Valentine One Radar Detector Moment of the Month
January 2004: Disgusted With Detector Tests

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 friend who has a two-year-old V1. Driving behind him, I began to notice he would hit his brakes, and I noted where. Almost every time, V1 gave him at least a 1/4-mile more warning than my Escort gave me. Sometimes I would not get a warning at all.

Here's the bad part of this story. I recently received a ticket from the Texas Highway patrol. She came from behind and got me. My Escort had given me no warning.

I now have a V1. I put the old Escort in my wife's car, but I may have to get her a Valentine, also.

I'm really disgusted. If I can compare detectors by following a V1-equipped a car—if it's that straightforward—why can't the journalists give a fair report? Meanwhile, I spent (blew?) $300 for a not-good-enough detector.

Cliff Johnson
Euless, TX