Here's my 2 cents...

Car & Driver magazine tests and compares 5-10 radar detectors every few years, using real-world tests and precision measuring systems, and every single time they do it, the Valentine beats the pants off every competitor. They measure the distance of detection, the offset angle, rear detection, performing these tests on flat roads and on roads with undulations (i.e., radar located over a hill), and a whole bunch more, and multiple times. In all tests and categories, the V1 trounces all comers with detection distances and angles almost TWICE that of the next closest competitor. Let me stress that point... if the second-place detector finds the radar signal at 500-600 feet, the V1 picks it up at about 1000 feet. I don't care who you are and what your detector bias is, that's gotta count for something! It may give more false signals, though - I don't remember the results THAT well - but I figure that's going to come with the territory if it is that much better than the rest. If anyone really, really, really wants to know what issue the last comparison was in, I can check my C/D library, but you'll have to ask nice.

Anyway, I've been impressed with those test results every time I see them. I don't use a detector myself, so I'm not plugging my personal choice. I figure if I get pulled over, I have a fair chance of getting out of the ticket without a detector on the dash, but I am DEFINITELY getting one if I have any kind of detector running. But my recent rash of tickets this year may just change my mind.

As for laser detection, I wouldn't choose based on that. The differences in quality of laser detection are infinitesimal compared to the fact that if the unit is detecting the laser, it's probably too late for you anyway.