RaDaRkInG

I do not have a vendetta with anybody. The people who make the K40 screw people by giving them a radar detector that doesn't detect as well as the top 3 or 4 dash or visor mounted detectors because the antenna or antennas is/are too low and they charge you $1000-$2000 for it.

Check out this link:

http://www.speedzones.com/k40Test.html


These people (SML or Speedzones) have access to every radar and laser gun around so why wasn't the laser jamming capability of the K40 tested? The answer is because it can't jam a single laser gun on the market today. Like I said, I watched a video of somebody installing a brand new K40 and they shot it with every laser gun on the market and it jammed nothing. The video was posted on a website and K40 threatened legal action against anyone who put up the video of the K40 not jamming laser.


What did you think he was going to say, "The K40 is a POS that can't jam anything for $1000. Do you really think the police are going to tell somebody the truth that asks them whether or not they are being jammed?

RaDaRkInG

The Valentine One is probably the only radar/laser detector that can detect laser almost 100% of the time and give you enough time slow down.

http://www.radardetector.net/viewtop...213&highlight=

http://www.laserveil.com/laser-detector-performance/

http://www.laserveil.com/laser-detec...adar-detector/

http://www.laserveil.com/laser-detec...ice-laser-gun/

http://www.laserveil.com/laser-detec...adar-detector/

http://www.laserveil.com/laser-detec...ice-laser-gun/

Check out these videos of the V1 detecting laser when the vehicles in front of it are shot:

http://www.donspc.com/happyass/V1Sca...eeVehicles.wmv

http://www.donspc.com/happyass/V1LID...iclesAhead.wmv

SoxFan

First, I wasn;t sayign you had a vendetta, but was referring to that site or report. There certainly are excellent reports on the K40 Calibre out there.

Second, the dealer I went to sells products for multiple companies (maybe only Nnot Valentine, among the units discussed), but certainly Escort, and I think Beltronics, and others. His recommendation was based on his belief as to the best unit, and he is an expert at this and very experienced and dedicated/professional.

As for the cops, yes, he is very friendly with the local police, and he/they did a field test and reviewed and talked about the results and he said they were all very impressed by the K40.

Lastly, I wanted a fully installed unit that is barely visible, and this unit is far and away the most inobtrusive...so that eliminated all hand-held battery operated and cigarette lighter adapter units. Personally. I dislike the size and appearance of the Valentine monitor.

SoxFan

Here's the conculsion by Speedzones, the Impartial Field Testing Authority:

Conclusions: The field testing confirms the advertising claims of the K 40 Calibre radar detection system. "The Calibre is unrivaled in ease of installation using Blue Tooth® technology. We found its field performance equal to any premium remote radar detector we have tested using our long standing testing criteria. It detected all police radar guns up to seven times their normal targeting range. It provided solid warnings and performance when confronted by all instant on and constant on radar guns. It provides the performance of a premium dash mounted radar detector while giving the security and convenience of a remotely installed radar detection system."

This evaluation was conducted in accordance with accepted police practices for operation of radar speed measurement devices as outlined by the International Association of Chiefs (IACP) and NHTSA. Police officers observed, reported, and verified the testing procedures.

Attested To This 1st Day of November 2005

http://www.speedzones.com/k40Test.html

RDD

SoxFan: Not sure if it was mentioned yet but if you happen to get any tickets during the first year after the install apparently K40 pays for them (with some exceptions of course like DUI, reckless driving, etc.)

I bought my 01 CLK55 about a year ago and it came with the older K40 (2000P or something) but the installation was all wrong. I just recently took it to an electronics shop recommended to by a friend and the guy there fixed it all up so now it should be functioning properly. I haven't tested it yet though. I have an old Whistler 1793SE that I will use in the car to compare it with the K40 to see how they work.

While I was at the shop he told me a little bit about the Calibre system. I should mention they are an authorized dealer so I don't think they can install something like a Passport SRX which seems more attractive due to the multiple laser diffusers rather than the single one the K40's come with. He was offering the Calibre to me for $1400 installed which was for front, rear and the laser diffuser. Decent deal considering I went to another shop and they were asking $2500 for a passport srx install and that was with a $500 discount (I know these units can come installed for $1500).

I was debating getting either this Calibre, the SRX, or a separate Valentine 1 and laser jammer combo (Blinder perhaps) on my other car. However, my other car is an 05 Honda Accord V6 sedan and I've been contemplating trading it in for something else ever since I bought it (no problems with it, just sorta boring to drive). So far I'm leaning towards the V1 option since moving the Calibre or SRX system to another car would probably run over $500.

Let me know how your Calibre goes.

BenzoBoi

Nice and sneaky!~!

SoxFan

I am aware of that. I had it with my previous system on the CLK, and fortunately, I never had to take them up on it.

$1,400 is a good price. My guy charges $1,500-1,600, and most of the others around here charge $1,700-$2,000+. I will get a quote on Passport SRX, if they carry it.

SoxFan

Well, I visited the installation shop today (wanted to get the volume lowered, so they moved the hidden speaker further away from whereever they had placed it previously)...

Anyway, I talked extensively about the laser defuser effectiveness with both the owner than the guy doing the actual installation work. Both of them went to great lengths to describe the field test they did with the local police -- who are their "friends" (for example, there was a State Trooper there at the time doing some modifications to his patrol car) -- and they say they personally witnessed the effectiveness of the laser defuser, and that it was indeed highly effective at defusing the laser readings.

These guys have this unit in their own cars, and they can install just about anything...they also sell Escort...but, this is what they use. I just don't believe they are making this stuff up.

I think the guy with that crazy website who's in a lawsuit with K40 (which he doesn't sell) is more likely off the deep-end.

We also talked again about the value of a rear detector, and they both made a compelling case again that it's a waste of money for this area, and they both insisted that you will get readings from rear-end shots through the front unit anyway.

RDD

good info there. Any particular reason they wouldn't recommend the passport SRX over the Calibre? No mention of the install price on the SRX either?

SoxFan

I'll get that tomorrow and report back.

metalica_23

How's the calibre been working out? I assume no tickets, but does it seem to provide early notice and minimal false alarms?

RaDaRkInG

The K40 might be an OK radar detector but it can't jam a single laser gun on the market today. Here is the video I was talking about where they install a brand new K40 and it doesn't jam as advertised. I believe this is the same video that the people from K40 were going to take legal action against Radar Roy from http://radarbusters.com if he didn't remove the video of the K40 not working.

http://www.jasonsvideoproductions.com/k40defuser.wmv

Do not buy this average radar detector with no jamming ability for $1000-$2000 people, that's just not smart.

metalica_23

radarking, I'd love to do comparisons, but you need to provide an alternative, in addition to denouncing the item in question. As far as I've seen (from many sites other than the one you provide), this is a detector that performs respectably well AND is discreet. I don't want some lump sitting on my dash or windshield. What's an alternative in the same price range?

Also, the price was $900 installed, which is under the range you mention.

RDD

Cool, I'll have to watch that video in a sec. The guy that fixed the installation on my K40 told me that K40 actually develops the laser technology for the police. Any truth to that? He also told me that one of the reasons the K40 gets criticized often is because it's not properly installed and, therefore, fails to work properly. Someone w/ a laser gun wanna shoot me in my car this wknd?

prsmith777

I am unconvinced on that video of K40 laser. K40 wasnt there to monitor their product and the install may have not been done correctly, whether intentional or not.

I am interested in the K40 also. I found it interesting that anything and everything related to K40 and their products has been deleted from the www.radardetector.net forum, which happens to be the busiest radar forum on the web and is somehow associated with Radar Roy and his site. It smells of a smear campaign to me. Unfortunately, there seems to be little else as to reviews and test of the K40 on the web.

RaDaRkInG

I really don't care if you people buy a K40 or not. I am telling the truth when I tell you that the K40 does not jam a single laser gun. The http://guysoflidar.com who are the most unbiased testing group around tested the radar detection and it was about the same as a Cobra or Whistler radar detector and it couldn't jam any laser guns. They were told to remove this information about the K40 or prepare for a lawsuit. Radar Roy was told the same thing about his http://radarbusters.com site and his http://radardetector.net forum. Look how many forum members (over 3000) they have over at radardetector.net and not a single one has the K40. The reason is because it is an average detector that doesn't jam laser and it will cost $1000 or more. It is not a smear campaign, Radar Roy sells almost every radar detector, laser jammer, etc. that you could ever want and he would carry the K40 if it worked as advertised. There are plenty of people that buy Rocky Mountain Radar products and swear that they can jam radar and drive at 100 mph and never get a ticket but it doesn't make it the truth.

RaDaRkInG

I personally use a Valentine One which Radar Roy doesn't sell but it can't jam laser like some of the concealed radar detectors/laser jammers on the market today. A good alternative to a K40 is the Passport SRX, Passport SR7 plus shifters, the Shifter ZR3, or the Beltronics Pro RX75 Plus with laser jamming.

http://www.passportsr1.com/

http://www.beltronicspro.com/rx75.html

Cosm

anybody ever try the scorpion radar jammer that is advertised on radarroys sight ?

RaDaRkInG

This is the testing that was done on it that proves that it works. The catch is that it will cost you almost $1500 and it is illegal to own and use. I have heard that it falls out of calibration every 6 months so you might have to send it back to have it tuned so that it can still actively jam police radar.

SoxFan

My opinion is that these guys are a fraud. They don't sell K40 and their claims that the unit doesn't work at all are so extreme as to destroy any credibility. It's pretty obvious this is contrived...just is it's OBVIOUS to anyone with marginal intelligence that K40 wouldn't release a product that was ineffective and a waste of money (maybe a high priced product,maybe not even the absolute best product, but it's inconceivable that they woudl release an non-functional product).

On the other hand, I do trust the guys the guys that I know at Precision Sound...people who have personally tested the defuser with the local police and use it thermselves on their own vehicles, when they could be using multiple other products. I also trust the numerous other favorable reviews on this product.

SoxFan

It seems to provide excellent radar notification/identification. I just drove to/from NYC and was very happy with the performance (no tickets).

The non-false thing is a double-edeged sword: if you want to have K-Band detection, you will still get false readings from other things that emit K Band. It does seem to have fewer false readings than my previous K40.

M1M2M3

I have had the bell for about a year. Here is my report:

1. It does not work if you are the only car on the road. The radar detectors now have instant on and pull the trigger only when they see you. However if there is a crowd of cars infront of you even lets say 3/4mi. you will pick up the trail of the instant on. The KA will flash and then disappear, cops are ahead. I have never had a false ka

2. I speed all the time. Usually there aren't cops on the roads I travel, I would have been better off investing my 1,500

3. I have absolutly been pulled over with the radar on! Jammers only work for a brief period of time!!!! Read that again! if your doing 100mph when the jammer goes off you'll get ticketed for 81mph! I personally know.

Moral of the story don't speed alone. I don't mean speed in groups, I mean make sure there is someone in front of you. If you are alone you will get caught. I had to learn the hard way. Also don't speed up hills your radar wont pick it up.

One more thing, after using it for a year I have lost all ability to sense if there are police ahead. I used to be able to tell now I am totally reliant on the radar, and if I'm driving a car without it I fell very insecure.

My 2 cents

RDD

SoxFan: Do they have a laser at the place where you had your K40 installed? If so maybe they can let you use it on your own car and see if it does jam the signal or not. If it doesn't you could always get a refund.

I just had my K40 reinstalled properly since it came with the car when I bought it (it's a 2nd generation one, not the latest Bluetooth one) but haven't had the opportunity to test it yet. Speed limit here is 60 and I usually cruise along at 69-70. I'll hit 75 or a little over if traffic is moving fast. Only times I'll hit 90-100 is on very short bursts and that happens infrequently.

SoxFan

They don't have a laser gun at the installation place, but they did test it with the local motorcycle cops and were very pleased with the performance. You either believe them or you don't. Seeing that they use it themselves, and judging by the kind of people they seem to be, I believe them.

But as the previous poster indicated, nothing beats "aware" driving.

SoxFan

I stopped by there today and had a breif chat. First of all, the guys swear by this unit, use it themselves, personally witnessed it jam the laser, etc. So that Radar Roy guy is a fraud.

Anyway, as for the Passport SRX, it runs about $1,200 installed. The say it works fine...it's just a lot loess elegant (would fit well in a pick up truck): the laser plate defuser which is attached to the front license plate is bulky and ugly. But more than that, the installed control unit is very large and clunky...you need to drill a big whole in your dash...

There's just nothing like the seemless little light of the K40 Calibre.

To me, it's a no brainer: one is this ugly, intrusive thing, and the other is the tiny little blue light in your dask/console.

Without even knowing the cost differential, that's why I bought the K40 in the first place.