Valentine Question

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I have a line on a used V1. I have researched and found out they have been around for quite a while. The old ones can be updated but at a hefty price which makes it more feasible to buy a new one. My question is. Even if not updated do they still work pretty well? Worth having? The price is $100.

I don't have serial number and haven't seen it.
 

drrod

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I have a valentine and it works well (for what it does). $100 would be a good price. But......I rarely use mine anymore. The advent of new radar guns (if used properly) will still get you. That, combined with all the other things that operate on the same frequency as traffic radar, means lots of false alarms, making it essentially useless in urban settings. Also, the V1 needs an audio module if you are going to hook up the alarm to your helmet.

Also, the defacto speed limits, on open roads, have crept up to the point (in most cases) where you can comfortably ride 75-85mph with little risk. However, with cities/towns using traffic fines as a revenue source, strict adherence to their speed limits is a good idea.

If I was going to buy another detector, I would get a new Escort Max or 9500. At least it will "learn" where the false alarms are and not respond. Still does not protect you from a properly operated newer radar gun or from laser (yes it does detect laser but again, properly operated laser cannot be detected in time).

One other thing....you reduce your chances of getting just a warning, instead of a citation, if you have a radar detector IMO.

I am sure you will varying opinions on the V1 and detector use in general, but the above has been my experience over the 30 yrs of owning/using various detectors (20 yrs of V1).

Rod
 

Joseph/TX

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I looked into getting my 10 yr old Valentine "upgraded". Costs around $270. Basically, they just ship you a new one and use your old one for a trade in. Anyway, I went ahead and got another one instead and kept the old one. Biggest problem with the old one is the false alarms that you get from all the new stuff they're putting on the cars these days. Infinitis, for example, always set off my laser detector, so if the cops ever start driving Infinitis they'll never catch me. The new Valentine is definitely better in this regard, although still not perfect. I would never consider a detector without the directional arrows, Escort has finally figured this out, I think. My Valentine has paid for itself many times over. Hereabouts, it only takes two "saves" to accomplish that. No detector is much good against a "properly" operated instant on radar or a laser because they wait 'til you're in range before hitting the "on" button and by then it's too late. Fortunately, most cops in TX are too lazy to be constantly turning their unit on and off (with the exception of the Highway Patrol, where this practice is pretty much S.O.P.) and laser requires them to be outside of the car or at least be shooting through an open window, so they're not real big on that either, except when the city is having a fund drive. I'd still rather be with it than without it.
 
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ST Gui

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I've been stopped for speed twice in over 45 years: once for going too fast and the second time for going to slow. A cite on the first and a verbal on the second. I did own an Escort years later and used it for a year maybe. I did it because the idea of ECM was fun and didn't want speed to creep up on me. (That's still a slight problem with my ST.)

The only purpose a good detector might have for me is to occasionally remind me to slow down. My Navigon app actually does that even better than a detector could but I miss out on blinking lights and SAM warnings. I'll spend the money on gas.


One other thing....you reduce your chances of getting just a warning, instead of a citation, if you have a radar detector IMO.
I'd bet that's true more often than not. Most law enforcement would not see the detector as an aid to prevent speeding but a method to avoid getting caught will doing it.

One of the ways to properly use radar is to estimate the speed of the approaching vehicle and then use radar to verify it. In this county court system demonstrating the ability to visually and correctly identify the speed of 99 out of 100 vehicles gets one qualified in court as an expert witness on speeding. So the estimation verified by radar is tougher to be than just radar. And then there's the whole "when did you last calibrate... how do you calibrate... what training..." blah blah. I'd just as soon avoid all that while saving the ching.
 
OP
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Skunkape
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Thanks for the replies. I agree about increasing the likelihood of a ticket. I intend to completely hide it if I get one. Anyway the guy who has this one has stopped communicating with me. Craigslist! I have been reading and learned a lot. Back to the planning phase. Anyone looking at a used Valentine you can run the serial number and check the version.

Also learned that if you want to run the remote on the Valentine you have to have the later one that says ESP on the front.
 
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Diggers1300

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...Also learned that if you want to run the remote on the Valentine you have to have the later one that says ESP on the front.
Depends on what remote you are talking about. The audio module as mention above does not require ESP.

I have two V1s. Wife got ahold of mine and I couldn't get it back. That's why we now have two.
Love the arrows and the bogey counter. Learned the ins and outs of how/when/where it works and have NEVER received a speeding ticket since purchasing my first V1 in 1998.
As far as the competition, I don't want to subscribe to a database of known falses for $20 a year. Also, not comfortable with GPS enabled units as I want to know about all threats and decide for myself what is or isn't a concern.
I have seen LEOs sit in the middle of known false spots (sneaky devils) and nail un-expecting drivers left and right, even with radar detectors.

As for the upgradeability, if you keep it upgraded regularly, the fee is only $35 to $75. It is true that the longer you wait the more it will cost, depending on what new features have been added. It reaches a point to where the price is hefty (not as much as a new one, though) and it literally is just a trade in for a new unit. Heck, I sent mine in once for a small ($35) upgrade and they sent the unit back, upgraded and with my check in the box.

Be careful of buying used. If the serial number is missing or unreadable, they will not upgrade the unit.
 
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