Valentine 1 vs. Bel 980

M

metload1

New member
Hey,



I've been looking at two different radar detectors. The Valentine One, and the Bel 980. I would like the escort but it's way too expensive. I know a lot of people have the Valentine One, I know someone with one myself, he uses it in his Viper GTS and seems to work good for his purposes. Does anyone know which of these products is better? They seem very comparable, the only major advantage of the Valentine One is the location of radar/laser arrow display. Also anyone with either of these, how do they work for you, ever been pulled over? Any advice would be great. Also I've seen a new product called "veil" anyone tried it yet? I don't know when it came out but it sounds neat. And finally, I saw a site on the internet, radar roy is his name, I think. Is this site reputable? Or a big advertising con?



Thanks



Met
 
I own a V1 and love it, no tickets since, been over a year now! It'll never become obsolete because I can have it reprogrammed. It identifies all the targets and gives directions on the most important threat. I'm thinking of intergrating it into my dash or factory cd player (special option for bimmer owners). Currently I have it hard wired from the sunroof switch.
 
I haven't had a ticket in the past 24 years and it isn't because I hold it down to the speed limit. I've always used a radar detector and have had several brands over the years. I currently have both an Escort 8500 and V1. Hands down I would pick the V1. I've done a side by side comparision over a 300 mile trip and it really wasn't a close race. The V1 always came out on top. I know others that have made similar statements picking the Escort but I am satisfied that I have fairly evaluated the two in identical circumstances. If all other things were equal the location pointer is reason enough to go with the V1, I find it to be a VERY useful tool. My Escort has found a place however, it's in the wifes car. :p
 
Met, you know the V1 is priced at $400 while the Escort can be purchased on eBay, brand-new, for less than $240?



I've got several Escorts but not the new X50 unit which is supposed to equal or outperform the V1 in all categories except for laser. V1 still holds the top spot in that category.
 
I, too, recommend the V1.. I've had it for close to eight months, and only have received one ticket. (Laser, coming around a curve, no time to see the guy! :(



Check www.speedzones.com for another site that compares various radar detectors.
 
FWIW-

BEL....no tickets and I drive above the speed limit on avg. of 300 miles/day.

Been doing this for the past 6 years using BEL dectector(s).
 
is the v1 remote mountable? or is it all self contained in one unit? I'm just wondering how it would compare to the real versions of different companies radar detectors, you know the ones with sensors in the grill, and rear bumpers. Normally those totally blow away the windshield mounted units since they have more space to play with and can use better quality sensors. Another thing I keep noticing is how huge the V1 is. It looks like those old school cb radios, well not that big but kinda clumsy in size.
 
Unless somebody has come up with something I don't know about, the V1 isn't remote mountable. You can use a separate display for the readout and thus have a non-illuminated V1 hanging there, but it's not a true "remote detector". I sure wish some electronics whiz *would* crack one open and remote the antennas, I'd even provide the V1 for a prototype. Shouldn't be all that hard, but V Research would frown on it when it came time to service or upgrade the thing and they *do* occasionally need servicing.



Can't comment on that model of BEL, but after getting my V1, I gave away my other detectors and bought a V1 for every vehicle we have. Range/sensitivity wise, if it doesn't save you I doubt anything would. The real world of traffic enforcement is *very* different from magazine tests (you can learn a lot talking with LEOs about this stuff ;) ).



Oh, and the latest versions of the V1 are a little smaller than the older ones. Not much though.
 
gto78 said:
www.radartest.com lots of very useful information, non biased
Click to expand...
A Google for "Craig Peterson radar biased" will turn up quite a few links. Craig is the guy that runs RadarTest, and he and V1 have had ongoing issues for a long time now. When it comes to the V1, IMO, radartest.com is FAR from being unbiased.



Tort
 
Valentine..... I own 2 and have had them for years....



The direction arrows are incredible....they really do help a bunch....
 
TortoiseAWD said:
A Google for "Craig Peterson radar biased" will turn up quite a few links. Craig is the guy that runs RadarTest, and he and V1 have had ongoing issues for a long time now. When it comes to the V1, IMO, radartest.com is FAR from being unbiased.



Tort
Click to expand...

This is an ancient thread, but I dug it up while doing a search on radar detectors. Tort, you might be interested to know that Peterson is apparently still stirring things up. Check out this post.

Radar detector jammer forum: View topic - The Truth Behind That Weird Ka



From a later post in another thread on that site, a settlement was reached but the court mandated that the parties involved were not allowed to discuss the details.
 
V1 is the only detector choice

with all its shortcomings like no true stealth remote install, always on windshield

it has one purpose

tell you where the radar is intelligently

it seems all other detectors are noisemakers compared to a V1

also it can be used visually unlike others because of it's format

if you listen to music but have it mounted in a sightline you do't have to hear the v1 to use it

I have a 30 mile commute down to 23 minutes door to door

if it warns k or Ka or Laser I trust it and STAND on the brake no tix since 1991

(knock, knock, knock)

just do yourself a favor and hard wire power to the unit

i mount all 4 of mine right under my rearview where my eyes automatically go

then get someone that wants to go even faster then you (there always is)

pull over, let them go by on the left, keep them in sight and watch your V1 when they get lit up & ticketed

drive smart + v1 = no tix
 
I'd love to have a V1, but I'm pretty happy with the Escort 8500 X50 Blue I just picked up. Got it second-hand from a guy for $150. It's working great and served us well on a recent long road trip.



Anywho, my purpose in ressurecting this old thread was mainly to point out that Peterson is apparently still stoking the fires of rivalry, trying to sabotage folks he considers his competitors. Not cool.
 
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