This, being my first post, I feel obligated to get this newby stuff out of the way so here goes.

I don't own a TL-S yet but plan to in a year (big down payment of 2/3's). That being said I'm getting anxious and planning a few accessories for the to be build/ordered monster. The first one is that I can't POSSIBLY get caught speeding in this thing. I'm 37 now so the local cops don't see me as easy prey as the teenage crowd. So a radar detector is definitley in line. The car I have now in a 94' Eagle Talon (bought when new) that's still sporting the Uniden X, K, Ka & Laser detector it received when it was new.

So now I'm looking at getting a Valentine One (good to support a local company ). Now I did read on Valentine's site that some cars cannot utilize this thing because some cars come with "instant defrosters" such as Cadillac or cars with solar film that keeps the interior from getting as hot. Well, I also read on Acura's site that the TL-S and TL-P both come with just that type of heat resistant "green" glass.

On another thread here I see that someone has just sold his car on eBay. In that car appeared to a Valentine One on the dash. So is it just the windshield that is not solar treated?

A little help here...

 

Ive had my V1 for 2 years now in my TL-S, and I havent noticed a problem at all even with tints. I drive on the highways all the time, and have done a few interstate trips as well. The V1 was a life saver. Get it and enjoy it and your ride.
Welcome aboard.

 

Look into the New Escort Solo S2. It is cheaper than the V1 and suppose to be a lot better. It is also upgradeable. I have a Escort 7500 and that works great and i htink I'm getting a Solo S2 soon.

Mr
03 ABP TL-S
New Jersey
Mr_@yahoo.com

 

whats a valentine one ???????

 

V1 is the only radar detector out there that displays the direction of the cops' signal.

I fully recommend getting one for your TL

 

O.k. so the factory solar treatment doesn't seam to be a problem. My next question is where to put it. On the Talon I mounted it via the suction cup mount high on the windshield between the rearview mirror and the headliner. I realize the increased tinting on that part of the windshield may or may not hinder the performance of the V1 but my question is is there enough room up there to mount a V1 in that same spot? In the adds the V1 looks kinda big but in the eBay photo it seams a little more compact.

Thanks for the input!

 

I have mine mounted on the right side of the rear mirror, with the remote display mounted to the right of my steering wheel, on the dash.

There is no issue with the tinting, or blackout on the window.
I have had a valentine since it came out (about 8 years ago I think), and it has been the best detector I have ever used.
It is completely upgradable, (done mine twice now, and its more programmable than you think, dig on the valantines web site) and has a very natural and intuitive feel and use.

C/D, is very fair on the reviews, V1 still is (last I saw) the best.

 

V1 all the way... shes saved my ass too many times. The only other one ive heard that compares is the Escort 8500, but lacks V1's bogey counter and directional arrows.

I have mine mounted same place you saw the the eBay TL's pics. I have 3% tint and some other stuff obstructing the rear area so i opted not to put it next to the rear view mirror.

I also have the K40 Laser diffuser. This is a must if your serious. V1 is great, but wont stop laser. It will tell you when ur getting pulsed but by then it way too damn late.

 

Those were my eBay picutres, and I had a V1 in my 99TL as well. The damn thing saved my a$$ so many times, I would not leave home without it.

These things are so good, they will even work if you leave them on your seat!!!

:-jon

 

V1 rules, I highly recommend it. Mine is located right at the tint line, to the right of the rear view mirror. It has a clear line of site both forward and back. I also have my windows tinted and have never had a problem with detection.

I also purchased the remote display which is on my steering wheel console. All of the wires are hidden, so you can barely even tell I have a radar detector.

 

Check out the link in my sig. I have pics of where I mounted mine. I haven't had any problems with my tint or the factory tint covering the upper most portion of the windshield. It's definitely an expensive investment but DEFINETELY worth it.

 

Two thumbs up for the Valentine 1! I purchased it shortly after taking delivery of my 2003 TL-S in March 2002. A local auto accessory installer hard-wired the unit for me. The main controller is on the driver's side visor, modified to be parallel to the road. The remote unit (highly recommended for discreet nighttime use) is mounted above the steering wheel hub so as not to interfere with the tilt range. Although it is one of the most expensive radar detectors on the market, its impressive features and outstanding sensitivity make it an overall wise investment. Just avoiding one or two hefty speeding tickets will pay for it! And the peace of mind is virtually priceless.

 

how much does it cost???????????????????

 

Actually if you set the 8500 to "Expert Meter" it will show you the signal strength of up to eight separate signals, so in a sense it does have a bogey counter. The V1 gives a count of the signals received, but only shows the strenth of the strongest signal. The biggest advantage the V1 has over the 8500 is the directional arrows. As for sensitivity, I believe the V1 has a little more range over the 8500, but I have the 8500 and have literally caught cops at close to two miles away on the highway. Don't know about the rest of you, but that's plenty for me.

 

I agree.... The new Escort Solo S2 is suppose to blow away the 8500 hundred. That is my next purchase. Less than the V1.

Mr
03 ABP TL-S
New Jersey
Mr_@yahoo.com

 

Really? The 8500 is upgradeable (like the V1) so I don't see it. In addition based on price, the S2 is only $29 more than the 8500 which I'm attributing to the fact that it's cordless. Especially whne you look at the fact that the specs are identical for the 8500 and S2.

Past tests have shown that cordless detectors do not have the same level of sensitivity as corded ones do. I'd be curious to see a test.

Edit note: I just got off the phone with Escort. I asked if the S2 is considered a step up from the 8500. The answer is no. The person I spoke to said that due to the very nature of cordless radar detectors, the S2 doesn't quite have the range/sensitivity of the 8500. They did go on to say that when comparing the S2 to other CORDLESS radar detectors, it is unmatched.

It basically comes down to trade-offs. If you truly need a cordless, you might have to give up a little sensitivity, but in real world situations you may not notice that trade-off.

After all consider the fact that before I got my 8500, I had been using a Passport 4500 for close to eight years and had never been pulled over, and the 4500 is no where near the detector the 8500 is.

 

For an extra $40 you can get a cord and plug in the S2. That would solve the sensitive problem.

Mr
03 ABP TL-S
New Jersey
Mr_@yahoo.com

 

Unless you have a need for a cordless, why pay $329 for an S2 and then pay an extra $40 for a cord when you can pay $299 for the 8500?

 

I've been considering getting a radar for the longest time. Since this is not a cheap investment, I wanted to make sure it's well worth it. I've had my mind set on a V1 for awhile, but after hearing you guys talk about the S2, I gotta do more research now. Seems that the S2 does a sufficiently good job already at a cheaper price. Do they have a website that I can get information on?

axleback

 

Based on what Escort themselves said the S2 is not above the 8500 mainly b/c of the fact that cordless detectors lose some sensitivity (which is why I'll never own a cordless detector).

Taking that into consideration, you would still be better off getting either a V1 or a 8500... and if you've already chosen the V1 over the 8500 then you shouldn't have to worry about doing any more research.

If you're going to buy a radar detector, I wouldn't buy a cheaper model, even if it does a pretty good job.... in the end it's probably not worth it. I'd buy the best model I could, and that would be either the V1 or the 8500 depending on your preference.

 

The S2 is MORE money than the 8500 and you don't get the same performance. Reread my posts.