15 years ago the V1 was the best. But today thats just not true.
Take a look at this review:
http://www.radartest.com/article.asp?articleid=100542
note the range differences between the Bel STi Driver and V1...but most importantly read about what happens to the V1 when locked in a hot car. Besides being the ugliest detector on the market, its no longer top dog.
You might also want to look at the new Escort 9500, which also betters the V1. I personally owned both (currently use the Bel) and I can also testify that it works far better than the V1.
Yes POP 3 is harder to detect, thats why long range is very important...you will detect him "poping" cars in front of you and will be warned. No detector is 100% but if it saves you two tickets it has more than paid for itself.
The Escort 8500 X50 is also an excellent, lower cost choice that imo is better than the V1