Radar Detectors....Valentine vs the new generation units

[996cab]

Originally Posted by 84 911 WideBody

I think a "box" would limit it's ability to pick up lazer. I know lazer detection it poor on any unit. but some is better than non..

Actually, and most reviews, tests, experts, etc. confirm, basically all the laser warning is doing is telling you that you have just been caught. There is little scatter like some like to advertise and conditions relative to your vehicle would have to be so perfect that detecting borders on impossible. When a cop points the laser at you and your detector goes off it is too late.

[RoninLB]

not to start an argument

but I believe that when traveling directly behind a car and my laser V-1 alarm goes off it's because the car ahead of me is being lasered.

[Joe Bob]

99% of my laser warnings come from tailights. GM products are a known false alarm source. PITA but let's me know the Laser function still works....

[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

The most common cause of laser alarms, I've found, is the adaptive cruise control (laser-based, not microwave) of cars such as a variety of Lexuses. Took me awhile to figure this out ("Where the hell is the cop in the middle of this desert???"), but I finally realize that I was just passed, opposite-direction, by a LS430 or whatever. Ron, could it be that there's a Lexus in the vicinity when your laser alarm goes off?

[RoninLB]

It took me a few minutes to figure that out for myself on I-70 a few years ago when cars first started doing this..

then I read about it on the V-1 site

[Joe Bob]

Also....I get a squawk on the "K" band when passing the solar powered freeway phones.....WTF izzat?

[RoninLB]

Originally Posted by mikez

Also....I get a squawk on the

"K" band when passing the solar powered freeway phones.....WTF izzat?

it's k-band common bs.

on the V-1 site is info to disconnect k-band and x-band

I disconnected x-band only even though K-band is no longer used around here except on street construction signs of those huge digital signs announcing your speed.

K-band is still used for speeding tickets in different parts of the US and x-band was only used in some small town in Georgia that I could find way back in 1999.
I'll take my chances that x-band is kaput all over since 2002 disconnect.

[Danimal16]

I use my V-1 as a supplement to my Mod 1 version a eyeballs. It helps me pay attention. I love the arrows.

[bonkers]

Originally Posted by 84 911 WideBody

AH HA found the guy in the left lane doing 45mph........

lol all in fun.

Who, me? Hell no.. do I sound like your granny with a screen name like "bonkers"?

I don't claim to be saintly, just sane and safe, and the only reason I would do 45 in the fast lane is if I was stuck in traffic.

I learned to drive in England where most people actually observe the concept of the "fast lane" and move the Hell over. Heck, if you want to zoom by me, I'm more than happy to let you go... go find the next cop so I don't.

Eighteen years driving between the US and UK and *touchwood* no tickets yet. A few close calls and one verbal warning but the old Mk1s, common sense and a bit of good luck haven't let me down yet.

Never owned or used a radar detector either.

[Netspeed]

I love my V1 and it has kept me from getting many tickets on the way up to Paso Robles. The Buellton CHP know exactly which blind corners to hide on. Fortunately, they don't seem to have deployed laser in the manner that that they have out here in Ventura County. Usually 2 times out of the week they'll sit off to the side, stand outside the car, and pick people off with their lasers.....same with Thousand Oaks police. Nothing the V1 can do although my best line of defense (if I'm going fast) is not to be the lead car in the pack as they usually pull over the first one in the group.

[pwd72s]

Originally Posted by Formerly Steve Wilkinson

Radar detectors work okay if you have at least one rabbit a half mile ahead of you to set off the signal, but solo you're dead meat.

I think more people have gotten tickets because they had radar detectors and depended on them than have gotten tagged because they paid attention, looked a mile up the road and back as well...and, incidentally, didn't get crazy.

Me, I'm gettin' old and I'm very carefully choosing my places to do anything other than hyper-mile...

Gee, You mean like a few weeks ago? Driving up I-5 to my favorite pool hall in a Ford Ranger, doin' my usual 15 over the limit...M-3, a beautiful black M3, cruised past me. I fell behind him 1/4 mile or so, enjoying riding in his wake. V-1 sounded. I slowed.

It wasn't me who got the ticket. But hell, anybody driving a $65,000 or so M-3 deserves the price of a ticket, right?

[RWebb]

Originally Posted by bonkers

...
Eighteen years driving between the US and UK and *touchwood* no tickets yet. ...

I attribute that to the rarity of police radar in the mid-Atlantic.

[RSTarga]

Valentine monted high next to rearview mirror + keeping eyes open. You can't just depend on detector. Most police at least in texas are shooting cars as they pass and the valentine will beep everytime they shoot someone.

[mca]

LOVE my V1. The arrows are important. For example, if you get the forward arrow and the bogey is in the opposite lane heading towards you it is nice to see the arrows move from the front, to the side, and to the rear as he passes. You know the bogey is gone (think interstate 95)

Similarly if the forward arrow is lit and the cop is ahead of you in moving in the same direction but then disappears over the hill (beeping slows or stops) and then reappears you are fully aware that you are dealing with the same single bogey - the bogey is still present and caution must be taken.

Without the arrows you will simply hear beeping. The beeping may go away and you have no idea if you passed the bogey or if it is still ahead of you but was temporarily out of site.

Regardless, all detectors are just extra insurance. Still have to use common sense.

[Danimal16]

Originally Posted by Netspeed

I love my V1 and it has kept me from getting many tickets on the way up to Paso Robles. The Buellton CHP know exactly which blind corners to hide on. Fortunately, they don't seem to have deployed laser in the manner that that they have out here in Ventura County. Usually 2 times out of the week they'll sit off to the side, stand outside the car, and pick people off with their lasers.....same with Thousand Oaks police. Nothing the V1 can do although my best line of defense (if I'm going fast) is not to be the lead car in the pack as they usually pull over the first one in the group.

Buelton, just about one mile from the Los Olivos turn in the Southbound lane. You can count on it. The TO trap is on the 23 south west near Janns and Avenida De Los Arboles. I have not had the laser experience yet but thanks for the warning. Moorpark on Tierra Rejada during school times. Very stupid to ignor school zones and I slow down to 25. Those little folks have a tendency to do funny things and so do their moms in their Mini Vans and SUVs. CHP in this are do allow for a little comfort though and a rabbit is the best insurance if you are not paying attention.

[azasadny]

V1 saved my bacon many times!!!

[chrisgo17]

I have witnessed in Jax, Fl. local police have wireless remote Laser and are starting to get creative in setting there revenue traps. There must be a limited distance they can be from the car, maybe 20 feet. Long enough to tuck the car behind a wall or obstruction and stand alone to shoot. Very tuff to spot. We have all been trained to look for the car. I have (3) V-1's and do the upgrade trade in every few years.

[Netspeed]

Originally Posted by Danimal16

Buelton, just about one mile from the Los Olivos turn in the Southbound lane. You can count on it. The TO trap is on the 23 south west near Janns and Avenida De Los Arboles. I have not had the laser experience yet but thanks for the warning. Moorpark on Tierra Rejada during school times. Very stupid to ignor school zones and I slow down to 25. Those little folks have a tendency to do funny things and so do their moms in their Mini Vans and SUVs. CHP in this are do allow for a little comfort though and a rabbit is the best insurance if you are not paying attention.

I've found them hiding on the curves just past Lake Cachuma exit and closer to Santa Maria.
In TO, he's usually on the 101 North about 50 yards before the exit to Westlake Bl. It's a decent curve that allows him to pick off people with being see from too far away. Also, he's been in the dip just past Hampshire exit on the 101 north. Also there's an Ventura County sheriff on a motorcycle that hides under the Lindero overpass on the 101 south.

[Netspeed]

Also also....coming down the Cuesta grade before San Luis Obispo, there's a speed sign that flashes the your speed. My V1 didn't detect anything (multiple times) so I called Valentine. They said that it is a new FM-modulated method of calculating speed. It hasn't been approved yet for enforcement so they said not to worry about it.

[dshepp806]

mmmm......I come back to this thread, with tail tucked.,...sitting here laughing at myself and ready to confess. The laughter has to do with reigniting my research again on these technologies and (true) circumvention,...planning to attack the problem best I can,................ ..............the confession of today's events:for everyone else's databanks.

I run (simply) the PassPort 8500 X50 and it has served me well, without doubt. Have only experienced laser hits twice in 3 years, and that's in my local area (so to speak), it was a shock when you first hear THAT tone......apparently the local boys are upgrading more of their stuff.......

This weekend's country road run (the weekly crime) was without event, planning on parking her on the upcoming rainy Sunday. The Sunday turns out to be not so bad and the Wife asks that I go with her to the daughter's house for some "hair work". I agreed and stated that we'd drive the 911. (around 4PM). Drive requires about a 22 mile I-75 southbound run through construction areas (on occassion). I NEVER speed through these areas as the fines are quite stiff 'round here and it's simply not safe. I NEVER really haul arse with the Wife in the car either,..usually it's me and the car (only).

While on the latter few miles of the drive, her comes redneck in a large Ford truck right up my arse (I'm running about 78-80 in a 70 zone). I signal to the right lane and head there. This guy ALMOST clips my left tail as he flies by. As he passes, his window's down and the passenger is flicking me the bird. I joke to my Wife about self control challenges, yet still pissed off, and return 2 birdies while laughing at him. Luckily he streams ahead,...I start to stew about it and decide to increase my speed to stay near to him, planning on blowing by his arse just before reaching my upcoming exit (I know: bad call). Traffic was very light, with me eventually passing him (me: in the slow lane)...he exited and I began to slow down for my upcoming exit about a mile up the road,..the Wife's complaining (and rightfully so). Very soon the Laser detector fires off and I then pass a (black) Byron Police Department car backed up into the woods with his nose out just a bit.....told the Wife that I just got a speeding ticket and immediately pulled over, waiting for his arrival (which surely came). LEO clocked me at 91 at about 920 feet..............toasted. My immediate response was elation (knowing from where I began deceleration).

Case in point (and happened during this thread)......a situation where I was oblivious to my LEO surroundings and chose to engage an idiot: my bad. I'll work on that....speaking of which:

No jammer yet....wish I had my planned system in place, for that would have been a good test. Called my contacts to get this ticket "taken care of" so I've no worries with any bad outcomes (it will "disappear" and this is a good thing, as our Govenor just passed a "superspeeder Bill that tacks on an additional $200 to any ticket that's 15 or more over the limit), as well as my contacts to start our tests once the hardware arrives....very curious to see where the punch-thru areas will be in my body style.

In any case: BUSTED TODAY!!!! Goes to demonstrate many points made here within this thread without further diatribe...

....NOT a good day......live and learn,............(tail still tucked).

Best,

Doyle