Valentine V1 Gen2 Radar Detector TestedDoug Newcomb (Doug Newcomb)"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."The Valentine V1 Gen2 is capable of detecting radar and laser signals from farther away than other models I’ve tested.The detector syncs with Valentine’s V1connection app by Bluetooth for easier access to controls and to customize settings while offering compatibility with third-party apps to provide GPS and voice alerts.It’s more bare-bones than other similarly priced detectors—it doesn’t have GPS for marking frequent false alert locations and its app doesn’t provide crowdsourced location data.The sooner a radar detector warns you of speed-measuring devices, the quicker you can slow down to hopefully avoid getting a ticket or points on your license. Of all the radar detectors I’ve tested, the Valentine V1 Gen2 has the best detection range, as it’s able to identify radar and laser signals up to an impressive 2.5 miles away.AdvertisementAdvertisementIts LED display is small but easier to view versus more modern OLED displays, which can wash out in bright sunlight. It features helpful arrows to show whether radar or laser signals are detected from the front, back, or either side of a vehicle. And while controls are minimal, the Valentine app is well designed for accessing and fine-tuning the device’s settings.The Valentine V1 Gen2 lacks GPS and voice alerts, and can be difficult to mount with two small suction cups. But if you do a lot of highway driving and it’s long-range warnings you’re after, you won’t do better than this radar detector.Valentine One V1 Gen2 ProsThe best long-distance protection of any radar detector tested360-degree coverage with front and rear antennasProprietary app that provides easier access to controls and settingsConsBarebones displayNo GPS for marking frequent false alert locations or voice alertsMounting is challenging with two small suction cups$790 at amazon.comHow I TestedTo evaluate the Valentine V1 Gen2, I drove through speed-trap locations I’m familiar with in the San Diego area and also in both Portland and Hood River, Oregon. Whenever the Valentine identified valid radar or laser signals, I calculated the approximate detection range by noting the vehicle’s odometer reading and gauging the device’s effectiveness by the amount of time I had to respond to a warning.The detection range—which was exceptional—fluctuated from about 2.5 miles to around a half mile, and warning time varied from about two minutes to less than 30 seconds depending on my speed and the type and location of the speed-measuring equipment.AdvertisementAdvertisementI also gauged the quality of the Valentine’s visual and audible alerts based on how distinct and clear they were to understand while driving at highway speeds. The arrows, for example, not only provided a clear indication of a radar signal but also its direction. Finally, I assessed whether the Valentine’s controls were easy to use while driving at speed, and on its proprietary app, how well it ignored false alerts, and how its features compared to competitors.Longest Range and Clear WarningsBased on my broad testing in the category, the Valentine V1 Gen2 consistently detected radar and laser signals from farther away than any other detectors I have evaluated to date. While driving a long straightaway on a California state highway, the detector picked up a Ka-band signal from a highway patrol car parked an impressive 2.5 miles away. (For perspective, I’ve found with higher-end detectors that offer longer range, it has been in the 1- to 1.5-mile range.)In another instance, I drove several loops between two freeway overpasses about two miles apart where local police often park on an on-ramp and shoot Ka-band radar. When I passed the police car on the on-ramp, the Valentine V1 Gen2 issued constant warnings of a Ka signal behind me for about a mile, meaning there was no signal blockage.When approaching from the opposite direction, the Ka signal was detected less than a half mile away since the signal was blocked by a small hill and trees, yet I still had enough time to slow my speed. Each time I was able to quickly determine the direction of a signal based on the display’s arrows and, like most detectors, the Valentine V1 Gen2 makes a different sound for each signal it picks up.Front and Rear Antennas for 360-Degree ProtectionThe Valentine V1 Gen2 has front and rear antennas for 360-degree protection from radar and laser signals coming from any direction, which is something I recommend having in a detector if you’re willing to spend a bit more for the feature.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe Valentine V1 Gen2 takes a very different approach to false alerts than other detectors. Rather than relying on GPS to provide this data, the Valentine V1 Gen2 gives drivers the ability to filter those alerts and judge whether radar signals are genuine.That’s achieved through pressing and holding the main control button on the front of the detector to cycle through three modes. The first issues warnings for all signals detected (which can make for a noisy ride). The second mutes what are usually errant signals from automatic door openers or vehicles’ radar-based cruise control. The third is essentially a sensitivity-mode indicator that filters out all alerts.While the Valentine V1 Gen2 provides more data than most detectors, the result is that the device issues far more false alerts than the competition.Bare-Bones Controls and Display Compared to CompetitorsThe Valentine V1 Gen2 has bare-bones controls and a smaller display compared to most other detectors. That said, its LED display clearly shows the direction of a signal via bright arrows and the strength of a signal using a bar graph.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe controls consist of small up-and-down volume buttons on top and a multifunction button on the front for power, mode changes, and muting. While some car enthusiast colleagues of mine say they appreciate the minimalist design and interface, I find these controls are more difficult to use while driving.The Valentine V1 Gen2 uses arrows to show the direction of a radar signal and displays the strength of a signal and the number of signals being detected.Doug Newcomb (Doug Newcomb)The Valentine V1connection app, which is compatible with iOS and Android, pairs to the Gen2 via Bluetooth to provide much easier access to the device’s controls and to customize settings such as disabling certain alerts.Mounting your detector is another factor to consider. Compared to the Cobra RAD 700i’s large single suction cup and magnetic mount, the Valentine V1 Gen2 uses two small dual suction cups that are not as sticky. I experienced the detector dropping off the windshield at times like when my car hit bumps. The ratchet-like sleeve that connects the detector to the suction-cup mount is also clumsy. When I would try to adjust the angle, the detector would slide backward along the sleeve. This caused the front panel that’s used to make adjustments to go from facing straight forward to pointing upward, making it difficult to see and access the controls.The Verdict: Maximum Range, Minimal FeaturesThe Valentine V1 Gen2 has become a favorite among car enthusiasts for a reason: It offers the best long-range detection of any radar detector available. There are some trade-offs, including its minimalist display and lack of features, although the LED arrows are easy to see and decipher in any lighting conditions.AdvertisementAdvertisementIf you want to spend a bit more, the pricier Escort Redline 360c has a customizable multicolor OLED screen that receives updated crowdsourced alerts on speed traps and comes with a ticket-free guarantee that will reimburse users up to $250 during the first year of ownership if the device is purchased directly from Escort.But by focusing on the maximum long-range detection of any radar detector rather than features, the Valentine V1 Gen2 is the most likely to protect you from a ticket in the first place.Shop NowUniden R7 Radar DetectorEscort Max 4 Radar DetectorCobra RAD 700i Radar DetectorYou Might Also Like20 Cars That Were Massively Improved by a RedesignGoing on Vacation? These Appliances Need to Be Unplugged Before You Leave the HouseRoborock Reigns Supreme for Robot Vacuums, but We Also Loved These Other Models