Buying a used Valentine 1 - What you need to know

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08-19-2009, 01:10 PM
th3 factory freak

Buying a used Valentine 1 - What you need to know

.........
08-19-2009, 01:21 PM
OPTiK

Re: Buying a used Valentine 1 - What you need to know

This should be a sticky!
08-19-2009, 01:39 PM
th3 factory freak

Re: Buying a used Valentine 1 - What you need to know

Edited, more info added.

Moderator, if you see fit, please make this a sticky!

Thanks.
08-19-2009, 01:45 PM
Zapple

Re: Buying a used Valentine 1 - What you need to know

Also: Try to buy a V1 with box and accessories included. This pretty much guarantees that the unit is not stolen.
08-19-2009, 01:51 PM
th3 factory freak

Re: Buying a used Valentine 1 - What you need to know

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zapple

Also: Try to buy a V1 with box and accessories included. This pretty much guarantees that the unit is not stolen.

That's true, serious sellers who bought the original unit and have all the accessories and the box are much more convincing.
08-19-2009, 01:54 PM
<<JAZZY>>

Re: Buying a used Valentine 1 - What you need to know

Quote:

Originally Posted by th3 factory freak

Option # 5 for Ka sensitivity should be turned on.

I disagree with this setting. It doesn't increase the Ka sensitivity, it justs makes the Ka alerts seem more urgent by increasing the number of leds and the sound ramp-up. It makes it extremely hard to judge how close a Ka radar source is which is what makes the V1 awesome. If you have this setting on, it is like driving around with a Belscort with crappy ramp-up where everything seems like an instant-on threat.

Other than that, great information that should be stickied.:)
08-19-2009, 02:29 PM
th3 factory freak

Re: Buying a used Valentine 1 - What you need to know

Quote:

Originally Posted by <<JAZZY>>

Quote:

Originally Posted by th3 factory freak

Option # 5 for Ka sensitivity should be turned on.

I disagree with this setting. It doesn't increase the Ka sensitivity, it justs makes the Ka alerts seem more urgent by increasing the number of leds and the sound ramp-up. It makes it extremely hard to judge how close a Ka radar source is which is what makes the V1 awesome. If you have this setting on, it is like driving around with a Belscort with crappy ramp-up where everything seems like an instant-on threat.

Other than that, great information that should be stickied.:)

Point taken, I edited the content a bit.
08-19-2009, 02:34 PM
th3 factory freak

Re: Buying a used Valentine 1 - What you need to know

Added comparison picture of 1.7 vs. 1.8
08-19-2009, 03:48 PM
TQUILL

Re: Buying a used Valentine 1 - What you need to know

The 1.7 is gargantuan!
08-19-2009, 03:57 PM
stlcardsfan

Re: Buying a used Valentine 1 - What you need to know

Excellent article. Very well done!:)
08-19-2009, 03:59 PM
th3 factory freak

Re: Buying a used Valentine 1 - What you need to know

Quote:

Originally Posted by TQUILL

The 1.7 is gargantuan!

Indeed it is. They weigh more than the 1.8
08-19-2009, 04:00 PM
th3 factory freak

Re: Buying a used Valentine 1 - What you need to know

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clay_in_Nashville

Excellent article. Very well done!:)

Thank you. I decided to share from all my personal experiences.
08-19-2009, 04:16 PM
Cips

Re: Buying a used Valentine 1 - What you need to know

5 Stars.
08-19-2009, 05:37 PM
v1user

Re: Buying a used Valentine 1 - What you need to know

Your check from Valentine Research is in the mail.:D
08-19-2009, 05:38 PM
th3 factory freak

Re: Buying a used Valentine 1 - What you need to know

Quote:

Originally Posted by v1user

Your check from Valentine Research is in the mail.:D

Honestly, I would love to work for them, or least meet Mike Valentine for lunch or something cool like that.
08-19-2009, 05:40 PM
v1user

Re: Buying a used Valentine 1 - What you need to know

Quote:

Originally Posted by th3 factory freak

Quote:

Originally Posted by v1user

Your check from Valentine Research is in the mail.:D

Honestly, I would love to work for them, or least meet Mike Valentine for lunch or something cool like that.

We all would. He is probably the most hated guy in traffic enforcement.
08-19-2009, 05:51 PM
th3 factory freak

Re: Buying a used Valentine 1 - What you need to know

Quote:

Originally Posted by v1user

Quote:

Originally Posted by th3 factory freak

Quote:

Originally Posted by v1user

Your check from Valentine Research is in the mail.:D

Honestly, I would love to work for them, or least meet Mike Valentine for lunch or something cool like that.

We all would. He is probably the most hated guy in traffic enforcement.

Per what I see on youtube, law enforcement doesn't know didly squat about this stuff, let alone about their own radar systems, but that's for another thread.

We should try to arrange some sort of a meet at VR for all V1 fanatics and meet the man himself.
08-19-2009, 06:57 PM
<<JAZZY>>

Re: Buying a used Valentine 1 - What you need to know

Quote:

Originally Posted by TQUILL

The 1.7 is gargantuan!

This is from the internet archive from January 1999:

http://web.archive.org/web/199902090...1homephoto.gif

This is how the Valentine One V1.7 would measure up to the latest detectors. The Escort 9500i and Escort 9500ix are still bigger in size than the Valentine One V1.7 and the Valentine One V1.7 is the second lightest detector.

Size (from smallest to largest):

Valentine One V1.8 -> 16.20 cu. in.
Bel RX65 Pro -> 16.33 cu. in.
Bel STi Driver-> 16.33 cu. in.
Escort 8500 X50 -> 18.95 cu. in.
Valentine One V1.7 -> 21.06 cu. in.
Escort 9500i -> 21.72 cu. in.

Weight (from lightest to heaviest):

Valentine One V1.8 -> 181.5g (6.40 ounces)
Valentine One V1.7 -> 226.8g (8.00 ounces)
Bel RX65 Pro -> 236.6g (8.35 ounces)
Escort 8500 X50 -> 253.7g (8.95 ounces)
Escort 9500i -> 269.2g (9.49 ounces)
Bel STi Driver -> 291.6g (10.29 ounces)
08-19-2009, 07:54 PM
mikered30

Re: Buying a used Valentine 1 - What you need to know

Very nice, might want to add something about transferring ownership to yourself when you buy it and when you call VR to check if it is stolen, may want to give your name and potential serial number, as that may mean something if the seller turns around and reports it stolen after he sells it to you. Also, when determining the price you want, just add $45 plus shipping to it for a tune, as many of the units are out of tune and dumped on fleabay.
08-19-2009, 08:06 PM
fire65

Re: Buying a used Valentine 1 - What you need to know

OK, I will add this since I looked long and hard before purchasing my BRAND NEW V1. Just go to valentine one and buy a new one, UNLESS YOU KNOW THE PERSON AND IT IS THEIRS. Best advice is to test drive the new 3.872 and see what you think. In the RD world you usually get what you pay for. Cheap is not always the best deal.
08-19-2009, 09:56 PM
fab68

Re: Buying a used Valentine 1 - What you need to know

Cool info
08-19-2009, 10:28 PM
REBinc

Re: Buying a used Valentine 1 - What you need to know

Quote:

Originally Posted by th3 factory freak

Added comparison picture of 1.7 vs. 1.8

There are v1.7 without the added height on the bottom, the pre-laser ones with no band counter. We're talking way back when they first came out.

Photo courtesy of outrun:
http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/7...tine005ut0.jpg
08-20-2009, 03:24 AM
corkguykev

Re: Buying a used Valentine 1 - What you need to know

Quote:

Originally Posted by OPTiK

This should be a sticky!

X2^. Great info for anyone buying a used V1 :cool: :thumb2:
08-20-2009, 08:40 AM
QuickTrigger

Re: Buying a used Valentine 1 - What you need to know

sticky!!!!!:rock::rock:
08-20-2009, 08:46 AM
th3 factory freak

Re: Buying a used Valentine 1 - What you need to know

Quote:

Originally Posted by REBinc

Quote:

Originally Posted by th3 factory freak

Added comparison picture of 1.7 vs. 1.8

There are v1.7 without the added height on the bottom, the pre-laser ones with no band counter. We're talking way back when they first came out.

Photo courtesy of outrun:
http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/7...tine005ut0.jpg

Thank you, added to article.
08-20-2009, 08:49 AM
th3 factory freak

Re: Buying a used Valentine 1 - What you need to know

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikered30

Very nice, might want to add something about transferring ownership to yourself when you buy it and when you call VR to check if it is stolen, may want to give your name and potential serial number, as that may mean something if the seller turns around and reports it stolen after he sells it to you. Also, when determining the price you want, just add $45 plus shipping to it for a tune, as many of the units are out of tune and dumped on fleabay.

Added. :)
08-25-2009, 03:01 PM
ahmadr

Re: Buying a used Valentine 1 - What you need to know

Great guide. my 2 cents on htis:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zapple

Also: Try to buy a V1 with box and accessories included. This pretty much guarantees that the unit is not stolen.

x2. Sound advice.

Quote:

Originally Posted by <<JAZZY>>

Quote:

Originally Posted by th3 factory freak

Option # 5 for Ka sensitivity should be turned on.

I disagree with this setting. It doesn't increase the Ka sensitivity, it justs makes the Ka alerts seem more urgent by increasing the number of leds and the sound ramp-up. It makes it extremely hard to judge how close a Ka radar source is which is what makes the V1 awesome. If you have this setting on, it is like driving around with a Belscort with crappy ramp-up where everything seems like an instant-on threat.

Other than that, great information that should be stickied.:)

x2. I don't see why changing that setting should be something a newbie needs to do. Turning POP off might be a recommendation I would make though :D
Then again, custom settings have nothing to do with buying a used V1

Quote:

Originally Posted by th3 factory freak

* MAKE SURE ALL RADAR BANDS AND LASER ARE TURNED ON!

Here is how to do so: Ask Mike - Report #3

* I highly recommend reading the manual guide found at:
Download V1 Owner's Manual

Especially if you're new to this stuff.
* Option # 5 for Ka sensitivity should be turned on. This is optional, try using the unit with this mode off and see what you like best.
* Option # 6 for detecting junk detectors (Ka signal) should be turned on.
* Option J for POP radar should be left ON at this point, but you can later disable it.
* No need to run Euro Mode or Euro X-band unless ofcourse you living in Europe or the Middle east where the 6F Multnova units or BEE units are used.

Why not just set everything as factory, just like a brand new V1?? Again, custom settings have nothing to do with buying a used V1. They can change them later if they want to.

Quote:

Originally Posted by th3 factory freak

Ka and Laser bands should REMAIN ON AT ALL TIMES. These are almost always a positive threat.

I agree they should remain on, but most of my laser alerts are false. And, you can get a good number of false Ka alerts if you have POP on.