Valentine 1 worth it?

I was looking at radar detectors, and I noticed that the V1 is very good but very expensive. Is it worth it? Are the others pretty good or just plain awful?

[Robert W. Roe]

I have one; and yes, I feel it is the best detector on the market. It gives you a lot more information than any other detector that I've seen, including direction, number of "bogeys" (radar sources) and the audio signal to me is pretty intuitive on when to ignore falses and when to brake hard. It is expensive, but the difference can be less than a speeding ticket and the resulting increase in insurance rates.

Hope this helps,

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Robert W. Roe
1984 300SD 165K miles

[Tobias MB]

I knew of Valentine Reasearch and their reputation back in the mid-eighties when they had boxes to convert grey market cars to help EPA compliance. When I heard they were offering a radar detector I knew it would be good and ordered one. It has never failed me and I paid to have it updated with laser and new internals to keep up with the 'BEAR' technology! I still consider it the best on the market. If you decide on another brand...stay away from cordless as they don't have constant range. It gets shorter with battery age and doesn't tell you until you're 'caught' or have to replace the batteries. Your choice!!

TobiasMB
300SE
300CE
190/5.0

[Alain V.]

It's worth every penny! My V1 has saved my tail many times. I originally bought it for my 16-valve street car and now I have one in my 427 s/c cobra replica. The only drawback is that it is large and noticable, so you have to make a habit of removing when your car is parked so that some lowlife doesn't steal it!

[Aaron]

I currently am using a Passport 5000 (the one with the LCD display) in my 6.9. I bought it new from Cincinnati Microwave about 4 years ago and it has been very good to me, but I think I may put it in another car and go for a V1 in the 6.9. I have heard many good things about them from many people.

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Rgds,
Aaron Greenberg
MB technician
'67 250SE Cabriolet
'77 450SL
'79 6.9
'79 6.9
'80 300SD
'81 240D
'85 380SE
'89 420SEL
'93 300E 2.8