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      10-08-2008, 01:10 PM   #1
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need advice on radar detector!

which one is best recommended for CA and NV? valentine 1?
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      10-08-2008, 01:22 PM   #2
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My Valentine works great. The directional display really makes it.
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      10-08-2008, 01:23 PM   #3
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      10-08-2008, 01:26 PM   #4
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V1 FTW
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      10-08-2008, 01:29 PM   #5
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Strictly in terms of pure sensitivity in all types of situations, Valentine 1 wins hands down. However, my next radar detector will probably not be a V1. It simply gives far too many false alerts, especially driving around a large city. I've researched this pretty heavily the last couple of days, and I'll probably go with the Escort 9500xi, especially since Houston has put up a lot of red light and speed cameras recently. And it's detection is almost as good as the V1.
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      10-08-2008, 01:34 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PencilGeek View Post
Search the forum for 9500ci or 9500xi and click the link in my signature below.

The funniest thread I saw so far about it was this guy who was a V1 devotee/advocate giving his list of criteria for buying a radar detector. Only problem was, the V1 didn't meet his own criteria, but the 9500ci/xi did. He still refused to budge. That's why I say: Radar detector discussions are like religeon around here...so it's best to search the forum and see what's been hashed out before.
PG, I had the old Escort SRX system in my E46 installed very much like your 9500ci. It was great, and your install looks awesome, but I don't think I'm going to lay out that much cash again for radar/laser protection. I'll probably just pick up the 9500xi.
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      10-08-2008, 02:00 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TLud View Post
PG, I had the old Escort SRX system in my E46 installed very much like your 9500ci. It was great, and your install looks awesome, but I don't think I'm going to lay out that much cash again for radar/laser protection. I'll probably just pick up the 9500xi.
Had the same SRX on my 02 vert, perfect set up for the drop top as it was totally concealed (apart from the rear detector.) Problem for me now in Colorado is that laser jammers are now illegal and that was one of the great benefits of the SRX. For radar alone, can't justify the cost premium over a V1 so will wind up hardwiring the V1.
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      10-08-2008, 02:12 PM   #8
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You can't beat the V1 for the money, ease of install, or arrows.
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      10-08-2008, 02:18 PM   #9
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you should really check out a passport 9500ci. just as good as the V1 + hidden install + gps false signal blocking + laser jamming. that's my recommendation. V1 is too noisy.
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      10-08-2008, 04:00 PM   #10
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V1, 9500i (and 9500xi) and Bel STi are all top of the line. But each has unique features.

V1 - direction arrows.
9500 - GPS database of red-light locations (and other things) to warn you when you approach them.
STi - cannot be detected by radar-detector-detectors. (Although 9500 is pretty good with this too.) Very important in VA, DC and other places where radar detectors are not allowed.

Each has a money back guarantee so get all three, play with them for 30 days, then send the two lowest on your list back.
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      10-08-2008, 04:16 PM   #11
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The V1 is noisy, but for me it's worth it. No one else has the arrows, which is a deal breaker for me. The classic situation is when you pass a cop car with the radar detector blaring, but the V1 says there is still a strong signal in front of you. With any other detector you would have no idea.

I've had my V1 for over 10 years, and I've never once been caught by radar in all that time (did get caught by pacing once though).

The V1 isn't perfect, but for me the sensitivity and arrows are a trump card over any other detector.
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      10-08-2008, 05:17 PM   #12
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V1 is very noisy. But the arrows do help a lot with deciphering what threats are real and what aren't. Quite often I pick up cheaper radar detectors from people driving past me. At first the V1 picks up a strong signal in front, but as the car passes me it quickly shows to the side then behind and I know it wasn't a cop. Also helps you figure out if it's from a store because it usually just shows the side arrow as you're passing, which is good where I am because both stores and cops are on K band here.
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      10-08-2008, 06:03 PM   #13
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      10-08-2008, 06:08 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by J08M3 View Post
V1 is very noisy.
Just select a lower sensitivity setting so the V1 only senses a direct front or rear hit
Although out on the freeway, crank the sensitivity up for earlier detection of front or rear hits
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      10-08-2008, 06:56 PM   #15
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I have a V1 and love it - it has saved me many times. That being said, the newest high-end escort with GPS sounds very interesting. If I were looking now, I would certainly give that a strong look as well.
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      10-08-2008, 06:58 PM   #16
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V1 all the way
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      10-08-2008, 07:20 PM   #17
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I'm a Passport guy. I really like my 9500.
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      10-08-2008, 08:01 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AZ-BMW View Post
Just select a lower sensitivity setting so the V1 only senses a direct front or rear hit
Although out on the freeway, crank the sensitivity up for earlier detection of front or rear hits

The V1 only adjusts sensitivity on X band. K and Ka bands are not effected by the filter.

Another great thing about the V1 is it is upgradeable. If I new type of police radar is released, the V1 can be sent back to the company and upgraded thus no reason to buy a whole new detector. I recently upgraded my older V1 for PoP type radar.
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      10-08-2008, 10:21 PM   #19
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Question to all you V1 guys: Have you been able to adjust the settings on your V1 to not false too much while maintaining optimal protection?

I've never owned a V1, and I would like the extra sensitivity, but not at the cost of frequent false alerts. What are your thoughts on this?
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      10-09-2008, 09:37 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TLud View Post
Question to all you V1 guys: Have you been able to adjust the settings on your V1 to not false too much while maintaining optimal protection?

I've never owned a V1, and I would like the extra sensitivity, but not at the cost of frequent false alerts. What are your thoughts on this?
I've never adjusted the thing...I just know where certain falses are after driving a road a few times.
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      10-09-2008, 09:43 AM   #21
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I'm another V1 supporter. Just the other day, the V1 was going off like crazy and it kept pointing ahead for over a mile, getting stronger and stronger. Finally, I passed what looked to be an undercover cop parked on the side that I would not have known had I not had the V1. As I made a U-turn around 5 minutes later, he had pulled someone over. Can't live without the arrows.

What also helps is, aside from Laser, most NJ cops use Ka band, and stores are X band, so you can just differentiate on your own.
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      10-09-2008, 09:50 AM   #22
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I use a V1. Totally happy with it, works great.
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