# V1connection, the app — user reviews > 78 indexed App Store user reviews of V1connection, the app by Valentine Research, Inc., rated 3.40/5 from 70 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/v1connection-the-app/id651690266/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/v1connection-the-app/id651690266.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 22 · 4★ 19 · 3★ 10 · 2★ 6 · 1★ 13 ## What do users think of V1connection, the app? Overall sentiment: negative **Pros** - 👍 Intuitive app interface - 💡 Great for V1 updates - 🚀 Responsive with V1 unit - 💡 Provides technical information - 👍 Easy setup - 💡 Custom sweep option - 👍 Works well with V1 detector - 💡 Good control over V1 settings - 👍 Visual alerts are clear **Cons** - 🐛 Crashes frequently - 🔋 Drains phone battery heavily - 🐛 Unreliable Bluetooth connection - 🐛 Audio alerts are inconsistent - 🐛 App does not run in background - 🐛 Useless without audio capabilities - 🐛 Poor implementation for motorcycles - 🐛 Reconnecting is a pain - 🐛 Demo mode issues - 🐛 App name is confusing - 🐛 Distracting resting display - 🐛 Cable clutter - 🐛 Not CarPlay compatible - 🐛 Useless for monitoring without foreground - 🐛 Audio routes to phone instead of V1 - 🐛 Difficult to use while driving - 🐛 Mute button is too small - 🐛 Falses more than competitors - 🐛 Outdated UI - 🐛 Hard to read while driving - 🐛 Doesn't leverage device GPS - 🐛 Warning every time app is brought to front - 🐛 Disconnects from V1 in background - 🐛 Small display on iPhone 5 - 🐛 White messages are annoying - 🐛 Not useful for audio alerts - 🐛 App shuts down on startup - 🐛 Remote screen only without upgraded V1 - 🐛 Needs multitasking and screen recall - 🐛 False alarms in yellow box areas - 🐛 Non-compliant radar detection - 🐛 Needs more features for original V1s - 🐛 Not worth the cost **Commonly reported bugs** - Bricked unit during update - Won't pick up V1 Bluetooth - No audio capabilities with older models - Bluetooth connectivity issues - App crashes - Burns phone battery - Reconnect is a pain - Demo mode issues - Display spills outside screen - Common bugs need fixing - Routes audio back to phone during radar signal - Settings not applied to unit - App drains phone battery in background - App tries to connect when not needed - Loss of connection to V1 - Audio alerts unreliable - Volume not loud enough - App has to be in foreground for audio - Phone must be unlocked for audio - App goes silent without warning - App doesn't come back after foreground loss - App doesn't connect to module when concealed - Message 'V1 not powered up' - App doesn't run in background - App shuts down when phone locks or switches apps - App won't run in background for audio alerts - Unable to load profiles - Radar is annoying - Requires phone reset to connect - Coincided with iOS 11 installation - Cannot connect to Bluetooth with iOS 11 - Profile not loaded after update - Stealth mode not activating - Alerts interfering with Bluetooth radio - Music disconnects from radio during alert - Profile won't go into dark mode - Goes into small 'c' mode randomly - V1ConnectionLE will not go into dark mode - App won't start - App not connecting to phone - Repeated white messages/warnings - White popup messages are an annoyance - App crashes on iOS 9 - App won't connect via Bluetooth to V1 LE on iOS 8 - Frequently will not connect when first loaded - Goes to demo mode and requires manual exit - App disconnects from V1 when in background - App shuts down on startup - App shows warning message then shuts down - App crashes on iPhone 4S - App crashes as soon as 'connecting to v1 le' message appears - Intermittent flaws with iOS 8.0.2 - App won't connect via Bluetooth - App not updated for iOS 8 - App not current - Cannot use on iPhone 6 - App not compatible with iOS 8 - Doesn't connect via Bluetooth - Needs iOS 8 compatibility - Warning every time app is brought to front - Disconnects from V1 when in background - App is unusable **Most requested features** - CarPlay compatibility - Android Auto compatibility - Mute V1 by tapping screen - Change resting display to non-blinking - CarPlay integration for in-dash display - Enable CarPlay - Background mode setting clarification - Airplay integration - Integration with Apple CarPlay - Community alerts (like Waze) - Real-time user alerts - GPS based tracking of threats - Customizable audio messages - Audible message when connection lost - CarPlay support - Background operation for audio alerts - Real-time threat alerts to other users - Ability to use app while on a phone call - Fix app name - Background Mode Setting clarification - ITB clarification - CarPlay support for display - Airplay display - CarPlay integration - GPS lockout feature - Firmware update via Bluetooth module - More customization of notifications - Dark mode for notifications - Alerts in different situations - CarPlay compatibility - Mirror screen to car's screen - Alerts on car's screen - CarPlay compatibility - Audio alerts over BT to car audio - GPS mapping and speed limit integration - Alert other V1 users to speed traps - Real-time speed trap identification - Mute below speed function - Other GPS functions - Large mute button - Customizable colors for sunlight/sunglasses - Improve warning screen - Background functionality improvement - Option to foreground for specific alerts - Tie software to online speed limit database - Leverage phone GPS for speed limits - Download local speed limit datasets - Alert only when exceeding speed limit - Disable X or K band alerts - Keep only KA and Laser alerts - Larger frequency display - Map integration - Social network integration - Access car data (speed, g-force, temp) - Multitasking and screen recall - Bluetooth integration - Threat picture box in Demo Mode ## Newest reviews (17 of 78) ### 4/5 — The Potential *2025-12-19* It’s not a bad app if you take the time to get to learn it and also have a really good mount for your phone. ### 2/5 — Best part missing *2025-03-04, version 1.84* This app seems intuitive and a real live reflection of what is happening on the main panel of the V1. I suspect other users have had a better experience with this app than people that have the older models. I have the very first version that was released and although it connects to the Bluetooth dongle without too much hassle, and the visual alerts appear clearly on iPhone screen, you will not however have any audio capabilities through any phone connected to the Bluetooth dongle, which in my view, makes this app and the Bluetooth dongle a complete waste of time and money. I had mine mounted on the front windscreen, and when driving, I relied totally on the audio alerts to warn me of the potential police radar in the vicinity. Since laws having been changed making any detection device illegal, it now has to be concealed somewhere on the outside of the vehicle in the front grill or bumper. I now have the visual alerts but no audio through the app, which, unfortunately makes this app and Bluetooth dongle completely useless and a waste of time and money with the best part of the detection missing. ### 4/5 — Awesome but change resting display please!!!! *2024-09-12* Thanks for continued improvements to software capabilities. Latest September update is a massive step forward. Except Resting display (for me). Can you consider changing resting display to a non blinking dot? Or just the Bluetooth icon solidly illuminated? The blinking is a bit distracting, even just knowing something is blinking if it’s not visible at the moment. Passengers don’t prefer a constant blink either. Anyway, for now I’ll turn it off but love the concept of resting display off until an alert. Thanks for the amazing updates especially the BSM portion. At times when I’m not running a 3rd party app, it’s great to help keep the detector quiet. Thanks. ### 4/5 — Suggestion *2024-05-31* The app is fine and allows the user to not have to interact with the actual V1 device, but obviously Car Play compatibility would be ideal. I don’t believe that is a possibility as of now with Apple’s strict requirements, but hopefully soon. That being said, I would appreciate a setting in the app that allows the user to mute the V1 device by tapping on main part of the screen (rather than the speaker icon). It is way too distracting to keep clicking on such a small area of the screen. Quickly tapping a large portion of the phone screen would be more logical to me. ### 2/5 — Pointless without CarPlay *2023-10-14* This app has so much potential but is pretty much useless without the ability mirror the screen unto your car’s screen. There is no necessity to have have your phone in a holder, clustering up your dash and distracting from the task of driving. It really can’t be that hard to make it CarPlay compatible and have alerts show up on screen. ### 2/5 — Update it works better with Gen 2 but…. *2023-08-20* It is sad that the makers of the best radar Detector I have ever used, can’t update their app as well. Why can’t the app be CarPlay compatible? The battery drain is not so significant now that many cars have wireless charge pads but the need to take your eyes of the road to use the app properly makes it dangerous to use. We only use the app when someone is able to operate it from the passenger seat. Enable CarPlay Mike! I’m sure it can be done ### 3/5 — Reconnect in a pain *2023-03-24, version 1.79* This app is years behind the Escort app. Reconnecting the app is a pain in the butt because it goes into the demo mode which should have an option to disable that. ### 2/5 — Useful for firmware but needs app updates *2023-02-18* The new over-the-air firmware updates are an excellent feature addition, but why so long without updates? Every new iPhone at least needs a new tweak to ensure the display is not spilling outside the screen, which it is now unfortunately. $500+ for a detector should certainly mean a somewhat frequently updated app. At least fix the common bugs. ### 3/5 — Useful but imperfect *2021-11-22* I love the idea of having this App, mainly for the upgrade function. It is VERY TAXING ON YOUR PHONE BATTERY though if you allow “background” functions to be on, especially when you’re not even in your car. The App appears to just beat itself up trying to connect to the V1 when you don’t even need it to. I’m going to relocate the V1 on my dash so that I can reach it and see it clearly without needing the App to be on. I’ll use the App occasionally to check for updates but that’s it. If this issue is fixed, I’ll use it again. Great idea though. ### 3/5 — Just ok *2021-10-18* It gets the job done but very basic functions. You should be able to customize the audio messages rather than a bunch of beeps. And when it loses the connection to the V1, there should be an audible message given. Instead you just see it in demo mode. Shouldn’t be hard to add these features and conveniences. ### 4/5 — Simple and Works *2021-08-31* I’ll let others leave detailed reviews but I a feature I would love to see for this app is integration with Apple Car Play. It would be awesome to have the V1 display on my car’s entertainment head unit. ### 2/5 — Useless for getting audio to the phone *2021-08-18* This app has to be in the foreground of all apps -> and the phone must be unlocked <- for it to send audio to the phone. OK fine. Set things up with it in the foreground and the phone unlocked. If something else happens on the phone that steals the foreground, this app goes silent without warning and never comes back. It’s probably fine for seeing a bunch of visual detail about nearby signals, but it’s both useless and misleading in terms of audio. Come on Valentine, the one guy who develops V1Driver got this right. Can’t you? ### 3/5 — Good App for Generation 2 Detector, Needs CarPlay *2021-02-20, version 1.70* Valentine 1 makes the best detector out there and the new Generation 2 detector keeps their lead. This app makes interacting with the detector easier via iOS. That being said what really would be game changing is adding CarPlay for iPhone to in dash display for iOS and Android auto would be truly game changing. Hopefully Valentine One reads this and adds the capability to their detectors via the iPhone connections. ### 4/5 — Please add CarPlay support *2020-08-07* This app works well but one feature add to make this a solid 5 star review would be for the app to support CarPlay so that the display would be presented on the in car entertainment screen. ### 3/5 — It’s an OK app but... *2020-07-01* The display is easy to use and see. However, some of the controls are hard to use while driving... the mute button is small, why not allow me to just tap the arrow to mute (or anywhere in the arrow screen). I had a 3rd party app that I purchased that did this, but it stop supporting the newer iOS. ### 3/5 — Airplay integration, please! *2020-02-19* Nothing else to say here. The additional purchase of the BT module should allow Airplay display. Please and thank you, V1. ### 4/5 — Somewhat Useful & Easy - Still lacks potential *2019-12-04* I got my Bluetooth LE and the app for my V1 and once I connected, I felt empowered. However it was short lived. I've had my V1 since 2009 and it's so embedded in my brain that it's become part of my driving experience. The app sheds light on the data inside the V1 like frequencies and bands displayed vividly on your phone. It is useful, but not a huge advantage to users. Where is CarPlay integration? That would be utilizing the software! I love my V1 and I can't trust another detector to chance. However V1 has been dormant on the business and innovation side of the industry and that disappoints. We all long for more, but know that we can count on our device. I wish MikeV. would step it up - it's time to show us why we all stay loyal. #bogeys ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Bricked my unit during an update conveniently while they are going out of business *2026-04-22, version 1.86* Do not get scammed zero help with my issue found out owner died and and everything went to shambles ### 1/5 — Won’t pick up V1 Bluetooth *2025-11-01, version 1.86* Very Disappointing I apparently have to send my Bluetooth module away to be updated. ### 1/5 — Bad Design *2024-12-04* Tech Display should have been a Bluetooth connectivity based device with USBC power. Nobody wants cables running around everywhere and certainly NOT to a cigarette adapter to get the ACC power and communication necessary for this to work! The two other community developed remote displays for the G2 are Bluetooth connectivity driven. This is useless in my opinion for users who want a cleaner connectivity option. It’s 2025, NOT 1994!!!!!!!!!!! ### 1/5 — Fix the app name. *2024-04-06* Still waiting for that app name fix. 🙄 Why is this titled “, the app”? Like why add that to the app’s name? It doesn’t even fit properly under the app’s icon tile. That’s so stupid! ### 1/5 — Somewhat useful but it crashes and burns your battery *2023-09-23* It is pretty pathetic when V1/2 can’t write an app that is reliable, does not burn your phone or battery. Many 3rd party apps for the detector are magnitudes better. The truth is that Valentine has been sleeping in their laurels for decades now. This is the last time I spend time and money with their products. ### 1/5 — Poor implementation for motorcycles *2023-05-12* Audio alert over BT is unreliable at best due to the app having to run at the same time. Volume is not loud enough to matter either, when it does work. Customer service at Valentine doesn’t seem to care and think they walk on air. The detector falses way more than a Redline 360c or a Uniden R3. I don’t get the cult following of Valentine at all. ### 1/5 — Useless except for upgrading software *2023-01-21* It’s an app without purpose… you have a V1, so why do you need to see it on your phone? It works horribly when using CarPlay. If there’s a radar signal it routes the audio back to your phone! But the V1 is already making noise. It’s just pointless. If it had any gps based tracking of common threats or nuisance alarms… or anything useful beyond updating the V1 firmware/software… maybe it would be worth using. ### 1/5 — Disfunctional *2023-01-13* I turned off the K and X band in the app. Sent to my unit. Didn’t actually do it. ### 1/5 — Fix the app name. *2020-08-13, version 1.68* Why is this titled “, the app”? Like why add that to the app’s name? It doesn’t even fit properly under the app’s icon tile. That’s so stupid! ### 1/5 — Basically worthless *2019-09-23, version 1.60* It is sad that the makers of the best radar Detector I have ever used, can’t put together a good remote app. If the Bluetooth module is concealed in the headliner, the app will not connect to the module. Now I keep getting a message that V1 is not powered up. Frustrating! ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Reviewer from Australia 🇦🇺 *2024-09-21, version 1.83* V1 works fantastic here, Awesome on KA band, bluetooth connectivity with this app is great makes it easy to update the detector. Paired up with Highway Radar soon available on the app store, makes this thing well advanced than most detectors. ### 5/5 — Still the best radar detector *2024-03-18* I didn't buy V1 for the app, but the app works and does everything V1 says it does. * Many of these reviews are 5+ years old even 10 years in some cases. ### 5/5 — Background Mode Setting? *2020-08-12* Does anyone know what Background Mode Setting is ? What is ITB? Thanks ### 5/5 — Great app to custom tune V1 *2015-10-13, version 1.50* This app is awesome to custom tune your V1 using an IOS device. I tune my V1 with this app and run Stealthassist to keep the V1 quiet. I truly believe that those 2 apps used in conjunction with the V1 make the perfect combo. ### 5/5 — Awesome for IOS *2015-02-02, version 1.44* Love my V1, just sent it in to get updated and looking forward to playing with it on this app. Also to the person ranting about paying for an upgrade. You are not just getting a software upgrade. Valentine replaces hardware in the V1 when you update. ### 5/5 — A great APP *2013-10-18, version 1.34* I really didn't need this APP and the V1 Connection LE module but I said what the heck. This system adds a new dimension to the Valentine V1 Radar Detector. Even plays well with my vehicle's blue tooth system. Well worth the price of the adapter. ### 5/5 — Turns V1 into a beast. *2013-09-27, version 1.34* This app allows you to custom sweep Ka band so you can actually turn off Ka guard without having tons of false alerts. This makes the V1 into a much faster detector helping you catch fast I/O shots and also increases range. The other great thing about this app is that it allows user to see the frequency of the alert, which can help you decide if it is a false or a real threat. I just wish the frequency displayed was much larger to make it easier to read. ### 5/5 — Awesome App!!! *2013-07-28, version 1.27* Now running Custom Sweeps on my V1. Hardly ANY Ka falses! I'm loving it. I would like to see Bluetooth integration.. not a huge fan of the dongle.. however, still awesome! ### 5/5 — Amazing addons. There is only one out there, Valentine One *2013-07-21, version 1.27* Amazing! Valentiine One or nothing. ### 5/5 — awesome product *2013-07-17, version 1.27* i am happy to make this first review of this awesome product just as definitely a long awaited awesome product to hook up the V1 to the iPhone 5 how much better could you possibly ask for this thing rocks definitely get it definitely --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-12.*