Posted on 09/19/2024 1:53:26 PM PDT by algore
The automotive industry has lost one of the great saviors of speed. Michael Valentine, president of Valentine Research and one of the leading pioneers in the radar detection business, has passed away unexpectedly at the age of 74, according to an obituary posted by Cincinatti.com.
If you’ve been around fast cars long enough, you’ve surely encountered a radar detector or two — and no brand of detector is as well-respected as Valentine Research. Michael Valentine’s interest in radar began during his stretch at the University of Cincinnati School of Applied Sciences, where he started his studies in 1967. Police departments had only really begun utilizing radar in 1965, but the young Valentine wasn’t a fan of its profit-driving power.
By 1976, Valentine had co-founded Cincinnati Microwave, Inc., and played a pivotal role in the creation of the brand’s Escort radar detection system. Valentine’s impact on the industry was immediate: In a 1979 test performed by our sister publication Car and Driver, the Escort was deemed far superior to its competition.
A difference in business philosophy guided Valentine to accept a buyout from Cincinnati Microwave, after which he went on found Valentine Research in 1992. Shortly thereafter, the company released its first variant of the Valentine 1, a product line that still runs strong to this day. Inspired by the improvements Valentine wanted to make to his previous detectors, the V1 became an icon in and of itself, lovingly referred to by fans as “the one with the arrows.” The concept of using arrows and multiple sensors to inform drivers where a radar source was located — in front of, behind, or alongside a detector — may be a simple one, but it changed how drivers used these tools.
“died suddenly, with no warning”
Believe it or not, it HAS been known to happen at age 74.
GMTA
I CAN’T DRIVE FIFTY-FIVE
You managed to get an Escort to speed?
LOL!
Actually, yes. 85 in a 55 in California in a 1988 Escort GT. Got busted along with a little old lady who was driving a Cadillac. CHP snuck up behind us.
The Kingman incident was a 1989 Mustang GT. I was using an Escort radar detector, which was Valentine's product.
ambivalence detector needed.
no, ambiguity detector.
Wow, I thought he was older.
Boy, do I remember his ads in magazines in the 70s.
This brings back bad memories. I was fired my first day as bank cashier clerk. A woman came in and asked me to check her balance, so I pushed her. Next thing I know, I’m being escorted out.
Yeah, but at 74?
There are enough valid reasons.
I had fairly good luck with radar detectors until most of the polices I encounter started using laser radar.
No warning, even worse than the instant on stuff that you would sometimes get a sniff of early warning.
Fuzz Buster
Damn. I just bought a Valentine One detector two days ago. It’ll be delivered tomorrow.
Life is so unfair.
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