Kudos to Mike Valentine (V1)
 

My trusty V1 finally gave up the ghost just over a week ago, so I sent it in for repairs. The Valentine 1 website gives instructions to include $45, or a credit card number that can be charged, for any out of warranty repairs. So I did.

I sent it in last Monday, the 18th. It was back on my doorstep when I got home yesterday. Repaired and fully functional once again, for a total charge of absolutely zero. Nadda. Zilch. Not even return shipping.

I like to spread the word about such outstanding customer service. If you are considering a radar detector, even beyond their excellent customer service, this is the one to get. It's simply the best one on the market today; designed and manufactured by a smaller company with a real enthusiasm for thwarting our modern, unjust, revenue-based enforcement. Add service like this to the deal, and I don't know how anyone could even consider anything else.

It would be great if every company had customer support like that.

I've had the same excellent service from Valentine and I strongly recommend their products!

Thats why I have a V1 in my car!

Escort charged me $80, but they totally replaced my out-of-warranty RD, which I had drenched on my bike in a heavy rainstorm. Still money well spent.

I always like hearing about smaller companies doing it better than the big guys.

Proper customer service is something that a lot of companies consider to be too expensive.
Such short sightedness seems so idiotic.

It's companies like these that will see the other side of the recession in good shape :)

Kudos for V1! I love mine and never go on a trip without it.

Does Mike V frequent the pelican forums. I've read he does at Rennlist.

Have had a V1 since my first Porsche in 2003. I don't leave home without it.

We even take the V1 in the wife's Subaru !

they give great bang for the buck.
i recommend them to anyone who has any other make of detector.

I love my V1- saved my butt many times already on the way to LV

I picked it up in a Mesa pawnshop for $75.00- it was the latest version, no upgrades needed. :) Ordered a new set of suction cups and good to go-

Only thing, they are strange and weird about the whole S/N thing.

rjp

I was thinking of removing my V1 X band as it is not common in Ca.
It would stop a bunch of false alerts.
Any others tried this yet?
More V1 info here...
How to Reprogram V1 Radar Detector

If you use it in town then ya, try it. I wsa going to try programming it to ignore x while it's in Logic mode- but I don't know the area well enough yet to see how accurate it is.

rjp

AFAIK, X-band is only still used in NJ. I've had it turned off on my detectors through many trips through CA and never got nailed. K and Ka-bands are where it's at.

I was under the impression that law enforcement has moved on to lasers. Do you guys still encounter a lot of radar traps?

I get laser falses once in a while, but have only ever gotten a real laser hit and was warned by an oncoming biker first. So I knew to slow down before he got me. I still see k and ka-band every day in AZ and often on the long hwy. stretches in CA. Never laser.

I dunno I have too much noise in my car between the stereo cranked and hauling butt to know what the hell is going on.

when it makes noise I chill out.

rjp

That's because if you keep a record of your V-1's serial number, and report it as stolen to them...;)

Thank God Ebay or the hardware store doesn't sell their accessories...

It was annoying as hell having to broadcast the SN to them- it's registered to me now...

rjp

Here in Washington, the only laser hits I get are from State Patrol. Everyone else seems to still be using radar. That, and if they are actually driving (you know, "patroling" as opposed to sitting on their asses on the side of the road), even State Patrol has to run radar. Laser can't be used from a moving vehicle.