Valentine One Radar Detector Connects to iPhone Via New Bluetooth LE Adapter

MacRumors · Nov 15, 2013

The Valentine One, considered by many to be the best radar detector on the market, can now connect to the iPhone via a new Bluetooth adapter called the V1connection LE.

The $50 Bluetooth adapter connects to the accessory jack on the Valentine One radar detector and then allows the app, a free download on the App Store [Direct Link], to connect to the detector and control and display alerts in real-time.

V1connection LE is a Bluetooth®-enabled module about the size of your thumb that wirelessly links V1 to your compatible iPhone/iPad/iPod touch. Choose among three information screens at any time: one reproduces V1 front-panel warnings in real time, plus frequency and direction of the Priority Alert; another shows the continuously-updated Threat Picture featuring our new Arrow-in-the-Box concept, a revolutionary way of analyzing radar threats; yet another screen lists all threats within range, with direction, band ID and frequency for each, arranged by length of tracking time. A yellow "Box" symbol appears for each threat "in the Box."

V1connection LE also acts as the Master Controller for your V1 system, allowing you to revise programming, adjust SAVVY settings, change muting and computer modes, activate dark mode, save custom programming profiles for different trips, and more, all from your compatible iPhone/iPad/iPod touch.

The app uses three modes to help determine "threats" -- one is a standard readout that mirrors the forward/side/rearward arrow display and the number of alerts detected of the Valentine One's display. The second is a "arrow in the box" display that shows what the frequency of each alert is, and whether it is in the known range for police radar; and the third mode lists all detected radar and the frequencies of each.

It also allows users to manually darken the detector for better night vision, and change detecting modes right from the iPhone. There is a demo mode for users to try before actually purchasing the detector and Bluetooth adapter. The adapter only works with newer iOS devices that support Bluetooth 4.0.

Both the Valentine One detector and the V1connection LE are available direct from Valentine's website for $400 and $50 respectively. The V1connection app is a free download from the App Store. [Direct Link]

Article Link: Valentine One Radar Detector Connects to iPhone Via New Bluetooth LE Adapter

SpinThis! · Nov 15, 2013

Arrows FTW. Love my V1 but not sure how much value the app brings unless you do some serious road tripping.

smileyborg · Nov 15, 2013

I've owned a V1 for a while now, it's awesome. Ordered this Bluetooth LE accessory last week, and it arrived today. It just works -- and it's super awesome! Will even generate local notifications on the device if in the background (say, while your GPS app is in the foreground).

The best feature is auto-muting of bogeys that are "out of the box" (not in the frequency spectrum where police radar operates). Would love to seem them leverage the device GPS to serve the same purpose as SAVVY (auto-mute below a certain speed), as I don't own their SAVVY module and don't want to have to run a cable across the interior of the car.

Anyways, definitely recommend this combo!

Berknip · Nov 15, 2013

I have this as well and like it better than the remote display. You can shut off the display to the V1 and just use the app. Great if you have your iphone in a mount, which I do (ProClip also FTW).

jpmcnown · Nov 15, 2013

Unless you can maintain a simultaneous bluetooth connection to a handsfree kit as well, these make little sense for a car. A Wifi connection would make more sense. Crossed this bridge when setting up OBD2 monitoring.

OverSpun · Nov 15, 2013

smileyborg said:
I've owned a V1 for a while now, it's awesome. Ordered this Bluetooth LE accessory last week, and it arrived today. It just works -- and it's super awesome! Will even generate local notifications on the device if in the background (say, while your GPS app is in the foreground).

The best feature is auto-muting of bogeys that are "out of the box" (not in the frequency spectrum where police radar operates). Would love to seem them leverage the device GPS to serve the same purpose as SAVVY (auto-mute below a certain speed), as I don't own their SAVVY module and don't want to have to run a cable across the interior of the car.

Anyways, definitely recommend this combo!

It seems like you have one of the latest V1s w/ ESP. Mine is ~10 years old with the latest firmware from a year back but I feel like I can't do much with this LE app. I already have the original concealed display. I'll have to wait and see how this works out for other people.

Berknip said:
I have this as well and like it better than the remote display. You can shut off the display to the V1 and just use the app. Great if you have your iphone in a mount, which I do (ProClip also FTW).

How old is your V1, without ESP?

ChrisA · Nov 15, 2013

They need to share the radar data.

What they need to do is have the iPhone app send radar data to a central database then all users of this detector could share data, you could know way in advance there is a radar operating in your area. Some sort of interface to Google Maps would work too.

Once you have the data in the phone there is a LOT you can do with it other than simply display it.

I don't know why the police don't convert over to a pulsed radar. That means the radar is on for only a millisecond or two then shuts off. Then they have your speed recorded but you'd have zero advance warning.

jlgolson · Nov 15, 2013

ChrisA said:
I don't know why the police don't convert over to a pulsed radar. That means the radar is on for only a millisecond or two then shuts off. Then they have your speed recorded but you'd have zero advance warning.

That's what laser is but the guns are much more expensive. Radar is cheap and easy and you can turn it on and off to defeat detectors. Many cops don't bother, however.

Berknip · Nov 15, 2013

OverSpun said:
It seems like you have one of the latest V1s w/ ESP. Mine is ~10 years old with the latest firmware from a year back but I feel like I can't do much with this LE app. I already have the original concealed display. I'll have to wait and see how this works out for other people.

How old is your V1, without ESP?

I have a recent V1 with ESP.

Unless you can maintain a simultaneous bluetooth connection to a handsfree kit as well, these make little sense for a car. A Wifi connection would make more sense. Crossed this bridge when setting up OBD2 monitoring.

With my iPhone 5s, I have an OBD2 monitor, bluetooth handset/music streaming, and this and they work fine. Just made a 16 hour trip with all three this weekend and no issues. YMMV.

smileyborg · Nov 15, 2013

OverSpun said:
It seems like you have one of the latest V1s w/ ESP. Mine is ~10 years old with the latest firmware from a year back but I feel like I can't do much with this LE app. I already have the original concealed display. I'll have to wait and see how this works out for other people.

Yes, I do have one of the newer models with ESP...wasn't very excited about it at the time (I assumed they were going to wait for 3rd party accessories to leverage it), but now that I see they planned to leverage it internally with first party accessories like this, I'm very happy to have gotten it!

V1 is very good about upgrading your device though, if you go to their website and enter your serial number they should offer you an upgrade price to get the latest version.

nagromme · Nov 15, 2013

Obviously bad laws should be struck down. Maybe it should be legal to drive safely.

But if speed laws ARE helpful, and they exist, it boggles my mind that it's legal to sell devices for the specific purpose of breaking those laws.

I wish I could say it surprises me that people WANT to drive faster than legal, drive through red lights/stop signs, drive drunk etc.

But having almost been killed by such a person, and my father as well (in a separate incident, neither one involving impairment or alcohol), this no longer surprises me.

jona2125 · Nov 15, 2013

ChrisA said:
What they need to do is have the iPhone app send radar data to a central database then all users of this detector could share data, you could know way in advance there is a radar operating in your area. Some sort of interface to Google Maps would work too.

Once you have the data in the phone there is a LOT you can do with it other than simply display it.

I don't know why the police don't convert over to a pulsed radar. That means the radar is on for only a millisecond or two then shuts off. Then they have your speed recorded but you'd have zero advance warning.

V1C LE is actually months old now. Also Escort has that feature you describe. Its called Escort Live! and it pulls data from Waze as well as alerts from Live! users.

And as far as "pulsed" radar, there is a lot you're missing about techniques and methods. I won't disclose how it all works but what you're referring to already exists if you're smart enough to know how to use it. The best detectors, and it seems Escort takes the cake on it with the Redline and, for that specific style of radar, the new Max, are excellent on detecting it

furi0usbee · Nov 15, 2013

nagromme said:
But if speed laws ARE helpful, and they exist, it boggles my mind that it's legal to sell devices for the specific purpose of breaking those laws.

I wish I could say it surprises me that people WANT to drive faster than legal, drive through red lights/stop signs, drive drunk etc.

But having almost been killed by such a person, and my father as well (in a separate incident, neither one involving impairment or alcohol), this no longer surprises me.

Dude... it's a radar detector, not a stop sign defeater or red light changer. Way to go off on a tangent.

----------

jona2125 said:
And as far as "pulsed" radar, there is a lot you're missing about techniques and methods. I won't disclose how it all works but what you're referring to already exists if you're smart enough to know how to use it.

You won't disclose because you don't know what you are talking about, or because you want to say "Na, na, na, na, na, na. I know something you don't?"

utekineir · Nov 15, 2013

nagromme said:
Obviously bad laws should be struck down. Maybe it should be legal to drive safely.

But if speed laws ARE helpful, and they exist, it boggles my mind that it's legal to sell devices for the specific purpose of breaking those laws.

I wish I could say it surprises me that people WANT to drive faster than legal, drive through red lights/stop signs, drive drunk etc.

But having almost been killed by such a person, and my father as well (in a separate incident, neither one involving impairment or alcohol), this no longer surprises me.

The common sentiment held by most people that use radar detectors and aren't ****stick morons is that a radar detector will not save you from speeding tickets on its own.

It is just one more tool to use along with being observant paying attention to the road, other cars and your surroundings being the most important things you can do to avoid tickets. It is not a license to speed and if you rely only on the detector you will end up with plenty of tickets.

Personally I find my detectors most useful when it comes to saving your ass from quota maker speed traps where the limit suddenly dips to the 25-35 range.

Keeping up with the flow of traffic is the safest way to travel, so your comparison of "speeding" to blowing stop signs red lights and driving drunk is pretty asinine.

ciaran00 · Nov 15, 2013

So not only can you now speed, you can also be using your iPhone while you are doing it. Genius product. I hope I'm surrounded by lots of this product's customers on the freeway.

larrylaffer · Nov 15, 2013

nagromme said:
Obviously bad laws should be struck down. Maybe it should be legal to drive safely.

But if speed laws ARE helpful, and they exist, it boggles my mind that it's legal to sell devices for the specific purpose of breaking those laws.

I wish I could say it surprises me that people WANT to drive faster than legal, drive through red lights/stop signs, drive drunk etc.

But having almost been killed by such a person, and my father as well (in a separate incident, neither one involving impairment or alcohol), this no longer surprises me.

There are legitimate reasons to own one of these. There was an intersection not too far from where I live where the city would change the speed limit on a weekly basis. First, they'd increase it to 50, then lower it to 35, then repeat. They'd plant bike cops behind bushes and just wait. It's worth noting this road was 4 lanes on each side, and had no sidewalk. The 35 mph limit was set purely to set up a speed trap.

Now, to me, that's not right. My radar detector helped me avoid them when they'd plant themselves there, and I've no qualms about doing it.

FloatingBones · Nov 15, 2013

furi0usbee said:
Dude... it's a radar detector, not a stop sign defeater or red light changer. Way to go off on a tangent.

Drivers just need to make sure that they don't go off on a tangent.

Lazy · Nov 15, 2013

Berknip said:
With my iPhone 5s, I have an OBD2 monitor, bluetooth handset/music streaming, and this and they work fine. Just made a 16 hour trip with all three this weekend and no issues. YMMV.

Ok, I'll bite: which OBD2 monitor are you using? The GoPoint BT1? I want to get one, but not one that costs $120.

Sort of getting back to the topic here, it's awesome that all of that stuff works at the same time.

Romey-Rome · Nov 16, 2013

That's awesome - Until a BMW with adaptive cruise is behind you. May as well turn it off.

----------

You just wait until you see Waze.

nagromme said:
Obviously bad laws should be struck down. Maybe it should be legal to drive safely.

But if speed laws ARE helpful, and they exist, it boggles my mind that it's legal to sell devices for the specific purpose of breaking those laws.

I wish I could say it surprises me that people WANT to drive faster than legal, drive through red lights/stop signs, drive drunk etc.

But having almost been killed by such a person, and my father as well (in a separate incident, neither one involving impairment or alcohol), this no longer surprises me.

evilrt · Nov 16, 2013

jpmcnown said:
Unless you can maintain a simultaneous bluetooth connection to a handsfree kit as well, these make little sense for a car. A Wifi connection would make more sense. Crossed this bridge when setting up OBD2 monitoring.

I don't need a 100% Bluetooth connection. I was able to filter out frequencies that are never used in NJ. those settings are now stored in the detector. it has made my V1 so much quieter by cutting down tons of false alerts. that alone was worth $50.

----------

nagromme said:
Obviously bad laws should be struck down. Maybe it should be legal to drive safely.

But if speed laws ARE helpful, and they exist, it boggles my mind that it's legal to sell devices for the specific purpose of breaking those laws.

I wish I could say it surprises me that people WANT to drive faster than legal, drive through red lights/stop signs, drive drunk etc.

But having almost been killed by such a person, and my father as well (in a separate incident, neither one involving impairment or alcohol), this no longer surprises me.

I don't understand how drunk driving came into the discussion. anyway, American citizens have a right to know when they are being watched or tracked by any government agency. it also just helps us become more alert drivers. no doubt that there will be a few jackasses who will use it as a tool to speed but don't lump us all into that category and think detectors should be made illegal.

Nahaz · Nov 16, 2013

nagromme said:
Obviously bad laws should be struck down. Maybe it should be legal to drive safely.

But if speed laws ARE helpful, and they exist, it boggles my mind that it's legal to sell devices for the specific purpose of breaking those laws.

I wish I could say it surprises me that people WANT to drive faster than legal, drive through red lights/stop signs, drive drunk etc.

But having almost been killed by such a person, and my father as well (in a separate incident, neither one involving impairment or alcohol), this no longer surprises me.

Well they are banned in Australia (Except for Western Australia) and if caught with such device you receive a fine of approx $1000. The device is also confiscated onsite.

bflowers · Nov 16, 2013

Romey-Rome said:
That's awesome - Until a BMW with adaptive cruise is behind you. May as well turn it off.

----------

You just wait until you see Waze.

Are they using the same band for adaptive cruise? I would think a future firmware update might consider adaptive cruise to be 'outside the box' as previously mentioned.

I don't have one of these, just a lowly Cobra. Still, I rely on mine to give me a heads up on speed traps, not to excessively speed. Having been victim of some bogus speed changes and a cop that 100% lied about what he clocked me at, I never go without my detector.

sransari · Nov 16, 2013

Can this be used with the concealed display as well??

ArtOfWarfare · Nov 16, 2013

evilrt said:
American citizens have a right to know when they are being watched or tracked by any government agency.

When did our rights get mutilated to that? What happened to our right to privacy? What happened to warrants and probable cause being required for such intrusions into our life?

I really wish that nationwide our police would do a 180. Their job shouldn't be to give people tickets or attack them. Their job is to help people. You crashed? They should be on the scene to help and call medical personal - instead they show up and give you a ticket. Mistakes happen, and I'm sure the insurance company can dish out far more pain on you for having crashed than a ticket ever will.

Menel · Nov 16, 2013

nagromme said:
Obviously bad laws should be struck down. Maybe it should be legal to drive safely.

But if speed laws ARE helpful, and they exist, it boggles my mind that it's legal to sell devices for the specific purpose of breaking those laws.

I wish I could say it surprises me that people WANT to drive faster than legal, drive through red lights/stop signs, drive drunk etc.

But having almost been killed by such a person, and my father as well (in a separate incident, neither one involving impairment or alcohol), this no longer surprises me.

Its a Radar detector. (RAdio Detection and RAnging). Detects radio waves. Does not defeat BAC tests. Does not defeat stop signs and red lights.

Much like your car radio, which detects radio waves,

Much like your cellular phone, which detects radio waves.

Make detecting radio waves illegal?

You make it illegal, shutdown a legitimate industry providing jobs for families. Push it to the black market where nerds will peddle plans to make contraptions like Pringles can-tennas that do the same thing.

Valentine One Radar Detector Connects to iPhone Via New Bluetooth LE Adapter

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