V1 3.861 versus older V1 detectors

[Phillip559]

I'm just wondering how the new V1 compares versus the older V1s sensitivity wise since I plan to pick up a 3.861 within the next few weeks.

It is my understanding that it currently has some issues.

How is its laser ability versus the older ones. I'm assuming if anything it would be improved.

Thanks

Phillip

[compu44]

I bought one about a week ago in hopes of replacing my RX65. Long story short, the Ka is downright awful and it's going back.

[jerry540i]

Apparently, the newest V1's are supposed to have improved sensitivity numbers.

That being said, V1 has consistently put out amazing products. There are some members here that wouldn't trade their old version 1.7 V1's in for anything!! I myself have a 3.613 (older model) that still performs flawlessly. (pre-POP pre-J model)

Recent units have had J issues, E issues, overheating issues, ghost X warnings (with X band turned off). This isn't to say that the V1 is flawed, just check the latest GOL results to see that it places at or very near the top in every test.

J/

[XOR]

It is my understanding that it currently has some issues.

For a radar detector that so many people claim has "issues", it sure does come out on top time and time again. I've read a lot of these threads on the various "issues" of the V1. Outside of a few problems that could maybe be characterized as manufacturing defects (which appear to be few) I'm convinced most of them are user errors and nothing more.

I've owned two of them now. My original version circa 1998 never gave me any problems. My newest one is only a week old, but I doubt it will have any problems either.

If V1 was truly producing a product that is as horrible as people on the Internet forums claim it is, it still wouldn't be ranked #1 by so many reviewers.

[Asleeper]

I've been rather content with my 3.818. Sensitivity is quite good imo, no need to upgrade as there aren't any significant changes on the newer versions. Also, the .818 is one of the least detectable to the spectre, which is supposedly on its way to VA.

I have no plans on upgrading until a spectre fix is found. Mine has served me well the last 2+ years..............if it ain't broke, why fix it?

[TabulaRasa]

I've had mine for over six years now. Don't feel the need to upgrade.

[Sparkknocker]

I bought one about a week ago in hopes of replacing my RX65. Long story short, the Ka is downright awful and it's going back.

Is Ka range bad all around or it works well on nice straight roads and not so well with hills and corners?

I sold a 3.826 V1 and kept my RX65 because the V1 had tunnel vision on ka band

[<<JAZZY>>]

I bought one about a week ago in hopes of replacing my RX65. Long story short, the Ka is downright awful and it's going back.

Is Ka range bad all around or it works well on nice straight roads and not so well with hills and corners?

I sold a 3.826 V1 and kept my RX65 because the V1 had tunnel vision on ka band

If you believe that the GOL team is the best source for independent unbiased testing then you should always go with the V1.

VALENTINE ONE REPORT CARD


GOL Radar Detector Test - August 2005

Winner of X band detection test
Winner of K band detection test
Winner of 35.5 Ka band detection test
Winner of Ka Band 67ms POP detection test
Winner of K Band 16ms POP detection test
No Ku band detection test was done


GOL Radar Detector Test - January 2006

Winner of X band detection test
Winner of K band detection test
Winner of 34.7 Ka band detection test
Winner of Ku band detection test
No POP detection test was done


GOL Radar Detector Test - October 2006

No X band detection test was done
Winner of K band detection test
Winner of 33.8 Ka band detection test
Winner of 35.5 Ka band detection test
67ms Ka band POP over the hill detection test was done but no detector
alerted
No Ku band detection test was done


GOL Radar Detector Test - March 2007

Winner of X band detection test
Winner of K band detection test
Winner of 33.8 Ka band detection test
Winner of 35.5 Ka band detection test (SR7 was not mounted under the bumper or inside the grill as stated in installation manual)
Winner of Ku band detection test
Winner of 67ms POP detection test (K band POP and Ka band POP combined)

[bigb3500]

I bought one about a week ago in hopes of replacing my RX65. Long story short, the Ka is downright awful and it's going back.

I am supprised, my 3.858 consistently beats my 2 X50 rev 5's on 35.5GHz Ka. Although, the RX65 seems to be a better performer on Ka than the X50. Also, you probably had a 3.861, and I don't know how that stacks up to the 3.858 for sensitivity, but I do know there are a few problems with the current generation. What frequncy of Ka were you encontering durring your testing?

[aust3333]

I bought one about a week ago in hopes of replacing my RX65. Long story short, the Ka is downright awful and it's going back.

Long time compu44, haven't seen you here in a while. I too bought the V1 at the beginning of April and have found my V1 to be very impressive on Ka. Testing the V1 against my X50 it was not even close. Testing against my RX65 is a different story. On long straight roads, the V1 and RX65 seem to pick up Ka band at about the same time (maybe a hair quicker with the RX65) but around corners and curves my V1 seems to lose the Ka battle with RX65. Seems the V1 has a bit of tunnel vision. I am thinking of sending it in for a checkup because it does not seem to perform that great on K band. Not terrible on K band but just being outperformed by my X50 and RX65. The K band tests are only with door openers (false alerts) but it should beat the other two detectors to the punch on K band but does not. To note, the RX65 was ran in USA mode and all detectors were ran one a time. I'm going to see what VR has to say about my concerns. Sorry to hear your bad luck with the V1 compu44, maybe you should send it back and see if things change.