Valentine One - buying tips?

[frozenrice]

Browsing around on Ebay and I started thinking about picking up a Valentine One laser/radar detector. What things should I look out for in terms of the units themselves (features/accessories)?

[danlowteg]

Most of them don't pick up shit all in Calgary and a little on the highway. Mike i had one and returned it to pay of my highway tickets.

[RX_EVOLV]

Originally posted by frozenrice
Browsing around on Ebay and I started thinking about picking up a Valentine One laser/radar detector. What things should I look out for in terms of the units themselves (features/accessories)?

if you are really looking for one mine is for sale... let me know if you are interested

[E36M3]

I'd buy it from the manufacturer directly as that is the only way to guarantee support/upgrades.

They are excellent, and work even better than advertised. If you want to remote the display to somewhere more discreet, then I would get the remote display module.

[Canmorite]

Originally posted by danlowteg
Most of them don't pick up shit all in Calgary and a little on the highway. Mike i had one and returned it to pay of my highway tickets.

Uhh...I've ridden in/driven quite a few cars with V1 setups and they are hands down the best detectors around.

[E36M3]

Most likely he bought the cheapest detector he could (non-Valentine) at Future Shop and didn't understand its limitations (ie. physics) and expected it to be some sort of shield.

The bottom line is that Valentine 1 detectors are excellent, especially when coupled with a prudent driver who understands how it works and its inherent limitations (it is generally useless for laser, works great for radar) and utilizes it accordingly.


Originally posted by Canmorite


Uhh...I've ridden in/driven quite a few cars with V1 setups and they are hands down the best detectors around.

[turbotrip]

Originally posted by E36M3
If you want to remote the display to somewhere more discreet, then I would get the remote display module.

and get it put into the rear view mirror, looks great

[Tuner1]

A V1 off ebay :confused: no thanks....buy it direct.

or

Take a look at the BEL STI Driver. Awesome unit for similar money and local service/support.

Rob

[Destinova403]

i use an Escort Solo S2 and i love it to death... how would that compair? sorry for the tread hijack.

[97'Scort]

I've said it elsewhere and I'll say it again. Alberta Highway Patrol (special constables) are test driving the Euro band, or Ku band, radar on most major highways in the province. The V1 can be reprogrammed to pick up this band, and you can do it yourself. Check out the V1 website for the how-to.

Others, like the Beltronics STI, cannot pick this up. There are two other Beltronics that can pick it up.

[E36M3]

Thanks for the tip! The reprogramming is very easy.. when I brought my detector to Europe, it only took a couple minutes.


Originally posted by 97'Scort
I've said it elsewhere and I'll say it again. Alberta Highway Patrol (special constables) are test driving the Euro band, or Ku band, radar on most major highways in the province. The V1 can be reprogrammed to pick up this band, and you can do it yourself. Check out the V1 website for the how-to.

Others, like the Beltronics STI, cannot pick this up. There are two other Beltronics that can pick it up.

[97'Scort]

Originally posted by E36M3
Thanks for the tip! The reprogramming is very easy.. when I brought my detector to Europe, it only took a couple minutes.



You're welcome :) I didn't believe it myself until I actually saw a Ku band hit on my buddy's detector on the QE 2.

[483hp]

The V1 picks up the radar from the Multanova very well. Picking up laser is less reliable. Not because of the V1, but the police pick their spots to minimize traffic behind picking up stray reflections

[Tuner1]

Originally posted by 483hp
Picking up laser is less reliable.

The Blinder M25 is your friend :D It has saved me as many times as my radar has.

Rob

[Mitsu3000gt]

Give this a read: http://forums.beyond.ca/st/128206/lots-of-people-seem-to-be-shopping-for-radar-detectors-please-read-this/

In Calgary, radar detectors are next to useless. If all you constantly drive between Edmonton and Calgary, they may be beneficial. No radar detector can warn you of laser, they can only tell you when you have been already hit, and even then only if the cop hits your radar detector directly with the laser.

They do, however, do a fantastic job of warning you of every automatic door as you drive down McLeod.

I would suggest buying a laser jammer, or not buying anything at all. Also a good installation is VERY important with laser jammers for them to work proplerly.

[icecreamvan]

What's the installed price of a typical laser jammer, and are they legal in Alberta?

[msommers]

Originally posted by icecreamvan
What's the installed price of a typical laser jammer, and are they legal in Alberta?

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: Most ironic statement in this thread!

[97'Scort]

Originally posted by icecreamvan
What's the installed price of a typical laser jammer, and are they legal in Alberta?

In Alberta, yes. East of here, no. If it's installed properly you shouldn't be able to see the pods anyways. However, if it is visible, it can cause a cop who would normally only give a warning to issue you a ticket, just because you're trying to buck the system.