V1 Warning

[wrh3]

Just a heads up for V1 owners.......

I had always assumed the self test on my V1 indicated it was functional. Last week I was pulled over at 4:30AM (no traffic, small town GA), fortunately for only 12 MPH over (67 in a 55). I was surprised because my V1 (1.8) had NEVER gone off. The officer was very polite and asked me why I looked puzzled when he came to the car to chat. I told him my radar detector had never gone off after he told me had used radar and asked if I wanted him to check the calibration. When he presented my ticket he said he had left his radar on so that I could check my RD out- still not a peep. He was nice enough to write it as a city violation so no DMVR updates or insurance increases, but to say I was would be an understatement.

I sent it back in last week for upgrade/repair, my letter to Valentine has had no response as of yet. I called and talked to a tech today and the older V1 self test does NOT indicate the unit is 100% functional as it uses older analog technology, he said the upgrade with newer digital technology would be better (not mentioned on the website). He also said that no one out there has anything better as far as self-tests go.

So just a warning, if your V1 powers up and goes through the self-test don't assume anything about it's functionality- it may or may not work. I love my V1s because of the arrows, but my older Passport 8500x50 has never let me down. I will probably give the V1s one last chance but will definitely be less confident of their effectiveness until they have regained my trust.......

[S54dan]

Thanks for the heads up. I may send mine in as well in this case

[RobLS]

Oh wow, bummer man. Hope they work better next time.

[PA135i]

I just bought a V1 in July. I assume mine is up to snuff?

[jeff]

I had a similar incident with one of those trailer radar units that tells you your speed and blinks angrily if you are over the threshold. I was heading down the road and noticed off to the side the radar unit. Hmmm, no noise from the V1. I looked up, yep it’s on. Ok, let me turn around and do this again. I did and still no indication from the V1.

Needless to say, the V1 came down, and I still have not sent it in for service.

Not that it matters at the moment. Look at what I drive

[mastermav]

V1 has problems with overheating. During sunny day, the dark body of V1 becomes burning hot and detector stops functioning. Needles to say there is no indication or anything. It looks normal, just detects nothing.

[PA135i]

I mount mine on the passenger side visor. No sun there.

[C_Topher]

I think all RDs can get "out of tune" over time (years); worth sending to the factory for updates every once in a while.

[Bruck]

Weird that you didn't notice that it hadn't made noise in a while?

Mine gets tripped off by something every time I drive. I'm sure i'd notice if all of a sudden it picked up nothing.

Maybe it broke that morning or a day before - and you hadn't driven the car.. then i guess its bad luck..

being pissed doesn't exactly seem logical. you were still speeding.

[itsthechuck]

Originally Posted by jeff

I had a similar incident with one of those trailer radar units that tells you your speed and blinks angrily if you are over the threshold. I was heading down the road and noticed off to the side the radar unit. Hmmm, no noise from the V1. I looked up, yep it’s on. Ok, let me turn around and do this again. I did and still no indication from the V1.

Needless to say, the V1 came down, and I still have not sent it in for service.

Not that it matters at the moment. Look at what I drive

Same thing happened to me, I called valentine and the radar was fixed and back to me withing 3 days, give them a call.

[cyberbro]

I have had a V1 for about 10 years now (not the same one) and as you found nothing is 100%. It has saved my ass but it also has failed a few times over the years.

[Spook]

I can't drive 10 miles without picking up some kind of radar. Would be hard not to notice it wasn't working.