Valentine One and I have to eat crow.

789 Views 6 Replies 5 Participants Last post by jdlsc, Apr 5, 2002

blackdawg

Discussion Starter · Apr 5, 2002

i was wrong about the V1. i just to hate people who pushed this detector because for the past few years, they've based their data on a 1997 comparison test by Car and Driver.

But since then, C&D did a nice test in 2001 and my real world experience bears this out.

It's by far the most sensitive detector and our other 2 detectors are nothing to dismiss (BEL 980s).

I know BEL has a 985 coming out with the same features as the Passport 8500 (makes sense since it's same holding company) which can tell you band of the radar and be a de facto voltmeter.

PROS: V1 is the most sensitive and the arrows are accurate about 60% of the time.

CONS: ergonomics suck out loud and the false alarms are ubiquitous.

Just thought i would share.

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JPinTO

· #2 · Apr 5, 2002

Pro: V1 is sensitive--- Con: it's falses alot.

Is the sensitivity of the V1 really a PRO if it gives false alarms.? I find the 980 to be fine from a sensitivity standpoint because it doesn't false that much, and when it does it is usually radar. Selectivity is better than sensitivity.

Pro: V1 has directional indicators--- Con: it's accurate 60% of the time.

Wow--- reading that, I'm not sure if the direction indicators are that useful if they are only accurate such a low% of the time.

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alee

· #3 · Apr 5, 2002

JPinTO said:
Is the sensitivity of the V1 really a PRO if it gives false alarms.? I find the 980 to be fine from a sensitivity standpoint because it doesn't false that much, and when it does it is usually radar. Selectivity is better than sensitivity.

I really don't have a problem with falsing with my V1. I think the V1's filtering modes are also significantly better than a lot of competitors.

Wow--- reading that, I'm not sure if the direction indicators are that useful if they are only accurate such a low% of the time.

Mine is accurate 90% of the time, with the only time the arrows having trouble being in a high X band zone where they are kind of useless unless you go to the max filtering.

I still say with arrows, you are far better off. The old "you're going to slow down anyway" excuse just doesn't hold up in my opinion. The arrows give you important information -- where to look. Even if you don't see the radar trap, you also know if you've passed it.

If the arrows are only good 60% of the time, there's a problem with the unit.

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blackdawg

Discussion Starter · #4 · Apr 5, 2002

alee and JP:

clear this up: i leave it on the most sensitive setting because the 2001 C&D article clearly showed that Ka and K suffered on the two logic modes. not good.

i say 60% efficiency because when you're in the city (as i am most of the time) if there are 6 sources of radar emitting phenomena, what use is the arrow system?

on a highway roadtrip, it's fine, but in the city areas where most of hte revenue-seeking town cops are, there is a lot of noise in the system.

the BEL980 still have tremendous sensitivity and i like the readout better, too. my wife hates the V1 so i won't be able to upgrade her detector unless it's the BEL985 or the passport 8500. i might buy a second V1 for my commuter, however.

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alee

· #5 · Apr 5, 2002

Re: alee and JP:

blackdawg said:
i say 60% efficiency because when you're in the city (as i am most of the time) if there are 6 sources of radar emitting phenomena, what use is the arrow system?

Follow the blinking arrow.

I my experiences, I think it gives K and Ka band priority even in a heavy mix of radar. Not 100% sure on this though, but it seems like it.

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CD-55

· #6 · Apr 5, 2002

blackdawg said:
PROS: V1 is the most sensitive and the arrows are accurate about 60% of the time.

Yours is broken. My arrows have always been accurate. The only thing I have noticed is that for a second or two after I pass a radar, it still indicates that it is in front of me.

CD-55

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jdlsc

· #7 · Apr 5, 2002

Re: Re: Valentine One and I have to eat crow.

CD-55 said:
Yours is broken. My arrows have always been accurate. The only thing I have noticed is that for a second or two after I pass a radar, it still indicates that it is in front of me.

CD-55

I agree. My V1 arrows are accurate 90% of the time. The only time they aren't is when a cop is very close (<100ft). One thing I have noticed about the accuracy of the arrows is the position of the detector. I have mine mounted at the top of the windshield to the right of my mirror. As long as I have the V1 horizontal (not tilted forward or back) the arrows seem to be spot on. :thumb:

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