Valentine 1???

[///M3ryder NY]

Where is the cheapest place to purchase these? Can they even be bought anywhere other than direct from the company?

thx

[Ron17]

Everything that I've seen and heard says two things:

1) You cannot buy a Valentine 1 from anyone except the company. They do not distribute to any other retailer for sale to the public.

2) You cannot buy them for anything less than the $399 posted on their site. Not even with a group buy -- they are not interested at all. Never have been and supposedly never will be.

So, if you wanna buy one for cheaper, you've got to go to Ebay, and even then they are used ones.

[///M3ryder NY]

boo, i was afraid of that! :az:

[themadhatter]

buy an old one on ebay for cheap. send it in to Valentine for an upgrade for $$$ and be out the door for a few bucks cheaper.

that's about it, otherwise beware of buying used since they are most likely out of date.

[Heresy]

If you buy one off E-Bay make sure you get a picture of the Serial Number before you pay. Valentine will not upgrade units that have had the S/N removed (probably stolen.)

[98///M-DROPTOP]

Originally posted by Heresy
If you buy one off E-Bay make sure you get a picture of the Serial Number before you pay. Valentine will not upgrade units that have had the S/N removed (probably stolen.)
Also, if you buy from eBay there are two important considerations when thinking of the upgrade path:
1) the units come in various hardware and software vintages. The older units are physically larger and some on the software upgrages to them are not as effective (ie laser detect) as upgrades to the later (smaller) form factor. Get some of the serial numbers from eBay listings and plug them into the their upgrade calculator: https://store.valentine1.com/upgrades/ and you'll start to see the variability and cost. In some instances you can spend more than the $399 new cost to get an older/larger unit from an eBay seller and then get it upgraded....and it still won't perform as well as the newer/smaller unit.
2) The warranty is only good for the original purchaser and does not transfer to the second hand buyer....even if the unit is only a day/week/month old.
Just my two cents.
It's worth saying that I bought mine from an eBay seller. It was only 3 months old but he lives and works where I do and he agreed to get any warranty work done if necessary. I also saved $100...... got the newer unit and the remote, 3 months old for $349, met the guy in person, no shipping, Paypal, etc :)

[themadhatter]

they don't upgrade the larger units.

they give you a BRAND NEW one as an upgrade.

so, yes - you can "upgrade" an old unit for a new unit for a fee.

[98///M-DROPTOP]

Originally posted by themadhatter
they don't upgrade the larger units.

they give you a BRAND NEW one as an upgrade.

so, yes - you can "upgrade" an old unit for a new unit for a fee.
If the total cost is no more than the cost new then it's a good deal unless having a warranty is important to the person upgrading. Did your upgrade come with some sort of warranty coverage?

[alexd]

Spend the $399 and get the new one, it is well worth it. I don't go anywhere without it.

[PECivil]

I have had it about 8 months now

it has saved me from two tickets for sure

but I got one speeding ticket getting hit with laser

it DID go off (as the officer was getting on his bike to come over and bust me that is)

but for radar it is worth it

just make sure you hide it

[///M3ryder NY]

Yeah, the upgrade is $189. So, unless you get an older one for a real steal of a deal, you're not making out at all. I'm thinking I'll have to get myself a new one... Now I just need to weigh my options... V1, digital camera, LTW fly, new rims..... :az:

[Jim O.]

Valentine used to offer reconditioned units at a discount, whenever they had them in stock. Give them a call and see if any are available...

Jim

[///MDriver]

I read in another thread that they are 10% off.

[///M3ryder NY]

Originally posted by MDriver315
I read in another thread that they are 10% off.

What is? Reconditioned units, or new V1's are on sale? :confused:

[Cyrus]

you can buy mine if you like. 2 months old. newest generation 3 version.
i sold my car and i wont be needing this. :(

[joeyc]

You can purchase a perfectly fine unit that was returned under their 30 day guarantee. They dont advertise this, but I know of a few who have asked and gotten them maybe 40 bucks cheaper....something to that effect. Basically they consider it an "open box" item.
Joe

[WJones]

Originally posted by joeyc
You can purchase a perfectly fine unit that was returned under their 30 day guarantee. They dont advertise this, but I know of a few who have asked and gotten them maybe 40 bucks cheaper....something to that effect. Basically they consider it an "open box" item.
Joe

$379 for those.

[ducky]

Originally posted by WJones


$379 for those.

Really? It was $350 a couple weeks ago.

Good deal if you ask me.

[WJones]

Originally posted by ducky


Really? It was $350 a couple weeks ago.

Good deal if you ask me.

Maybe I was quoted the FU Wokfu price?

[AvusBluR]

FU Wokfu? :dunno

[M3X]

I am thinking of getting one too - if they have a special keep me posted i am definitely intereted, i can not afford to get my license suspended again!

Ever since my boy got it - it saved him from 2 tickets so far ;)

Thats my next Upgrade :cool:

[///MDriver]

This is probably a stupid question, but how does V1 handle tints?

[///M3ryder NY]

Originally posted by MDriver315
This is probably a stupid question, but how does V1 handle tints?

I think there are some stats on the v1 site if I'm not mistaken. Check it out... Basically, as with ANY radar, there is a slight degradation of performance if it's going through a tinted window....On the windshield, obviously this isn't of concern, because chances are you will have it towards the bottom of the windshield mounted, and not at the top where you might have a tint stripe....

[98///M-DROPTOP]

Originally posted by MDriver315
This is probably a stupid question, but how does V1 handle tints?
Installation tips on their site says the following:
"When properly mounted, the front antenna will look forward through the glass. It must have an unobstructed view. Don't put it behind the windshield wipers, or in-glass antenna. Don't position it so that it "looks" into the rearview window.
The rear antenna will look rearward, between passengers and out the rear window. It must have an unobstructed view.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Windshield heaters such as Ford's InstaClear® system (you can see a brown tint) block radar from passing through the glass. So do mirrored sun screens. Detector performance will be seriously reduced when mounted behind such metallic films."

Doen't appear to be affected by the bluish tints our cars use but I mount mine with the suction cups behind the tint and the unit positioned just below the tint line.....just in case it does matter.

Here's the full link:
http://www.valentine1.com/moreinfo/Mount.asp

[///M3ryder NY]

Here's the info i was referring to...

http://www.valentine1.com/lab/MikesLabRpt2.asp

I guess it's worse than i has thought... :(

[98///M-DROPTOP]

Originally posted by ///M3ryder NY

I guess it's worse than i has thought... :(
This specifically deals with blocking lasr detection. I've never been hit by a police laser, at least I don't think so, but these who have say it's was too late by the time the detector went off. I personally don't believe the tint hurts radar detection that much but that's not what report number one says...see attached...at least it doesn't say BMW's are on the terrible list:

http://www.valentine1.com/lab/MikesLabRpt1.asp