Should I invest In a V1 Radar Detector

[OC3]

Originally Posted by E=mc2

Definitely, I have had numerous K band encounters that were LEOs.

From what I can tell, all state troopers I have seen in NJ use X band. Local cops in rural areas use Ka band. The city cops use K band.

Thanks. Can anybody in California chime in about LEO use of K band in our state in general, and in SoCal in particular?

[OC3]

Originally Posted by ersin

Yep, X, K and Ka are all bands that police radar use, depending on the model. X-band guns are hardly used anymore except in NJ and some other smaller areas.

These new collision avoidance systems are gonna be a big headache for detector owners if they become ubiquitous. I heard talk of making these things mandatory in the future. I hope not.

Another nuisance to detector owners are the radar traffic sensors. I hope these don't become commonplace either.


Cheers.

Everytime K band goes off, I don't see LEO, but almost always see a MB around. It's not the smart thing to do, but I'm starting to just ignore K band warnings... (as I do w/ X band -> supermarkets!).

[ersin]

Originally Posted by dnvrdrvr

I've had mine two years so I checked it a few weeks ago to see if they'd updated it. I have version 1.8 and their little configuration tool told me I had the most current version.

v1.8 is the current hardware version. The current software version is 3.872 if I'm not mistaken. You can have the software upgraded but it doesn't make sense in some cases because it may only be updated to work with different components that the Valentine Research may use in the detector.


Cheers.

[ersin]

Originally Posted by OC3

Everytime K band goes off, I don't see LEO, but almost always see a MB around. It's not the smart thing to do, but I'm starting to just ignore K band warnings... (as I do w/ X band -> supermarkets!).

Most detectors allow you turn whole bands off. If there is no X-band guns used in your area (and there probably aren't unless you live in NJ) then I would recommend turning X band off. However, there is enough K band still being used around here that I won't turn it off. There are "auto-mute" options that help immensely for K band if you have a V1. (V1 "auto-mute" is not the same as Escort "auto-mute".)


Cheers.

[M_Time]

V1 - FTW !!!

[StrifeM3]

I have had my V1 for a month. Definately worth the money I paid for it.

[ersin]

Originally Posted by E=mc2

If you really don't want to take chances, you shouldn't do all that checking mirrors/side/etc - instead just slow down.

I think you misunderstood. I don't want to take chances of missing an alert, not of deciding whether a threat is real or not.

Originally Posted by E=mc2

Again, you find the need to do all the things you say you do because V1 falses a lot more than 9500ix.

No, these alerts are real. I do all these things to find out how urgent a threat is. Based on this I decide to take action or not. The V1 rarely falses when it counts.

Originally Posted by E=mc2

With 9500ix, unless you are in an area where you have never been before, you do know when the alarm goes off, there is a good chance its LEO (if you are driving in an highway, its even better).

But what you don't know is when it doesn't go off if there is no LEO. That's why I think a more expensive, more sensitive model is needed. There is less chance of missing the LEO.

Originally Posted by E=mc2

This is why I'm saying, the arrows are pointless. It's not like you get %50 off in your ticket if the cop was behind you, right? The arrows absolutely help in V1, because it has no way of remembering falses, so they give you a good indication of the validity of the warning. But with 9500ix, you don't need them if your database is up-to-date and you have pretty much marked all the falses that you know to be true.

I'm not looking for the validity of the warning; I'm using the arrows to tell me where to look to gauge the nature of the threat so I can make the right decision.

The 9500ix GPS database won't alert you to a real radar/laser threat. It will only keep it from alerting if the threat (radar) was there at some time in the past. (It also gives warning of redlight/speed camera that the V1 can't do.) It's a matter of the decreasing false positives; it does nothing to decrease false negatives, i.e. no alert on real threat.

The 9500ix is good in town where there are many non-radar emissions. However, on the highway, where I'm more prone to push the PSL, the V1 and other more sensitive detectors rarely false and give me much more time to take action than the 9500ix since the alerts come earlier.

I have to tell you though that the false alert rate of the V1 has been reported out of all proportion. I can and certainly do live with any (and they are rare) false alerts of the V1.


Cheers.

[swartzentruber]

Originally Posted by ersin

The 9500ix GPS database won't alert you to a real radar/laser threat. It will only keep it from alerting if the threat (radar) was there at some time in the past. (It also gives warning of redlight/speed camera that the V1 can't do.) It's a matter of the decreasing false positives; it does nothing to decrease false negatives, i.e. no alert on real threat.

I have to tell you though that the false alert rate of the V1 has been reported out of all proportion. I can and certainly do live with any (and they are rare) false alerts of the V1.


Cheers.

Boy, you could be a personal ad for Mike Valentine. That may be your experience, but not mine. If anything, the V1 falses so much in my usage, both in town and highway, it is virtually useless. I've not seen that much evidence that the V1 is that much more sensitive for true alerts, but even if it was, in my opinion, I'd take that tradeoff vs either ignoring 95% of the V1s alerts and getting a ticket because I ignored a true alert, or basically never speed. All I can say is, it must depend a lot on where you live, and how many falses you have in your area, as to whether you are happy with the V1 or not.

Secondly, you are misinformed of the true capabilities of the GPS database. Not only is it used for marking falses, red light cameras, speed cameras, etc., but they are also using it to mark known common speed traps. So in this case, the GPS enabled detector could enable you to avoid an instant-on ticket, in an area where you are the only major speeder, where the V1 leaves you a sitting duck. In my area, it in fact has 2 intersections marked that are indeed known trap areas, so it's not just theoretical, but actually in use. The database gets updated weekly.

Finally, your comment the 9500ix marking a false and missing a true LEO is also not a reason to knock this detector -- if you don't trust it, its easy to disable. You can adjust all settings easily via a computer. Frankly, given the advanced capabilities of the 9500ix, I find the V1 similar to dialup in the world of high speed internet. My opinions of course, based on years of usage of all types of detectors.

[Chowster]

I have to agree with ersin's comments above. Perhaps it's somewhat of a V1 cult, or we're drinking the V1 Koolaid...

The combination of the arrows, bogey counter, and the tones/frequency of the different radar bands provides me with plenty of pertinent information to allow me to gauge the threat, and in turn change my speed accordingly.

Sure, the V1 falses quite a bit, but I've learned to take that info into account as well. Can't live without mine, so I'll keep drinking the special V1 drink.

[BMWM5NYC]

For everyone who said the V1 falsed too much, I hope you were using the "L" logic mode. That mode significantly reduces the false alarms.

[ersin]

swartzentruber,

I've turned X band off and K band is set to "auto-mute". I rarely get false alerts. Period. I'm sorry your experience with the V1 is different. I too have had Escorts and Passports and I feel the V1 is superior due not just to the arrows. There are many other reasons I like my V1 better which I've outlined above.


E=mc2,

The V1 has been updated over the years. Only the case remains the same. From many years ago the V1 has been the most sensitive detector. Only now, with the Redline, 9500ci and STi-R+, are others catching up. Even with the greater sensitivity, the V1 still has the best ramp-up and quick reaction. You have to get one of the remote install units (9500ci or STi-R+ plus hundreds more dollars) to match the V1 for overall performance.

I have to disagree with E=mc2 (even though I majored in Physics ). The 9500ix just does not give the same amount of useful information as the V1. Known speed trap locations that get updated every week is certainly useful, and one thing I may have neglected to mention. But it's not as useful as the up-to-the minute alerts that I get from RadarActive (shown in graphical form too) that get's updated over the air. I prefer the detector to excel at detecting radar emissions first and not get involved in GPS stuff. A GPS with display is far more useful than what the 9500ix gives you. (The new detectors like Escort iQ might have changed my opinion if they performed the detecting thing better.)

If you drive in the city then get the 9500ix. I can't speed in the city due to traffic. So a detector is useless for me in the city. I avoid driving in the city if at all possible. I'm sorry you have to.

However, on the highway, or any place where traffic will allow one to get faster than the PSL, you will have better protection with the V1 or one of the other high-end detectors -- 9500ci, STi-R+, STi driver or Redline.

I may sound like I'm a V1 zombie, but if you read what I've written you'll see that I also recommend Escort and Bel products. Just not the 9500ix.

If I had my way I'd have a V1 plus an STi-R+ (and I still may get the STi-R+ someday) and a Laser Interceptor. (I have a Lidatek jammer now but that will change soon.) I have a Bearcat BCT-7 too (in another car) to help alert me to LEO presence. I use the Beartracker feature as well as listening to CB once in a while. It is useful, albeit dated. Perhaps this is overkill, but I find using all these gadgets fun.

I haven't received a speeding ticket since I've had my V1 (over 16 years). Remember, a detector alone won't save you from a ticket. Only your behavior will and a detector only helps in keeping you aware of your surroundings so that you can adjust your behavior. The V1 gives me the most information with the most amount of time to change my behavior if need be.


Cheers.

[ersin]

Originally Posted by bmwm3nyc

For everyone who said the V1 falsed too much, I hope you were using the "L" logic mode. That mode significantly reduces the false alarms.

I use little "l" mode most of the time. I have K band auto-mute set so in this mode low K band signals alert muted and only go full alert after a set period of time. I change the mode to "A" on the highway.


Cheers.

[zhangzeyuandss]

well worth the money I think.

[stevenross]

Originally Posted by Poleposition

YES. Saved my ass many times. Wouldnt drive the M without it.

its like my wallet.. you definately need it with you at all times.. best investment for the car.. many times gives me a warning 60 seconds before seeing the popo..

[spdy330]

Try putting it in "L" logic mode. That is unless you have already done this. It will take a lot of false alarms away. It will still go off from time to time.

Originally Posted by Kartelli

after 3 years of usage, id say if you do primarily city driving its not worth the investment. It picks up everything and can be quite annoying. If you have a lot of highway/freeway commute, id say definitely get it. I drove the highway for 2 straight years and used it everyday. Now that I'm back in the city, I never bring it out. My 2 cents

[Tonifyd]

radar detectors don't mean shit in SoCal... but I still have the V1..

[spdy330]

I disagree. I have had mine for 6 years and have had no tickets. It works just fine if the cop is using radar. If they are just pacing you then yes it will not save you.

Originally Posted by Tonifyd

radar detectors don't mean shit in SoCal... but I still have the V1..

[10M3MAN]

Very well worth it!! Has saved me on several occasions

[disapr]

I look at it this way - The V1 reads all signals and you are the logic processor. Other units read the signal, think about it for a while and compare several variables and then warn you if everything checks out.

For me I'd rather hear everything (IN L MODE) and make my own call on it. Around here cops hide in parking lots next to known 'false' locations and try to catch people with detectors.

[M5280RCR]

Yes!

10-15 years' use. Only 5 tickets, should be 15+ (can't save you from planes, instant-on radar, or pacing at night). 10 extra tickets times whatever is less than $400. The best!

[swartzentruber]

Originally Posted by disapr

I look at it this way - The V1 reads all signals and you are the logic processor. Other units read the signal, think about it for a while and compare several variables and then warn you if everything checks out.

For me I'd rather hear everything (IN L MODE) and make my own call on it. Around here cops hide in parking lots next to known 'false' locations and try to catch people with detectors.

Frankly (and I'll probably catch some flack on this), I'm a little surprised at the level of passion for the V1 on a E9X M3 board. I consider the V1 the E36 or E46 M3, vs the 9500ix the E9x M3. Why do you think you are so superior at signal processing to a computer. I work in IT. One of the reasons I think I will like (since I don't have one yet) the E9x M3, as it has a lot of high tech gadgets. I consider myself a smart speeder -- no speeding tickets in 20 years, almost all well above the limit. But I know computers can do a better job at signal processing every day of the week, much better than me, every day, even when I'm tired, pissed off, buzzed, whatever. Is the 9500ix perfect? NO, of course not. But rather than just BEEP when it finds a radar signal, it also hides signals I don't care about, warns me of speed traps and red light cameras, and filters out all the falses from construction area. What's not to like. I'll take my computerized world, thank-you. And when my M3 arrives in July, the first thing that's happening, is a hard-wire for the 9500ix.

And ersin, I appreciate and respect the feedback/input, but in my area, cops still use K, and I think that's where a LOT of the falses come from. If cops in your area just use Ka, and you can disable/mute K in your area -- great, but not around here.

[Brucewonder]

my 100 bucks beltronics saved my butt all the time on the highway. Ka goes off I slow down and i see a patrol car 30sec later.

As for radars...i do agree its mainly useful on the highway