BlackICE
GT Owner
What happens if the police use that location to nail you, or does the other signal interfere with their radar gun?
Valentine One problems...
- Thread starter BAT
- Start date
What happens if the police use that location to nail you, or does the other signal interfere with their radar gun?
BM SoCal
GT Owner
Nice web site. Which shows Ka and Laser is pretty much all that's used in California, Nevada, Arizona. Farther than that, yeah I'm flying. :thumbsup
Xcentric
GT Owner
What happens is you get nailed. But, these are heavily traveled Interstate highways. Not the situation where most of us (I think) would really worry about it, because we'd be going with the flow, not being asshats.
I don't know much about radar detectors, but the V1 would show how many radars it is reading. So, if police radar was being used in addition to the traffic monitors, you would get a "2" and a much stronger alert than the annoying beep beeps of the harmless stuff.
It's getting to be like living in a microwave oven. Get out the tin foil hats!
fjpikul
GT Owner
I found my laser being tripped off by construction sites where they use laser range finders and leveling devices. Still see some K and X band used by local yocals who can't afford newer Ka stuff. Never had a Valentine, but I've used Escorts for 30 years and always been happy. Look at the Blend Mount. Escort now sells them. I have have one in the GT and it is great.
Xcentric
GT Owner
I found the cure for this for Valentine Ones. Software versions 3.891 and higher have a "Traffic Monitor" filter and a "Junk-K Fighter." However, these are turned "On" by default only in the most recent software (versions 3.8945 and higher).
For earlier software versions (3.891-3.8940) reprogram the filter from "Off" to "On." If your software is older than 3.891 you are SOL. Maybe you can send it to the factory for updated software.
I reprogrammed a few other settings:
- X band "off."
- Stay muted at four lights (reduces beeping from weak signals).
- Mute rear K-band.
- POP "off" (reduces falses from lane monitor nannies).
I haven't driven enough to see how effective these settings are, but the "Traffic Monitor" filter is a big one around here.
Kingman
GT Owner
You can send your Valentine back to the factory for the latest upgrades. I have done this twice so far in my many years of ownership. Great tool!
BlackICE
GT Owner
I have an old version, the upgrade is about $290.
I just turn off K and X bands and that seems to do about the same as the newer features, since those bands aren't used much in these parts.
I just turn off K and X bands and that seems to do about the same as the newer features, since those bands aren't used much in these parts.
Xcentric
GT Owner
$290 for a software upload. That is what the "upgrade" is. Simply newer software. And what does the newer software do? It appears to delay by some fraction of a second the audio response to certain radar hits. That is all folks. Slow down response to quiet the falses.
How does that make you feel? Tells me Mike Valentine wants you to buy a new $400 unit instead of supporting his customers.
BlackICE
GT Owner
Since they know the true value of the box they don't bother with a software upgrade but just send you a new unit for that price.
Kingman
GT Owner
You guys are funny! If I didn't know any better, I would have thought MSNBC journalists were providing commentary here.
First, the upgrade is H/W and S/W.
Second, the upgrade costs $199
Third, it's all contained in the same skin as originally provided
Fourth, it's the same reliability one has become accustomed to.
Fifth, I bought mine in 1999.........what platform does ANYONE have that continues to be a performance leader over that time frame? In ANY genre of technology??
Sixth, has anyone heard of 'planned obsolescence', especially when it comes to tech??
Lastly, why would anyone b!tch about a couple hundred bucks when it comes to protecting your ability to drive one of the finest super cars on the planet?
Seriously!?
First, the upgrade is H/W and S/W.
Second, the upgrade costs $199
Third, it's all contained in the same skin as originally provided
Fourth, it's the same reliability one has become accustomed to.
Fifth, I bought mine in 1999.........what platform does ANYONE have that continues to be a performance leader over that time frame? In ANY genre of technology??
Sixth, has anyone heard of 'planned obsolescence', especially when it comes to tech??
Lastly, why would anyone b!tch about a couple hundred bucks when it comes to protecting your ability to drive one of the finest super cars on the planet?
Seriously!?
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BlackICE
GT Owner
Mine is a 2006 or 2007 unit I put in my serial number and the result was a new unit for $290! I'm not complaining, only pointing out the facts. It isn't only a firmware update, if it was why send a new box. Maybe they saved some bucks and used ROM instead of flash and left off the interface needed to do updates.
I would say it is more of a customer loyalty program giving you a trade in value of $110 toward a new one, not an upgrade to your old V1.
https://store.valentine1.com/upgrades/
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Xcentric
GT Owner
"Upgrades" vary with age. Mine is three years old. For $79 + shipping, I would get "Improved Euro Mode" (obviously, no need for that) and they would turn the "Junk K-Fighter" on, which I did myself in one minute. This is firmware only. They do, however, add a one year warranty with the firmware.
$289 for a complete new unit seems like a pretty good deal if you have an antique.
$289 for a complete new unit seems like a pretty good deal if you have an antique.
Kingman
GT Owner
Valentine charged me $199 in 2/2015 for my upgrade. I did not require Euro-Mode, but I did elect everythig else. Not too bad for a 16 year old product. I have $1500 PC's that get chucked after 5 - 6 years. (XP, Vista)
Now determining if there is any value in their iPhone App.
Now determining if there is any value in their iPhone App.
Xcentric
GT Owner
The problem with the phone app, if I understand how it works, is that it keeps you from using other apps at the same time. I may be wrong about this.
I use Waze, which seems to be more effective at spotting threats (and other travel issues) than the radar detector. At least in areas where there a lot of Wazers online.
Waze has alerted me to police speed traps when no radar was in use. Presumably, VASCAR or some similar visual method.
andymlow
GT Owner
Xcentric
GT Owner
Right, depends on age.
BTW, all the reprogramming I did (post 25) stopped about 90% of false hits. I still get the "Your Speed Is" hits, which are K band around here, but it's quiet around town and on I-75. Hope it's not too quiet.
2112
Blue/white 06'
Exactly. K band is still the most common use of LEO up here, with State Troopers occasionally having LIDAR.
But all the Audi and Infinity vehicles (or GM SUVs) on the road up here are making my current detector pretty much useless.