Valentine 1 Radar with Mirror Mount

[cadboy1]

I received mine today. I am not entirely enamored by the design. In order for the V1 to sit level, the mirror shaft must also be level. This is not the natural position of the shaft. If you mount the unit where my mirror usually is, it looks like this:

In order to have the V1 level, the mirror has to be so high that your view is obstructed and 1/3 of your field of view is the lights/garage door opener/cubby hole thingy. The mount should have had swivel at the V1 mount location so that the mirror could stay in a more natural position. I still like it and will use it as it is a great idea. Just not thought out 100%

 

[ygmn]

Thanks for being trying cad... now I will not get one as my mirror is simlar to yours...

for same reason better view out rear

 

[davidw55]

I've wanted one of these for quite a while, but $400 is pretty high. Guess there's always ebay  Just be careful if you're like me (with your hardwires and custom mounts that make it a pain to take out) and travel to states like VA where they are illegal. They will confiscate or destroy if they find them during a stop.

 

[cadboy1]

When I get time I will try to find a solution to make better use of it. Maybe combine it with another universal radar detector mount that has a swivel. Plus I still have to mount my V1s remote display and wire it all up

 

[Brianster]

I love my V1.  Don't know if I would get the mount though.  I have mine mounted above the mirror, with the suction cup mount.  It is out of the way, and picks up the bogeys nicely.  V1 has great customer service.  I thought mine was not working properly and found out it wasn't when my friend was in front of me with his, and we had a cop coming toward us.  When we got to his house I asked if his picked him up in which he said yes.  Mine was silent.  I sent mine off.  I wrote a letter explaining the problem and told them I purchased it 2 years ago.  It has a one year warranty.  The website said there is a $45 diagnostic fee.  I got my V1 back a week and a half later, fixed, with no $45 fee.  I used my Escort until I got my V1 back, and I must say I really missed my V1.  I kept looking at the Escort because I was so use to looking to see where the bogey signal was coming from.  I love that feature on the V1.  Well worth the $400.  The thing is to those that say it is a lot of money.  Yes it is. But, this is the last detector you will buy.  You go on the website punch in the serial number and it will tell you if you need to upgrade or not.  If so, send it off, and they will replace the inards and you are set. So far, no upgrade needed for me.

 

[cadboy1]

What you said is partly correct. Yes you can send it back for upgrades but they are not free. A couple years back I sent mine back for an upgraded unit and it was a little under $200. They send you a completely new unit, not just replace your innards unless your unit is a pretty recent version. The new unit I got was slightly thinner than my previous V1. So yes you can get the latest technology V1 has, but that too will cost you

Here is what my serial number says:

V1 Description: Radar circuitry known in-house as V1.8-POP2. This is our latest and best performer on both radar and laser.

 

[Brianster]

What you said is partly correct. Yes you can send it back for upgrades but they are not free. A couple years back I sent mine back for an upgraded unit and it was a little under $200. They send you a completely new unit, not just replace your innards unless your unit is a pretty recent version. The new unit I got was slightly thinner than my previous V1. So yes you can get the latest technology V1 has, but that too will cost you

Here is what my serial number says:

V1 Description: Radar circuitry known in-house as V1.8-POP2. This is our latest and best performer on both radar and laser.

I was not implying the upgrades were free.  I was never charged the diagnostic, (unless it will be on the next credit card bill), and I assumed you get the same detector just with new parts, because when I was thinking of purchasing one, the reviews were saying it is the same design, never changed.  Sorry for the misinformation.

 

[cadboy1]

V1 is still worth every penny. Mine has paid for itself several times over Like you say, once you have the directional arrows, its hard to live without them

 

[IBMike]

V1 is still worth every penny. Mine has paid for itself several times over Like you say, once you have the directional arrows, its hard to live without them

I'll third that!! I used the Passport 8500 for years until I found a V-1 on ebay for a price I couldn't pass up. Thier performance was pretty equal... but the arrows make ALL the difference! To know if you are getting pinged from the front, the rear, or crap from the side is definitely good info to have.

Mine is 7 years old, so I will likely send it in to get "overhauled;" as you said, they'll just send me a new one. But after 6 years, buying a new one at 1/2 price is a pretty darn good deal!!

 

[IBMike]

In order to have the V1 level, the mirror has to be so high that your view is obstructed and 1/3 of your field of view is the lights/garage door opener/cubby hole thingy. The mount should have had swivel at the V1 mount location so that the mirror could stay in a more natural position. I still like it and will use it as it is a great idea. Just not thought out 100%

Not sure if Ro has a different mirror, but his is perfectly level.

 

[cadboy1]

Not sure if Ro has a different mirror, but his is perfectly level.

You can make the V1 level. But not with the mirror being where I want/like it to be. It has to be up higher in order to get the mirror stem level to get the V1 level. With the mirror being that high up, you get a blocked view.

 

[IBMike]

You can make the V1 level. But not with the mirror being where I want/like it to be. It has to be up higher in order to get the mirror stem level to get the V1 level. With the mirror being that high up, you get a blocked view.

hmmmm... I kept clicking back & forth on your pic & Ro's. Looks like his mirror stem is longer... or it might just be the angle yours is at.

That sucks if you can't make it work... especially for $50!

 

[vetman]

Yes, you do have to raise the mirror stem up to near horizontal for the V1 mount to work right but since I'm 6' 5" the repositioning of the mirror wasn't much of a problem for me. I still see fine out the back.

Vetman

 

[cadboy1]

I am only a short 6 foot Don't get me wrong, its the best solution, by far, for me..I have my GPS antenna and with EZ-Pass and the V1, it gets crowded I just wish it was thought out a little better and let you keep the mirror where it normally sits. For me anyway. I just have to either find a solution that lets me keep the mirror lower or learn to live with it. Its not horrible, just not the image I am used to when I look at the mirror

 

[Rolando]

I received mine today. I am not entirely enamored by the design. In order for the V1 to sit level, the mirror shaft must also be level. This is not the natural position of the shaft. If you mount the unit where my mirror usually is, it looks like this:

In order to have the V1 level, the mirror has to be so high that your view is obstructed and 1/3 of your field of view is the lights/garage door opener/cubby hole thingy. The mount should have had swivel at the V1 mount location so that the mirror could stay in a more natural position. I still like it and will use it as it is a great idea. Just not thought out 100%

I didn't think too much about the position.  After I put my on, I just angled it straight and didn't notice any difference as far as my view out to the rear.  Maybe it depends on your height?

 

[cadboy1]

I found a Mr. Bracket universal radar detector mount that I think I can use in conjunction with the new mount I will post some pics maybe tomorrow. My work computer is running windows 98 and I am scared to hook up my camera to it

 

[Rolando]

I found a Mr. Bracket universal radar detector mount that I think I can use in conjunction with the new mount I will post some pics maybe tomorrow. My work computer is running windows 98 and I am scared to hook up my camera to it

hahaha, kaaabooom    At least Windows 98 is way better than Windows ME, if you ever had that.  Looking forward to your set up.

 

[cadboy1]

Here is a mock up of the Mr. Bracket piece. I dont like the part that grabs the V1 so have to graft the Mr. Bracket to the V1s plastic holder

 

[davidw55]

Anyone happen to know of a site that would list which states detectors are legal vs. illegal?

 

[naylor99]

Be aware, folks, that the V1s are "Smash & Grab" magnets. I experienced 2 break ins, trying to get my V1. One succeeded. Keep it out of sight...

 

[cadboy1]

Be aware, folks, that the V1s are "Smash & Grab" magnets. I experienced 2 break ins, trying to get my V1. One succeeded. Keep it out of sight...

That's why I am grafting the V1 plastic mount to the new mount. The Mr. Bracket is a squeeze and tighten design that holds your detector with screws. I want/will remove V1 when not in the vehicle and the V1s plastic mount easily releases to allow that

 

[cadboy1]

Skyview, check here:

www.radarbusters.com/trafficlawsarticle.cfm

I think only Virginia and Wash D.C. its illegal.

 

[davidw55]

Skyview, check here:

www.radarbusters.com/trafficlawsarticle.cfm

I think only Virginia and Wash D.C. its illegal.

Hey, thanks for the info. Unfortunately their site says this when you try to click on that:

Looking For Something at RadarBusters.com?

The page you are looking for cannot be found. It may have moved, or it may no longer be available.

Thanks for the tip though, I had no idea what other states may be illegal until now.

 

[cadboy1]

Try here:

www.radarbusters.com/helpfulinfo.cfm

 

[cadboy1]

I finally had a chance to graft the Mr. Bracket piece to the new piece