I bought a new Solo S2
03-18-2003, 12:25 PM
#1
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I bought a new Solo S2
Why?
It was under 3 bills; I need something a bit more portable than my hardwired V1 for rental cars, etc.; I am SICK of all the V1 false alerts (more later); somebody has to keep Mike V. honest.
Results from my 30day trial forthcoming....
It was under 3 bills; I need something a bit more portable than my hardwired V1 for rental cars, etc.; I am SICK of all the V1 false alerts (more later); somebody has to keep Mike V. honest.
Results from my 30day trial forthcoming....
03-18-2003, 01:39 PM
#2
teh Senior Instigator
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i borrowed a buddies solo2 when I went up to san fran and did a side by side comparo w/ my v1. Just to give it a shot because he was saying it was better then my v1. I'll let you know the v1 is by far superior. It'd pick up a cop a good mile before the solo would read it and a few times picked up cops the solo didn't even get. The solo also gave alot more false alarms. His may of been fucked up, and I wish you good luck w/ it.
why not buy an adaptor to plug in your v1 so you can just transfer it?
why not buy an adaptor to plug in your v1 so you can just transfer it?
03-18-2003, 02:46 PM
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I got the passport 8500. Some say it's better than V1. So far it has worked beautifully. I don't have too much to campare it to, but it works great. Few falls alarms. I would say not a single false KA alarm so far. All of these alarms went off and I saw a cop right away.
03-18-2003, 03:18 PM
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I really think the V1 is due for a MAJOR UPGRADE ASAP !!!
Mike V is getting too comfortable at the top and the competition has improved much in the last 5-Years or so.
I still think they’re #1, but the gap is shrinking FAST.
With all the advances in technology they need to come out with something that is SMALLER, LIGHTER and less sensitive to false alarms and Chevy Trailblazer brake lights.
Shawn S <<<<<< Yes, Shawn S posted this !!!!!
Mike V is getting too comfortable at the top and the competition has improved much in the last 5-Years or so.
I still think they’re #1, but the gap is shrinking FAST.
With all the advances in technology they need to come out with something that is SMALLER, LIGHTER and less sensitive to false alarms and Chevy Trailblazer brake lights.
Shawn S <<<<<< Yes, Shawn S posted this !!!!!
03-18-2003, 03:28 PM
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False Positive - Long
I don't know why people complain about false alerts nowadays.
In the old days the term "false alarm" was used when a detector would alert to something like a cell phone that wasn't on any police radar band. This was due to the detector’s poor circuitry and shielding.
Today the term is used whenever a detector picks up something that police radar bands share frequencies with like door openers and motion sensors... but in truth the radar detector is doing its job, listening for signals on certain frequencies and telling you (hopefully soon than later). It's just a radio, some better built than others.
The V1 doesn’t false. It occasionally picks up Ka band form other poorly built radar detectors but that’s still doing its job. I had an old Cobra that worked well but turn on a cell phone and it would peg K band even though the cell phone didn’t operate near that band.
City modes on some detectors just reduced sensitivity giving the illusion of fewer false alarms but what you get is reduced range, a bad idea in my book.
Today, the FCC shares these police bands with a lot of stuff, motion detectors, door openers, traffic sensors, etc… It might be just part of the plan; the more “polluted” the band becomes, the more confusing it is to determines if that X band down the road is real or not.
V1’s logic modes do filter a lot of the noise found in these bands nowadays, but it still lets some of these signals through so you can determine what’s real or not. Better safe than sorry. This judgment comes from knowing your detector and its behavior and/or knowing the area and where the typical falses come from. It does this by not reducing its sensitivity but by holding back most false alarms.
There’s no way a detector is going to know the difference between a door opener and police radar using K band. There might be a way in the future where a detector could “finger print” a door opener and remember it so next time it doesn’t alert but that sounds expensive and what’s to stop the police radar manufactures from cloning that finger print and tricking the detectors. So you see, they’re not really false alarms as they were in the past, at least with the high end detectors but false positives. It Positively is K band but not a cop.
Good luck, Ken. I'm sure you'll be back.
In the old days the term "false alarm" was used when a detector would alert to something like a cell phone that wasn't on any police radar band. This was due to the detector’s poor circuitry and shielding.
Today the term is used whenever a detector picks up something that police radar bands share frequencies with like door openers and motion sensors... but in truth the radar detector is doing its job, listening for signals on certain frequencies and telling you (hopefully soon than later). It's just a radio, some better built than others.
The V1 doesn’t false. It occasionally picks up Ka band form other poorly built radar detectors but that’s still doing its job. I had an old Cobra that worked well but turn on a cell phone and it would peg K band even though the cell phone didn’t operate near that band.
City modes on some detectors just reduced sensitivity giving the illusion of fewer false alarms but what you get is reduced range, a bad idea in my book.
Today, the FCC shares these police bands with a lot of stuff, motion detectors, door openers, traffic sensors, etc… It might be just part of the plan; the more “polluted” the band becomes, the more confusing it is to determines if that X band down the road is real or not.
V1’s logic modes do filter a lot of the noise found in these bands nowadays, but it still lets some of these signals through so you can determine what’s real or not. Better safe than sorry. This judgment comes from knowing your detector and its behavior and/or knowing the area and where the typical falses come from. It does this by not reducing its sensitivity but by holding back most false alarms.
There’s no way a detector is going to know the difference between a door opener and police radar using K band. There might be a way in the future where a detector could “finger print” a door opener and remember it so next time it doesn’t alert but that sounds expensive and what’s to stop the police radar manufactures from cloning that finger print and tricking the detectors. So you see, they’re not really false alarms as they were in the past, at least with the high end detectors but false positives. It Positively is K band but not a cop.
Good luck, Ken. I'm sure you'll be back.
03-18-2003, 03:36 PM
#6
teh Senior Instigator
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nicely said Neech
and shawn, the new laws that the gov't put on the ways radar detectors can operate is going to greatly affect the advancements in the future, people say that it'll never again be as good as they are. I forgot what law they are starting to enforce though. I forgot what I read.
and shawn, the new laws that the gov't put on the ways radar detectors can operate is going to greatly affect the advancements in the future, people say that it'll never again be as good as they are. I forgot what law they are starting to enforce though. I forgot what I read.
03-18-2003, 04:14 PM
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That new ruling is just an emissions limit on a particular frequency band. The FCC said those emissions were interfering with satellite communications. 75% of detectors made today already comply with the ruling including the V1. I don’t think it will interfere with advances in detection but I wouldn’t know for sure.
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03-18-2003, 05:13 PM
#8
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Everything I've ever read about battery powered radar detectors says that they suck as the batteries slowly die out....
So if your warning/distances are diminished, why bother with a battery powered detector? Is that the price to pay for convenience?
So if your warning/distances are diminished, why bother with a battery powered detector? Is that the price to pay for convenience?
03-18-2003, 06:22 PM
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Hold on. I never said I'm going anywhere. 
I still have my V1 hardwired right where it belongs. The Solo2 is for rental cars when I go out of town, in my buddy car in another city, for the motorcycle I'm hoping to get one day.
V1 doesn't travel by airplane so well. "What's this?" The support material is cumbersome, I fear taking off my suction cups cause they'll never go back on the same.
Anway, I double posted from a WindowsCE device so this is what I meant to say earlier today:
Why? [did I purchase a V1?]
1.Because I needed something when I was away from my car with my hardwired V1...like when out of town in a rental car. V1 doesn't fly on airplanes so well and the support materials are cumbersome.
2.I'm getting *sick* of the V1 false alerts. Even in rural Kansas where there are only a few cops, even with X-band shut off, all I get is false K-band alerts, false laser alerts from tons of SUVs and some headlights, and false alerts from the cheapo radar detectors that are starting to catch on.
3.At less than $300, I thought it was a bargain.
4.Somebody has to keep Mike Valentine honest. Is the V1 truly that much more superior/sensitive? Is he doing everything he can to screen out false alerts? Can one live without arrows?
5.Finally, I am curious if Escort/CM has really improved their equipment like they say.
Doesn't hurt to test Solo out for 30 days. I've already been using it for 1/2 day and I can tell you without a doubt that the false alerts are NOT happening. In fact it is so quiet, I sometimes wonder if it is ON. Where V1 falses almost to MAX with 4 even 5 bogeys and lots of flashing arrows, Solo is quiet. Not sure what that is all about.
In any case, I can already see a few things I don't like about Solo. Is it as sensitive on batteries as it is on 12v DC? The alert volume on MAX is simply not cutting it. And if you ask me, it is just as ugly as the V1.
We'll see.
I still have my V1 hardwired right where it belongs. The Solo2 is for rental cars when I go out of town, in my buddy car in another city, for the motorcycle I'm hoping to get one day.
V1 doesn't travel by airplane so well. "What's this?" The support material is cumbersome, I fear taking off my suction cups cause they'll never go back on the same.
Anway, I double posted from a WindowsCE device so this is what I meant to say earlier today:
Why? [did I purchase a V1?]
1.Because I needed something when I was away from my car with my hardwired V1...like when out of town in a rental car. V1 doesn't fly on airplanes so well and the support materials are cumbersome.
2.I'm getting *sick* of the V1 false alerts. Even in rural Kansas where there are only a few cops, even with X-band shut off, all I get is false K-band alerts, false laser alerts from tons of SUVs and some headlights, and false alerts from the cheapo radar detectors that are starting to catch on.
3.At less than $300, I thought it was a bargain.
4.Somebody has to keep Mike Valentine honest. Is the V1 truly that much more superior/sensitive? Is he doing everything he can to screen out false alerts? Can one live without arrows?
5.Finally, I am curious if Escort/CM has really improved their equipment like they say.
Doesn't hurt to test Solo out for 30 days. I've already been using it for 1/2 day and I can tell you without a doubt that the false alerts are NOT happening. In fact it is so quiet, I sometimes wonder if it is ON. Where V1 falses almost to MAX with 4 even 5 bogeys and lots of flashing arrows, Solo is quiet. Not sure what that is all about.
In any case, I can already see a few things I don't like about Solo. Is it as sensitive on batteries as it is on 12v DC? The alert volume on MAX is simply not cutting it. And if you ask me, it is just as ugly as the V1.
We'll see.
03-18-2003, 06:29 PM
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ghander, my V1 is hardwired and I have no idea where the coil cord and the other windshield mount is. It's a pain to move it. But I'm might have to if I send the Solo2 back.
FPAEP, on the V1, I get false K alerts that would make your head spin. And sometimes false Ka alerts which I think is totally unacceptable.
Shawn, that is what I'm trying to determine, if Mike is getting careless. When a Trailblazer two cars ahead of you sets off laser and you have a passenger in your car...that's embarassing.
Neech, I disagree. Not completely but I disagree nonethess. Requires another post to explain.
Tom I'm going to find out about this. The first Solo had this problem years ago. Why Escort would be so stupid to still have this problem in their latest $350 2003 model, I gotta find out.
FPAEP, on the V1, I get false K alerts that would make your head spin. And sometimes false Ka alerts which I think is totally unacceptable.
Shawn, that is what I'm trying to determine, if Mike is getting careless. When a Trailblazer two cars ahead of you sets off laser and you have a passenger in your car...that's embarassing.
Neech, I disagree. Not completely but I disagree nonethess. Requires another post to explain.
Tom I'm going to find out about this. The first Solo had this problem years ago. Why Escort would be so stupid to still have this problem in their latest $350 2003 model, I gotta find out.
03-19-2003, 09:05 AM
#12
My V1 is hard wired too. I have it plugged into the lighter on the TL loaner I have. I have used it in rentals as well. Never thought it was a bother. I wouldn't spend more money for another cheapo just for that. But that's me. My V1 also falses. Not alot but it does it. It falses on KA band more. I guess stores by me use that. I get very little K falses, & since X isn't used in my area I have it off. Last flight I had they were more concerned with the mini mag light I had then the V1 in my carry on.
03-19-2003, 07:31 PM
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Ouch. Double ouch. :angry: Spent 2 days with Solo2.
I'm sending this Solo 2 back tomorrow; UPS is picking it up in the morning.
Don't ask why...I'm just pissed that I wasted my time. Just like I did with the Passport 8500 a few years ago. Both are junk. V1 rules and no longer am I going to buy into this "both V1 and 8500 are great detectors..."
Unless you are ready for my top 20 why this Solo 2 is the worst piece of sh*t on the planet, I'm not going to waste anyone's time. Not recommended.
I'm sending this Solo 2 back tomorrow; UPS is picking it up in the morning.
Don't ask why...I'm just pissed that I wasted my time. Just like I did with the Passport 8500 a few years ago. Both are junk. V1 rules and no longer am I going to buy into this "both V1 and 8500 are great detectors..."
Unless you are ready for my top 20 why this Solo 2 is the worst piece of sh*t on the planet, I'm not going to waste anyone's time. Not recommended.
03-19-2003, 08:11 PM
#15
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i guess you got busted while using solo 2 eh?
Originally posted by kensteele
Ouch. Double ouch. :angry: Spent 2 days with Solo2.
I'm sending this Solo 2 back tomorrow; UPS is picking it up in the morning.
Don't ask why...I'm just pissed that I wasted my time. Just like I did with the Passport 8500 a few years ago. Both are junk. V1 rules and no longer am I going to buy into this "both V1 and 8500 are great detectors..."
Unless you are ready for my top 20 why this Solo 2 is the worst piece of sh*t on the planet, I'm not going to waste anyone's time. Not recommended.
Ouch. Double ouch. :angry: Spent 2 days with Solo2.
I'm sending this Solo 2 back tomorrow; UPS is picking it up in the morning.
Don't ask why...I'm just pissed that I wasted my time. Just like I did with the Passport 8500 a few years ago. Both are junk. V1 rules and no longer am I going to buy into this "both V1 and 8500 are great detectors..."
Unless you are ready for my top 20 why this Solo 2 is the worst piece of sh*t on the planet, I'm not going to waste anyone's time. Not recommended.
03-19-2003, 08:19 PM
#17
Moderator Alumnus
LOL
At least you tested it... I'm sure it was worse than the V1.
Ken why don't you upgrade your V1? You are two revisions behind I believe. Just as I am. $250 should do it.
https://store.valentine1.com/upgrades/
At least you tested it... I'm sure it was worse than the V1.
Ken why don't you upgrade your V1? You are two revisions behind I believe. Just as I am. $250 should do it.
https://store.valentine1.com/upgrades/
03-19-2003, 08:24 PM
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Originally posted by SiGGy
LOL
At least you tested it... I'm sure it was worse than the V1.
Ken why don't you upgrade your V1? You are two revisions behind I believe. Just as I am. $250 should do it.
https://store.valentine1.com/upgrades/
LOL
At least you tested it... I'm sure it was worse than the V1.
Ken why don't you upgrade your V1? You are two revisions behind I believe. Just as I am. $250 should do it.
https://store.valentine1.com/upgrades/
03-19-2003, 10:08 PM
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Originally posted by lou
$250 for an UPGRADE...put $50 more and buy the Escort 8500 brand spankin new and to some people better against false alarms compared to V1...I heard they suck now lacking behind the new tech.
$250 for an UPGRADE...put $50 more and buy the Escort 8500 brand spankin new and to some people better against false alarms compared to V1...I heard they suck now lacking behind the new tech.
“I heard they suck, huh huh….” LoL!!!
03-19-2003, 10:26 PM
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Originally posted by Neech
An excellent retort, Lou. Very detailed and back by undisputed fact.
“I heard they suck, huh huh….” LoL!!!
An excellent retort, Lou. Very detailed and back by undisputed fact.
“I heard they suck, huh huh….” LoL!!!
are you gonna mail me the face plate or what I mailed you the PMO weeks ago 
03-19-2003, 10:33 PM
#21
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The Solo S2 sucks. Big time.
The Escort 8500 sucks, too. I remember.
Same thing a few years ago when I got the 8500, I purchased it, used it for a few day, kept it for a few days and realized that it was garbage and didn't live up to expectations. I couldn't wait to send it back to the Escort Store.
But I'm more disappointed with the Solo 2 because it was suppose to have new technology and all. But compared to the V1, it is nothing more than a piece of sh*t. I am so ready to send this crap back that it is packed in a box and ready to hand over to UPS as I type.
No I didn't get caught by a cop but I did drive all over town, did about 100 miles with the Solo S2. It is the most worthless radar detector in recent memory. What a joke.
And I say this about the 8500, first because I had one and this cordless S2 reminded me so much of a corded 8500 and second because there is not way there are two sets of idiots at the Company, the S2 team that builds toys and the 8500 team that builds serious equipment. Same pathethic department(s). :angry:
The Escort 8500 sucks, too. I remember.
Same thing a few years ago when I got the 8500, I purchased it, used it for a few day, kept it for a few days and realized that it was garbage and didn't live up to expectations. I couldn't wait to send it back to the Escort Store.
But I'm more disappointed with the Solo 2 because it was suppose to have new technology and all. But compared to the V1, it is nothing more than a piece of sh*t. I am so ready to send this crap back that it is packed in a box and ready to hand over to UPS as I type.
No I didn't get caught by a cop but I did drive all over town, did about 100 miles with the Solo S2. It is the most worthless radar detector in recent memory. What a joke.
And I say this about the 8500, first because I had one and this cordless S2 reminded me so much of a corded 8500 and second because there is not way there are two sets of idiots at the Company, the S2 team that builds toys and the 8500 team that builds serious equipment. Same pathethic department(s). :angry:
03-19-2003, 10:39 PM
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Originally posted by SiGGy
LOL
At least you tested it... I'm sure it was worse than the V1.
Ken why don't you upgrade your V1? You are two revisions behind I believe. Just as I am. $250 should do it.
https://store.valentine1.com/upgrades/
LOL
At least you tested it... I'm sure it was worse than the V1.
Ken why don't you upgrade your V1? You are two revisions behind I believe. Just as I am. $250 should do it.
https://store.valentine1.com/upgrades/
Status Report on Your Valentine One
Serial Number 74404xxxxx
V1 Description: Radar circuitry known in-house as V1.7 gives high performance on all radar bands. Also,it remembers your “mode” setting when shut off. Has stack of four LEDs on front panel for band identification. Front and rear laser.
Upgrade Recommendation: While this version is not quite up to today’s V1 standard for Ka, it’s almost always good enough, and always better than detectors from other makers. X and K performance is excellent. Upgrading merely to improve radar performance is not cost effective, in my opinion. Upgrading does bring other benefits, including our latest Generation 3 front-and-rear laser warning, which is a significant improvement over the Generation 2 technology used in this unit.
Upgrade Proposal for Your Valentine One
Serial Number 74404xxxxx
Our Instant Upgrade* will make the following improvements to your V1.
Our best Ka-band performance.
Our best X-band performance.
Our best K-band performance.
Adds radar coverage on Ku-band (used in Europe).
Our best, Generation 3 laser warning, front and rear.
Reduces V1's case height by about ¼ inch.
Reduces V1's weight by about 1.5 oz.
Latest windshield mount with new suction cups.
Latest visor mount.
New Lighter Power Adapter.
New Direct-wire Power Adapter
New coiled cord.
New straight cord.
New wiring-harness connector.
Dual-Lock® fastener.
New Owners Manual.
Spare fuse.
Spare suction cups.
One-year limited warranty, same as new units.
*INSTANT UPGRADE: As soon as we receive your old unit (in operable condition with no tampering of the serial number) we’ll exchange it for a brand-new, current-production V1. This is our way of assuring you’ll be without V1 protection for the shortest time.
PRICE: $189 plus shipping
03-20-2003, 07:36 AM
#23
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V1 is still the best commercially. You could look into some declassified/retired military equipment that might cost you a small fortune and consume half your dash to mount, Ken... Attach a couple of HARMs to your car and really make those cops think twice! 
Attach a couple of HARMs to your car and really make those cops think twice!
03-20-2003, 12:25 PM
#24
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You know the escorts have a spec display that shows your the ACTUAL frequency of the radar. Verfy good to filter out false adn real threats. I takes awhile to memorize and get use to all of the frequencyies but well worth it. .
Just yesturday my esocrt 8500 picked up KA 4.3 miles ahead on rt 81 in VA.
AHHH,, finally the v1 guys caving in..... j/k
Just yesturday my esocrt 8500 picked up KA 4.3 miles ahead on rt 81 in VA.
AHHH,, finally the v1 guys caving in.....
j/k
03-20-2003, 12:36 PM
#25
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Originally posted by NOVAwhiteTypeS
You know the escorts have a spec display that shows your the ACTUAL frequency of the radar. Verfy good to filter out false adn real threats. I takes awhile to memorize and get use to all of the frequencyies but well worth it. .
Just yesturday my esocrt 8500 picked up KA 4.3 miles ahead on rt 81 in VA.
AHHH,, finally the v1 guys caving in..... j/k
You know the escorts have a spec display that shows your the ACTUAL frequency of the radar. Verfy good to filter out false adn real threats. I takes awhile to memorize and get use to all of the frequencyies but well worth it. .
Just yesturday my esocrt 8500 picked up KA 4.3 miles ahead on rt 81 in VA.
AHHH,, finally the v1 guys caving in.....
j/k
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