I know folks with the Valentine, they swear by them. I, however, could only afford the Walmart variety. Bought a Bel, died in about a year. I remember reading a board where a lot of folks were conplaining about Bel units crapping out. I've had a Uniden for about four years now - it's much more effective in Florida than when we lived in PA - definitely a terrain thing and the fact that more of my driving is in less congested areas now. Not too much instant on used around here, local cops seem to drive around with X on all the time.
Bottom line -
1) Where you drive and what they use
2) How much you can spend
3) Learn the signal patterns where you drive routinely (that new blip on the way to work could be bad news if there no other cars close enough to false you)
4) Pass and get back in the slower lanes (when there is forward space to maintain your speed)as quick as possible - staying out there makes you an easier target.
5) At night you are at risk, beware of whats behind you and what you are approaching - make sure you have a good look, even then, I suppose oneday I'll get nailed by an unmarked Hyundai Excel, Kenworth, or some other creative crap.
6) Try to be somewhat respectful and don't push it on residential streets (yeah, age talking here - but even animals don't **** where they live).
7) Don't EVER drive through Summersville, WV with out os State plates if you can help it. One of the most well known Traps in the East. The hog trash routinely, blatantly lie about your speed - gonna go back and fight it in two months? *******s, my unit went off in a 50 zone, had the cruise set about 52, never touched the brake. Officer terrorist wrote up 62 (just high enough for the 11+ over extra big fine. Smiled, said I could tell the judge if I wanted to come back, gave me info on their online traffic school (no points) with **** eating grin.
