V1 Moments

When I started looking for a better detector, I read all the tests, including the one from Speed Measurement Labs 2004 that’s touted by the other big detector maker. I wondered why the testers had all the detectors on the windshield, powered up at the same time. Mike Valentine has pointed out that this is … continued

We were headed across Oregon, my wife and I in my 2005 MINI Cooper S, and my cousin following in his modified T-bird. I was maintaining a brisk pace. The MINI handles very well, so I didn’t have to slow for the corners. My cousin had to drop back when the road curved, but he … continued

was running an early morning commute across the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, all posted at a blistering 55 mph. At a gas station I encountered a couple of plain-clothes sheriffs; must have been going to a meeting or something. I followed them for the next 100 plus miles, trailing about half mile behind. They were … continued

I bought a V1 and a bright red Cobra convertible at the same time. One month later, the wife and I are driving in East Texas. The road is a long, unbending two lane; a ten-mile stretch straight as a string. The wife is driving to see what the new car is like. The wife … continued

My V1 and I have witnessed plenty of devious scenarios in the past 130,000 miles, but this incident in Maryland takes the cake. I was cruising home from the office at, let’s say, express speed in light traffic when my V1 brapped out two Ka bogeys ahead, then stopped. Maryland has few Ka false alarms. … continued

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