ESP + RadarActive + Waze= Valentine on Steroids

[Mista140]

Here's another thread proposing an idea for V1's ESP.

I believe Valentine Research should go in a different direction and outsmart Belscort by purchasing RadarActive to gain access to their "Real time Valentine One radar detector display" technology. Then they should partner with an already established platform such as Waze. Since Waze is basically a traffic "Twitter" network for everyone who uses Android, iPhone, Blackberry, and Windows Mobile smartphones, Valentine would reap the benefits by jumping onboard with a popular social media app. They could probably charge $50 for a paid Waze V1 integrated app to undermine Belscorts $100 "Escort Live" technology, which isn't as popular as it is expected to be considering more people use Waze already.

From my experience with Waze in South Florida, I can tell you that everyone can benefit from Waze because it incorporates GPS Navigation, local category access similar to Yellow Pages (Gas Prices,Banks, Pharmacy, Food, Hotel, etc), and alerts for traffic camera, traffic jams, accidents, hazards, and police. You help your fellow road warriors by verifying upcoming traffic hazards. You scratch my back, I scratch yours in the new digital universe.

I do think it would be cool to add a GPS lock-out fuction like Escort, but Valentine would be falling into Belscorts trap of competing in high priced GPS radar detector market. You could just integrate a GPS lock-out notification in the Waze app so other V1 users can benefit from the sharing of traffic knowledge. The Valentine 1 is a leader in the industry because they never intended to make their product obsolete. Updating the V1's firmware with the ESP communications protocol is a much cheaper alternative than charging $500 every couple of years for a new updated radar detector that provides "improved performance" over previous models like other competitors.

Hopefully, us V1 fanatics can see Valentine progress in the future with technological advancement that surpasses Belscort piece of crap. All we need after that is a complete 360 degree protection unit that's stealth with a laser jammer combination to be content

[NormSky]

Me likey!

[GPSnV1]

Now that I am using V1 + RL/EL on long trips, I do not plan to purchase another V1 unless they come through with a bold move with technology that matters.

[saabturbo]

I think making Waze $50 would get rid of the market they are counting on to make it better.

[saabturbo]

Now that I am using V1 + RL/EL on long trips, I do not plan to purchase another V1 unless they come through with a bold move with technology that matters.

what is missing? especially on long trips I do not see escort live being effective.

[Mista140]

I think making Waze $50 would get rid of the market they are counting on to make it better.

No. I'm saying to keep Waze free for everyone with a smartphone. But charge V1 users a one time fee of $50 for a V1 integrated app like RadarActive using the company's platform allowing you to view the same V1 display with arrows, bogeys, and band notification on smartphones. It's would be just like paying for Escort Live.

[saabturbo]

I think making Waze $50 would get rid of the market they are counting on to make it better.

No. I'm saying to keep Waze free for everyone with a smartphone. But charge V1 users a one time fee of $50 for a V1 integrated app like RadarActive using the company's platform allowing you to view the same V1 display with arrows, bogeys, and band notification on smartphones. It's would be just like paying for Escort Live.

ah, okay, much better

[Digital Dude]

2-cents: Well, I've been using the Redline with 'Live' for several long trips, short trips and nearly everything in between. I have to say the 'Live' has grown very long in the tooth and frankly, it's a true PITA to set-up and turn BT on and off all the time. If I forget, the BT sucks my battery down rather quickly when I leave the car.

Also, I now see why so many folks like those arrows and I'm always wishing I had them. I'm very tempted to buy one and try it out on my next San Diego trip, but the lack of trafic cams is sorta of a concern.

[Mista140]

2-cents: Well, I've been using the Redline with 'Live' for several long trips, short trips and nearly everything in between. I have to say the 'Live' has grown very long in the tooth and frankly, it's a true PITA to set-up and turn BT on and off all the time. If I forget, the BT sucks my battery down rather quickly when I leave the car.

Also, I now see why so many folks like those arrows and I'm always wishing I had them. I'm very tempted to buy one and try it out on my next San Diego trip, but the lack of trafic cams is sorta of a concern.

I guess traffic cams are more prevalent in some areas of major cities. In Miami, there real scattered around and don't affect my daily driving patterns. I don't know if Waze includes every single traffic cams, but the app notifies when you're approaching intersections. You can also verify that they are being used when using the app. This is why I would like to see Valentine partner with Waze to integrate their database.

It sucks its a PITA to set it up but if you want a quality product you gotta put in time for the setup. How do you like the performance of the Redline so far? I hear the front facing radar performance is pretty solid. If I lived in an area where RDs were illegal or decided to take a rode trip it would be a toss up between the Redline, STi Magnum, or Sti Driver for stealth.

Also, having arrows and bogey counter on the unit make traveling and police encounters less stressful. It works best when you just get one blip on the radar that fades away or instant-on detection far from the LEO. At least you have some warning of the direction. Trust me the arrows will change your life man. Give it a spin and you won't have any regrets.

[Digital Dude]

Hi Mista140,
The Redline is better for 'in your face' detection at further distances than the V1 period. I noticed this very quickly and especially when I came up on the Border Patrol checkpoint on East Interstate-8. The traffic speed cart is picked up much sooner on the Redline. I wasn't using these together but I travel this route often enough to tell the difference in spades. Still, those arrows and especially the progressive ramp-up, can be very addicting!

As for GPS with 'Live' you make a good point and it is a compromise when using the V1 with Waze. I simply prefer the superior mapping and no need to run Bluetooth with the Live cable. It's now clear to me why some are running the StiR+ with the V1 without compromise, and that may well be the way I go.

Currently, the jury is still out as to which set-up I will keep, and I hope that I don’t get wrapped around the axel simply because the V1 is my new toy. Frankly, I wish I never bought the damn thing' because the Redline was fine all by itself. It's just that the V1 is easier/cleaner to mount in my car, offers more options and it's more fun to use. Bottom line: For me, it's about options and convenience and that in itself is subjective but thus far, I like this new mousetrap.