Functional, Not Fluffy

First - This is a radar/laser detector. It's designed to pick up radar/laser signals, which it does very well. It doesn't have a lot of "fluffy" features like compass, voice, Safety Warning System, etc. It just uses all it's circuitry to detect radar/laser and warn the driver. It's designed to be a functional device. I don't drive at warp nine, but occasionally a bit faster than the limit (10-20 mph on the interstate if traffic is not too heavy). The V1 is expensive, but so is the insurance after the initial ticket, even for 15 mph over the limit.

When I first started considering a new radar detector, I looked at different corded and cordless detectors, but decided on a corded detector due to the lower duty cycle of the cordless detectors (not as much detection time with the circuits switching on and off). Since Valentine posts all their patents on their web site I read all the patents to see what they had developed. My background involves being an F-16 fighter pilot and USAF Electronic Warfare Officer, so I was very interested in the design and operation. The patents simply made sense, and when I called/emailed Valentine with other questions they were very courteous and helpful. They answered all my questions without throwing a sales pitch. A company that treats prospective customers like this definitely deserved a closer look.

I also read the two "expert" review sites at radartest.com and radarbusters.com. When a site shows radar detectors being tested against hand-held radars, I'm immediately suspect of their findings, since the tests are not standardized or repeatable (radar guns not aimed in the same place twice in a row). And if an "expert" continues to put down a particular detector instead of evaluating it (showing a clear bias against a certain detector) I'm also suspect of those reviews. This also goes for reading a review from an "expert" that also sells radar detectors. One reviewer even deleted a November 2006 review comparing three radar detectors from their website and replaced it with a December 2006 review comparing only two.

I would definitely be suspect of a test that used different radar detectors all running in close proximity to each other on the same windshield. They are electronic devices and not designed to be used that way (ever get a false signal from a detector in another car or buzzing on your cordless phone in the house when near other electronics?). I would also be suspect of a test that announced a large percentage difference or increase/decrease, but no real numbers (After all - a 100% increase added to one foot is only two feet!). You can read the reviews for yourself and decide, just read closely as it's your hard-earned dollars.

So how does it perform? Simply - great. It's a very quiet detector with few (if any) false alerts, but I've found that when it talks, it's best to listen. It does give lots of alerts in town, but that's what it's designed to do, pick up radar (even if the radar is a door opener it's still a radar, and there are a lot of K-Band door openers now). Besides, who's really going to be speeding with stop lights every few hundred feet?

The warnings for different radars are very easy to distinguish. X-Band is a "beep", K-Band is a "brap", and KA-Band is a quick, urgent, machine-gun like "bra-brap". As you get closer to the radar the alarm rate gets quicker, so there's no real reason to look at the range lights, you can tell by listening. For that matter there's no need to look at the lights to determine the radar band. You'll have the alarms down pat after hearing each one for the first time. Should be keeping eyes on the road anyway, vs staring at a radar detector (would you really want to try to read a small display like some other detectors have while driving, anyway?).

I know a lot of folks don't seem worried about X-Band anymore, but what do you do if you get an X-Band ticket in a small town in the middle of a long trip (all driving and straight roads are not necessarily on the interstate)? Is it really worth going all the way back to fight a ticket and argue about an X-Band radar gun's calibration in a small town? I think I'll keep my X-Band enabled, thank you.

Laser is a hi-lo alternating tone, but by the time you get a laser alarm it's probably too late, since most police wait until you're close enough for a quick confirmed reading. You might get a reflected/scattered signal off a car in front, but don't bet on it. I actually prefer a tone vs voice warning; most aircraft audible warnings are designed this way for quicker mental reaction time than to a voice message that takes the time to be heard and interpreted.

The detector also includes a "junk" alert that can discriminate real radar from other detectors' electronic emissions. You get a distinctive three-tone alarm and a "J" on the display.

The directional arrows work great, you'll be used to them in the time it takes to read this sentence. It's really nice to know where the signal is coming from. One "expert" complains that they don't function correctly if the detector is moved from the recommended position, but why would I buy a detector and not use it as the manufacturer recommends if I expect it to work properly? The Bogey Counter displays the number of radar signals received with numbers approximately an inch high and almost as wide. An "expert" reviewer complains that the display takes up a lot of room on the front of the detector, but have you seen the tiny displays on some other detectors? I personally like a big, clear display, less time for the eyes to be off the road. One "expert" complains about the display being too bright, but fails to mention that the V1 has an automatic auto-dimming feature that requires no user input. I found that it simply works and works well after much night driving.

The controls are really easy to work (very functional). While in the USAF I was a Flight Safety Officer and Crash Investigator, so I was really impressed with the Human Factors engineering that went into the V1. The unit is very easy to operate while driving (if needed, but usually not needed) with a minimum of controls to operate for the desired function. This allows more time to pay attention to driving and less time needed to operate the V1. You can just plug it in, mount it, turn it on, and receive optimum performance. Some of us actually prefer this functionality over all the "fluffy" features some radar detectors have, plus their circuits are taken away from the main purpose (detecting radar/laser) to do all this other stuff.

The main knob turns the detector on and adjusts the volume. I really like the fact that you simply turn the knob to adjust the volume vs holding a button or using multiple buttons to accomplish a function. Guess that comes from flying the F-16, we needed equipment that worked (and performed well) with minimum input; the V1 definitely fits this requirement. You simply push the main knob in to change modes or mute an alarm. It doesn't have auto-mute as delivered, but I didn't need or want that. I can simply set the volume where I want it. The small lever around the outside of the main knob sets the muted volume. You can set up auto-mute by reprogramming the detector, but I'd rather know if the signal is still there. If it was auto-muted, I'd have to look at the detector vs the road to confirm this, and who would be crazy enough to try that? And if I'm driving fast on a winding mountain road at night, I won't be looking at the detector anyway, I'll be looking at the road. I simply set the detector up the way I want it before I get on the road. The V1 makes any changes simple if needed, anyway. And if I do need to mute it, the button is big enough to push without even looking at the V1. I guess after flying the F-16 I like things as functional and hands-off as possible, that's why I didn't want a "fluffy" detector in the first place!

The detector has an "All-Bogeys" mode that detects all radars ("A" on the display) and logic/advanced logic modes. The logic modes simply affect X-band (see the Valentine website for more details). I simply keep my detector in "All-Bogeys" mode to see everything out there (remember my earlier comment about X-Band in small towns?). The Valentine web site does give details on how to reprogram your V1 if you want, but once you look at the options it's already set up for optimum performance, anyway. One "expert" complains about the reprogramming instructions being on the website vs in the manual, but I like this option because new software updates can be instantly updated on the programming web page. Really, you can get on the internet for free at almost any library!

On the highway, the distance is amazing, especially compared to my previous Bel and Uniden detectors. The V1 is very quiet, and I initially thought it wasn't working, until driving through South Carolina on I-26. The road follows rolling hills, and I started getting a KA-Band alert, so slowed down. After a bit I didn't see a trooper and thought the unit might be malfunctioning, so started to speed up. Good thing I didn't get too fast, because I saw a trooper coming down the next hill.

The next time was in North Carolina. Again, started getting a KA-Band alert and slowed down. This time I stayed slow a bit longer and eventually saw the trooper up ahead. Again, plenty of warning.

While in KY for Christmas I was driving near Cumberland, KY on US 119. Started getting a KA-Band alert, slowed down, and after about 30 seconds saw a trooper coming around a curve up ahead. Again, plenty of warning.

Had quite a few similar experiences on the trip home for Christmas, so was convinced of the V1's performance and value while driving.

I also received the "J" or "Junk" alert a few times when passing cars with electronically leaky detectors. After an initial quick KA-Band alert, the display quickly switched to "J" and I got the distinctive three-tone "Junk" alert.

Some "experts" complain about the size of the V1, so I was really pleasantly surprised at how small it really is once I took it out of the box (it came VERY well packaged and double-boxed, via FEDEX, by the way). I got a straight and coiled cord, two brackets with spare suction cups, a manual, and all was well packed in foam with cutouts for the items. One "expert" complained about the cord, but mine worked fine. The coiled cord even has strain relief devices on each end. The straight cord is very simple to use if needed, just place the included twist tie neatly around the excess. No big deal. And I really like the great windshield mount, best I've ever seen.

I especially liked the upgrade feature. Just go to the Valentine website, enter your serial number, and it'll tell you if there's an upgrade available. Looks like I'll never need to buy another detector, just get the upgrades when available. One "expert" does complain about the V1 being in the same packaging it was originally in with only a few new electronics assemblies and some reprogramming. Sounds like it's an upgrade to me. Maybe he's worried more about cosmetics than function, I prefer function. An "expert" also complained about the V1 having no external speaker jack, but he also complained if extra wires needed to be strung around the driver's area (which way does he want it?). It's definitely plenty loud if turned up all the way.

As far as size on the windshield, I personally don't stare over and up at my rearview mirror while driving (I mount the V1 on the windshield just below the mirror so the rear antenna has a clear view behind, just as recommended), so the V1 doesn't impede my vision at all. And the magnesium case makes it much less susceptible to interference or detection by the police (I do use it while driving through Virginia, no problems yet).

Overall I really like the V1 for it's outstanding radar detection performance and alarm indications, no false alarms (very quiet in all cases until it detected an actual radar), large display, easy to interpret alarms, easy to change modes (if needed, but I prefer to leave it in the "All-Bogeys" mode for the X-Band reasons I mentioned earlier), ability to have lots of volume if needed, small size, black crackle finish (less sunlight reflected around the windshield than a silver detector), overall great human factors ergonomics, and ease of use to get the desired performance.

You can read the other reviews (on eopinions.com and the "expert" reviews on the other web sites) and judge for yourself. Valentine does offer a 30-day money back guarantee, so you can test it for yourself. I'll be keeping mine. If you like a functional, reliable, high-performance device that requires no fiddling, then you'll like the V1.

I should mention that I have no financial connection with Valentine, I'm just a very satisfied customer. I had to drive with the V1 myself to really appreciate it.