I'm glad we're getting more opinions in here. It doesn't matter who's test you look at, the escort and V1 are definately top contenders. I personally have favored the V1 and will still probably get it (I like all the arrows and extra junk ), but I never understood why so many valentine supporters are so negative about other reports or products.

Dennis still hasn't said why he's so down on any one of these sites (while I do like his story because it outlines exactly what I personally like about the V1, plus it goes with my red gauges). and while I do appreciate everyone's OPINION, I have seen very little facts in this thread, other than regurgitating this radar test versus that radar test (including myself). Dennis seems to dislike all three links I posted to a very large degree and I still haven't been given a reason why. I could turn around and say "oh! valentine1.com ? golly gee - I think they're biased!" Well of course they are - for the mere fact that they have no resellers. That site is the single best representation of their product, of course they're going to show it in the best possible light. Other "unbiased" reports don't paint the V1 as far ahead, and this seems to bother people, but they it's never been made plain to me "why". Why do these other tests suck? Why do you laugh at radartest.com? I've owned my fair share of detectors in the past too, but none compare to what's available today. I've owned most (including escort and bel, which i've considered to be the only two worth a can of beans), but I don't consider myself an expert. Which I why I go to independant sites. Is selling you're label on a radar detector box actually more biased that selling the radar detector itself? I don't get it. Every "unbiased test" is "biased"? Who do you believe? I mean does Valentine1 not have a website up to sell detectors - just like "radar roy"? - it's these kind of blanket statements that have made me skepticle of the V1 in the first place. What makes the difference?

damn, that's a novel.

short story, I agree with Thoe99, pick either passport or the V1 and you'll probably be pretty happy.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by wicky
[B]
Dennis still hasn't said why he's so down on any one of these sites (while I do like his story because it outlines exactly what I personally like about the V1, plus it goes with my red gauges). and while I do appreciate everyone's OPINION, I have seen very little facts in this thread, other than regurgitating this radar test versus that radar test (including myself).

 

The detector beeps, you hit the brakes - actually the V1 has such nice audio I can tell without looking if I need to hit the brakes hard, lift the throttle a little, or I am a long way away - this baby has range

Anyway, you get the beep and you brake - you check the display, ah-ha he is ahead and there is only 1. The signal gets stronger (and the beeps more frequent) as you get closer. Then as you pass by the cop the display shifts from front arrow to side to rear - the counter stays at 1. Unless the cop is shooting at the backs of the cars (you saw he was not as you went past) then you can speed up. Every other detector just keeps beeping - your V1 does too but you see it is the same cop you just went past (counter =1 and back arrow lit) so you KNOW you can speed back up.

Another scenario that happened to me just a few weeks ago. They are trying to slow drivers on one street in my neighborhood. So they have been using instant on RADAR, etc. Sometime the cops sit there with the blues going (and no one pulled over) and the RADAR on 100% - not as much trying to write tickets and make folks slow down. Then one morning my V1 goes off - a nice constant signal, get stronger and stronger until I see the roadside RADAR sign they have now put out. Cool, I check to be sure my speedo matches the sign - cool stuff. It blinks if you go over the limit - cool. Then the counter hits 2 and I get another flash of the front arrow - strange. It does this a couple more times. As I pass the sign the arrow flips to side then rear, then the counter hits 2 and the front arrow lights up again. As I top the rize I see the cop at the bottom of the hill shooting folks with instant on as they sped up once they pass the sign. He didn't get me, the counter and the arrows told me there was a snake in the grass.

Now granted, if every time your dector beeps you slow down and you stay slow until it no longer beeps then you do not need the arrows. The trouble comes when you drive past the sign over the limit and the guy at the bottom of the hill nails you.

Dennis

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Thoe99
[B]Those tests are biased, maybe, coming from valentine1.com?

 

Radar comparisons seem to get people to a fever pitch, maybe more than anything else I've seen on this site (just a humble observation).

 

http://www.valentine1.com/moments/

Has more "Valentine 1" moments sent in by happy V1 users. In the archives the "Old Trailer Trick" from 09/02 is just about what happened to me. A lot of the other stories match things that have happened to me as well.

Dennis

 

Hey Dwynne, I'm saying that most people here believe Car & Driver isn't too reliable. The S2000 is capable of running the quarter mile in 13.8, give or take a couple tenths, but Car and Driver tested it to be one full second off! Either Car & Driver is biased also or they just can't test correctly.

 

This is the answer I was looking for. I just didn't see what the problem was. People do seem to get pitched over detectors. I still like the V1, but Valentine1.com is a store like the others, selling one detector and not the other. I just wanted to know where the problem lay so we can all make better decisions. Thanks

Stirring the pot can be a good thing.....

 

I don't know, could have been a weak S2000, a hot day, etc.

Of course, it has been proven you can't trust anyone these days. Some was complaing to one of the car mags that he could not get the 1/4 times the mag did, so he took them his car and they could not either. Turns out the car maker had dyno'd several cars and took the one putting out the most power, then had it tuned and gone over before they took it to the magazine to test. Their ringer could work a lot better than the normal car.

"FuzzBuster" got caught doing this in a RADAR detector test years ago as well. Send a fancy and expensive prototype detector in a cheapo fuzz buster case.

C&D is probably the best car mag (is that cursing them with fair praise?). They did make me mad when they took the S2000 off the 10 best list this year. I had 2 cars on the list until I sold the 'vette, then right after I get the S2000 they take it off

There has been little nice weather since I got my S2000 a few months back, but Sunday it hit 71 and I hit the backroads with the top down. Can I say I was grinning ear to ear? I love this car. It has the light and nimble feel and handling I loved in my Miata (only more so) but with lots more power. The 'vette is the power king, but the car is long, wide, and heavy. Fine for the track or "GT" use - the S2000 is so much more fun on the backroads. It did get caught out at too low a rev a few times, that is when you know you only have 2.0l of motor. But that was my fault, not the fault of the car.....

Dennis

 

the only thing i dont like about the V1 (correct me if it has been changed) is that when a certain band goes off, its hard to tell which one it is because the dot next to the band lights up, but at night, your not going to be able to see a letter the half the size of these (until you get used to the sound for each band) and even then, i still like to know which it is just by a quick glance....not the mention the escort has a voltage readout, multiple dimmer settings, and is fully programmable with an actual led screen, rather than dots and arrows....i just think for the money, the V1 could have a better display, and be less bulky....kinda big IMO....but it is still a great detector....as the saying goes...."to each their own"

Whichever choice you go with, you will be happy. I have had both in my car, and both are worth the money!