I don't know all of the details, but it's obvious that all of the design and engineering talent left the old Cincinnati Microwave when Mike Valentine left. CM went on to morph into Escort (using the name of M. Valentines past engineering masterpiece) and Mike must have waited out a no compete contract with the accelerometer Valentine research made for awhile. I sure am glad he's designing radar detectors again! the V1 Is the best.
My Escort Solo S2 went back... Now I have the Valentine V1 :)
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Ron,
Sorry to hear that the Escort Solo 2 didn't work out for you but it sounds like you made a wise decision on exchanging it for the Valentine One(which is one of if not the best one out there in todays marketplace).Another benefit is that you can upgrade the chip or internals on the Valentine One as it becomes available. I think they might offer a remote option for it too but at a higher price.Good luck and enjoy.
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Sorry to hear that the Escort Solo 2 didn't work out for you but it sounds like you made a wise decision on exchanging it for the Valentine One(which is one of if not the best one out there in todays marketplace).Another benefit is that you can upgrade the chip or internals on the Valentine One as it becomes available. I think they might offer a remote option for it too but at a higher price.Good luck and enjoy.
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I've been using it all day and am lovin' it!
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519 Posts
How much did it run? I have a Whistler, and it is ok, I guess. Cops don't even bother to turn on their lights when you blow past them and the radar reads 155.
Andrew
Andrew
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They are NOT cheap. They probably are the best detector out there, but they are also probably the most expensive... $399.00!
Ouch! But the thing is awesome!
Ouch! But the thing is awesome!
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419 Posts
ive driven with the aid of the V1 a few times; and ive never used the solo, but if i decided to use it more then i use my hand-me-down now, i defintely choose a V1.
sweet choice ron
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sweet choice ron
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A few weeks ago I posted that I bought the new Escort Solo S2 cordless radar detector. I used it day in and day out for about 3 weeks.
I returned it under Escort's 30-Day MBG. It did not live up to my expectations.
I ordered the Valentine One to replace it. I demo'd one about 7 years ago and really liked it but couldn't afford it at the time. I bought into the hype that the new Escorts were as good as the V1 but less expensive. I learned my lesson.
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This thing rocks! And instead of trying to sell you a new version every few years, Valentine will flash the ROM (or add new parts) in yours for a small fee so that you always have the latest and greatest features and they extend the warranty by one year every time you upgrade.
I returned it under Escort's 30-Day MBG. It did not live up to my expectations.
I ordered the Valentine One to replace it. I demo'd one about 7 years ago and really liked it but couldn't afford it at the time. I bought into the hype that the new Escorts were as good as the V1 but less expensive. I learned my lesson.
This thing rocks! And instead of trying to sell you a new version every few years, Valentine will flash the ROM (or add new parts) in yours for a small fee so that you always have the latest and greatest features and they extend the warranty by one year every time you upgrade.
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<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">It had a lot of neat features. But for sheer performance/range, I didn't think it out powered my trusty vintage, original Solo that I've had for almost 10 years.
I never got comfortable with the unit. It seemed to false, which all detectors do, but not in a predictable way.
Due to it's powersaving features it was 1. hard to check that the thing was on half the time and 2. It doesn't "come on" until it's needed so there is not much visual feedback in everyday driving.
Also the volume simply did not get loud enough for my liking. If you have the windows down and the stereo at even a modest level, then forget it.
All of these things add up to a detector that simply doesn't make you feel like it is working "with you" as you drive.
The V1 gives you all kinds of useful, positive feedback.
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<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">In terms of 'square inches' it's really not any larger then an Escort. It's shorter, but wider... more square then rectangular. Also the front panel is angled (toward the driver) and hangs off the left side of the unit, giving an illusion that it is actually wider then it really is.Originally posted by OmniFocus:
My biggest issue with the V1 is the sheer SIZE of the thing... Other than that, it is a fine piece of machinery.![]()
It's case is also Magnesium, which is what I love about my old Solo. No cheap, Best Buy, plastic crap.
I just picked up a V1 two weeks ago also. I had bought a Bel 980 for my GF about 1 1/2 yrs ago and its a great detector. But you can't beat the ability of knowing where the signal is coming from. I have yet to actually come up on a radar trap with it but i know it'll save my ass more than once in the future.
The only gripe i have with the V1 is getting it in and out of its lil windshield holster. I can spend a few minutes sometimes trying to put it away when i get somewhere. And ohhh boy does that bad boy get hot as hell when it sits on the windshield during a trip longer than 10 minutes!
Valentine Rocks!
The only gripe i have with the V1 is getting it in and out of its lil windshield holster. I can spend a few minutes sometimes trying to put it away when i get somewhere. And ohhh boy does that bad boy get hot as hell when it sits on the windshield during a trip longer than 10 minutes!
Valentine Rocks!
I've got a Bell... something or other. Works great for me.
VG2 protection is VERY important for me.
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And this one has the best I think.
Most of the newer styles of radar detectors have VG2 protection, where they try to be "stealthy", by not leaking much of a signal. But in Canada, that's not good enough, because of the consequences. You have to be sure that they won't pick it up, because you can pass within 20 feet of a cruiser which even a Valentine can't protect you.
On mine, it was the slightly older style or detector, where it *senses* VG2, then it screams at you and shuts right down. There's no chance of being caught, because it shuts down the oscilator so there is NO signal coming out.
You don't get radar protection when it does this, but you know there's VG2 in the area so you know to slow down anyway. And it only falsed VG2 a handful of times.
If Valentine still offered that type of system, I'd get it. But "undetectable to 20 feet" or whatever isn't good enough.
VG2 protection is VERY important for me.
Most of the newer styles of radar detectors have VG2 protection, where they try to be "stealthy", by not leaking much of a signal. But in Canada, that's not good enough, because of the consequences. You have to be sure that they won't pick it up, because you can pass within 20 feet of a cruiser which even a Valentine can't protect you.
On mine, it was the slightly older style or detector, where it *senses* VG2, then it screams at you and shuts right down. There's no chance of being caught, because it shuts down the oscilator so there is NO signal coming out.
You don't get radar protection when it does this, but you know there's VG2 in the area so you know to slow down anyway. And it only falsed VG2 a handful of times.
If Valentine still offered that type of system, I'd get it. But "undetectable to 20 feet" or whatever isn't good enough.
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I concur, V1 is good!
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I feel naked every time I drive without mine. Out here in the desert, on some of the long stretches I can pick up Ka band from five miles away, with both cars heading towards each other. No falses and ability to tell where the signal is coming from is also great. My first crappy radar detector squawked and beeped and lit up all the time. I ended up learning to ignore it most of the time, but not the V1.
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