Kwick-CL-ver-S

Just got a deferred dismissal from the courts if I keep my my nose clean for 90 days.

I really want to get a radar detector, never had one b4 and really don't know if it will help me though. I've lived in Houston for 3 years and never got pulled over or b4.

My last ticket was on my way to Louisana.

And most of my tickets are from my home town. A small town in Southeast TX, where i'm moving back to to take care of some business for 6 months. I;ve gotten 5 damn ticket in this town, and was wondering what the V1 is best for.

Is it gor long highway trips? Local roads in town or what? There are a lot of motor cops shootin radar all over the place and was wondering if the V1 will let me know about them in time to do anything?

Another thing, do the radar detectors detect cops or only when they are shooting a radar at you? Will there be enough of a cushion to slow down from say going 60 in a 45 with a cop creep up ahead.

Anything else you V1 xperts wanna share, I really wanna know.

Last, is the V1 website the only place to get them? And the $399 price tag is pretty much the standard price?

kensteele

Here's my advice for what it's worth:

Save up your money for 90 days, then buy the V1. The V1 is worth every penny and will work well for you regardless. It's not perfect though. That's why you want to defer your purchase to ensure you make it through that 90 day window. Of course you'll be the model driving citizen for the next 3 months, right?

------------------
* 2001 Acura CL Type S * Blk/Blk * Navigator * Spoiler * Moonroof Visor * V1 *
* Since 3/31/2000 *
* Road Warrior *

* 500 posts on h/a.net *** 400 posts "insane poster" on the "old" acura-cl.com *

tw1112

V1 and all other radars would only work if the cop is using some type of radar or laser. That is what the detector is picking up, so he can still get you if he is pacing you. I have it, never really encountered a trap yet, but I feel a lot safer with it there. Kinda cool seeing it light up to see where all the surveillance cameras and such are in the city

------------------
Tw1112
CL 3.0 '98 - Cleared bumper, Hiper/Piaa/Polarg bulbs all around, PIAA 1700x fogs, AEM CAI, V1, and Mugen Pedals.

• My CL
• LA Autoshow
• SoCal Meet

Kwick-CL-ver-S

Hell yeah,

I'm gonna be driving miss daisy squeaky clean, in theory, but you guys know what this damn machine does to you when you put her into drive and esp. in 3rd gear.

Hey, these things detect monitoring cameras too? Wow! Oh and what is a false alarm? Where is the V1 mounted, on the windshild like the others? It just looks so much bulkier than the others.

tw1112

False alarms could be just several things setting off your detector that is not a cop. Other radar detectors near by can set off other radar detectors, some equipment that companies use also do this. Whenever I drive into the Ralphs complex near my house, the security cameras always set off my detector because they use motion sensors I believe. Traffic cameras also will set off the detector.......so all in all it is really cool to have.

------------------
Tw1112
CL 3.0 '98 - Cleared bumper, Hiper/Piaa/Polarg bulbs all around, PIAA 1700x fogs, AEM CAI, V1, and Mugen Pedals.

• My CL
• LA Autoshow
• SoCal Meet

Kwick-CL-ver-S

Is this thing legal? I've read on other threads about how they try and hide it from cops or put it somewhere that it can't be seen from behind or what ever. I've seen people drive all around town with radar detectors dead center on there dash or windshield. I guess it just depends on what state you live in right?

tel1sps

It is legal in most states... Not in VA. and some others

------------------
01 Silver 3.2CLS

rdsandy

Radar detectors are illegal in VA and DC only. Every other state, they're ok. CT used to be illegal but they're not now.

------------------
South Jersey: 2001 Acura CL-s Gold with navi/spoiler/splashguards/V1/w/cdu
stock 1/4 mile 14.698sec@95.91mph
Atco Raceway 12/1/00

WPS

the V1 got beaten in the Ka band by an Escort and a Bel(Autombobile magazine recent testing)..which is getting used more frequently today..so not sure if V1 is worth it anymore

------------------


[This message has been edited by WPS (edited 02-19-2001).]

Nashua_Night_Hawk

I have the famous V1. However, do not assume buy getting one you get a total security.
It is just a warnning system at best.

For example,

1) Cops could be using a laser gun, or instant-on Radar gun AND You are alone on the HW, then you are a toast. No way you can slow down once he clocked you.

2) Another trap that I fell into at one time, speeding over a Hill: You are climbing a hill, the cop would be under a pass 1/2 mile after the you clear hill and down the hill. NO way you could have seen the cop before you cleared the hill and once you are descending at high speed, you are a toast!

These are 2 examples, where the V1 is of little use. So, drive like 90-yr old rgrand ma for the next 3-months

BTW, I also got the same 90-day deal to drop the ticket for not inspecting my brand new CLS within 10 days!


------------------
Bare Bone Stock Type-S. Plenty of accessories. PIAA 19169 to be installed soon.

j_o_e_y

I have the Escort 8500 and V1 Radar detectors.. .My reason for getting the P-8500 first was
because of the articles that I read in the Magazine.. I was real skeptical about the V1 till I
bought it... The range i do have to affirm is a little better on the V1. The complaint I had about
the V1 if you visit my old post is that It reads certain sources as K band where my P8500 would
read that exact source as an X band.. My answers never got answer as to why these 2 units
would read them as different bands.. Telling me that the P-8500 unit reads the radar band wrong as an
was a lame explanation by the Valentine Support Techs.
....To bring you up to speed based on my personal experience after owning the Escort P8500 for
one month and the V1 for 2 weeks...:

Escort P-8500 Pros:
-The P8500 gives you more driving comfort because it reads very few door openers and banks
as a K band.. Check for consistency with some selected sources... The banks that it does read
as K band always show up as K band... When a K and pops up around where these X bands would
usually light up it has ended up as being 100% cop. In other words consistency (100%) is always there even tho Valentine sais that it is reading the "wrong" band.

-Range is very good.
***************
Escort P-8500 Cons:
-No direction arrow to tell you where source is being emitted.

-Smart cord adapter is coiled and doesn't let you attach your own telephone wire to it.

-Rear detection is almost non-existent... ( But that may be due to Escorts claim that it will
only pick it up if it's pointed at your rear rather then a source moving away behind you)

-Doesn't pick up laser in places where V1 picked it up.

+++++++

V1 Cons:
-V1 reads a K band on almost all door openers and banks.. This is makes it a harder drive for
you because cops operate mainly on a K and Ka band.. So with the K bands going off constantly
you on alert more frequently with V1 when there is no threat. Consistency is not always there which
is what has me second guessing Valentine's credibility in telling me that the P-8500 is wrong even tho
it is consistent 100% of the time and the V1 is right when it's at %92 consistency.

-The Bogie count gets very confusing at times in a busy area.. The Valentine Techs told me that
the signals bounce around the area so the V1 may be picking up the same source as much as 6 times cuz the
radar emitted took a few trips around the place and the V1 picked it up again. They told me to watch for
multiples of 2 bogie jumps.. Those usually indicate bouncing signals.. These are more like to come from
door openers by the way.. Very seldomly a Cop....

*******
V1 Pros:
-Directional arrow is very accurate at pin-pointing source and changes appropriately with
source's change of direction.

-Rear antennas work wonders and range on them are really good..

-Laser Detection does work...

-Bogie count is usefull when in an open area... Not effective when in busy area...

-Range is excellent..
_____________________________________

That was my run down and personal experience with these units... It doesn't take years to find out what
will work for you.. Only a week is good enough and the 30 trial they give you is more then fair especially
if you do a lot of driving... You must test them out in different environments too like the highway, city,
suburb, and rural areas... I have done so with my test. The important thing that you must know is that
when a radar is being emitted from a cop you know when it's a cop.. It is always strong and quick to
jump... Weak signals are door openers ect.... Very anoying even if you tune the sensitivity levels (which
is not suggested)..... Detecting signals from corners and hills is where i really saw the difference.. The V1
was really good at giving you enough cushion to slow your horses. The P8500 will give you the same
performance but that's where not having the arrow direction led hurts it... The bogie count is not that
necessary in my opinoin cuz if there is a cop with a K band next to a Walgreen's door opener that reads an
X band, the K band would override the X band big time... It has never missed a cop for me not once.
...So, although I'd hate to say it... The V1 is a safer unit in my book... it can make you very jittery cuz you're on constant lookout, but at least it does a damn good job picking up just about everything out there... I would almost like to say that maybe the P8500 has a better filtering system for false alarms (which is defined by the user) because it makes the ride more comfortable when all you have to look out for is K or Ka bands... As far as the rear detection, I almost want to say that Escort is right in saying that you'll rarely get zapped from the ass... Although V1 shows sources from behind they were always sources moving away from the car's rear (which pose no threat)... P8500 stops detecting once the source moves behind you, but that's probably because it knows that it doesn't pose a threat cuz the signal is not emitted directly behind you..

Remember tho, just because you roll by a cop and your unit doesn't go off doesn't mean that it's ineffective..
It simply means that the gun was not turned on in the squad car... Radar detectors are litterally "radar detectors" NOT cop detectors.....



------------------
'01 3.2CL-S (BLACK <> EBONY) W/ NAVIGAT. KIT
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
~ REAR SPOILER ~ ** ~ACURA NOSE GUARD BRA~
~GOLD EMBLEM KIT + GRILLE~ ** ~ROOF VISOR~
~MUD GUARDS~ ** ~WOOD TRIM KIT~
** ~MAHOGANY SHIFT KNOB~ ** ~ CARGO NET~
~35% METALLIC CHROME TINT (all doors)~
~V-1 RADAR DETECTOR W/ REMOTE~
~MOTOROLA HANDSFREE PRO-INSTALL PHONE KIT~
~ALPINE 350W AMP - W/ 12" XTANT SPEAKER~
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ Joey's Mistress

j_o_e_y

I have the Escort 8500 and V1 Radar detectors.. .My reason for getting the P-8500 first was
because of the articles that I read in the Magazine.. I was real skeptical about the V1 till I
bought it... The range i do have to affirm is a little better on the V1. The complaint I had about
the V1 if you visit my old post is that It reads certain sources as K band where my P8500 would
read that exact source as an X band.. My answers never got answer as to why these 2 units
would read them as different bands.. Telling me that the P-8500 unit reads the radar band wrong as an
was a lame explanation by the Valentine Support Techs.
....To bring you up to speed based on my personal experience after owning the Escort P8500 for
one month and the V1 for 2 weeks...:

Escort P-8500 Pros:
-The P8500 gives you more driving comfort because it reads very few door openers and banks
as a K band.. Check for consistency with some selected sources... The banks that it does read
as K band always show up as K band... When a K and pops up around where these X bands would
usually light up it has ended up as being 100% cop. In other words consistency (100%) is always there even tho Valentine sais that it is reading the "wrong" band.

-Range is very good.
***************
Escort P-8500 Cons:
-No direction arrow to tell you where source is being emitted.

-Smart cord adapter is coiled and doesn't let you attach your own telephone wire to it.

-Rear detection is almost non-existent... ( But that may be due to Escorts claim that it will
only pick it up if it's pointed at your rear rather then a source moving away behind you)

-Doesn't pick up laser in places where V1 picked it up.

+++++++

V1 Cons:
-V1 reads a K band on almost all door openers and banks.. This is makes it a harder drive for
you because cops operate mainly on a K and Ka band.. So with the K bands going off constantly
you on alert more frequently with V1 when there is no threat. Consistency is not always there which
is what has me second guessing Valentine's credibility in telling me that the P-8500 is wrong even tho
it is consistent 100% of the time and the V1 is right when it's at %92 consistency.

-The Bogie count gets very confusing at times in a busy area.. The Valentine Techs told me that
the signals bounce around the area so the V1 may be picking up the same source as much as 6 times cuz the
radar emitted took a few trips around the place and the V1 picked it up again. They told me to watch for
multiples of 2 bogie jumps.. Those usually indicate bouncing signals.. These are more like to come from
door openers by the way.. Very seldomly a Cop....

*******
V1 Pros:
-Directional arrow is very accurate at pin-pointing source and changes appropriately with
source's change of direction.

-Rear antennas work wonders and range on them are really good..

-Laser Detection does work...

-Bogie count is usefull when in an open area... Not effective when in busy area...

-Range is excellent..
_____________________________________

That was my run down and personal experience with these units... It doesn't take years to find out what
will work for you.. Only a week is good enough and the 30 trial they give you is more then fair especially
if you do a lot of driving... You must test them out in different environments too like the highway, city,
suburb, and rural areas... I have done so with my test. The important thing that you must know is that
when a radar is being emitted from a cop you know when it's a cop.. It is always strong and quick to
jump... Weak signals are door openers ect.... Very anoying even if you tune the sensitivity levels (which
is not suggested)..... Detecting signals from corners and hills is where i really saw the difference.. The V1
was really good at giving you enough cushion to slow your horses. The P8500 will give you the same
performance but that's where not having the arrow direction led hurts it... The bogie count is not that
necessary in my opinoin cuz if there is a cop with a K band next to a Walgreen's door opener that reads an
X band, the K band would override the X band big time... It has never missed a cop for me not once.
...So, although I'd hate to say it... The V1 is a safer unit in my book... it can make you very jittery cuz you're on constant lookout, but at least it does a damn good job picking up just about everything out there... I would almost like to say that maybe the P8500 has a better filtering system for false alarms (which is defined by the user) because it makes the ride more comfortable when all you have to look out for is K or Ka bands... As far as the rear detection, I almost want to say that Escort is right in saying that you'll rarely get zapped from the ass... Although V1 shows sources from behind they were always sources moving away from the car's rear (which pose no threat)... P8500 stops detecting once the source moves behind you, but that's probably because it knows that it doesn't pose a threat cuz the signal is not emitted directly behind you..

Remember tho, just because you roll by a cop and your unit doesn't go off doesn't mean that it's ineffective..
It simply means that the gun was not turned on in the squad car... Radar detectors are litterally "radar detectors" NOT cop detectors.....


------------------
'01 3.2CL-S (BLACK <> EBONY) W/ NAVIGAT. KIT
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
~ REAR SPOILER ~ ** ~ACURA NOSE GUARD BRA~
~GOLD EMBLEM KIT + GRILLE~ ** ~ROOF VISOR~
~MUD GUARDS~ ** ~WOOD TRIM KIT~
** ~MAHOGANY SHIFT KNOB~ ** ~ CARGO NET~
~35% METALLIC CHROME TINT (all doors)~
~V-1 RADAR DETECTOR W/ REMOTE~
~MOTOROLA HANDSFREE PRO-INSTALL PHONE KIT~
~ALPINE 350W AMP - W/ 12" XTANT SPEAKER~
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ Joey's Mistress

j_o_e_y

I have the Escort 8500 and V1 Radar detectors.. .My reason for getting the P-8500 first was
because of the articles that I read in the Magazine.. I was real skeptical about the V1 till I
bought it... The range i do have to affirm is a little better on the V1. The complaint I had about
the V1 if you visit my old post is that It reads certain sources as K band where my P8500 would
read that exact source as an X band.. My answers never got answer as to why these 2 units
would read them as different bands.. Telling me that the P-8500 unit reads the radar band wrong as an
was a lame explanation by the Valentine Support Techs.
....To bring you up to speed based on my personal experience after owning the Escort P8500 for
one month and the V1 for 2 weeks...:

Escort P-8500 Pros:
-The P8500 gives you more driving comfort because it reads very few door openers and banks
as a K band.. Check for consistency with some selected sources... The banks that it does read
as K band always show up as K band... When a K and pops up around where these X bands would
usually light up it has ended up as being 100% cop. In other words consistency (100%) is always there even tho Valentine sais that it is reading the "wrong" band.

-Range is very good.
***************
Escort P-8500 Cons:
-No direction arrow to tell you where source is being emitted.

-Smart cord adapter is coiled and doesn't let you attach your own telephone wire to it.

-Rear detection is almost non-existent... ( But that may be due to Escorts claim that it will
only pick it up if it's pointed at your rear rather then a source moving away behind you)

-Doesn't pick up laser in places where V1 picked it up.

+++++++

V1 Cons:
-V1 reads a K band on almost all door openers and banks.. This is makes it a harder drive for
you because cops operate mainly on a K and Ka band.. So with the K bands going off constantly
you on alert more frequently with V1 when there is no threat. Consistency is not always there which
is what has me second guessing Valentine's credibility in telling me that the P-8500 is wrong even tho
it is consistent 100% of the time and the V1 is right when it's at %92 consistency.

-The Bogie count gets very confusing at times in a busy area.. The Valentine Techs told me that
the signals bounce around the area so the V1 may be picking up the same source as much as 6 times cuz the
radar emitted took a few trips around the place and the V1 picked it up again. They told me to watch for
multiples of 2 bogie jumps.. Those usually indicate bouncing signals.. These are more like to come from
door openers by the way.. Very seldomly a Cop....

*******
V1 Pros:
-Directional arrow is very accurate at pin-pointing source and changes appropriately with
source's change of direction.

-Rear antennas work wonders and range on them are really good..

-Laser Detection does work...

-Bogie count is usefull when in an open area... Not effective when in busy area...

-Range is excellent..
_____________________________________

That was my run down and personal experience with these units... It doesn't take years to find out what
will work for you.. Only a week is good enough and the 30 trial they give you is more then fair especially
if you do a lot of driving... You must test them out in different environments too like the highway, city,
suburb, and rural areas... I have done so with my test. The important thing that you must know is that
when a radar is being emitted from a cop you know when it's a cop.. It is always strong and quick to
jump... Weak signals are door openers ect.... Very anoying even if you tune the sensitivity levels (which
is not suggested)..... Detecting signals from corners and hills is where i really saw the difference.. The V1
was really good at giving you enough cushion to slow your horses. The P8500 will give you the same
performance but that's where not having the arrow direction led hurts it... The bogie count is not that
necessary in my opinoin cuz if there is a cop with a K band next to a Walgreen's door opener that reads an
X band, the K band would override the X band big time... It has never missed a cop for me not once.
...So, although I'd hate to say it... The V1 is a safer unit in my book... it can make you very jittery cuz you're on constant lookout, but at least it does a damn good job picking up just about everything out there... I would almost like to say that maybe the P8500 has a better filtering system for false alarms (which is defined by the user) because it makes the ride more comfortable when all you have to look out for is K or Ka bands... As far as the rear detection, I almost want to say that Escort is right in saying that you'll rarely get zapped from the ass... Although V1 shows sources from behind they were always sources moving away from the car's rear (which pose no threat)... P8500 stops detecting once the source moves behind you, but that's probably because it knows that it doesn't pose a threat cuz the signal is not emitted directly behind you..

Remember tho, just because you roll by a cop and your unit doesn't go off doesn't mean that it's ineffective..
It simply means that the gun was not turned on in the squad car... Radar detectors are litterally "radar detectors" NOT cop detectors.....

------------------
'01 3.2CL-S (BLACK <> EBONY) W/ NAVIGAT. KIT
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
~ REAR SPOILER ~ ** ~ACURA NOSE GUARD BRA~
~GOLD EMBLEM KIT + GRILLE~ ** ~ROOF VISOR~
~MUD GUARDS~ ** ~WOOD TRIM KIT~
** ~MAHOGANY SHIFT KNOB~ ** ~ CARGO NET~
~35% METALLIC CHROME TINT (all doors)~
~V-1 RADAR DETECTOR W/ REMOTE~
~MOTOROLA HANDSFREE PRO-INSTALL PHONE KIT~
~ALPINE 350W AMP - W/ 12" XTANT SPEAKER~
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ Joey's Mistress

Kwick-CL-ver-S

Thaks for all the info guys, will be takening it easy for 3 months. Knowing what I know now, V1 will have another cliet soon.

kensteele

Joey, I appreciate your review of radar detectors; I thought you were a med student? I absolutely cannot understand most of what you wrote. That being said, I have to respectfully disagree with a lot of [important] stuff that you said.

------------------
* 2001 Acura CL Type S * Blk/Blk * Navigator * Spoiler * Moonroof Visor * V1 *
* Since 3/31/2000 *
* Road Warrior *

* 500 posts on h/a.net *** 400 posts "insane poster" on the "old" acura-cl.com *

MikeS 18

But, Ken - he said it three times - whew!

My $.02: radar detects radar not cops. V1 is the best insurance out there - 8500 is probably as good but I have become used to the stupid arrows - You know when it is a cop or not - most town cops leave their radr on and you can hear them a mile off. On the interstate, you better have a wide eye open or someone in front of you somewhere because the cops do not leave their radar on and you have to catch someone in fron of you getting zapped - regardless of whether it is K, Ka or Lazer.

------------------
CL-S #22,299 Black/Parchment/Nav, spoiler, door & fender guards, wood trim, PIAA 19169 & 9005, V1 w/remote, trunk & winter mats, no headers, no sway bars, no springs, no money!

j_o_e_y

*LOL*... I am.. Funny how coincidence may bring someone on this board on my operating table... Hope that doesn't happen... I wrote this on a train on my Cassiopeia... In comprehensible at times, but I did my best with that stylus... Anywho, hope the point came across tho..



------------------
'01 3.2CL-S (BLACK <> EBONY) W/ NAVIGAT. KIT
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
~ REAR SPOILER ~ ** ~ACURA NOSE GUARD BRA~
~GOLD EMBLEM KIT + GRILLE~ ** ~ROOF VISOR~
~MUD GUARDS~ ** ~WOOD TRIM KIT~
** ~MAHOGANY SHIFT KNOB~ ** ~ CARGO NET~
~35% METALLIC CHROME TINT (all doors)~
~V-1 RADAR DETECTOR W/ REMOTE~
~MOTOROLA HANDSFREE PRO-INSTALL PHONE KIT~
~ALPINE 350W AMP - W/ 12" XTANT SPEAKER~
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

Joey's Mistress

RaleighNC

After reading all the posts, everyone gave really good advices.

My $.02. Go ahead an get a detector now. Get use to the signals and your driving environment. Learn all the false alarms and where they occur. And use your cruise control where ever possible, that should help not to speed.

I would also advice to continue looking out for cops like to did when you didn't have a radar detector (with your eyes)....recognizing types of headlights, license plates, hidden bluelights between stuff animals, and so on.

Don't forget to look at your 6 (o' clock).

My vote is to get a V1. Just last night, got zapped three times. V1 gave me three counts, meaning three cops. That INFO was priceless.

Good Luck!!