teflon

Does anyone have any experience with this company? I have a unit installed in my W210 E55, and from a visibility standpoint it is primo - totally stealth. The only problem is that I'm getting too many false alarms. Well, that and the fact I cannot get K40 to return an email.

I am definately not impressed with their guarantee of "Unconditional quality backed by unconditional support." Apparently "unconditional" does not extend to products that work as advertised, and their ability to respond to a simple email.

ZHH

I have a K40 as well, and I happen to feel similar to you as well. The only part I like of it, is its stealth quality, otherwise I get a ton of false alarms, and not enough real alarms. However, I refuse to have a huge brick suction-cupped to my windshield with a 8-foot cord dangling from it. So for me, the K40 is better than nothing, yet when my 55 comes in, I might look for some other stealth options. So to hear about your email problems, I havent tried emailing them before...

oaktree5

Hiya

I have used K40's for the last 5 or 6 years and found they worked fairly well. I too had many issues with all the false alarms. As you say, it is stealthy and it works.

Recently I bought a new S 55 and a C32. Since it has been some years since i did the basic research on radar detectors, I once again did the reading. I noticed that all the web sites say that the brand of detector they offer is the absolute latest and greatest. I think all the companies set up a "Testing" company so they can "Prove" to the public that theirs is the ONE. This is so much horse****.

I sent an email to K 40 and to Escort and invited them to get back to me why I should buy their product and not the other guys. K 40 did return the email a couple of weeks later, but they just did not sell me on their product. I ended up buying 2 Passport SRX concealed Radar/Lasar detectors complete with the licence plate lasar shifters. This setup works extremely well. False positives have been reduced by 90%.

I had a highway patrol buddy try to get a grip on me as I approached him while he sat stationary. My 2003 S55 AMG (a black very slippery shape) was invisible to his lasar. I first saw the lasar maybe 3/4 mile out. He did see me with the ka band, but only closer than 100 feet.

I do not work for any radar companies or have any connection with them what so ever.

Pbglas

Thanks for the info. I will be in the market soon and appreicate your advice. What is a license plate shifter?

Where are the passports located and what does the user interface look like. Where is it.

oaktree5

Hi Again
Sorry to have delayed reply, but I have been our of touch. The License Plate Shifters are small black sensors that fit on your licence plate (that is what the trooper is aiming for). When these sensors see a laser beam, they return a fictious beam to the laser unit. These sensors are on both the front and rear of your car.

This system works extremely well. I am essentially invisible to radar and laser. Works for me!:p

Pbglas

Thanks for your response. Where are the detectors located?

cap3

guys,
my 02 e-55 came with a remote mounted passport. I have been running a Valentine for the past few years so decided to run a comparison. Their is no comparision between the 2 units, the Valentine wins hands down. Do not know if it is the antenna location on the Passport because it is so low or what. I do not like the big unit on the visor but it sure works much better up high. I just need to get it installed permanetly. I would like to know more about the laser ditectors though, never thought they really worked.

reb13

I just had the K40 that was in my CLK430 cab installed in my E55. This time they did not drill the instrument cluster but, instead, put the LEDs in the black trim below the cluster. When illumiated, they reflect up against the cluster. It works great, particularly at night, and the two small LEDs are not visible at all unless one is illuminated. Although somewhat old and prone to false alarms, this detector has saved me quite a few tickets in the past and I just don't like units in the window. Also, I like the separate front and rear units because, working together, they give you a pretty good sense of where the radar source is (even if its just the shopping center door opener).

fpat

"I would like to know more about the laser ditectors though, never thought they really worked."

I had a passport several years ago and got popped doing 95 in a 55 the thing went off way too late so I have had K-40s for about 7 years now. It has saved me many times but yes there have been many false alarms. I just had a new k40 put in my new S55, they seemed to have updated the system as I get fewer false alarms in spots where it would go off with the older model. The laser is tied into the front detector and I tested with a cop friend of mine it not only picks up the laser and sets off the alarm but it gives a false reading back to the laser, it does work. oaktree5 is right though everyone claims to be the best so you need to go with the system that you have the most comfort with.

A couple of other things with the K40 I have read about people paying 1500 to 1600 installed. The cost on the thing is a lot less as there is a big markup if you shop you can get it for $1000 or less. Front rear and laser.

Also my installer came up with the idea of putting the 2 red lights in the two center air vents as to be total stealth and not have to drill any holes in the dash, left for front and right for rear. There is no problem seeing the lights in the day and it looks great at night. Great for going through states where they are illegal.

oaktree5

Hiya,
I do not know which system is the best. I have K40 in my ML55 and the Passport (SRX)remote system in 2003 S55 and C32 (please, no **** for having these cars, I worked very hard for all of them). I am probably giving myself the evil eye, but I have not had a speeding ticket for many years. I am very careful driving and KNOW what is going on around me.

I think the K40 is a very good system, but gives many false alarms. The technology is very old. It's based on the same system as the F-16 radar intercept system. I decided to try the Passport electronics because I could not get K40 to answer questions. I seems to me that all these companies have had to be just as sensitive to what the public thought of them as well as doing GREAT research on their primary mission of radar and laser detection. I am interested only in which company makes the best detector. That is what I spend my money for.

MBspdfrk

Valentine One is the only choice.

www.valentine1.com

ZHH

Yea I think I'll get a V1 next time around...

matt5555

V1 saved me yesterday

My friend said it gave like a 3 minute warning.

PA State police use the K band only, so its real easy to pick them up

At first I wasn't sure if it was real or not, so I "slowed" down to 80 or so.. then as it got louder and louder and louder I slowed to 65 (speed limit) right by the cop.

Paid for itself in that instance. I just got the V1 a few weeks ago, and this was the first time using it on a trip.