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.
Valentine One problems...
- Thread starter BAT
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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.
Sinovac
GT Owner
I haven't installed it yet, but Blinder. Laser Interceptor is the other popular jammer. Both have the ability to update the software which seems to be important from what I've read as the gun/jammer manufacturers are always playing a cat/mouse game.
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andymlow
GT Owner
The other thing that is responsible for a rise in false alerts is the radar based traffic monitoring devices. I75 just had a bunch installed and you can't go 5 miles without a radar alert now.
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.
Fortunately, Escort's 9500aix allows you to mark the location of such devices and ignore them in the future.
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.
BlackICE
GT Owner
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.
I have 2 V1s in 2 different vehicles. About 1.5 years ago, they both started to have A LOT of false positives so I sent them in to get looked at (re-programmed). After getting them back, they seemed to work better but now, the false laser alerts are just crazy in both vehicles. Certain cars set them off more than others but now, I can't even have them on since it is so annoying. I know there is a way to turn off the laser in the V1 but are there any other solutions? I have had a V1 for 10+ years and loved it until now. Are the Escorts any better?
Mullet
FORD GT OWNER
2112
Blue/white 06'
The false positives are due to certain lights. The neon side and tail markers on a Z8 and nearly all headlights on Infinity vehicles are two I get all the time.
When it finally gives you a true laser warning, it Is telling you that you have already been locked on and recorded (and a ticket).
I too have used V1's for years but he has made very little improvement (if any) to the product since his hey days of the late 90's.
When it finally gives you a true laser warning, it Is telling you that you have already been locked on and recorded (and a ticket).
I too have used V1's for years but he has made very little improvement (if any) to the product since his hey days of the late 90's.
Fracman
GT Owner
Same experience here, I figure between the new taillights, headlights, sensor arrays, and adaptive speed systems, my V1 has become useless in the city over the last year. It is a shame since it was my favorite when I bought it over a decade ago. I guess I shouldn't complain since the useful life that I have gotten from it has just about exceeded any other electronic gadget that I bought at that time.
texas mongrel
GT Owner
My K40 is the same, the older it gets, the more its triggering. Not been the case with my Passport tho' which is still great after two years of use
Tomcat
GT Owner
I found certain newer phones (smart, I) from different passengers set off my laser detector. Not just/only phone calls, sometimes, texts or emails.
Have you or your passengers upgraded your phones?
Have you or your passengers upgraded your phones?