I have to completely agree and back up what Kirkster said about the Valentine 1. I've also been using a V1 for about 5+ years (still works like new). I haven't used many radar detectors but everything I've read puts it up top with the best. A little pricey but well worth it (as it has saved me from getting possible tickets numerous times. More than I can remember). You really have to consider the affects of even just one speeding ticket over time. Not only do you have to pay the upfront speeding ticket cost, but there is the potential for the ticket to raise your car's insurance rate over the next 3 to 5 years before it drops off your record (depending on your insurance company). So one ticket can easily cost you more than $400 over the course of 3 years or so.
In terms of the features of the V1, the unique dual volume knobs are very handy to prevent having to hear the false alarms of automatic door openers and such (with Logic mode on), though you can still see the visual cues when it lights up. The mute function is very easy to use (just push the big knob button once and it mutes the volume down to whatever you have the secondary volume set at. Very nice and customizable). The Logic mode (which I have mine always set to) which cuts down on the false alarm x bands from blaring at your primary volume. It automatically starts them out at the lower secondary volume. (is x band even used by law enforcement anymore?).
A couple other things that I didn't see pointed out here is that the V1 comes with both a curly cord cigarette lighter power cord and also with the hard wire kit so you don't have to use up one of your 12V power sources and you can conceal the wires if you want a clean looks. You also get both a windshield mount and (my personal favorite) the sun visor mount. Makes it real easy to slip on and off and the mute button is very close by. I think they also make a Z specific mount for it that mounts it to your rear view mirror and it hangs just below the mirror.
Oh and yes... the directional arrows are VERY helpful and if I'm not mistaken, a patented V1 feature only. Many times its allowed me to see that there are radar sources in front of me and behind me. It also helps you know when you have passed the radar source, so if you see the arrows go from front, to sides, to back while you are driving, and you didn't see a cop car, than he was either hiding really good or it may have been a false alarm, but at least you know that it is behind you now. Also, when you are cruising down the highway and it starts beeping, you immediately know if the cop is in front of you or if he is coming up behind you (which most people may not realize with other detectors).
Again... you are not invincible with this thing so keep that in mind. It is a tool to aid you that can sometimes give you early warning but you can still get caught so drive responsibly.
One last thing that I like about my V1... its not distracting and annoying while driving. When its on there are not big bright annoying lights. In fact when I have it set in logic mode it just displays a small "L" and that's it! No annoying lights on while just cruising along... but when radar is detected, she will light up like a Christmas tree, which I like.
Get a V1. You won't be sorry.
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