Eric - Plug Guy

Here's my story on radar detectors (V-1 and K40). See pics of the installation at my main site.

I've got both. 996 Cab has the K-40, see pics above. S500 Benz got the V-1. Did it for several reasons.

First, I don't drive the Benz often. The V-1 is adequate protection for my wife. I don't like the overage of information it provides, causing me to take my eyes off the road, peer into the display and figure out what the hell is going on.

Yes, it provides ample warning, so that's what it's for. I just think it gives too much data. When I drive the Benz, I move it from the right of the mirror to the left, so it's right near where I can glance up to see.

It's also an easy installation. I did the complete wired install myself in about 20 minutes.

The K-40 is a different setup. In the 996, when I'm blazing down the road, and the top is down, or the tunes are up, I don't want to have to look at my detector. All I need is the two little red LEDs lighting up in my instrument cluster, and a chirp loud enough to get my attention.

It's ample warning, and yes, it falses a bit more than other detectors, but it is slick. The laser defuser certainly adds a measure of protection too.

The K-40 is a lot of money too - nearly $1200+ for the complete installation. But it also comes with the pay-your-ticket policy first year. Of course, the extra money you are paying goes for that, and the added engineering needed to make weatherproof and foolproof modules for the front and rear of the car.

I love it. I would never change it unless it failed me. And again, it's personal preference. I asked Mike Valentine why he didn't make a V-1 that would install like the K-40 and he simply stated it's extremely costly.

So if you want a black box on your glass that provides plenty of protection, and you are willing to take your eyes off the road to decipher what it says, and you don't want to spend more than $400, buy the V-1.

If, on the other hand, you want discreet protection, professional installation with no damage to the car whatsoever, no black box on the glass, an easy to read warning, and laser stealth protection, buy the K-40.

Either way, you won't go wrong. Just get something!
Eric's Site

Jeff C

If you want a built in model, don't go with the K40. The Passport SR1 is far better and alot less. In fact the K40 rated the worst of 4 remote models and was the most $$(remote detectors) It seems most of them I have seen have been sold by the dealer....

Carlos

Check out http://www.speedlabs.com. Interesting site. Radar experts. They say all the jammers are bs. When I bought mine they liked the V1 & bel 855sti. I bought the bel, mainly because of the louder warning. That was a problem w/ my V1. I've been happy w/ the performance. Fewer falses than my V1. It died about a year ago. Got it replaced under warranty, but service was slow.

Eric - Plug Guy

SpeedLabs and RadarTest have been proven to be biased. The reports are one thing, proven results are another. Buy what you like. I like V-1 and K40. I would NEVER own a remote installed unit other than K40. And no, I did NOT buy mine from the dealer.

Frank Brown

I have used the Valentine One - a very good radar detector. I had the "stealth" adapter, which really isn't stealth. It only moves the light and display. The unit itself still needed to be mounted in a conspicuous place. I have also used the Escort 8300, my current favorite. It is programmable. I can program the city mode to eliminate X band. This has almost eliminated false alarms from door openers (that are predominantly X-band and cops rarely use X band anymore). I like it a lot. I'm not a fan of the K40. Lots of people like them, but IMO, they are over priced and under perform. Escort has a new remote mount radar detector that looks pretty good. It will have typical Escort performance (superior) with the advantage of the remote mount like the K40. Additionally, it allows you to mount the display unit in either a horizontal or vertical position. Check it out on Escort's website. The only real negative, IMO, is that they can only be sold and installed by approved Escort dealers. I would like to either install it myself or have my own shop install it. I trust my Porsche top them more than I do the approved people in my area.

Armando Ramirez

Had a bunch of them...........

V1 is by far the best detection on distance that I have experienced (or the cops I catch with it are trying to warm up there lunch with the speed gun) I many case over a mile away. The counter has also paid for itself given that now they seem to know where to park near other false source to cover the their signals near my house.

When I buy again it will be another V1.
(No I don't own stock or have anyone in the family that works there.)