Some notes from my research about the Valentine One versus other radar detectors...
1) Unlike all the other detectors, the V1 is only sold directly by Valentine itself. This really ticks off radar detector distributors, and you will find that just about every distributor either writes bad reviews about the V1 or downplays it. Their position is heavily biased because the V1 competes with the detectors they can sell.
2) It is interesting to note that every radar detector review compares against the V1. And often almost exclusively.
3) It is very clear that politics and money play a large role in virtually all of the detector reviews I've examined. Finding (relatively) unbiased comparison information is difficult.
4) Radar detector comparisons are fraught with fanaticism from owners. Again making unbiased comparison information difficult to find.
5) The V1 has two antennas (one forward, one rear). The other detectors have one antenna (forward). This gives the V1 increased sensitivity (particularly toward the rear) and it's direction indication abilities.
6) The V1 is black and subdued looking. I thought it looked very ugly in the advertisements for it, but in real life, it looks much better. It disappears against my black interior easily. Many other radar detectors are more stylish and typically come only in bright colors. They definately win on style points. But they really stick out against the interior of your car.
7) The Escort is also a very good detector for about $100 less. The forward direction sensitivity of the Escort seems to be very close to the V1 (they're probably both using the same antenna components, I'll bet). The rear and side sensitivity of the V1 is way better than everything else since it's essentually in a different class all its own there with the rear facing antenna.
8) The V1 does not have auto mute. And it has no excuse to not have it, either. I wish it did. (Auto mute is where it drops its volume down to a quieter level after a couple of seconds to get your attention)
9) The most objective comparisons seem to put the V1 and Escort very close to eachother. The V1, with its twin antennas, is a little more sensitive. The Escort is a little less prone to false alarms. So if you want to be more twitchy and take less risk of tickets, the V1 will suit a little better. If you want to be bothered for no reason less, the Escort will suit a little better.
10) The V1's detection range is almost too good. You often never actually see the police car because you detected them from several blocks away on a different street entirely. I often detect police radar about a minute or two before passing them. This is good protection against 'instant on' radar, because you're very likely to pick up short blips during that long time as cars ahead of you are hit.
11) The cheap $100 or so detectors provide very little advanced warning. Often only a second or two before you're hit. Particularly for modern Ka band radar. My cheap Cobra detector wasn't getting much of a reading even while I watched the radar gun pointed right at me at close range. That's what convinced me to replace it.
12) Police radar makes occasional advances. Radar detectors advance to keep up with it. 'Impossible to detect' has never stayed impossible for long. V1 has a good upgrade policy. Some of the other detectors do, too. It's worth looking up those policies when making the comparison because it will eventually matter.
13) You wouldn't go wrong with either a V1 or an Escort. They're both very fine detectors.
There... more information than you ever wanted to hear. Obviously, I'm a V1 owner. I've tried to be unbiased and factual with my information above. But I'm still biased. Draw your own conclusions.
- Skant
4LT GS Roadster
