Here's my experience with the V-1 and why I think it is better.
1) Range. The V1 simply picks radar up faster and at a farther distance than anything else out there. (Yes, I tested it against other detectors using the speed signs at construction zones.) The V1 always gave me enough warning that I could slow down and get right well before a police car could notice it. My old Escort, a buddies Bel Tronics, a Wal Mart special, my dad's Cobra unit, another friends unit...all were well off the V1's range. And I am talking a few hundred feet notice for the others, a mile or two for the V1. You actually have to learn to trust the V1 because so often it beeps and you don't see any threat. The car is over the next rise, or hiding on an entrance ramp or overpass. Trust the V1, it will keep you safe. It also is sensitive enough to pick up scattered signals from Instant On radar way off in the distance. If you hear even a little chirp, take heed.
2) Direction - The arrows are more than a gimmick. When using Vascar, they let you know that someone is coming up from behind. This also works for Lidar and some other systems. I am notified that a threat is approaching from the rear, and I can slow down before he can tag me or follow me an determine my speed. It also protects against threats from side roads, entrance ramps, and around bends. I have also watched a threat that i could not see move from front, to side, to rear and only then did I see the car in the opposing side of the highway. Maybe he was no threat, maybe he was radioing ahead, but now I know where he was and I was slowed down.
3) Hit Count - The V1 tells you where, and how many threats are out there. There may me two radars ahead, once you pass the first, your inclination is to ignore the beep and speed up. With the V1, you get a numerical count and you know that there is one more threat ahead. I have seen the police wait just past one of the radar speed signs. You think the warning is for the obvious sign, so you ignore and press on. But the V1 tells you that there are actually two threats, so you cool it until you actually see the police car.
4) Types - The V1 has sensitivity settings to rule out false alarms, but it also tells you what kind of radar or laser it sees. If you cant see the threat, you may assume that it is a automatic door or static sign. But the V1 tells you it is laser or X-band so you know it cant be either, so you stay slow until you can determine what it is.
5) Hidden - The V1 can be hidden, with a remote display concealed. This is important when passing through Virginia for instance where detectors are a no no.
6) Upgrades - I have upgraded my unit with the latest firmware updates. There is a cost, but better than having to replace it.
7) Power - The V1 uses a standard phone cord for power. This makes it easy to mount it wherever you want to and run the cord behind trim. It even comes with a tap so you can connect it to a wire and not take up an outlet. I have always connected mine above the rear view mirror, and run the power up into the headliner. Clean, neat, hard to spot, and no dangling wires.
8) Speed Check by Planes - The V1 detects overhead airplanes that are tracking speeders and warns you...oh OK I made that one up.
I agree that situational awareness is your best tool. I slow down in areas that look like a good place to spring a trap. I remember if a tool recently passed me going 120mph, I may be safe for a while. I watch overpasses and bridges and curves where cop cars could hide. But the V1 gives me valuable input in knowing and predicting what is out there. It is not just an idiot box that beeps and I slam on the brakes. It is a partner in my driving. And for the record, I am not driving at triple-digit speeds. I am maintaining a brisk pace slightly above the legal limit. That means it doesn't take much to return to legal speeds in reaction to a warning. If you have to go from 150 to 55, you aren't going to get enough warning from any detector out there.