INCINER8

I have had the ValentineOne for almost 8 years and it hasn't failed me yet. However, as many posters have mentioned, it does give you "false alarms". Things like automated doors from Duane Reade to another person driving next to me with their own radar detector, my V1 would go off. I have learned to distinguish the beeping/sound pattern, however, to determine if it's a false alarm (e.g. higher frequency beeping sound) or not (e.g. deeper pitch continuous beeping sound).

From my standpoint, I'll probably keep the V1 until it goes out of commission. It hasn't failed me yet and I don't plan on spending another $500 to $600 on another radar detector in the short/medium term.

dereitz

Their guide is now a little dated (2 yrs) and is pending an update, but for what it is worth, The Wire Cutter recommends the Valentine One:

The Best Radar Detector | The Wirecutter

INCINER8

I also did a lot of research before picking up the V1 back in 2009. I read different reviews/rankings and spent countless hours comparing the top radar detectors (e.g. V1, Escort, etc). The V1 was definitely a bit pricey (I think it was over $500) at that point but it was in the range of the Escort. At the end of the day, you can't go wrong with either one of them. And ratings/reviews can be subjective since user experience will differ across the board. For some, it's an emotional purchase with other factors and variables.

Stankia

bh13

My first radar detector was the Escort Redline which I had for a few years, and it was a hand-me-down, and I loved it. I'm now using the Escort Max 360 and I like it even more.

I live in Southern California and drive roughly 50 highway/ tollroad (if anyone is familiar with that) miles daily for my commute. I find the 360 to be perfect. I like that fact that you can turn off K band so you dont get false alerts, as CHP use Ka and Laser to my understanding.

The Escort Live App is super useful in my opinion, in cooperation with the GPS feature its amazing. I like the fact that it warns you where other users have detected radar recently, Also the way you're able to customize settings via your phone is wonderful.

When using the Redline I had a BlendMount mirror mount which was amazing, but now i'm just using the suction cup right below the mirror in my Macan. Once my RS3 arrives i'm debating as to whether or not I should upgrade to the Escort Max Ci 360, which is built in, but costs 3500$ and I don't think that's justifiable at that price point. It does have built in laser "shifters" but apparently they aren't the best, and it requires some tacky sensors on the outside of the vehicle.

I do however think the Max 360 is worth it from my experience, especially in correspondence with the Escort App, and a good phone mount and possibly a mirror mount/ hardwire. I'll upload some pictures of my setup tomorrow when it's light out.

BreedsAs

If one does a lot of highway driving, then a detector without GPS functions is more understandable. When you do more city driving like me, false alert lockouts, red light alerts, speed warnings, etc. are a lot more salient than just mere sensitivity.
Shoot, I am more worried about getting nailed for a window tint ticket than speeding as I don't normally go around turning my town into the Texas Motor Speedway.
Back to sensitivity, most LE officers that sit on major highways and the interstate use laser/lidar, thereby a detector of any sort is already defeated.
So give me GPS functionality like the 360 Max has over sensitivity of the V1 or the Redline any day.