V1 Moments

I was reading Car and Driver, sitting on the couch at Johanna’s parents’ house; she was my girlfriend. The issue featured a test of radar detectors. I remember mentioning to her, I wish I could afford the winner. It was Valentine One. Christmas came, I opened the package and there was Valentine One. I remember … continued

I have owned three different radar detectors, most recently a Passport. I had considered Valentine One, but the little man on my left shoulder kept saying, “too expensive. What makes it so special that it can demand $400?” Ignoring the little man on my right shoulder, I yielded to the little man on the left … continued

One day we took my BMW 528i with its hardwired V1 and remote display and went to King of Prussia Shopping mall with our friends. They were driving a VW Jetta with a Passport sucked to the middle of the windshield and cigarette lighter power cord. The trip is almost 2 hours on PA Turnpike. … continued

I don’t own a V1…yet. But after what happened, I’m dumping my Escort. I was in upstate NY when I met a Trooper in the oncoming lane. I saw him, slowed down and, because my Escort never made a peep, continued on without worry. Five minutes later he was at my window telling me he … continued

I read with interest James Barnes’ comments about getting rid of his V1 when he became a police officer (December, 2003). I’m a Deputy Sheriff, and I currently own not one, but two V1s. It simply would never have occurred to me that, just because I’m an officer of the law, I’m not allowed to … continued

Here in Puerto Rico, Ka band is used to monitor speed. The other day as I was traveling about 70 on the highway, my V1 said “one enemy patrol behind very far.” As I continued in my Ford Explorer, my V1 continued with one Ka behind, but incrementing in strength. I looked through the mirror … continued

As a long-distance motorcycle rider, I encounter numerous morons but none quite as persistent as this one. I acquired a pickup-truck “buddy” as he entered the interstate behind me. Did he see that I had a V1 up behind the windshield, or was it a bike thing? He got MUCH too close. I decided to … continued

When I was a police officer, I used my V1 to find the multiple-bogey areas in town. Then I hid in the “false alarm zone” and ran my radar and laser guns. I can honestly say that the majority of the prey I caught had some sort of other detector, if they had any at … continued

I was passing Northwestern University on the main drag into Evanston, from the North. As I drove past a side street at a pretty good clip, my V1 went off. It was K band lighting the “side” arrow, and it was quickly over. I slowed and proceeded a good eight more blocks before spotting a … continued

I had a Bel and was not satisfied with the Ka range, so I researched other detectors by reading the reviews in various auto magazines. Escort and Valentine appeared to be about even. But I could purchase the Escort at a local retailer. So that’s what I did. I move cars part-time, along with a … continued