I just received my first Valentine one a few days ago, and already find the arrows and bogey counter very useful - I am going the switch off the X band (like I have on my Passport 8500) though - even in the "L" mode its too chatty on X

I also read with some surprise the "Motor Trend" radar detector test placing the 8500 above the V1. At first I though this was due to price since a portion (20%) of the scoring is subjective/cost based BUT, I looked at the POP (instant on 0.67 seconds radar) and was shocked to see such a poor showing for the V1 vs. the 8500 - just when I was falling in love with the V1 too! Both 8500 & V1 were rated superior in KA/K bands, so I don't see how two detectors with virtually the same KA/K band sensitivity could have such a different POP (Instant On Radar) score UNLESS it simply takes longer for the V1 circuitry to respond, but has same ultimate sensitivity when it does.

Coming from a manufacturing background myself, the V1 is clearly the product of "labor of love" as opposed to just another product (8500), so I am willing to bet that there is a good explanation for the POP issue - I hope to hear from you on this one Mike, thanks.

Bond

 

put them side by side and drive across the country. But afterwards, please remember to dispose of your passport in an environmentally sound manner.

 

Motor Trend is not a valid source for reliable unbiased information, IMO...So whatever they say really does'nt concern me too much. If the cop is using instant on and there are cars ahead of you before the cop, you will be warned. If the cop uses instant on with no cars between you and the cop, NO radar detector will warn you in time...Busted!!!

 

here is a link to the whole ugly review..........

http://www.motortrend.com

Bond

 

anyone use the Passport 8500 w/ the $500 Lidar shifter? If not what are you guys doing about lidar? Is that what this "instant on" you're talking about is? As i understand once it hits you you're done, so detecting it is pretty pointless.

 

I have the escort"shifter" alone. It seems to detect OK, I received an alarm before I was hit directly, but was not speeding so don't know if it effectively "shifted"

 

At first glance, you are right, detecting "Instant On" is pointless, then again, even the V1 manual advises to use it to detect other cars getting hit with the 0.67 second burst, so detecting "Instant On" is even more important since you only have a few "hits" from the other cars ahead to warn. If you are the only car, then no warning(and sensitivity won't help except to advise you to reach for your license sooner so as not to keep the officer waiting.)

Bond

 

Hey guys, check out this link for hard data. I'm leaning toward the Passport SRX again!

http://www.radar-detectors.com/suppo...bs/Default.asp

 

The manufacturer (I think it is MPH) says that the pop mode is for monitoring only and that citations should not be issued as a result of measurements made in pop mode. The pop mode is not an instant-on mode but rather a series of very short pulses of Ka band radiation. These are designed to be so short that by the time the detector sweeps the Ka band spectrum that the pulse will be over. In other words the radar pulse slips between sweeps of the detector like a convict that times the sentry's path and slips out during the time the guard is walking elsewhere.
The problem with this (discussed on V-1 site or speed zones site) is that the radar unit itself also has trouble reading these short pulses being reflected back from the target. Thus leading to accuracy problems hence the warning not to use the pop mode for citations.
To defeat the pop mode I think the detector has to sweep faster across the vast Ka range. This would require greater processing power in the detector. I have both the 8500 and the V-1. I think the V-1 is a much better unit despite the results in pop mode.
Mike V can correct me if I said anything wrong

 

yes please buy the srx keep those city coffers full

 

They way everyone (on this board) gets all mushy about the V1 is a little silly IMO. Any and all testing of the current batch of radar detectors concludes with the results that, for all practical purposes, there is no difference between the 2.

The only area where the V1 outperforms the Pasport is on the long range X band. I don't imagine there are too many hill-billy cops down there still using X band is there? That being the case, the only advantage of the V1 is that you will be notified 3.3 miles prior to coming across the next mall! Great! On my passport, in professional mode, I turn the X band detection off. The last thing I want is to be notified of every gas station, store, mall etc. within a 3.3 mile radius of my current position.

Then there is the ugly appearance of the V1. It looks like it was a prototype from the 1965 Gerry Anderson cult classic the "Thunderbirds" - very cool box set you should own. The things the size of a toster oven. If you could heat up a sandwich inside it mabey I would change my opinion.

The only way to go is a built in rig. I chose the Passport SR1. I elected to team it up with a Lidatek LE-20 Lazer Jammer, which turned out to be a faulty model, but will be replaced this spring with either a LE-30 or LE-35. I will be posting a testing of the unit as a buddy of mine is a cop and is interested in seeing how well it works.

Any who, back to the V1 - even if it is better, which I'm not anywhere near convinced it is, it's so ugly I can't understand why anyone would compromise the look of thier car with that "thing" hanging off thier windshield.

Mike

 

Zippy "heat up a sandwich" LOL. I also do not quite understand the religious attachment many people share with the V1. It kind of reminds me about the knife company that only sells direct and people rave about them because they profit from it. It must be good and I think no one questions that, its just that I believe the 8500/SRX is about as good (2 major sources say slightly better radartest.com and the other link I provided) ... and it's hidden! To me, the hidden aspect overweighs the arrows so, unless I am swayed again, Passsport SRX it is. If Mr. V1 would like to step up and comment I would love additional insight.

Also, I am not interested in anyone’s opinion who has not had both units side-by-side. You can have great experiences with either, only side-by-side experience is valuable to me. This is similar to audio/video analysis: if it isn’t A/B testing, it’s real difficult to compare.

 

The valentine has a Ka band "false alarm guard" you can switch off. I wonder if that would improve the reception of Ka "pop" mode radar?

 

Sorry guys, the arrows are invaluable to me. Provides information so I can make an evaluation and a decision. No detector is going to protect you from a direct instant on hit. However, the V1 will tell me if someone is using instant on in front of me (that is if there is any other traffic on the road). It will tell me if a CHP is behind me using is radar. Then if the hits are from the side, I know I can ignore them. With the Passport I don't know a thing. Sorry, I have had them both and wouldn't trade my V1 .... period. Anyone who knows how to interpet signals wouldn't trade either. Granted, both are good detectors, however if you know how to read them, the V1 is the way to go. Neither are perfect, however in skilled hands, the V1 is a better tool. As for looks, this is a non issue for me.

 

CJV. My understanding is that on the SRX you can actually display the frequency and identify it as a door opener or whatever, and ignore the alarm if appropriate. Isn't this the same thing, if not better than arrows?