Based on what I've read on these pages and owning a Maxima one can gather points on their license pretty quickly.
To lessen the possibility of this happening, I am considering the purchase of a Valentine One radar detector.
This purchase will include the concealed display adapter. These radar detectors have been rated #1 by Car & Driver along with other auto rags.

If anyone owns one I would appreciate you posting any comments positive or negative. Additionally where is the best place to mount on the windshield (high, low, center, visor etc.)for best performance.

Finally let me know by a show of hands how many would be interested in a group deal. I'll be sending an e-mail to V1 to see if they would be willing to work something out on both the radar detector and concealed display adapter.

Thanks
Roger
99 SE Ltd.

 

I have an upgraded version of one of the original V1's and I realy love it. I have no complaints about it, although someone posted something not too long ago about a quality control problem they had that caused the laser warning to false pretty frequently. They are good devices if you pay attention to them and learn how to recognize a real and fake alert. The other thing to look out for is even though it is supposed to have the best laser warning of all radar detectors, it more than likely won't warn you in time to prevent getting a ticket.

As for mounting, I have one mounted on my visor and it works fine. I think most prefer to have it mounted on the windshield in the middle of the vehicle about an inch or two above the dash. I know mounting it on the visor makes it so the you can't use the visor. I don't mind this, but some people really rely on it. It is really up to the person. I like the fact that mine isn't easy to see from the exterior of the vehicle and therefore I don't have to hide it everytime I get out of the car.

 

and the one time I got a ticket was the one time I didn't take the time to stick it on the windshield.
Well worth every penny. ($399 + $39 for the concealed display)
The best mounting position for any radar detector is high up in the middle of the windshield (where there is no blockage of the antennae by the mirror/visors/etc)
Mike V. will not make any group deals. Been there, done that. You can try, but I doubt that you will even get a reply to a voice/e-mail. BTW, you do stand a good chance of speaking to Mike V. himself if you call. I spoke to him when I ordered mine.
Pretty nice guy.. But he's got you where he wants you. He told me (in a very nice way) "This is the best protection you will ever buy against police radar. For that, I offer no discounts and no group purchases"

 

Worth it if you can truly afford it. Group deals are a no go and you'd be lucky to find one used (like I did). The higher the better so the unit can 'see' over oncoming obstacles including other cars.

Mine does seem to false now giving strong warnings from behind for miles when no police exist so I will be calling for service soon. I recommend it as the best you can get but it is true about laser in that it only tells you when you're caught but the use of laser and it's reliability has come into question in the legal system. That, and the high cost of the laser detection devices lead me to believe that they are not used to a large extent.

Jim

 

I have a V1...bought it last year...mount mine between
the headliner and the rear view mirror. Fits perfect
up there but can't pull down drivers side sun visor
all the way or it will hit the V1


By one and never look back !!!....I love the directions
and info it gives me ..

 

eh Garth what u mean u got an upgraded one?? i want one. well i've mounted mine right below the rear view mirror, where it is said to work the best. i have it mounted pretty high. i pushed the whole mirror up since it has a wierd double ball n socket joint thing. so the top of my broadway mirror is almost behind the bottom of my sunglass hut.

 

Oh I mean I have one of the original ones, like first year they made them and they have since upgraded the technology. . . Instead of buying a new one I just had mine upgraded to the new technology (at a cost of $300). It is basically the same price as buying a new one because I didn't get the upgraded laser from rear capability. . . Mine is only from the front. . . Didn't want to spend the extra $100 on something that isn't even being used in CA.

 

Thanks all for the feedback. JimW was correct, I never received a response back from Valentine One on a group deal. Looks like I'll be calling Mike V. later this week to pay full price for one of his radar detectors.

Rgds,

Roger 99 SE ltd.

 

Send me $400 and slow the hell down!

 

i believe you can go the route of a refurbished one from valentine one ..... mike V is sometimes a *****, but when you know you have the best thing going and everybody agrees on the same thing you have the option of being a ***** ..... but its not the route i would go down....

 

You mean behind the tint band? Bad idea.

/aac

 

I love my V1.

You are right -- by the time your laser warning goes off it is 99.99% likely he already has your speed.

For that reason, and the fact that I was getting so many laser falses from my V1 (due to a few electronic components) I have disabled laser detection on the unit. 95% of cops are out there running K and Ka anyway, so...

Anyway I love it, love my stealth setup, very pleased.

I have always found Mike to be helpful when he helps. However he sometimes ignores e-mails.

/aac

 

I've had one since they first came out. I broke it in on my 280ZX turbo. Sold off the first 2(sorry). I'm on my 3rd generation and I can't say enough great things about it. Don't waste another second. Buy it and don't look back (as Tmeyers said) I couldn't agree more.

I use the stealth kit (the old /original style) and mount the detector smack in the center of the windshield. I dont care who sees it.

As for laser faults...I've never gotten any. I've even gotten real lucky driving in PA and picked up laser scatter while some one else got zapped (he was directly in front of me).

Read V1's page...it tells you everything you need to know.

 

EBay if you're looking 4 1 ... might b cheaper than from Valentine ...

I got the Bel 980 instead .. read the reviews on that sucker ... it matched &/or outperformed the V1 on independant tests ... http://www.speedzones.com http://www.radartestcom http://www.beltronics.com

based on my due diligence I decided 2 go with the Bel .. I'll tell u how it works once I get it from the guy that I bought from EBay.

 

Does BEL have the equivalent features in a remote unit? Years ago I had a remote BEL with the receiver in my grill. It was awesome.

 

I don't think so unfortunately! That would b awesome!!