Valentine One failures

[ToyQuest]

I've been a long time user (> 8 years) of Valentine One unitsin my cage vehicles. I currently own 2different units at different software rev levels.

This past weekend I experienced my 3rd total failure of a unitwhere by the unit powers on, passes self-tests but will never trigger an alertever. Can you say surprise!

Historically, I have sent these back in for repair at my owncost.

I’m currently looking for a radar unit that works well withthe MC. I'm not purchasing anotherValentine One or spending the extra money to get it setup for the MC. What are the current recommendations? I haven't kept up with the latest models from the competition.

 

 

[TriggerT]

I was also having problems with my V1, and just sent it in to them for repair / service.

I talked to them today, and much to my surprise they MIGHT be servicing it at no charge! the unit was a gift from my brother, and they said that because it was a gift there may be no charge. So in short, if you are thinking of getting a V1, have someone buy it for you as a "Gift" since there is a chance it will then get serviced for free.

OK, thread drift over. As far as other units, the only one I personally would look at other than a V1, is the one from TPX:

https://www.adaptivtechnologies.com/gear/

When my V1 does eventually bite the dust, I want one that is 100% weather resistant. I know that getting caught in the rain has not helped my V1 in the least.

If i had the extra money, I would also pony up for a laser dazzler, or something similar.

 

[SkooterG]

Only equal to the Valentine in performance are the Escort radar detectors.

I have a Passport 8500 X50 I really like. It's not waterproof, but I have had mine wet many a time with no problems. They also have a couple newer models with more bells and whistles that you pay for, but if I had to replace my current RD, I would get the 8500X50 again.

Clicky.

 

[Patriot]

is the one from TPX:

https://www.adaptivtechnologies.com/gear/

lots of advantages with the "designed for motorcycle use" TPX unit which IMHO is a very good choice

this unit keeps getting better and better every year and now is update-able

I have a Gen I and will be participating in their "trade in" program on a new unit

lots of work have gone into the radar detector and now the separate but effective lazer jammer

 

[rickcorwn]

is the one from TPX:

https://www.adaptivtechnologies.com/gear/

lots of advantages with the "designed for motorcycle use" TPX unit which IMHO is a very good choice

this unit keeps getting better and better every year and now is update-able

I have a Gen I and will be participating in their "trade in" program on a new unit

lots of work have gone into the radar detector and now the separate but effective lazer jammer

I have it on marginal authority that there will be a $50 adaptiv technologies gift certificate coming up on the Pay it Forward thread. I can't personally attest to the performance of their product, I have heard good things. They have been a big supporter of CFO with $1,000 worth of gift certificates over the last two years.

 

[TriggerT]

Yes, they stepped up BIG TIME for CFO, and I like supporting companies that support us (assuming their product is decent, which I think this one is).

 

[Bust-A-Cap]

+1 on the Adaptiv TPX, I have owned mine for a year now and it works as advertised. The company is also very responsive to their customers when there is a problem.

 

[ionbeam]

Adaptiv Technology TPX

I consider the primary job of my radar detector is to give me sufficient warning to confirm that my speed is within legal limits or give me enough warning to make speed adjustments if required. If the police are performing a correctly run speed enforcement activity then no radar detector will help you. I'm not willing to give up capability for convenience. (Hey I've got a great camera -- I can operate it with gloves on, it is water proof, I can drop it on the pavement and it still continues to take the same blurry, crappy pictures all day.)

Radar Roy sez:

Downside during this ride and subsequent tests of the TPX was the overabundance of false alerts. The Adaptiv system presently has three sensitivity settings; highway, city and city no X. Being a "road warrior" I always keep my detector on the highway setting. But because this setting also allows the dirty X band signal through unfiltered, I was alerting to every supermarket and gas station along my route. I also found that the TPX also alerted Ka to any vehicle equipped with one of those leaky Cobra radar detectors within my vicinity.

Switching over to City no X band, the false alerts did subside however I found that the K and Ka sensitivity also dropped off by almost 50%.

 

[TriggerT]

WOW, great info.

I had heard the TPX was not as sensitive as a V1, but I had no idea it was by that much. Guess I am keeping my V1 for now.

 

[SkooterG]

Adaptiv Technology TPX

I consider the primary job of my radar detector is to give me sufficient warning to confirm that my speed is within legal limits or give me enough warning to make speed adjustments if required. If the police are performing a correctly run speed enforcement activity then no radar detector will help you. I'm not willing to give up capability for convenience. (Hey I've got a great camera -- I can operate it with gloves on, it is water proof, I can drop it on the pavement and it still continues to take the same blurry, crappy pictures all day.)

Radar Roy sez:

Downside during this ride and subsequent tests of the TPX was the overabundance of false alerts. The Adaptiv system presently has three sensitivity settings; highway, city and city no X. Being a "road warrior" I always keep my detector on the highway setting. But because this setting also allows the dirty X band signal through unfiltered, I was alerting to every supermarket and gas station along my route. I also found that the TPX also alerted Ka to any vehicle equipped with one of those leaky Cobra radar detectors within my vicinity.

Switching over to City no X band, the false alerts did subside however I found that the K and Ka sensitivity also dropped off by almost 50%.

Thank you Alan. I had heard the TPX was not near as good as Escort/Valentine but didn't want to opine until I had the proof which you found for me.

Youse gets what youse pays for. Escort and Valentine are both established highly regarded companies that have been building top of the line detectors for many years. It would take quite a bit to convince me to try a no-name detector.

 

[Bounce]

And it's hard to dismiss the usefulness of the V1 locator function.

 

[Joe2Lmaker]

Thank you Alan. I had heard the TPX was not near as good as Escort/Beltronics or Valentine but didn't want to opine until I had the proof which you found for me.

Youse gets what youse pays for. Escort/Beltronics and Valentine are both established highly regarded companies that have been building top of the line detectors for many years. It would take quite a bit to convince me to try a no-name detector.

"Escort manufactures more than 20 radar and laser-related products and sells them domestically and internationally under the Escort and Beltronics brands." <Link>

 

[Patriot]

“A great radar detection unit for the “Weekend Warrior”, range and sensitivity equivalent to the top of the line Whistler radar detectors” – Radar Roy 2010

 

Top Reasons to Consider the TPX Motorcycle Radar Detection System

• Good radar and laser detection

•Water-resistant construction

•Shock- and vibration-resistant design

•Oversize, backlit control buttons

•Angled, backlit, daylight-visible LCD

 

 

Potential Issues with the TPX Motorcycle Radar Detection System:

•The Adaptiv Technologies TPX system is a great radar detector system for the “Weekend Warrior”. However if you’re an “Iron Butt” rider like myself you would want a radar detector that provides longer range protection and sensitivity like the Escort 8500 X50 or the Escort Redline and then accessorize the detector for motorcycle use.

 

My Bottom Line Recommendation for the TPX Motorcycle Radar Detector

 

If you’re in the market for an easy to install and use radar detection system for your motorcycle then I would strongly recommend that you check out the TPX Motorcycle Radar Detection System.

 

[ToyQuest]

Good stuff guys. It is looking like I might have tto again pay to get the V1 repaired as I'm not big on giving up on the coverage.

 

[Dennis in NH]

I've been a long time user (> 8 years) of Valentine One unitsin my cage vehicles. I currently own 2different units at different software rev levels.

This past weekend I experienced my 3rd total failure of a unitwhere by the unit powers on, passes self-tests but will never trigger an alertever. Can you say surprise!

Historically, I have sent these back in for repair at my owncost.

I’m currently looking for a radar unit that works well withthe MC. I'm not purchasing anotherValentine One or spending the extra money to get it setup for the MC. What are the current recommendations? I haven't kept up with the latest models from the competition.

 

Interesting. I have three V1s -- the oldest (13 years) is the thick one. The other two are the thinner ones.

About a year or so ago the thick one started to have a lot of false beeps. I don't trust it and may send it in for repair. I think I called one time and they said to just mail it in.

I recently took one of the thinner ones and put it on the FJR. I'm still in the "test" phase. I want to ensure it will sniff the radar good enough before I trust it. So far the test seems good.

Dennis

 

[Auburn]

I've been a long time user (> 8 years) of Valentine One unitsin my cage vehicles. I currently own 2different units at different software rev levels.

This past weekend I experienced my 3rd total failure of a unitwhere by the unit powers on, passes self-tests but will never trigger an alertever. Can you say surprise!

Historically, I have sent these back in for repair at my owncost.

I'm currently looking for a radar unit that works well withthe MC. I'm not purchasing anotherValentine One or spending the extra money to get it setup for the MC. What are the current recommendations? I haven't kept up with the latest models from the competition.

 

Interesting. I have three V1s -- the oldest (13 years) is the thick one. The other two are the thinner ones.

About a year or so ago the thick one started to have a lot of false beeps. I don't trust it and may send it in for repair. I think I called one time and they said to just mail it in.

I recently took one of the thinner ones and put it on the FJR. I'm still in the "test" phase. I want to ensure it will sniff the radar good enough before I trust it. So far the test seems good.

Dennis

I sent mine in for repairs a year ago because it would not power up. I also had them check to confirm it is working properly.

 

[JamesW]

I've been a long time user (> 8 years) of Valentine One unitsin my cage vehicles. I currently own 2different units at different software rev levels.

This past weekend I experienced my 3rd total failure of a unitwhere by the unit powers on, passes self-tests but will never trigger an alertever. Can you say surprise!

Historically, I have sent these back in for repair at my owncost.

I’m currently looking for a radar unit that works well withthe MC. I'm not purchasing anotherValentine One or spending the extra money to get it setup for the MC. What are the current recommendations? I haven't kept up with the latest models from the competition.

 

I have been impressed with my escort 8500's and I have them on all three of my bikes, put a ziplock sandwich bag over them during inclement weather (LEO radar does not work well in rainy weather) I have the accessory very audible speaker(available from aerostitch for one source)for instant attention getting. All I need to know is someone is out there RIGHT NOW, not where who or what or how many.. I travel with mine in auto mode no X( middle of nowhere I may use highway). recently I purchased the latest model called a redline, it allegedly has greater range front and REAR, mounted it a little off to my right(velcro on the brake fluid reserve so it would receive under my right arm to the rear), picked stuff up a long way off. It has programs you can custom adjust, I deleted the auto mute as I want it to sing loud and long with earplugs and the wind noise. I have been experimenting with an LED (very brite) from aerostich that plugs in to the speaker jack, extemely noticeable when oriented correctly. The redline has a menu for advanced riders that indicates on the screen what types of radar are in contact and how many of each, which I feel is totally frivilous on a fast moving bike. If you get a real strong hit, look innocent, ease off, and do not dynamite brakes, dead giveaway. For more info I am available.

 

[Gary]

(LEO radar does not work well in rainy weather)

Ka is in the middle of a frequency band reserved for military use. The reason it's been excised and given to traffic radar is that it's USELESS in the rain.

 

[sleddoc]

Only equal to the Valentine in performance are the Escort radar detectors.

I have a Passport 8500 X50 I really like. It's not waterproof, but I have had mine wet many a time with no problems. They also have a couple newer models with more bells and whistles that you pay for, but if I had to replace my current RD, I would get the 8500X50 again.

Clicky.

+1 the Escort X50 has worked well - you can mount it on a Techmount stem mount that replaces your factory stem nut.