Today Autoblog covered the release of the a new radar detector from Cobra with the first useful new feature I’ve seen since 1992 - a built-in GPS. Cobra isn’t the first to add GPS, for Beltronics and Escort’s latest models do so as well, but their new XRS-R9G rounds out GPS features among the big three US detector vendors. Interestingly, Valentine Research trusty V1 - the detector of choice among hard core drivers - does not, but Valentine, privately held by Michael Valentine (the genius behind the original Cincinnati Microwave Escort waaaaaaay back in the day), presumably remains - with but a single model in their line-up - presumably smaller than his competitors in the radar/laser detection market.
GPS functionality has grown common among UK detectors, yet although I’m convinced of its utter necessity if implemented correctly, I’m still not convinced it’s time to replace my V1.
Why?
First of all, let me say that I don’t now have - nor have I ever had - any official relationship with Valentine Research, nor any political or profit motive whatsoever in endorsing their products. This must be stated up front, because I am one of the most vocal proponents of the V1’s superiority over competing products, and have felt this way since its release in 1992.
So…the V1. The V1 has remained at the pinnacle of cviliian radar detection technology since it was first released, but even I will admit its lead over competing products has dwindled - almost to the point where its unique functionality may no longer be compelling to those interested in raw detection range, if not false alarm filtering.
From extensive personal experience I think most agree is far more harrowing than the average radar detector user, the V1 remains my detector of choice. Although some competing units raw detection range may be slightly better, the V1’s patented directional display makes it the only unit granting the user the ability to interpret incoming signals such that the unit may be used for its express purpose:
Speeding.
Why lie? Everyone speeds. Perhaps not all the time, but sometimes. As I’ve matured I recognized the futility of speeding on a regular basis, however mildly. My rally experiences notwithstanding, I rarely speed. Anyone - everyone - who has ever driven alone in the American Southwest (or Northwest, even) has pushed past the posted speed limit, and if even the most law-abiding citizen occasionally does so without remorse, and if police officers occasionally (and arbitrarily) let such people go with but a warning (for cops, sometimes aware of the debate between the spirit and the letter of the law, are also human), then clearly there is a gap between some speed limits and higher-yet-safe driving speeds. Even France, with some of the lowest speed limits in Europe, allows highway cruising at nationwide limit approaching 80 miles per hour.
I am not advocating speeding (read - law-breaking) per se, but rather the institution of realistic speed limits where possible, balancing both safety and the average citizen’s desire to cover a given distance in a reasonable span of time…which the Europeans - with their superior driver’s education - have clearly accomplished more successfully than we Americans.
The institution of realistic speed limits, combined with a serious multi-state (if not Federal) commitment to driver’s education, would profoundly improve our quality of life, reduce the number of road fatalities suffered each year, and lower the insurance premiums which have become so burdensome in our increasingly litigious culture.
In the meantime, Americans - bored and impatient - will continue to buy radar detectors until they are banned, or, at some inevitable point in the future, cars become fully automated - which I hope is delayed well beyond the end of my lifetime. (If you don’t know Rush’s Red Barchetta, buy it here.)
Since the sole purpose of a radar detector is to evade police detection of speeding, any feature that enables the driver to do so as successfully as possible is essential, and the absence of any feature which mitigates the detector’s effectiveness in fulfilling its sole purpose renders it useless.
The addition of GPS functionality - with its myriad applications for the mapping of speed traps and false alarms - is clearly beneficial to the speeder, but I see two problems that must be solved before GPS functionality can/will become useful, if not as indispensible as it might be:
1) Pre-programmed speedtraps/false alarm data
Manufacturers have only four sources for such data:
A) Law enforcement/government agencies.
B) Physical research. On the ground. The hard way.
C) Third-party research, licensed.
D) User submission.
(A) will with never happen. (B) isn’t cost effective. (C) is possible, but accuracy and freshness will remain issues.
Which leaves (D).
Would you bet your license, insurance premiums (and possibly your livelihood) on the accuracy and freshness of speedtrap locations submitted by complete strangers months or years in the past? Especially if you knew that law enforcement agencies, once aware that their favorite speedtraps were stored within increasingly popular civilian hardware meant to evade capture, would undoubtedly adapt and move to new locations?
I’d rather slow down, save the money spent on that GPS-enabled/pre-programmed detector, and spare myself the stress and doubt.
Pre-programmed GPS-enabled detectors are like ABS and traction control and electronic stability control. A false sense of security based on "safety" technologies one doesn’t fully understand can only lead to complacency…and disaster.
Helpful features, but not sufficient to replace human judgment, skill and/or experience.
I’m sure if the V1 wasn’t any good then you wouldn’t be using it, even if they did offer you money. Thinking of getting a detector myself but nothing as fancy as the V1.
There are so many detectors out there but I made the obvious choice and sprung for the V1. I can’t tell you how many times the directional display has helped me. Without it I’d be a paranoid wreck, trying to visually scan for threats. In a region where undercover cruisers are getting more and more popular, they are a must!
I live in the UK and bought a V1 because of what I saw it could do, and have to say I’m VERY happy with it. Thanks Alex for a good recommendation!!!!
Only problem, when in town it gives a lot of false alerts (automatic doors).
I agree with Alex about speeding. Virtually every Driver on the road has exceeded the speed limit several times or more during their driving career, and virtually every Driver will have at sometime, followed a Police car matching their speed, exceeding the limit. So why sweep it under the carpet? We all do it, and wouldn’t it be great, if we were all required to take (better) driver training to it safely.
Alkex if you ever want information from a non-biased test group, talk to these guys:
http://guysoflidar.com/
I have been a V1 user for several years now and currently have a unit hard wired in each of my cars. Having had several passports before that, the addition of directional arrows became a necessity after I used one for the first time. For those having problems with false alarms with k or x band, find out what police in your area use. Very few police use x band anymore so turn it off. I currently have x and k off because police where I live do not use it. Only false alarms I get are from Infiniti fx’s with the laser cruise control. Other than that if it goes off it is a cop.
If they ever decide to make a “Valentine Two”, I hope they go the way of regular GPS navigation, with visual cues as to when and where the threat is coming from. Also, imagine some sort of data feed between users of the V2? Storing locations of speedtraps for maybe 12 or 24 hours? This would be great on highways especially. Could be accomplished through bluetooth and your data plan on your cell phone.
I love my V1 but now they are replacing the UK speed cameras with digital technology and the V1 doesnt pick these new ones up.
For the ultimate protection I run the V1 and a GPS camera detector.
I have been waiting for Valentine to introduce a “V2″. I like the fact that they have continued to improve the V1 all these years, but I find it hard to believe they could not introduce an even more effective design, with external sensors for example.
The GPS method does work in norway, photoboxes are all over the place there, I was caught twice in 8 years of living there. The government is required to provide the gps data of all the photoboxes there, it is availible for download on the internet. People just program their normal hand held gps units to go off within 500ft or so of the boxes.
I have a V1 and love most everything about it. BUT why can’t it have remote mounting so it isn’t so obvious on the windshield? The Passport has some kind of front bumper mount but I’m not sure you get the distance and you still need rear protection.
I hope V1 goes to the next level, I bet they sell a million. Remote forward receiver to mount high up on the windshield just a small rectangular black box and one for the rear. Run the wires to your brain box under the dash and pick one of two displays/controls to mount on your dash or wherever. I don’t want to see my suction cup detector hanging there and have to remove when when I am not in the car to protect from theives. Laser jammers are steathy in their mounting, why not the V1?
Hello y On New Radar Detectors - The First Non-BS Features since 1992? Or…(Part 1) | Alex Roy’s Team Polizei 144 Blog was very well written. Good job.
Hi Alex,
Could you update the article, or issue a “Part II” when you get a chance?
I would like to know your unscientific opinion how the GPS enabled Escort 9500ix (or the stealthy 9500ci) compares to the mighty Valentine1.
Are they good enough to replace the Valentine 1 now. How well do they work on roads less traveled?
In Europe?
edit to add:
By “unscientific” I mean subjective. I can read reviews on the two all day long, but none of them tell me how they “feel” when used. If they can be trusted, etc.
Thank you for great post!
I bought this GPS unit on the recommendation of Consumer Reports (June, 2008) and these Amazon.com entries. I’m in full agreement with the majority of owners that the Garmin nuvi 260w is a reliable five star-rated product and for those few who find technical problems or glitches (I too have found a couple) I’d give it a 4.9 rating if it existed. Like any piece of electronics there is the possibility major defects do indeed occur. If this is the case I’m certain the manufacturer and/or retailer will replace the unit. On the matter of price per unit I bought mine at Costco $249.99 which includes the Garmin Vehicle Power Cable that I suspect is lacking from other retailers. Amazon.com beats the competition like Best Buy by as much as 50% when it comes to accessories like the Garmin AC Power Cable or Portable Friction Dashboard Mount (free shipping and no taxes!), both of which I regard as necessities, not accessories!