SL BRABUS

The best radar detector is your own eyes......... :p

gmdebruyn

Does the K40 handle the new POP mode? I'm looking at that, despite the price, since it is a bit more stealth than the V1. Does anyone have any comparisons of the K40 vs. the V1?

ekaz

http://www.radartest.com/article.asp?articleid=1064

gmdebruyn

thanks man, but radar technology has changed just a little since 2002. this review is very very old.

anyone have anything newer? perhaps from this year? i know V1 and K40 have both upgraded their systems quite a bit since then.

zdkdeeier493

Not to say anything against you, Ekaz, but that link is filled with fallacies. Theres also traces of bias given that V1 is the best detector on the market, and finished second to last. For instance, RadarTest.com says: "Like the Escort Passport 8500 it can warn of multiple radar signals although the Passport not only displays band ID but also the relative signal strength of each, helping to prioritize the threat." This is entirely false. The V1 has a light bar on the lower right hand of the screen that shows signal strength. It also prioritizes the threat by flashing the arrow in the direction of the most threatening signal. Furthermore, the website goes on to state: "We'd prefer to not to be annoyed by incessant warnings of microwave ovens in roadside eateries and door openers at every Safeway store. Just let us know when there's a real threat up ahead and keep quiet the rest of the time."
Only a moron would say this. When there is ANY threat whatsoever, regardless of whether it is a store or a cop, one should be notified. Not to say that an auto-opening door will give you a ticket, but what other detectors do is they temporarily switch off while in urban areas with high false-alarms. This reduces the use of instant-on and also GREATLY increases your risk of being nabbed by a real radar. The more sensitive, the safer.

"It was considerably less adept on Ka band, trailing the BEL and Escort by nearly 17,000 feet, almost 3.2 miles, and a critical shortcoming in an era when Ka- band radar guns are everywhere."
Check out Valentine1.com. This was tested not only by V1, but by Car and Driver magazine. Tests from both disprove this statement.

The website also goes to claim that having a detector find laser/radar from the rear is useless. FALSE! Cops often do what is called "pacing" in which they use a laser to get a locked distance on you from behind. They then drive behind you for a considerable distance and mark your speed. If you have a V1, it will immediately pick up this hit from the laser and you will be warned to slow down.

This is not close to all of the fallacies that the article made. Sure, maybe it made the same mistakes with other radars, but, any source of information that is as warped as this should not even be considered as evidence/basis for an opinion or decision. Don't let this change your mind, V1 is the best and has been for 12 years.
(NOTE: I DO NOT have a V1. I am planning on purchasing one because it is, in fact, the best one on the market. Before I learned about the use of POP and its inconsistencies, I figured a more advanced model of V1 might be coming out that I should wait for. My good friend does, however, have V1 and I drove to Lake Powell with him about 6 months ago. We got about 12 warnings, 9-10 of which were real and saved us from a 100mph+ speeding ticket. I'd swear by a V1 from what I've seen. My minds made. I'm going with the best.)

gmdebruyn

i think the V1 would appeal to me more if it could be concealed. See this thread for an awesome etched mirror, and how some people have hid the V1. But I'm not sure I could find an installer to do this in my area.

https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/85831-aftermarket-options-2005-e55-recommendations.html

phinnbill

gmdebruyn;
Not sure why you are so concerned with stealth installation for a radar detector (for a laser jammer I understand - I purchased several stealth mounted Lidatek LE30's recently thru a group buy on the M5board.com but haven't installed them yet). For everyday around town driving I mount my V1 on the dashboard, in the middle, with velcro. It works quite well. I take it down when parked and out of the vehicle. Reason I use the dash is that in New Jersey mounting/putting anything on the windshield is illegal as it "blocks" one's vision (not really but that is the law). On long trips (particularly out of state) I mount the V1 on the windshield with the provided suction cups; again taking it down when I park. By not permanently installing the V1, I can use it in another vehicle. In those few states, such as Virginia, I just take it down and place it on the center console. It is out of sight but still works good for radar detection from any direction.

Ekaz;
I believe that the article you reference is quite biased, as others have pointed out. It is also quite old (technically speaking) and does not represent the current V1, nor even the Escort X50. I have visited a number of the websites that claim to be unbaised testers of radar detectors and/or laser detector/jammers. Problem is they are not unbiased. Some even sell the device that they claim is the best - surprise, surprise. When the results do not correlate with the results from the Automobile Magazine (Motor Trend, Car and Driver, etc.) tests then something is usually wrong.

Beowulf

Here's a case where I'm willing to give up form over function.

I didn't buy it to look good, I bought it to save my butt driver points and $$$. If it's the best at doing that, I'll put up with the the windshield mounting, etc.

Beowulf

Eleanor Owner,

I just ordered another V1 a couple days ago - it arrived today. There was a flyer enclosed w/ the following info:

"Full Coverage on POP
V1 covers POP on two bands - specifically the MPH Industries models BEE III (Ka band) and Enforcer (K and Ka).

POP Coverage is Automatic
There's nothing you must do to activate POP coverage. It's built-in, and it operates full time.

How to identify V1's upgraded to two-band POP
V1 powers up with test sequence of warning lights and sounds. At the conclusion of the test, just before the mode indicator appears in the Bogey Counter, you will see a sequence of 'P...o...P' on V1's with two band coverage."

I also bought the remote display again. I'll wait until the new car is here before I go to a hardwire installation, using the remote. I don't like the wire trailing back to the power input at the rear of the center console, but I'll live with it for now. Feel a lot more secure now, knowing that I'm not driving nekkid without protection!

gmdebruyn

Beowulf,

What other parts do i need to hardwire the V1 and the remote display in my car? What besides what comes with the V1 and the remote display?

Thanks,
Gareth

Beowulf

It comes with virtually everything you'll require. Suggest you read as much information as you need at the Valentine site, e.g.: http://www.valentine1.com/moreinfo/C...ay_pg18-19.pdf or: http://www.valentine1.com/lab/Previously1.asp.

Kens-E55

I've had Radar Detectors for 24 years and always read articles/tests and would buy the best. In those years I've had numerous:
Escort
Passport
BEL - Top of the Line
Uniden RD9XL
Cobra - (Escort clone)

And the best of all that I've run now for over 8 years............................

VALENTINE 1 --Nothing else even compares--They can Market and Hype all they want- Proof is in performance and the best is the V1 !!!!!

MBspdfrk

V1. Mine is mounted next to the rear view mirror, and I took the power from the light in the center.

I am adding the Lidatek.

Nickerz

I was sent a link from a friend on radar detectors and it has a comparison of the popular brands vs. V1...

Let me know what you think:
http://www.007radardetectors.com/tests.htm

Nick

zdkdeeier493

Beowulf, thank you so much! I'll place an order for a V1 tomorrow now that I knowthis. Thanks again for the help, now I can speed in peace!

ekaz

Sorry guys, after I posted I realized the old date. I haven't had time to read the whole thread, but has anyone mentioned the passprt srx? I had this installed before I picked up my car and it's saved me more than once already.

gmdebruyn

ok guys, while i wait for my e55 i got the valentine and installed it in my 4-runner.

i've tested this out for the last week and it works great. but today i ran into something disconcerting. i went to the autoparts store and pulled in. well, in the lot next to the store, a local cop was out there with a radar detector. my v1 had not detected him. so once i was done i drove out and drove back and forth and still nothing. he was scanning because i could see the speed on his gun when i walked into the store. i had the V1 set to A mode. is there a new radar out there that the latest V1 cannot pick up?

secondly, what setting do you guys have it on usually? i have it on A while i learn the personality of the unit, but will move to L or the one inbetween L and A.

paulhu

Passport SRX installed in my E500 today. I will test it tomorrow. Will have pictures in a few days.

Bikr Boy

Got nailed by radar today.....90 mph in a 70 zone on the freeway. My V1 did not utter a peep. I saw the Sheriff in the median as I approached and let off the gas but figured he didn't have radar on because V1 was silent. WRONG!
It was on. Guys, write whatever makes you happy but I suggest you think seriouslly about this problem. I now have zero confidence in my V1. Ticket says "radar" so it was radar and my V1 totally failed me.

Nickerz

Sorry to hear that Bikr Boy.

Does V1 have that guarantee where they will pay your fine for the first year? I can't remember if it's them or only K-40.

Nick

zdkdeeier493

This portion of a post by gmdebruyn will answer your question:

Chappy

Anybody know in what states POP radar units have been sold?

eddie

I've always loved my V1 but it seems the Passport 8500-X50 is a bit better since it's able to pick up the new POP mode of radar. I guess it all depends on what kind of radar guns the cops are using in your area.

As for the ultimade detector, I'd have to say the Passport SRX is king. I just had one installed a couple weeks ago and it's amazing... better than the V1.

eddie

Chappy, it's not a matter of what states, it's what towns and cities have bought them. If you look in a police catalog you'll find that only the more expensive radar guns have POP mode, so basically if the town/city is well funded then they will have it!

gmdebruyn

log onto www.valentine1.com

V1 now supports both flavours of POP.