LiL BenNy

i know the V1 system is popular around the rx8 community and was wonder what versions all of you guys who have it are running... would you guys say id be safe with version 1.7?

dazygirl415

Could you be more specific? What exactly do you mean by "safe"? What are you wanting out of the radar detector? Laser? Pop?

LiL BenNy

um i was wanting to not get tickets lol.. idk whatever is needed to be safe around NE area.. specifically NJ

dazygirl415

I don't know what bands the NJ departments use, but the V1 should have you covered. The Bel RX65 is very similar to the V1 except it doesn't have the directionals, and it's cheapter. Just be covered with K, Ka, X, laser and pop protection.

lazi

i need a detector... wonder which one is good right now

AdamK

I use a Valentine One on my motorcycle but decided to try the Escort Passport X50 in the 8. They are both considered to be the best in most reviews. The directional indicator on the V1 is nice because you can tell if it's a trooper coming up behind you. I opted to mount the Passport low, just above the dash and figured the rear pickup wouldn't be able to see out the back anyway. You save about $100 buying the Escort versus the V1.

lazi

wow thanks for the info. that helps a lot =) where would u probably buy these?

FastBlackMerc

New V1's you can only get new from Valentine. Used ones show up on eBay sometimes.

truemagellen

in NJ you will need laser protection...V1 will not provide that

you are driving blind without

AdamK

Right. Valentine only sells units direct. Anything on eBay, even if they say it is new, is either used or stollen. In fact, if you buy one on eBay and try to send it in to Valentine for an upgrade, and their records show it as stollen, they'll refuse to work on it!

Escort sells their units on-line and for the same prices as their reputable dealers. Like with the V1, there are sites selling them at reduced price. If you go to their eBay stores it's hard to tell if these outfits are selling new or refurbished units. I Googled the name of one of these places and went to their direct site and found they sell nothing BUT refurbished units.

You have to be really careful. I just ended up buying my V1 and Passport directly from the manufacturers to be sure I wouldn't be sorry later.

I've attached some pictures of the V1 on my motorcycle. You can buy a remote display for the V1 and hide the main unit if you prefer. On my bike I have the V1 under some Tupperware to protect it from the elements. I've painted it black since taking these pictures, but it can see over my shoulder in both directions. I look at the remote display on the dash next to the bicycle speedo. The remote's control unit is hidden in a fairing pocket. Some people like to have nothing put the small remote unit visible in their cars. This is optional equipment for the V1 and costs $'s. You need the remote control unit if you want to wire the unit into a sound system like I have on my bike. I wear ear monitors when I ride and all the audio input is piped into them. Intercom, mp3, cell phone, V1, gps and bike to bike radio.

There is no remote unit like this available for the Passport, but it does have a 1/8" jack on the side for remote speakers.

FastBlackMerc

The V1 does detect laser. See their website: http://www.valentine1.com/specs/

AdamK

Correct! Both the V1 and the Passport provide laser detection. I tested them both using my golf laser range finder. I've aso been "painted" with laser several times on the bike. I have yet to be hit with laser in the 8.

truemagellen

of course it detects laser but does not protect from it

you need to jam laser to be safe...if you are hit by laser without a jammer your detector may or may not go off and your speed will already be aquired by the LEO

truemagellen

correct (I assume you meant laser guns/laser speed acquisition devices)

I have a beam spread width calculator if you are interested (for laser/lidar)

with laser the LEO wants to hold the unit as steady as possible and are instructed to aim at the license plate first...headlights second, unlike RADAR were a precise reading is not taken and beyond a sweep can be made...you just need to point the gun in that direction

AdamK

NOT true! I've picked up laser reflections and have slowed down in time before being painted myself. The Washington State patrol routinely park cruisers at mid span of the I-90 floating bridge across Lake Washington at night. The are in the left hand breakdown lane, lights off, with the driver side door open shooting back towards the on coming traffic. On several occasions I have picked up the laser signature before even exiting the tunnel before the bridge. The laser detection chirps from the V1 sound very different than the radar beeps, and I slow down the instant I hear them. Once I've exited the tunnel they become steady on when the laser has fully painted me. I've come out of that tunnel at 90+ mph and still slowed down enough to avoid a ticket!! Now, if you're the only vehicle exiting the tunnel and they trigger the system just on you, you're toast!

truemagellen

you got lucky because of sloppy LEO work

an LEO who even half *** follows protocol would have acquired your speed multiple times before the V1 even registers a laser hit

AdamK

How so?? I was picking up laser signatures bouncing off of cars he was targeting ahead of me?? This wasn't a one time occurance. Either way you look at it, the V1 slowed me down and that's why I bought it, and why I <still> think it has value. To each his own......

truemagellen

I know because I have several buddies who had laser tickets who all have V1s plus it is simple physics

I am just warning people that is all...those who think they are now invinsible with a $400 V1 and some street smarts are gravely wrong

Jamming laser and using a reflection retardant such as Laser Veil is the only way to near 100% protection (of course there is Vascar timing systems/including air reported versions in Iowa, plane and helicopter)

blue flash

i have the bel 910, had it for 4 years and knock on wood no tickets.a friend of mine has the valintine and keeps telling me to trade up .my reply is my $125.00 bel is not broke so why fix it.

AdamK

Understood. These are just tools that <can> help you, if you understand how to use them and what their limitations are.

You aren't invisible to radar with a detector either. In Washington State they are very creative setting up radar traps. Last summer when I was touring in California the State troopers seemed to always cruise with their radar systems on. Very easy to hear them coming.

truemagellen

right on

let me clarify the active/passive thing...it only applies to Radar jammers

and there is no such thing as a working passive radar jammer...it is a scam (rocky mountain radar with many AKAs)

active jammers for cars are pretty sweet but very illegal (doubt anyone would get caught though ) and very expensive...they don't work under 500ft but usually that is more than enough protection...there are active jammers that can jam 100% but they are the kind mounted on a military aircraft

Laser Jammers are legal in most states...a few states have law banning Laser jamming specifically

it comes down to the whole FTC/FCC regulation of infrared light/radar radio transmission

bureau13

I don't suppose you have the list (or a link to it) showing which states ban laser jamming?

jds

truemagellen

not florida

too bad you guys missed the group buy...probably wont happen again either