Valentine One

BeamerDreamer · 08-09-2008, 09:36 PM

I hear that a lot of people really like the Valentine One. I have had some other model radar detectors in the past and found that all they were really useful for was making lots of noise and flashing lights. I either ended up returning them or they end up sitting in a box in my garage.

So is the Valentine One worth the cost? Does anyone have experience with it? Has it ever saved you from a ticket? :iono:

PA135i · 08-09-2008, 09:41 PM

I felt the same as you. Bought a $300 passport in 1985, I think. Used it some but, then sat in the box.

Recently purchased the V1 with case and you can tell it is built well and is a quality piece. I deceided to buy it because of the power the 135i has and thought I might need it to keep me aware of my surroundings.

hbiscuit · 08-10-2008, 01:13 AM

completely... i've had one for the past 7 years

135iPSU · 08-10-2008, 01:36 AM

does it look trashy in the car with all the wires everywhere, i want my car to be very clean, organized, and nothing that looks tacky or out of place?

JD135i · 08-10-2008, 07:46 AM

I recommend the V1. I've had one for about 3 years and it is a high-quality piece. It has saved me from a few tickets.

Escort has a detector out that uses GPS. I can't remember the name. It sounds like a good detector as well, because it can remember(and not sound the alarm for) certain false alarms based on your location. There are topics debating the merits of both that and the V1 detectors. I have only tried the V1 but an very happy with it.

Whichever detector you get, have it installed professionally. Or if you're going to do it yourself, check out some of the threads on this board showing you how to install it without wires hanging all over. Here's an example:

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8849

Go for it, you won't be disappointed.

PA135i · 08-11-2008, 06:19 PM

Where would I take my car to get a V1 installed professionally? A car stereo installer. Would not mind to have someone install mine, but would want to take it to the right place.

backtoreality15 · 08-11-2008, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kja325ci

Where would I take my car to get a V1 installed professionally? A car stereo installer. Would not mind to have someone install mine, but would want to take it to the right place.

Basically. You're dealership can even do it, though they might be pricey...

jeremyc74 · 08-11-2008, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kja325ci

Where would I take my car to get a V1 installed professionally? A car stereo installer. Would not mind to have someone install mine, but would want to take it to the right place.

Any stereo shop can do it. It's such a basic install it would be hard to screw up. It's only two wires, power and ground, and sticking it to the windsheild.

As for the OP's question about it being worth it, the answer is definatly "Yes" unless you stay at or under the posted speed at all times (which few people do).

A RADAR detector is one of those things where you get what you pay for. There's a lot of features and functionality that comes on the higher end models that you don't get on the cheaper ones. I've owned the V1, Passport 8500, and now have a 9500. All three get the job done equally as well. The only things seperating them are the bells and whistles.

C_Topher · 08-12-2008, 12:40 AM

Do a little old searchy search. There are plenty of threads with people debating the merits of one brand or another, THIS one is probably the best.

The OP mentioned one of the downsides of his first radar detector was lots of lights and noises. A V1 may not be the best RD for him; it is well known to be sensitive but gives many false alerts. There may be better options for his needs. The Escort 9500ix is particularly quiet and comparably sensitive.

BeamerDreamer: your research should consider V1, Escort, and BelTronics. Skip Cobra and Whistler. Lots of opinionated folks on this topic, not all are objective or looking out for your best interests. Consider your driving style and radar detection needs. No one detector is best.

pghollysprings · 08-20-2008, 09:49 PM

I've used a V1 for years. I find the directional arrows valuable.
I can tell if moving radar is approaching from rear vs. front vs. parked on side of road etc....I have the detector just clipped on passenger visor with wire concealed under headliner seal with pillar frame and routed behind glove box up to center console. I use the 'remote' module that blanks out the main unit display and plug in cig lighter when I want to use it. (the remote display is attached to the cig lighter plug. It has saved me from countless tickets.

08-09-2008, 09:36 PM	#1
BeamerDreamer Village Idiot 14 Rep 120 Posts Drives: 435i Join Date: May 2008 Location: San Francisco Bay Area iTrader: (0)	Valentine One I hear that a lot of people really like the Valentine One. I have had some other model radar detectors in the past and found that all they were really useful for was making lots of noise and flashing lights. I either ended up returning them or they end up sitting in a box in my garage. So is the Valentine One worth the cost? Does anyone have experience with it? Has it ever saved you from a ticket? :iono:
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

08-09-2008, 09:41 PM	#2
PA135i Brigadier General 968 Rep 3,323 Posts Drives: 08 135i 08 CR-V Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Pennsylvania iTrader: (0)	I felt the same as you. Bought a $300 passport in 1985, I think. Used it some but, then sat in the box. Recently purchased the V1 with case and you can tell it is built well and is a quality piece. I deceided to buy it because of the power the 135i has and thought I might need it to keep me aware of my surroundings.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-10-2008, 01:13 AM	#3
hbiscuit First Lieutenant 11 Rep 319 Posts Drives: 2008 M3 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Baltimore, MD iTrader: (0)	completely... i've had one for the past 7 years
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-10-2008, 01:36 AM	#4
135iPSU Enthusiast 11 Rep 272 Posts Drives: Join Date: Jun 2008 iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 135i [0.00]	does it look trashy in the car with all the wires everywhere, i want my car to be very clean, organized, and nothing that looks tacky or out of place?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-10-2008, 07:46 AM	#5
JD135i Enlisted Member 1 Rep 33 Posts Drives: 2008 135i Join Date: May 2008 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (0)	+1 for the V1 I recommend the V1. I've had one for about 3 years and it is a high-quality piece. It has saved me from a few tickets. Escort has a detector out that uses GPS. I can't remember the name. It sounds like a good detector as well, because it can remember(and not sound the alarm for) certain false alarms based on your location. There are topics debating the merits of both that and the V1 detectors. I have only tried the V1 but an very happy with it. Whichever detector you get, have it installed professionally. Or if you're going to do it yourself, check out some of the threads on this board showing you how to install it without wires hanging all over. Here's an example: http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8849 Go for it, you won't be disappointed.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-11-2008, 06:19 PM	#6
PA135i Brigadier General 968 Rep 3,323 Posts Drives: 08 135i 08 CR-V Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Pennsylvania iTrader: (0)	Where would I take my car to get a V1 installed professionally? A car stereo installer. Would not mind to have someone install mine, but would want to take it to the right place.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-12-2008, 12:40 AM	#9
C_Topher Señor Member 16 Rep 452 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Georgia iTrader: (0)	Do a little old searchy search. There are plenty of threads with people debating the merits of one brand or another, THIS one is probably the best. The OP mentioned one of the downsides of his first radar detector was lots of lights and noises. A V1 may not be the best RD for him; it is well known to be sensitive but gives many false alerts. There may be better options for his needs. The Escort 9500ix is particularly quiet and comparably sensitive. BeamerDreamer: your research should consider V1, Escort, and BelTronics. Skip Cobra and Whistler. Lots of opinionated folks on this topic, not all are objective or looking out for your best interests. Consider your driving style and radar detection needs. No one detector is best. __________________ Monaco Blue/Savannah Beige 135i
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-20-2008, 09:49 PM	#10
pghollysprings Enlisted Member 1 Rep 48 Posts Drives: 135 SGM, 6sp, perfor pkg, Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Holly Springs, NC iTrader: (0)	I've used a V1 for years. I find the directional arrows valuable. I can tell if moving radar is approaching from rear vs. front vs. parked on side of road etc....I have the detector just clipped on passenger visor with wire concealed under headliner seal with pillar frame and routed behind glove box up to center console. I use the 'remote' module that blanks out the main unit display and plug in cig lighter when I want to use it. (the remote display is attached to the cig lighter plug. It has saved me from countless tickets.
	Appreciate 0 Quote