quanaman

iTrader: (4)

Hey all,

I've been researching and looking up info on the Valentine 1 and from all I've read/heard its the best on the market. I still have a few questions though.

I heard that when passing a shopping center, it can/will go off because of interfering signals from automatic doors or something of that nature. True? Has anyone found this to be a big problem/annoyance? Any other disadvantages? I don't do a WHOLE lot of highway driving, mostly city, so if that is the case, then it might not be for me since I pass a lot of shopping centers and areas that would be annoying/false alarms. I've gotten two frikken tickets in the last month in the TL and I'm tired of it!


Those of you that have the V1, can you show pics of your install/where you keep it? Hardwire or otherwise) here in VA, radar detectors are illegal, so mine will have to keep a low profile. I was hoping it would fit in one of the two cubby holes below the stereo, hopefully without the concealed display? That would be excellent.


Thanks for any and all info.

vietxquangstah

iTrader: (7)

yes its true that when you drive past stores that have automatic door sensors, the valentine will go off.

and no it's not really that annoying, after 5 days or so of driving around you will start to get an idea of where the false alarms are at and you learn to not pay attention to them.

theres also a mute button on the valentine, so when you do know it's a false alarm you can just press the mute button and it will still beep, but at a lower volume (whatever you set it to).

you can also buy a direct wire cord that has a built in mute button and you can hide that mute button to somewhere near the steering wheel, or wherever suits you best. that way you don't have to press the mute button on the valentine, but instead the button is placed wherever you want.

i have pictures of how mines is mounted, but its on my iphone and i don't know how to get it on my computer lol

--

also, i'm a delivery driver and i drive 80% city and the valentine still shines. i've had it spot KA and K bands on a straight-a-way that had some slight hills that usually prevents you from seeing cars on the other side of the hill. i've had it detect these bands a good 30 secs to 1 min before i actually was able to spot the pig

SpiderX1016

If false alarms bother you, get an Escort 9500ix. When you pass by a known false three times, it won't go off again.

If you want straight up range, then the Valentine or a Redline will do.

dano4o8

Here's mine,hardwired and sits a little lower so the V1 has a better view of the rear

nfnsquared

Do a search in the Audio forum. Tons of threads. Also check the Garage/Service Department.

Bearcat94

Don't VA troopers use Radar Detector Detector's? IOW - trying to "hide" it won't do much good?

Also, the more you "hide" a Radar Detector, doesn't that limit its effectivness?

SharksBreath

iTrader: (33)

^VA troopers "may" use those...that's a good question.

and they've done numerous tests on the V1, mounting it in different locations to determine whether or not it loses any juice. if you mount it like dano, you're fine. that's how i plan on doing mine whenever i get around to it.

Goosew

iTrader: (1)

Seems as though (if you haven't bought it yet), the Passport 8500 beat out the V1 by a fair bit.

http://www.radartest.com/article.asp?articleid=1064

quanaman

iTrader: (4)

Thanks for the info guys.

I didn't know there was such thing as a radar detector detector.... That's discouraging.

I checked those threads but I kind of wanted something more hidden than thT... But I suppose you can't really hide it and still get good coverage...

Stew4HD

IMO, that test result is not fair. The ONLY point where the author sees the V1 falling short is the portion of the test that is subjective... the convenience/ergonomics portion. Giving the V1 a low score in that section really lowered the overall number when the V1 is right up there in what the item is made for.. detecting radar!

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

Sorry for the hi-jack!
Stew, did you get your '12!?

Stew4HD

Hi neighbor.. Where you been hiding?

umm.. yeah.! I picked it up a week ago. I just couldn't help myself! I have those 18" RJ Inspyre's with Michelin Pilots for sale now.

Linky to the thread I created and pics: https://acurazine.com/forums/4g-tl-photograph-gallery-296/wait-over-bwp-sh-awd-advanced-home-814611/

Goosew

iTrader: (1)

Dude, I agree that the subjective section of that chart kinda deep-sixed the V1, but I was more talking about the following two quotes. (did you read the review or just the chart)??


AND

wakattack

I have had both. The V1 was a really nice detector and the arrows do help especially on long highway trips. My V1 got stolen a couple of years ago, and I have been on a Escort 8500 ever since. And I have found it just as good if not better. If I were to buy another detector, I would go with the 9500 and get the GPS features. The V1 is a very good detector, but it's kind of resting on it's legendary laurels at this point IMHO.

Stew4HD

Dude, buy the Passport then.. no detector works against what most police/highway patrols use anyway.. instant on laser *shrug*

quanaman

iTrader: (4)

Yeah. I guess I should probably just slow down....It sounds like the perfect combination for me just is too good to be true, lol. 400+ for a detector that will only work part of the time isn't practical for me at least.

I know what Valentine says about their V1, any reviews from you all on it?

SpiderX1016

Check out an Escort Redline or a Beltronics STI.
Supposedly they're undetectable to a RDD. 100% undetectable? I don't know.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAYmb...eature=related

blkhwkz

VA troopers definitely use radar detector detectors and I have a few friends who have been caught that way. All of them had theirs confiscated or destroyed on the spot. I personally have the Beltronics STi Driver as that one was tested and found to be undetectable. I drive through VA and DC all the time and have never had an issue.

Right now mine is in a concealed visor mount pouch and then wired to the rearview mirror's power plug.

ProbyOne

If you live in VA, then make sure to get a RD that is undetectable to RDD.

Secondly, Radartest.com is a POS site along with its owner. I wouldn't trust anything that came from them... the best info on radar detector performance can be found here: http://www.guysoflidar.com/

wood78221

Get a V1, I swear you will be satisfied. I have had one since 2001

NBP2008Type-S

I have both the V1 and Calibre K40 undetectable. I have the V1 custom mounted in with the read break light housing. I had display professionaly laser etched into my rear view mirror.

I also have the K40 installed in my front and rear bumpers, with the laser jammer on the front. I live in Maryland and work in DC. I drive in DC and through Virginia heading to North Carolina all the time.

They both worked perfectly on the GW parkway one evening when I was heading home late and I was passing everyone. They went off, I slowed down, saw the policeman off on the side scenic overlook, and he never came after me.

The V1 goes off well before the K40. If i were to pick just one, i would go with the V1.

I am also willing to sell my custom Radar installs to anyone interested. Make me an offer.

Mr Marco

Way, way too high up on the window. That thing should have a clear line out the back window (not to mention the tint in front of it).

vietxquangstah

iTrader: (7)

if that's what you think than so be it.

i too have mines in the same position and it detects radar and laser from the FRONT and REAR no problems.

i can even flip down my visor to completely hide my V1 while driving and it will still detect radar and laser from the REAR.

people say the as1 line is a bad place to put it, or even behind tint. well i've been having mine on the as1 ever since i've had it and i've picked up radar far far away no problems.

and the way mines is position, it does have a clear view out the back window. it may not look like it, but it's angled



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

ProbyOne

Position is almost perfect.

The factory tint strip will not hurt radar signal reception at all, and the higher it is placed the better the signal will be... however it would probably have an effect on laser detection, which is almost pointless to detect (if you detect laser, they have your speed 99.9999% of the time).

Secondly, the radar signal coming from the rear will not be hurt by the looks of its positioning. A thin layer of cloth will not hurt reception, but I'm not even sure this is an issues because it looks like the picture was taken from an angle.

Cap'n Preshoot

I own both V1 and Escort. From personal experience the Escort 8500 and Solo cordless both seem to outperform the V1 on Ka detection. I also don't particularly care for V1 aesthetics.

Here in Texas the State uses 'instant-on' speed guns and on I-45 between Dallas & Houston you're more apt to get tagged from behind. "10-over" is $190. Anthing more than 15-over you're potentially looking at a tow + impound/storage + overnight accommodations.

quanaman

iTrader: (4)

Man, its tough for me to shell out over 400 bucks for a V1 if its rarely, if ever going to work for me... Every time I've ever been pulled over here in VA, its been by a point and shoot laser.

lame!

ProbyOne

Those results are not typical... what version V1 do you have?

illadelph

i've used a V1 for over 3 years and i swear by the thing. It may not visually be the most appealing piece of equipment out there but knowing where cops are is very important to me when driving. I would go with a V1

NBP2008Type-S

Get your custom installed like mine in the rear break light housing. I have a kill switch under the steering colomn. I drive through Virginia all the time, it goes off, I have only once turned it off, never pulled over while running my V1.

vietxquangstah

iTrader: (7)

check craigslist. i found someone selling a v1 ver 1.7 for $280, managed to get them down to $250 total.

about a month later my friend also wanted one so i went to craigslist again and ended up getting a ver 1.7 for $200

nunyazz

This site http://www.radarbusters.com/mountdet...rlyarticle.cfm
and many other radar testing sites say NOT to mount your detectors high. The tint and other variables lessen it's effectiveness.

Cap'n Preshoot

I honestly don't know. I bought it in 2008 on Craig's List for $200. I played with it for a few months and gave it to my son. Interestingly he wound up getting 2 tickets within 2 weeks of each other shortly after he put it in his car. I don't blame the detector, I blame the driver.

vietxquangstah

iTrader: (7)

you speaking from experience or are you speaking from what you read on the internet?

like i said, i've had mines on my as1 line ever since i've had it and i got no complaints. it picks up radar rear and front like its supposed to. had it detect ka band from nearly 1-2 miles away on hilly straight street (not highway). i couldn't even see the cop car for the first 45 seconds or so

nunyazz

Both.

vietxquangstah

iTrader: (7)

lol i seen that coming

if you tried it and also received the same results as posted in that link, how come i've been using it for a few months and have had no problems?

you see how mine is mounted in the window, it's pretty up there in the as1 line. not even visible by the outside, but yet i detect all bands from any direction no problem.

yahtzee

I am in VA and have used the STi for 3 years. I have at least 30 saves from it. Absolutely love it.

nunyazz

Has anyone tried the blendmounts?? http://www.blendmount.com/
Look nice, but not cheap.

SpiderX1016

Thought about getting one for my Escort. Too Expensive.
Then I thought about making one. Won't look as nice.

If it were $30, I'd buy it but $90? That's almost 1/4 of what I paid for my RD.

nunyazz

Yea, same here. Very nice, but too expensive.

quanaman

iTrader: (4)

If I had one, I'd definitely get one...or at least look for a cheaper version. Definitely worth the cleaner look.