Here are the latest reader Qs – and my replies!
Kris asks:
So, your support for the Valentine 1 radar detector has convinced me to get one.
I assume going directly to their website should get me the one with the most up to date firmware?
I notice an array of other products/add ons that they sell. Is there anything else you would add to the set up?
The concealed display looks useful, but, it seems I’d still have to have the main unit mounted up in the windshield, which other than dimming out the lights on the main unit, the box itself is still in plain sight.
As an aside, I have a Passport SR7 that I bought a number of years ago. I liked it for the fact you could install the hardware more discretely in the car (i.e., laser detectors/jammers in the grille and rear license, radar detector just behind the fascia, and display kind of nicely fit in ashtray area, or rather where it would be if I had the smokers package, easily concealed by closing the little door). At any rate, this unit started going bad a year ago, and now just goes into a “Self Cal” loop, where it displays said message and keeps rebooting, thus not all that useful anymore. Support is not so great as it seems to get it fixed is going to cost just about the same amount as to buy a new unit… sigh…
My reply:
I’ve been a V1 user for many years, which is part of the reason for my recommending this one over the others. It is the most sensitive unit on the market – and the most discriminating, especially the latest units – which have filtering software to weed out the false alarms generated by in-car “safety” systems.
But the really great news is that Valentine updates older models, so you do not have to buy a new one to get this (or other features).
The construction of the case, incidentally, is superior. These are tough boxes that can put up with a lot of jostling around (I move mine from car to car – and bike – every week). My current unit is six years old and has never given me any trouble.
On mounting: If you live in the one state (my state, Virginia) where detectors are illegal, you can try doing what I do and use electric tape on the bottom of the unit, folded on itself, in a loop (use several piece) and set the unit on the dash. The unit is effectively invisible to cops this way. From more than 20 yards out, it is almost impossible to see – and you can quickly snatch it off the dash and stash it in the center console. I have been doing it this way for years without problems.
Or, you could mount the unit behind the grille or in similar and wire up the concealed display and mount that somewhere discreet.Truckers (in VA) do this frequently.
I know Mike Valentine personally, so if you need any help let me know and I will forward him your questions/issues.
You are going to love your V1!
PS: Click on the V1 ad on the right side of the main page (shameless plug). This will take you to the V1 site and also let Mike know you got there from here!
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