Problem with a Valentine V1?

[Balloonmeister]

We just returned from the Porsche Parade in Monterey, CA. Having traveled from the Southwest, we had many miles on I-40, CA 58 and 101 highways. I am using a V1 radar detector and noticed something on this trip I had never seen before. We were getting numerous (and I mean on the order of at least one every 30 minutes) of false positives which I believe were coming from big rigs. That is, while in the A mode, the V1 would alarm, first with a weak signal and then becoming stronger and we would slow down only to almost never see a LEO, but always seeing at least one big rig. In many cases as we passed the big rig going in the opposite direction, we would get a weak side alert and then a weak alert to the rear.. I also experienced a few times where I was getting a weak signal to the front as I was to pass a big rig and when I passed him, the V1 would indicate sideways and then fully alert to the rear right at the big rig. We had several of us in our group and we all experienced the same phenomena. It was almost like LE has placed radar emitters on the big rigs to provide us a plethora of alerts. Has anyone else seen anything like this from the V1s? It almost made the V1 worthless (though it did save our bacon a couple of times).

[masraum]

I've gotten weak alerts from all sorts of vehicles, including a crappy old conversion van once. I think in some cases, it's a radar detector. Yes, I'm certain that some really bad radar detectors can actually emit rf. I used to work for a company that used satellite communications, and we had experienced it.

But in your case, my guess would be that they may have some sort of proximity alert system or something.

I don't think it has anything to do with law enforcement.

[rrental]

Originally Posted by Balloonmeister

We just returned from the Porsche Parade in Monterey, CA. Having traveled from the Southwest, we had many miles on I-40, CA 58 and 101 highways. I am using a V1 radar detector and noticed something on this trip I had never seen before. We were getting numerous (and I mean on the order of at least one every 30 minutes) of false positives which I believe were coming from big rigs. That is, while in the A mode, the V1 would alarm, first with a weak signal and then becoming stronger and we would slow down only to almost never see a LEO, but always seeing at least one big rig. In many cases as we passed the big rig going in the opposite direction, we would get a weak side alert and then a weak alert to the rear.. I also experienced a few times where I was getting a weak signal to the front as I was to pass a big rig and when I passed him, the V1 would indicate sideways and then fully alert to the rear right at the big rig. We had several of us in our group and we all experienced the same phenomena. It was almost like LE has placed radar emitters on the big rigs to provide us a plethora of alerts. Has anyone else seen anything like this from the V1s? It almost made the V1 worthless (though it did save our bacon a couple of times).

We found EXACTLY the same thing! Only in CA and only with the Semi's. Did not have time to contact Valentine as I am still on my way home from the parade.

[Rusty914s]

I get them as well, very annoying

[RANDY P]

mine did that. Sent it in for constant xband falses. $86 later it was fine.

[5String43]

I use my V1 on I-5 between Lost Angeles and Frisco, 99 and Sacto, and elsewhere, frequently. Have never had this sort of thing happen. But mine has been upgraded and I keep it set on the "Logic" setting. So who knows?

[campbellcj]

I have two of them and on my older one I disabled X band which vastly reduced the falses. The newer one supposedly has a new false rejection feature but it still isn't foolproof.

The current PITA in LA is all the "Your Speed Is" radar signs they're putting up.

[porwolf]

Radar jammers in big rigs?

[LeeH]

My cell phone sets off my V1. Setting it to advanced logic mode helped.

[kinein]

I just received my V1 yesterday, I drive to paso robles from central valley every day. So ill see tomorrow how it will do with the semi's. Hopefully I don't get the same results on a brand new out the box.

[Chocaholic]

Just got mine back a few weeks ago from being upgraded. Having the exact same experience. Was also told that the blind-spot cameras on so many cars will set them off. But semis definitely do...to the point that I've now stopped using it all together.

[Chocaholic]

Just got mine back a few weeks ago from being upgraded but having the exact same experience. Was also told that the blind-spot cameras on so many cars will set them off. But semis definitely do...to the point that I've now stopped using it all together.

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by Balloonmeister

We just returned from the Porsche Parade in Monterey, CA. Having traveled from the Southwest, we had many miles on I-40, CA 58 and 101 highways. I am using a V1 radar detector and noticed something on this trip I had never seen before. We were getting numerous (and I mean on the order of at least one every 30 minutes) of false positives which I believe were coming from big rigs. That is, while in the A mode, the V1 would alarm, first with a weak signal and then becoming stronger and we would slow down only to almost never see a LEO, but always seeing at least one big rig. In many cases as we passed the big rig going in the opposite direction, we would get a weak side alert and then a weak alert to the rear.. I also experienced a few times where I was getting a weak signal to the front as I was to pass a big rig and when I passed him, the V1 would indicate sideways and then fully alert to the rear right at the big rig. We had several of us in our group and we all experienced the same phenomena. It was almost like LE has placed radar emitters on the big rigs to provide us a plethora of alerts. Has anyone else seen anything like this from the V1s? It almost made the V1 worthless (though it did save our bacon a couple of times).

I just returned from Monterey, CA as well on those same roads and noticed the same things.

I suspect it is radar jammers and adaptive cruise control. Many of the new high end cars are using the radar front and rear for their cruise control.

The big rigs will emit a single alert as you approach from behind and got to a dual alert once you roll past them. It is so bad the V1 is just an annoyance. I only had two occasions when it alerted me to a real threat in almost 5,000 miles of driving. I had several hundred false alerts.

Some of the cars must be blasting radar at high levels. The Mercedes S class are using a lower level of power so they don't alert for a mile like some cars. Radar detectors are almost useless now and it will only get worse and worse.

[unclebilly]

Mine does this too. Audi's adaptive cruise control sets mine off too.

That being said, I'd rather no that something could be up rather than get handed a summons...

[kinein]

well today was the first day using the v1, I did pick up some false alerts. But not like some are describing in the first few post. I guess on my way home we will see how it goes. There is alot of rigs on the roads I am traveling on. The false alerts I did get was when a rig on the opposite side of the road was on the shoulder. Other then that not any before or after. I have no clue what that could be.

[GH85Carrera]

In parts of New Mexico and Arizona the only other thing in site was a big rig. I would get the alert in front, watch as it went by and point right at the simi, and keep on in as behind me as it went by.



Not much traffic sometimes.

[speeder]

I can guarantee that it's not "radar jammers" in big rigs. That's absurd. They would lose their livelihoods immediately when caught, (which would be extremely easy for LE), and they have no need for such a thing. I haven't seen a big rig going much over the speed limit in years.

Use your head for a minute.

The same reason that big rigs don't speed much anymore is the reason that your fancy toy doesn't work anymore. Constant GPS tracking and the signals that it emits. And yes, all of the adaptive cruise and other crap is just the cherry on top.

[tedg04]

I think radar detectors in general will go the way of the dodo pretty soon. A lot of LEO's are using instant-on laser anymore, which means all your detector will do is confirm you got caught before the lights are on.
There may be some areas (NM, SW Colorado, Nevada come to mind) where the local agencies haven't yet adopted these systems. But they will eventually. It's really a shame since there are so many highways like what's pictured above - empty, flat, and not rutted.

[speeder]

I hate to brag because as soon as I do, I'll get nailed but I've driven x-country more times than I can count w/o a radar detector and only gotten one speed ticket ever. And that one was in Utah coming down the 15 in pitch dark, middle of nowhere where I should not have been speeding.

I've also used a V-1 a couple times but I think that in a certain way, it's a hindrance. I rely on it too much and don't use all of my senses to sniff-out speed enforcement. And don't get me wrong, any time you are exceeding the speed limit you are risking a ticket. But you can severely stack the deck in your favor by using some common sense. It's worked out well for me.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by porwolf

Radar jammers in big rigs?

Highly illegal, like Federal illegal because that's the FCC. Pretty darn hard to find too, I suspect.

laser jammers is another story. Also probably illegal in most places, but then due to local laws.

Originally Posted by speeder

I've also used a V-1 a couple times but I think that in a certain way, it's a hindrance. I rely on it too much and don't use all of my senses to sniff-out speed enforcement.

Yep, got to be careful. V1 should just be an addition to your senses, not a replacement. Kind of like having an extra gauge in the car to give you more info about what the engine is doing. That doesn't mean that you can ignore all of the other gauges.