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Radar/Lidar detectors

1206 messages,  Last post on Dec 28, 2008 at 5:16 PM

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#129 of 1206 Multiple Bogies by blane Oct 27, 1999 (3:28 am)
My V1 saved my butt a couple of weeks ago heading east of Mesa, AZ on Route 60. About a mile out, I was alerted to an X-band signal that increased quickly until I came up to and passed one of those moveable "Your Speed Is XXX MPH" units. About a mile ahead, the V1 alerted me to a second X-band signal which became stronger as I came upon a trooper parked on the shoulder writing a ticket for a hapless traveler. Obviously Smokey had counted on anyone passing the MPH unit to feel that they were home free....until his rear-facing radar nailed them. Another mile down the road the V1 started picking up a Ka-band instant-on signal. Sure enough, there was a second cruiser, facing oncoming traffic in the center median, about a mile and a half beyond the first Ka alert. Alan Funt was right: "When you least expect it...smile, you're on Candid Camera". Those guys really know how to set traps. I carried it on the plane all the way from NY, but it was worth it. My Valentine One sure kept my vacation from turning sour.
#130 of 1206 Valentine Installation by mcgreenx Oct 28, 1999 (1:51 am)
I want a slide in/slide out "hot shoe" receptacle because I slide in/out my Solo three or four or more times a day. I don't want to have to connect and disconnect the power wire each time. It's a small refinement, obviously, but makes the difference between being used and not used ALL of the time, which means it is going to be active when you come upon a radar trap. That's one of the reasons I wish a permanently installed receiver behind the grill would work. The alternative to a permanent installation is a wired "docking station" into which you could slide the V1, and it's connected and operating. And then slide it out and secure it awqy from prying eyes, out of sight, when you park. I do much the same thing with my Nokia handsfree cell phone installation. The phone snaps in, the power and outside antenna are automatically connected, and it powers on ready to operate in the "car" mode, even if other settings have been selected for manual use. That's what V1 should do, IMHO.
#131 of 1206 Hrm... by bhepler Oct 28, 1999 (3:43 am)
Your solo is cordless, right? I think you have three options right now: 1) Hard-wire the Valentine somewhere where it won't be stolena 2) Spend the extra four seconds to plug it in when you get in the car, or 3) Put up with the less effective cordless and/or in-dash models. The valentine uses the "back" of the unit for radar & laser sensors. The power jack is on the side of the unit. Still, you might consider writing Valentine Labs and make the request. They may consider it.
#132 of 1206 Valentine Installation by blane Oct 30, 1999 (12:39 am)
mcgreenx: bhepler is 100% right. I have owned a Solo cordless for two years and was unhappy about the short range of detection (¼ to ½ mile). Too dangerous. That's why I invested in the Valentine One about two months ago. I hard-wired the small, included, "Direct-Wire Power Adapter" to a location right next to the suction cup windshield mount. I leave the 5 inch power cord plugged into the V1 while it's stowed in my glove compartment. I spend about five seconds to slide the V1 into the mount (I'm obviously older and slower than bhepler) and plug the other end of the cord into the adapter. I'm sure that I can handle the unplugging and stowing in the four seconds. Forget the behind-the-grille location for a radar detector. It's way too low for early over-the-hill detection, and signals are blocked by the grille material.
#133 of 1206 Comfort in the V1 by massed Nov 08, 1999 (6:47 pm)
It cost a few $$ but what it has saved me in tickets and insurance costs, I could have bought a dozen of them ! So I was driving at night, on a road that had its share of hills and corner where there were numerous hiding places for the law enforcement. There were two cars infront of me, all of us traveling at a speed considerable higher than the posted speed limit. As I think back on the event, My V1 began warning me about 3.0 miles from the police radar. At first, it would alarm, then go silent, then alarm again. As the group of cars got closer, the V1 has been in constant alarm mode for awhile. We were about 1/2 mile from the police radar when the radar detector from car directly infront of mine, alarmed. Well, the two guys infront of me were pulled over and for myself, I had slowed to the posted speed limit before passing the "critical" distance point of detection. The guy infront of me, his radar detector works great at a distance of 10 ft. parked on the shoulder directly infront of the police car. I found out a week later, the guy infront of me was a good friend who lived in the same town. I asked him what the damage was from the ticket. He was fined $175 and a total of $350 in insurance penalties. He was so pissed off that he threw the radar detector out the passengers window before he left the scene.
#134 of 1206 slwinder by atl Nov 09, 1999 (2:07 pm)
You mentioned a concern about spending big bucks on the V1 when the technology will at some point become obsolete. To my knowledge, V1 is the only detector on the market that will upgrade your existing unit with the newer technology. They refer to it as "no planned obsolesence." It will cost you a relatively small fee, and you'll have to be w/o your detector for a couple of weeks--but it's better than buying a completely new unit. And, as someone else already mentioned, the V1 is so good, even if you never upgraded, it will still provide excellent protection for a long time. gibble: I've owned pretty much every high-end detector on the market, and if you can't afford a V1, I'd recommend a Whistler. But--if you're willing to spend $250--can't you just save up for a couple of more months and get the V1? Believe me, you won't regret it.
#135 of 1206 Valentine One by dnk1 Nov 09, 1999 (10:39 pm)
There pretty much is no substitute. I could tell you dozens of stories I've heard and a few of my own experiences, but the posts have pretty much summed it up. Save up $400, bite the bullet, and get one. You will not be sorry. Ever.
#136 of 1206 by bhepler Nov 10, 1999 (3:52 pm)
And if you are sorry, I'll buy it off your hands.
#137 of 1206 Anyone Get a Ticket? by e36m3 Nov 10, 1999 (10:19 pm)
Has anyone gotten a ticket using the valentine 1? I was wondering what the situation and circumstances that caused you to get caught. I am thinking about purchasing one, and wanted to know how good my chances are using one. I used to have a Bel 8? something radar and a Uniden BCT9 Mobile Police Scanner but it still didn't provide me with all the protection I would have liked. Would appreciate the flaws in using the unit.
#138 of 1206 Got Ticket? by dnk1 Nov 11, 1999 (2:37 am)
Not to be an asshole, but this is an unfair question. If you ignore the warnings and are still speeding when you pass the cop, you're still gonna get a ticket. It's not like life insurance; it just helps you stack the odds in your favor. I'm sure people can tell you about all the times that it's *saved* them . . . it only takes one time before the V1's paid for itself.

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