[BMW_E90]

hey guys, for those of you that know alot about radar detectors... http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product...opnav=&browse= i was thinking of getting that product.. what do you guys think? i dont want to spend a lot on a radar ... the v1 radar is just way too much for me..

[b311lee]

i heard anything shy of $200 isnt worth your time, but there are some forums online about radars too

[jasmoss]

I have the Escort X50 8500 Blue. I've had 3 radar detectors in my driving career and this one far outperforms the other two. If you getting a radar detector, just think how long you will have it for and spending 100 bucks on one is stupid if it is unable to prevent tickets and so forth. Do yourself a favor and spend the extra money and get something amazing. I got my escort on ebay for $285 shipped! Best price you will find. Go get it, ive seen many radar detectors performance and nothing compares!

[SteveMD]

There are only three detectors worth buying. The Escort 8500 X50, the V1 and the Beltronics 995. All are software upgradeable. The V1 is actually hardware upgradeable.

I too have the 8500 x50 blue. Go to www.radardetector.net and read the reviews. There are a few good units around the $200 mark but I wouldn't look at anything cheaper. This really is an example of your pay for what you get.

Don't buy your detector on eBay. I can't stress this enough. I hang around on the above forums and have learned a lot. eBay is notorious for iffy non-supported gray market detectors brought in from Mexico, reboxed and then shrinkwrapped. Escort won't touch them if you have warranty issues. It has even been proved that some eBay dealers take the guts out of cheap models and put them ion the cases of more expensive models especially with Escorts and Beltronics.

It even warns on the Escort site not to buy from anyone other than an authorized dealer.

To the poster above, have you ever tried to regster your detector with Escort? You may be OK but the eBay scam is common knowledge in the detector community.

[ben1364]

Not worth the price. Protection is spelled Valentine V-1.

[gtaste]

Get Escort from Authorized dealer, e.g Crutchfield. 305 shipped with this coupon code provided you knock off 20 bucks.. so 285 shipped..

$20 off First $200 Order. Click Referred by Friend in Payment method screen - Code: prgpw-3v41y-q4wwy

[Blueberry415]

This thread seem like a good place to ask:

What is the best place / method to mount the V1? Is there a DIY instructions on how to permanently hardwired the V1 in 325? TIA....

[SCA]

You did not skimp on the car, so do not skimp on a radar detector.

[thd13]

There's a huge thread on it in the DIY. Please search.

I also have an escort x50 in blue and it works great. I used to have a Whistler brand and even though it was cheap, I also thought it worked fine. It wasn't as detailed and sensative though.

[SteveMD]

There is a thread somewhere for hardwiring a V1 onto an E90. With pics. Maybe someone can dig it out.

Basically, a high mounted detector is good for detecting radar and a low mounted is better for Laser since laser is a narrow beam and it is usually aimed at your front tag or headlights. If you have other laser 'weapons' such as Veil or a Lidar jammer, or your local constabulary doesn't use Lidar, put your unit up high.

[ben1364]

Originally Posted by Blueberry415

This thread seem like a good place to ask:

What is the best place / method to mount the V1? Is there a DIY instructions on how to permanently hardwired the V1 in 325? TIA....

The V-1 as with any radar detector should be mounted as high as is possible with the caveat (sp?) that some tint materials on the top of windscreens will not allow the signal to pass. High mounting insures maximum range as radar waves are line of sight. The V-1 can be hard wired to the sun roof wiring behind the light panel behind the inside rear view mirror. Follow the Owners' Manual instructions for removing the light panel to access the manual sunroof mechanism.

[SteveMD]

Originally Posted by ben1364

The V-1 as with any radar detector should be mounted as high as is possible with the caveat (sp?) that some tint materials on the top of windscreens will not allow the signal to pass. High mounting insures maximum range as radar waves are line of sight. The V-1 can be hard wired to the sun roof wiring behind the light panel behind the inside rear view mirror. Follow the Owners' Manual instructions for removing the light panel to access the manual sunroof mechanism.

By mounting as high as possible you are making laser detection less likely. A good compromise is about half way up the windsheild.

Laser is line of sight. Radar is not. It reflects off objects. That is why a good radar detector will warn you of a radar car around corners, over hills, even behind you as it bounces off cars in front of you.

[poldim]

I have the V1 and I swear by it. But the choice is yours.


Persoanlly I beleive you should buy the best that way you wont have to buy what ever you are looking for twice.

No problems with it as of yet, have had it for 4 years now....

[BMWalopez01]

Originally Posted by BMW_E90

hey guys, for those of you that know alot about radar detectors... http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product...opnav=&browse= i was thinking of getting that product.. what do you guys think? i dont want to spend a lot on a radar ... the v1 radar is just way too much for me..

Visit: http://www.radardetector.net/ . Remember cheap can be expensive later.

[sdorn]

Reading this thread got me thinking about upgrading my V1. I have had it for over 10 years. I went to their site, and they said it was still in great shape but that they had upgraded the "Ka" coverage and added laser since I bought it. They offered to swap it for a brand new V1 for just $280, so I am sending it in tomorrow to swap it out. Not a bad deal to get a $120 discount in exchange for a 10+ year old detector.

[poldim]

I think its kinda shitty if you recently bought yours. They charge the same upgrade for all radars, ignoring if they need to give you a completely new unit (your case) or just upgrade the software.

[BMWalopez01]

Originally Posted by sdorn

Reading this thread got me thinking about upgrading my V1. I have had it for over 10 years. I went to their site, and they said it was still in great shape but that they had upgraded the "Ka" coverage and added laser since I bought it. They offered to swap it for a brand new V1 for just $280, so I am sending it in tomorrow to swap it out. Not a bad deal to get a $120 discount in exchange for a 10+ year old detector.

Try on ebay. You might get beter deal.

[sdorn]

Originally Posted by BMWalopez01

Try on ebay. You might get beter deal.

You think I can find a brand new V1 with all the cables, wires, installation kits, mounts, etc. for less than $280 on eBay?

Or do you mean I could sell my 10 year old V1 on eBay for more than $120?

[lux.sh]

Originally Posted by BMW_E90

hey guys, for those of you that know alot about radar detectors... http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product...opnav=&browse= i was thinking of getting that product.. what do you guys think? i dont want to spend a lot on a radar ... the v1 radar is just way too much for me..

Don't get it. If you don't have enough money for a high-end radar detector, its just simply not worth it to buy cheap ones.

Either Bel RX65, Escort 8500 X50 or Valentine 1.

My girl just bought me a V1 as a gift, and it works so damn good.
Saved me couple of times already. I love this radar detector.
VERY different from cheap Cobra ones I used before. This one actually "works".

[BMW F22]

Originally Posted by BMW_E90

hey guys, for those of you that know alot about radar detectors... http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product...opnav=&browse= i was thinking of getting that product.. what do you guys think? i dont want to spend a lot on a radar ... the v1 radar is just way too much for me..

I was looking at the exact same one. A BMW service guy told me to get the most expensive detector if I want real protection. I think it's true because why would you wanna buy something cheap that offers very little protection??? IF you're not willing to spend at least $200, then just dont speed. Im trying to save up for the V1. If im gonna buy a detector, might as well buy a good one.

[ben1364]

Originally Posted by SteveMD

By mounting as high as possible you are making laser detection less likely. A good compromise is about half way up the windsheild.

Laser is line of sight. Radar is not. It reflects off objects. That is why a good radar detector will warn you of a radar car around corners, over hills, even behind you as it bounces off cars in front of you.

I don't want to argue but I think that the disagreement between Steve and myself deserves a response. A visit to the Valentine Research web site will allow one to verify my assertion that radar is line of sight an that the great grand guru of radar protection reccomends high mounting. Steve is correct that radar waves bounce off hills, billboards, clouds, etc. However, they do not follow the curvature of the earth hence the term line of sight.

Steve is correct (earlier post) that a laser detector would be more effective in advising a motorist that he/she had been tagged if it were mounted closer to the aiming point. However, police officers sometimes don't aim as well as they would like and it is occasionally possible to pick up a laser alert aimed at someone else. This is moot from a practical standpoint as laser "protection" is more a marketing tool than anything else.

[BMWalopez01]

Originally Posted by sdorn

You think I can find a brand new V1 with all the cables, wires, installation kits, mounts, etc. for less than $280 on eBay?

Or do you mean I could sell my 10 year old V1 on eBay for more than $120?

No, I said sell yours on ebay and then get a new one from Valentine Research. Keep in mind when you buy from VR it will be register on you name. Thats how later you can get upgrades. If your V1 get stolen you can contact V1and reported (possibly find it who knows).

You'll be surprice how much you can get for those (old RD) on ebay. Keep in mind that Valentine research does not sell outside US. Go to http://www.radardetector.net/ . you will find everithing you need to know about RDs. That's a very active forum. :rocks: