Valentine One Radar Detector
All of us have been in a scenario where we have started speeding when driving on the highway. Everyone knows about speeding limits when driving, especially public roads that are used on by thousands of cars every day. However, drivers tend to go beyond the limit due to a myriad of distractions.
Whatever the reason, you’ll need a traffic radar detector to help you when you’re out on the road. And in this Valentine One review, we’ll discuss how the Valentine One Radar Detector is designed to keep your alert about the nearby radar guns used by law enforcement. So let’s get started.
Pros
- Simple Installation
- Long range detection & hardware updates
- Great to use in the highway
- Long range radar protection
- Great display screen
Cons
- Heavy weight
- Picks up a lot of false alers
The Valentine One Radar Detector is considered to be the best radar detector in today’s market when it comes to performance. It’s the best feature is that it can detect five different frequency bands that law enforcement uses daily. Thus, providing you a high-end form of protection against police radar guns. You can see how it fares with other best radar detectors, like in our Uniden R3 VS Valentine One feature.
While the Valentine One design hasn’t changed throughout the years, the device’s technology has adapted with the industry’s technology advancements so it can work at its peak efficiency and assist drivers all across the world.
It has not just one, but two antennae located on its external region and a windshield unit. Also, the radar detectors can determine all K, X and KA laser signals and radar bands. And Valentine One has improved detection for the Ku and Ka radar bands and extra directional indicators so you can find the directions that any signal shows once it’s in detection mode.
Its two antennae are used to find threatening signals near your car. This will protect you from police cruisers driving behind you and red light cameras or speed traps down the road. Its directional indicators give you clear information on the signal threat detection. The arrows will spot the origin of the laser and radar signals. A numerical display is used to alert you of the threats that are within your area.
The directional arrows are the best part of the Valentine One design. When you receive alerts, the arrows tell you if the source is located at your side, back, or front. Directional alerts provide a sense of spatial awareness. The arrows make it easier to identify the radar source, whether it’s front, rear, or side.
Features
Quick Installation
No longer do you have to spend hours configuring your device for it to work. With the Valentine One Radar Detector, you simply can install it in your vehicle. Place it on the dashboard, plug the power cord in the cigarette component and wait for the lights to indicate that it’s turned on.
Detection Performance
As we’ve stated earlier, Valentine One Radar Detector is known for its detection capabilities. With its K and Ka bands, users can find the presence of red light cameras and speed traps within your vicinity. Finding red light cameras is important when driving. It rivals even the more recent releases from its competitors, as one can conclude on our comparison of Escort Redline Ex VS Valentine One.
Hardware Updates
Valentine offers software and hardware updates for that consumers can take advantage of when they send their previous model back to the manufacturer. This means that you’ll have a reliable radar detector that will protect you well from getting a ticket on the highway. The newest updated versions can track the frequency bands that law enforcement uses.
Highway Efficiency
Our review, as well as most reviews, reveal that the V1 is best suited for highways. Highways have low radar signals, and this one can be used to make the signals quieter. With its front and rear 360 degree protective sensors, you can receive reports from all sides of your vehicle. It can spot law enforcement bands in a range that’s up to a mile away.
Does it hold a candle to our other favorite detectors? Learn more by comparing Escort Max 2 VS Valentine One, for example.
Weight
One flaw that we’ve noticed in our review of the Valentine One Radar detector is its weight. When trying the device for the first time, we started to notice how heavy it was. Weighing in at 1.65 pounds, you can install it on your vehicle, but it is slightly heavier than competing radar detectors.
False Alerts
When you’re driving, the Valentine One does pick up false alerts when you’re on the highway. To explain, the K-band and X-band alert tones can be difficult to make sense of as you drive. To solve this issue on false alarms, we suggest that you place the V1 on your windshield right above the rear view mirror using mount. This will help you see the directional arrows faster, making it easier to spot police activity.
It is good when detecting law enforcement when you drive over a hill. For instance, if you’re driving over a hill, and there’s law enforcement at the end of it with a speed trap, the V1 will pick it up.
The lack of features in the Valentine One also makes it the most effective radar detectors available. While it lacks auto mute and other alternative user settings, this radar detector was designed for performance, not for show.
The V1 is efficient and simple to use. Therefore its main drawback is also its key advantage. We suggest that you use the V1 if you want a model that specializes in functionality and advanced police detection.
It does not employ GPS for this capability. It is similar to another well-reviewed radar detector in this regard. See us pit the Uniden R1 VS Valentine One in the battle of non-GPS radar detectors.
SAVVY - Valentine’s False Alert Solution
Mike Valentine has launched the new SAVVY feature, which is an external module that’s plugged into your car’s diagnostic port. You program the device to a specific speed threshold. This was a great move from President Mike Valentine.
You can read about how it fares against more recent releases in filtering out false alerts through our feature, Escort Max 360 VS Valentine One.
For example, let’s keep it at a range from 15 – 60 mph. Any alerts your detector receives beyond this threshold is ignored.
This results in the Valentine One alerting you as you drive by every gas station, shopping center, and bank within your neighborhood. Fortunately, you won’t be annoyed by constant beeps coming from the device all the time.
Consumer Opinion
Valentine One reviews from consumers were fairly positive. Here’s what they had to say in their reviews:
Without question, their most praised feature is the detection range of the Valentine One. Through a series of real-world tests by professional reviewers and users have discovered that no device alerts you of laser signals and radar like the Valentine One. This range is impressive for radar detectors. Users who found other difficulties with the device have expressed a positive review towards the performance of the Valentine One.
Unlike competing products, the Valentine One Radar Detector can monitor and detect various signals all at the same time. The arrows notify you on threats in multiple directions, and its numeric indicator will tell you the laser or radar signals that’s detected. Also, it can notify you when bad signals are present.
Countless detectors filter out false laser and radar signals that are detected when driving. This includes traffic equipment (i.e. stoplights, etc) that’s installed on roads.
The Valentine One is the only detector radar that can detect junk signals. Even though you will have to deal with false alerts, its a good feeling to know that some of the alerts you get are junk. For example, Valentine One shows a “V1” or “J” to alert of a false signal.
You can also install the JBV1 app on your phone if you feel that the radar detector needs a little more help.
When competing radar devices spot false alarms, users have to get through the annoying alerts until you move out of the origin point or mute the device.
Finally, consumers state in their review that the Valentine One has a great design. While skeptics will say that the device has a “boxy” and uninspired appearance, there are some benefits behind it. The devices black finish helps blend it with your car’s dashboard, and its lack of metallic finish eliminates annoying reflected light that may get in your way while you’re driving.
Buying Advice
While you can buy the Valentine One from a multitude of resellers online, we recommend that you head towards Amazon. Aside from having the best price offering under $498, you can benefit from having free shipping directly towards your doorstep.
Not only this but by purchasing this detector from Amazon, you can search the thousands of detailed customer reviews on the site.
Drivers have used Valentine’s brand throughout the past twenty years, which is less than the well known Escort, protect drivers from receiving traffic tickets from local highway police radar devices.
The only downside is that the Valentine One doesn’t have the most appealing design or ease of use features on the market that’s easy for beginners. Some of these are already mainstays in Escort models, including older ones. See our comparison of Escort Passport 9500IX VS Valentine One.
Still, the Valentine One Radar Detector is one of the best performers available. If you’re looking for a traffic radar detector, then the Valentine One is the best choice. If you’re into devices with more flashy designs than this might not be the right radar detector for you.
VALENTINE ONE Review Conclusion
The Valentine One is the radar detector that every driver should have. Not only does it offer 360-degree protection due to its front and rear antennae, but it’s also upgradeable and stylish, making it a necessity when driving in today’s modern cars.
By keeping the Valentine One maintained and checked periodically, you’ll be rewarded with the best radar detector that can potentially save you from getting a speeding ticket.
Do you have any additional questions about the Valentine One Radar Detector?
Tell us in the comments below.
A very much awaited update to this radar detector has finally arrived! Read all about the Valentine One Gen2 next and see if it’s worth tossing your old device for a new one.
William Johnson is the owner and founder of RatedRadarDetector.org. He writes about car accessories, with his passion stemming from a deep enthusiasm for all things automotive. His website, RRD, focuses on in-depth reviews of car accessories to help people find the best and latest products in the market.
