will "full coverage" continue once patents expire?

[nyjason13]

VR has quite a few vital patents expiring within the next couple of years. Will they do anything to keep the title of being number one? What do you guys think?

[OPTiK]

Only time will tell, by the time these patents expire my v1 will more than paid for itself even if it does become "outdated".

[nyjason13]

I brought up this question because the patents VR owns on the Valentine One are vital to it's long-term success. Sure, it's the top-of-the-line detector right now and has been for almost two decades, but will it continue when other RD manufacturers get the rights to some of the patents which make our beloved V1 unique?

Mike V is getting old, isn't he? If he's in the Baby Boomer generation, he's gotta be in his mid-50s to 60s. I know he loves his business, but does he still have it in him to move further and keep the title of "full coverage"?

How long has 1.8 been around? Maybe 1.9 is in the works with some major title-keeping upgrades?

[takeshi]

I haven't been around here for that long but still...



Only time will tell. If the V1 isn't the latest and greatest (in my range of needs/wants anyway) and I'm looking to buy I'll move on. I don't get the brand loyalty that so many others seem to buy into...

[<<JAZZY>>]

Belscort and every other radar detector manufacturer still hasn't put out a detector under $500 that can 100&#37; beat the $399 V1 in radar and laser detection especially when it comes to quick trigger, instant-on radar, and laser detection. How much will a detector cost made by Belscort that has radar antennas facing the front and rear with arrows when they only have a forward facing antenna/antennas right now for $500? How long will it take Belscort to sychronize the arrows and get them working correctly...if the problems with TrueLock, quick triggers of radar, and ramp-up are any indication of how long it will take then it will take decades to perfect.

[Offshore]

Yea I can see it now...Escorts 2100 twin turbo RD for only $ 799.95.....using the same screen they use now and the arrows are the size of a gnats ass.

[<<JAZZY>>]

Yea I can see it now...Escorts 2100 twin turbo RD for only $ 799.95.....using the same screen they use now and the arrows are the size of a gnats ass.

LOL!

[bilybob]

The way v1 is run, its less of a money making enterprise than an enthusiast wet dream. Somebody posted a link here not too long about Mike giving to the community where he lives. So here is my thought. Mike ran the company the best he could by continously improving on a simple design that he got right from the beginning.

Then unlike other companies, he didn't make clones of the same model like only front antenna $350, 2 antennas $399, bogey counter plus front antenna $500 and my favourite blue arrows for 550 since they cost extra. Nobody knows the future, but everybody has to call it quits one day, its the way life is. At the end, it will depend on mike if he wants to sell his company to the highest bidder or keep it in the family perhaps and his kids?? run it. Who knows but the patent expiration is still another couple of years away and at 399, v1 is still a bargain if there were no further upgrades after that point.

Something to think about though, what if cobra bought out v1. We will all have 15 band cobra with arrows

[dpatel01]

Yea I can see it now...Escorts 2100 twin turbo RD for only $ 799.95.....using the same screen they use now and the arrows are the size of a gnats ass.

Don't forget the "equally well performing" AA battery powered units for $30 more.

[nyjason13]

I know my investment in a V1 a couple weeks ago was worth it, but I'm wondering if I'll ever get to enjoy it like many of the long-time users have. I'm only 18, I was born too late in the game to experience the changes

If worse comes to worse, I'll invest in another Escort. Figures that the week I sell my 9500ix, Syracuse gets approved for Red Light Cameras.