Bought a Gen2 Valentine One, any tips?

[redhat]

I have had a Valentine One radar detector since 2013. So it is a Gen1. It has been between many vehicles, always on a Mirror Mount and tapped into mirror power... so key on, the V1 is on.

For many years now, the increase in radar systems on cars has substantially increased its amounts of false positives. Understandably so. I decided to finally upgrade and have a new Gen2 detector coming this Friday. I was going to trade in my Gen1, but seeing that they still sell for more than the trade-in on eBay, I think I'll just list it.

Being my current V1 is so out of date, I have always left it on (A) for all bogeys. I'm very interested on tuning this new unit to my liking instead of running it "wide-open". For what it is worth, I am not a speed demon nor am I reckless.

For those of you with the Gen2 V1, care to share any tips, configurations, tricks you've learned with yours?

 

[benjamming]

I use L setting and cuts out several false positives. We don’t have X band around here. Most radars are actually Ka now not even many K band any longer. Laser is also very rare fortunately.
I pair it with Waze.

 

[Cujet]

I still use the latest versions of Gen 1 with great results. I had no idea the Gen 1's were selling for high prices. Maybe it's worth upgrading.

Saved my bacon yesterday while truck shopping. The old unit picked up laser through the windows of the cars in front. Waze was silent here. I'm utterly convinced the combo of Waze and V1 is a useful tool.

 

[Astro14]

I still have a Gen 1 - one of the very first. Was thinking about a Gen 2, but I don’t drive like I used to…

 

[SC Maintenance]

I need to upgrade - I have a very old Whistler that was the best rated at the time I bought it. Its mainly to detect the local LEO hiding behind the tree that also obscures the speed change sign, so fortunately there not that sophisticated. The only way to know the speed changes in these small South Carolina town is your all alone in the middle of nowhere and the radar detector suddenly lights up

 

[Snagglefoot]

No advice to offer but we would appreciate your feedback regarding lane assist interference for vehicles, starting with the Mazda system. My 2009 Escort radar detector was pretty much rendered useless by false alarms from cars with lane assist systems.

 

[JHZR2]

Does it even matter given laser and instant on?

In some places (MD looking at you) they have a human sitting near a radar with a sign posting speed. They photograph everyone over. So you had better slow down..

Seems like a waste if not trying to do things illegal.

 

[Snagglefoot]

No expert but those ghost cars pulled over by the side of the road using photo radar are not laser units, and refections should tip off a normal radar detector. Am I correct?

 

[redhat]

Does it even matter given laser and instant on?

In some places (MD looking at you) they have a human sitting near a radar with a sign posting speed. They photograph everyone over. So you had better slow down..

Seems like a waste if not trying to do things illegal.

Yes, on the Thruway my V1 will routinely alert me to instant on radar. You’ll get an alert, then it goes silent, another alert, then silent. Hearing that for about a 1/4-1/3 mile and then you come upon a marked car in the median.

 

[redhat]

I still use the latest versions of Gen 1 with great results. I had no idea the Gen 1's were selling for high prices. Maybe it's worth upgrading.

I did a search on eBay for sold units and they were pulling an average of $200. I couldn’t find no rhyme or reason. Hardly anyone listed firmwares or revisions so I’m guessing any working Gen1 V1 will pull and OK buck?

 

[SC Maintenance]

Does it even matter given laser and instant on?

In some places (MD looking at you) they have a human sitting near a radar with a sign posting speed. They photograph everyone over. So you had better slow down..

Seems like a waste if not trying to do things illegal.

Yes and no.

If the LEO is diligent, had the newest system, and your all alone on the road - then yes the radar detector won't help you. Fortunately I have never encountered that.

Laser and Radar are really easy to pick up miles ahead, so on the interstate if they ping a car a mile ahead of you - you get a pretty clear warning - and it tells you what it is. So you know if its an actual trap or just a false signal.

In your example above, you would pick that radar gun miles away. In my example - the LEO sitting on the edge of a small town - they never trigger the gun - it just runs. There likely surfing their phone or talking to their girlfriend or whatever. Or if someone is a mile ahead of me - I get that also.

So yes, radar detectors can be easily defeated, but you have to be alone on the road with a very diligent operator.

 

[Hall]

Laser and Radar are really easy to pick up miles ahead

I know that radar "scatters" and that is how radar detectors pick them up, but I didn't think laser was that sloppy. Many years ago we went to an "open house" type event at a nearby Ohio Highway Patrol post. Laser guns were very new at the time and they had a setup where people could try out the laser gun. It was just like using a laser pointer or a firearm with a laser. Point at a perpendicular surface (back then, Ohio req'd front license plates so those are easy targets) and you get a continuous speed reading. When I saw that, I owned a radar detector but decided there's no point buying a laser (-capable) detector.

 

[Pew]

I know that radar "scatters" and that is how radar detectors pick them up, but I didn't think laser was that sloppy. Many years ago we went to an "open house" type event at a nearby Ohio Highway Patrol post. Laser guns were very new at the time and they had a setup where people could try out the laser gun. It was just like using a laser pointer or a firearm with a laser. Point at a perpendicular surface (back then, Ohio req'd front license plates so those are easy targets) and you get a continuous speed reading. When I saw that, I owned a radar detector but decided there's no point buying a laser (-capable) detector.

Laser will reflect/refract off glass which makes it easier to capture if you are not the target. There are laser jammers available as well.

 

[BTLew81]

I have a gen 2 and like it. I’d suggest getting the v1 companion app. It’s very good and allows a lot of customization. Have fun. It’s a great unit