Valentine One or K40 Radar?

I want to purchase one of these, but not sure which one. Both have great reviews. I am just going for the portable look as I will take it from car to car. What does everyone think? Thanks.

The V1 is hard to beat. I would say that it is the premier unit on the market today.

Take time and evaluate BOTH choices: K-40 and V-1. I've got both. In my 996 Cab, I did the K-40 complete remote invisible system. The only thing in my car is the switch, hidden from view below the dash, and two LEDs below the instrument cluster. I also have the laser defuser in the front grille (no license plate) and 360 degree protection. All modules are hidden from view. I love it. Yes, it falses a bit much, but gives me enough warning and just enough info to be protected. In my S500 Benz, I did the V-1. The downside is you must look at the info panel all the time to figure out what the hell is on there. It's too much data. The upside is it is one of the best in the industry. Also, possible negative, you have a black box on the glass. It's really personal choice. Get one or the other, and get yourself protected. K-40 pays tickets in the first year, but it does cost more money (above $1000). The V-1 is $399. <a href="http://www.valentine1.com" target="_blank">http://www.valentine1.com</a> <a href="http://www.k40.com/RdrLsrIndex.html" target="_blank">http://www.k40.com/RdrLsrIndex.html</a>

In my opinion the V1 is the best choice. I don't think you can beat the situational awareness afforded by the direction indicator and bogey counter. The other day when driving to the airport my V1 indicated 2 bogeys in a location where it had always shown 1. (Electronic speed, �slow down devise�) Most people speed by there because that devise is always on and they are used to their detector beeping. My V1 indicated 2 bogeys so I slowed down. As I passed, there was a motorcycle cop shooting Ka. Again the name of the game is situational awareness. I can�t imagine flying my F-14 and having my rhaw gear just beep at me without any indications on threat direction and number. Walt

V1 all the way.

To be honest... the V1 does a great job at picking up signals WAY in advance. The directionaly indicators are a nice touch as well. But when I say everything I mean it picks up everything. Better safe than sorry, but I get false alarms all the time. A $100 whistler unit seems to pick up less bogies IMO. A few people I know have the V1 as well and also complain about it. Maybe it is time for V1 to upgrade their unit.

V1 has paid for itself many times for me. Tried others but they only tell you that there is radar signal. The direction arrows on the V1, once you learn it, tell you if its a false reading. If the side arrows go off, then I know its false.They can't gauge your speed from the side. Now only if there was a way to detect laser befor you get the ticket....

I just got a V1 and in side by side comparisons with the Escort 7500, the V1 seems to display an extraordinary number of X band "hits" from the rear. These are not backed up by the Escort, nor will the V1 pick up anything if I turn the unit around. Is this typical???

Tom, Sure they can gauge your speed from the side. Just not with radar/Laser. Try going 70MPH in a 45MPH zone and see if you don't get a ticket for observed speeding and an "estimated" speed. Everyone, The V1 is a tool. It does not identify police; it identifies radar/laser, transmitted on certain frequencies. It would be great if the police used a special frequency not shared by other devices, but that is not the case. That being said, the V1 gives you as much information possible to let YOU make the decision if it is a "bogey", (Unidentified), or "Bandit", (bad guy). Yes the V1 does alert more often in town but that is not a false. It just simply can't make a determination what exactly the transmitter is in, a police car or k-mart. Again, you make that call. The device is only as good as the operator. That means YOU have to study, know the sounds and be savvy about radar, laser it's capabilities, and limitations. (Where you drive in relation to those around you is a strategic advantage or disadvantage too.) You should know that X-band is not used as widely as K and Ka. You should know that if it is raining, laser is not much of a threat. ETC. The idea is to take all the information the V1 is able to present, type, direction, and strength along with your previous knowledge of alerts in the same area, as well as knowledge of the radar/laser capabilities and decide if the threat is credible or not. Sure, many detectors claim to be better or more sensitive by they only give your a piece of the puzzle. The V1 is the ONLY detector that gives you the whole puzzle but you always must put the pieces together. Realize also that those teenagers out there can purchase a cheap hand held X-Band transmitter to F--- with you. That is where the direction arrows come in very handy. Especially if you are in the middle of nowhere, passing a bunch of kids and get a full blown side to rear arrow alert.) You have just identified the alert as a non-threat and can continue on. With the Escort, no such luck, you have to honor the alert and drive slower for a while. Take it from someone very experienced in radar and radar receivers. If you want the best, full coverage detector, the V1 is the only choice. Period. Walt (Former F-14A pilot) 99 Cab (V1 protected) 96 BMW R-1100RS (V1 Protected)

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">Originally posted by BooBoo996: [QB] ...Everyone, The V1 is a tool. It does not identify police; it identifies radar/laser, transmitted on certain frequencies.... ...Yes the V1 does alert more often in town but that is not a false. It just simply can't make a determination what exactly the transmitter is in, a police car or k-mart. Again, you make that call... The device is only as good as the operator... ...Sure, many detectors claim to be better or more sensitive by they only give your a piece of the puzzle. The V1 is the ONLY detector that gives you the whole puzzle but you always must put the pieces together... </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">Sensitivity is a factor, but not the only one. A radar detector does a tremendous amount of signal processing to determine if the transmission on a particular frequency matches the characteristic of a radar signal. Both sensitivity and selectivity are important, as an operator can not determine the pattern transmitted on a frequency, and relies on the detector to do just that. I think valentine could do much better by updating their signal processing. Having said that, the directional information seems invaluable. Maybe using two better detectors (escort, bel), mounted both front and rear, showing the operator the strength of each warning would be the best solution? Havent tried it yet... just my 2c...

BooBoo996 I think you misunderstand me. I know its a tool only. I've actually posted that here previously. It is also the best tool for the job. I only flew T2B's so I don't go 70 in a 45 but do go 75 in a 55 on a highway designed for old Fords to drive safely at 80. I think you also mixed me up with someone else, I never complained about false trigers in town. Better false trigger than none. I also know its false because I'm very familiar with the devices, I have 2 units, the first was bought the year Mr. Valentine left escort and started making his own. Anyway, Here in NY you can't go over 20 Mph, so you dont need radar in town anyway. It is IMHO the only useable unit out there.

What happen in the USA , if the cops catch you with this kind of radar detector? Here's completely forbiden to use those items. The cops here can take you off the radar detector, then you get a $$ fine...unfortunately..

They are legal except in a couple of states. The police use it to their advantage. They will sit on the side of the road and turn the transmitter on, everyone slows down, slaming on the brakes. Pretty dangerous , actually.

I say neither - go with the Passport 8500. It is not single-sourced (i.e., I bought mine at Sharper Image, which sells gift certificates, hint, HINT!) like Valentine. My Passport 8500 has saved me a number of times; I don't care if radar is coming from ahead, behind, above or underneath me when I'm on the highway and know of no "fake" signals - I slow down regardless! I enjoy driving too damned much...

I'm with Andrew on this, been using the 8500 (7500 before that) for the last 4 years, saved me many times. No complaints at all, if it goes off I slow down - I could care less where the signal is located. I'm sure the V1 is a great detector but so is the Passport.

Hi Tom, Sorry to have confused you. You seem up to speed on the V1. BTW, I have talked to Mike Valentine many times about the V1 and he is very receptive to suggestions. As for the other posters here, I really don't understand the not caring where the signal originates or the I just always slow down mentality but so be it. Guess it is the fighter pilot in me that really wants to know who,what and where the real threat is. If I slowed down every time my detector beeped that would certainly get old quickly. Glad the V1 allows me to make that distinction. Walt

I'll amend one part of my statement, I usually don't pay too much attention to X bands- in fact that is often disabled when I drive. Other than that I stand by what I said, I resect all alarms and react (slow down). I guess that's the Anesthesiologist in me . Cheers. Now who do you like in the Super Bowl, I'm thinking Oakland and Tampa Bay...

Does everyone use their V1 on the most discreet mode? I hardly get ANY 'false' signals in full logic mode.

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">Originally posted by BooBoo996: <strong>Hi Tom, Sorry to have confused you. You seem up to speed on the V1. BTW, I have talked to Mike Valentine many times about the V1 and he is very receptive to suggestions. As for the other posters here, I really don't understand the not caring where the signal originates or the I just always slow down mentality but so be it. Guess it is the fighter pilot in me that really wants to know who,what and where the real threat is. If I slowed down every time my detector beeped that would certainly get old quickly. Glad the V1 allows me to make that distinction. Walt</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">Originally posted by Tom 919: <strong> </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">Originally posted by BooBoo996: <strong>Hi Tom, Sorry to have confused you. You seem up to speed on the V1. BTW, I have talked to Mike Valentine many times about the V1 and he is very receptive to suggestions. As for the other posters here, I really don't understand the not caring where the signal originates or the I just always slow down mentality but so be it. Guess it is the fighter pilot in me that really wants to know who,what and where the real threat is. If I slowed down every time my detector beeped that would certainly get old quickly. Glad the V1 allows me to make that distinction. Walt</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva"></strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">Damn Internet Virus, I go down and up every few minutes. I'm sending blank messages#@?$# Walt The people who havent had a V1 have no clue to the value of those silly arrows. I think I will no longer answer any more of these posts until someone else comes up with a REAL detector that gives you mor info than a stupid flasing light and beep. No one else's front/Back unit actually works so there is no point in talking about it. I dont beleive any of the Passport crowd actually has use a V1, so how would they know. I used a passport, thats why I have a V1. And this is my final word on the subject ( I probably made everone appy) <img border="0" alt="[bigbye]" title="" src="graemlins/xyxwave.gif" />