Valentine One Radar Detector?

[Chiefz_m3]

Hey guys im really thinking about pulling the trigger on this radar detector. Anyone have it hardwired in their M? If so what do you think? Trying to keep my tickets/insurance to a minimum, now that I just bought my m3! haha

[whats77inaname]

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=765432

[gimmethemuumuu]

Yes. Do it! I never used a radar detector before driving BMWs. Now that I've been driving M's, it's definitely worthwhile. Highly recommended

[islandguy19]

Pays for itself as we can all attest to. Stops speeding tickets and window tint fix-it-tickets!

[BlackMarketRacing]

I have a V1 and have had it for about 7 years. I love it and it has saved me many times, especially during the group cruises!

[badbeef]

I have a v1 now and though it is very good at detection, it has far too many false positives for me. So I'm debating a 9500ci with GPS marking capabilities... but they are very pricey and I'm not wild about the possibility of new rattles after it is installed. For now it's waze via bt audio for me.

[dnvrdrvr]

Originally Posted by badbeef

I have a v1 now and though it is very good at detection, it has far too many false positives for me. So I'm debating a 9500ci with GPS marking capabilities... but they are very pricey and I'm not wild about the possibility of new rattles after it is installed. For now it's waze via bt audio for me.

You can program the V1 to eliminate many of the false positives though. http://www.valentine1.com/Lab/techreport3.asp. I've done this and it makes a world of difference. I also just wrapped up the mirror / stealth install and LOVE it.

[Vanmarsenille]

It's great out of town, not so great in town, so depends where you live. That said, EVERY time the Ka band alert goes off, it's a cop and that alone has saved me from many tickets. You just need to disable X and K band alerts, because they are almost always false, at least where I live.

[M3 Number 86]

Originally Posted by Chiefz_m3

Hey guys im really thinking about pulling the trigger on this radar detector. Anyone have it hardwired in their M? If so what do you think? Trying to keep my tickets/insurance to a minimum, now that I just bought my m3! haha

I have one that just sits in my living room. I drive like a granny on the streets so don't even use it. The only time I would use it is in a caravan to the track but friend has some high end one that captures everything so we just follow him.

Where in California are you? Do you want to buy mine?

[eroc0808]

Originally Posted by Vanmarsenille

It's great out of town, not so great in town, so depends where you live. That said, EVERY time the Ka band alert goes off, it's a cop and that alone has saved me from many tickets. You just need to disable X and K band alerts, because they are almost always false, at least where I live.

I would research what the cops use in your state. I live in New Jersey where x and k band is still used state wide so disabling x and k would render it almost useless for me. I use a k40 rl360 and can program it to only make audible alerts after 55mph, anything under 55mph is just a visual alert so I just leave it on constantly. It's totally invisible to the eye and my visual alert is in my turn signal indicators. They light up blue for cops and green for turns. A bit more costly than a v1 though, but worth it in my eyes.

[quiksi]

had a V1 from 2006 to just this year but recently switched to a Passport MAX2 - the V1 was great but I had a non-ESP model which was quite chatty in the city, the price to upgrade mine was close to straight up purchasing a new detector so I chose the latter option. the good thing was that the hardwire cable was the same so I didn't have to change it.

[mjposner]

I live in a state with heavy ka for mobile cops and laser for parked cops. I use the escort smart radar hard wired with front laser jammers. I turn off x and k and get very good results. V1 is a great product too, but radar detectors alone are useless against laser, if it goes off its you and you are nailed. My partner had six tickets and then added laser jamming and radar and she has only had one since (airplane patrol)

[Chiefz_m3]

Originally Posted by M3 Number 86

I have one that just sits in my living room. I drive like a granny on the streets so don't even use it. The only time I would use it is in a caravan to the track but friend has some high end one that captures everything so we just follow him.

Where in California are you? Do you want to buy mine?

Just my luck! I just ordered mine just before I saw your post.

Thanks guys for all the input. But I just couldn't wait and not having a radar detector in my first sports car does not sit well with me. So I went ahead and pulled the trigger!

[M3 Number 86]

Originally Posted by Chiefz_m3

Just my luck! I just ordered mine just before I saw your post.

Thanks guys for all the input. But I just couldn't wait and not having a radar detector in my first sports car does not sit well with me. So I went ahead and pulled the trigger!

Return it!

Take mine for $100 - comes with suction cup mount and cigarette lighter power chord.

Keep the hardwire kit if you ordered it.

[Bhdien]

Originally Posted by M3 Number 86

Return it!

Take mine for $100 - comes with suction cup mount and cigarette lighter power chord.

Keep the hardwire kit if you ordered it.

I'll take yours if he doesn't! Been needing one, but never got around to it. Just let me know!

[Chiefz_m3]

Originally Posted by M3 Number 86

Return it!

Take mine for $100 - comes with suction cup mount and cigarette lighter power chord.

Keep the hardwire kit if you ordered it.

haha its all good! You can go ahead and sell it to Bhdien. That way he has one and I have one.

[brownb_2]

Originally Posted by Chiefz_m3

Hey guys im really thinking about pulling the trigger on this radar detector. Anyone have it hardwired in their M? If so what do you think? Trying to keep my tickets/insurance to a minimum, now that I just bought my m3! haha

does your insurance go up when you get speeding tickets?


and yes radar detectors are good, but IMO only on open country roads or highways. there is too much noise in built up areas

oh and i have found something that works 100% of the time every time!.....dont speed

[loveskiing]

Originally Posted by brownb_2

does your insurance go up when you get speeding tickets?


and yes radar detectors are good, but IMO only on open country roads or highways. there is too much noise in built up areas

oh and i have found something that works 100% of the time every time!.....dont speed

Don't speed?
How many M3 owners do you know that obey the posted limits all the time?
I know my area and the majority of cops will give you 5mph over in town and 10mph over on the highway...more than that you're asking for a ticket...

[BNBM3]

Get a 9500ix. I found that it eliminates false positives pretty quickly. Especially on your typical commutes. As you are driving, it'll automatically "store" the false positives and ignore them in the future. Works great. I use it in the city and no issues at all, rarely goes off anymore unless it's an actual cop.

[badbeef]

For the laser jammers, what does it show up as to the cops? Curious if they might be able to tell that you have one and hassel you even more.

[BNBM3]

Originally Posted by badbeef

For the laser jammers, what does it show up as to the cops? Curious if they might be able to tell that you have one and hassel you even more.

Depends on the State. It's not illegal in all States so they can kiss your ass. However, when it goes off, you can slow down to the speed limit and turn it off, then the cop gets an accurate reading of you not speeding. They all have a cut off switch.

[brownb_2]

Originally Posted by loveskiing

Don't speed?
How many M3 owners do you know that obey the posted limits all the time?
I know my area and the majority of cops will give you 5mph over in town and 10mph over on the highway...more than that you're asking for a ticket...

haha agreed

i guess its similar down here as well. but the fines are a lot more than yours after a bit of googling