? As an alterrnative, is the wire for the accessory socket easy to access?

Thanks. That was a really helpful post.

Steve

 

I listened to Tom's advice and hardwired it to the green wire with black chaser. No problems so far. It's really easy to get to too.

axleback