Trojan Man

Last weekend I had the (mis)fortune of plunking down $1200 to get a K40-2000P radar system installed in my 996TT.

How can I start - everything that could go wrong did.

The install was supposed to take 4-6 hours. It took 12 - leaving me carless and stranded in an unfamiliar part of town.

The laser jammer was supposed to be installed undetectably behind the air louvres in the front. It was installed as a front license plate bracket (I wanted to completely REMOVE my front license plate.)

One of the piezo buzzers does not function at all. The installer claims it is a faulty piezo, but given my knowledge of how simple piezos are, I am sure it is the installation wiring.

To top things off, I just read several reviews TODAY, 5 days after my install, saying that the K40 is ARCHAIC, PRONE TO ENDLESS FALSE ALARMS, AND IS GENERALLY USELESS.

The installer offered to fix all the problems free of charge, but I cringe at having my car in their hands for another day.

Does anyone have any experience with the K40 units that can brighten my spirits a little? Actually, I'd be interested in hearing other people's experiences with K40 whether they are good or bad.

BTW, the same reports that said the K40 is so bad also said that the Valentine 1 is overpriced and not nearly as effective as the new Passport 8500. Any comments?

All these reviews are on <a href="http://www.radartest.com" target="_blank">RadarTest.com</a>

<img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" />

CAPTLST

I have used the V1 for years and have found it to be the best. Several Mercedes I've owned have had the K 40 and I did not like it as much as the V1. Sorry if this is not what you wanted to hear.

KPV

I concur with Eric. My V1 is simply the best money can buy.

dennywags

the website that said the v1 was no good was started by a consultant for escort and bell.

car and driver rates the v1 #1 by a land slide.if you cant trust them you must be french.

goto <a href="http://www.valentine1.com" target="_blank">www.valentine1.com</a> and be convinced

sorry you bought a pos, at least your car rocks

trumperZ06

The V-1 is the best detector advailable today. I have two units up-graded twice since 1993 or so! The savings advoiding tickets have paid for these units over & over again!

Eric - Plug Guy

I own both, and here's my take:

First, your installer is not very experienced. I have the laser defuser in my front grille quite easily, and as the Chief Plug Guy, I would NEVER have a front plate.

Get another installer - but first get with K40 and let them know what is going on.

I have a K40 remote 360 system w/laser defuser in my 996 Cab, and it works extremely well.

I have a V-1 in my S500 Benz and in the family minivan. I just did not want to do such an expensive system in all three, and I don't drive the other two that often. I drive the Porsche every day.

I love the K40. It tells me where the problem is just fine - ahead or behind - and warns me with a simple chirp that alerts me to take a quick look and slow down if necessary. With the V-1 I have to look up from the road, figure out all the data, then look around and take action if needed.

In my opinion, it's too much information (V-1), but a very good, if not the best, on-glass detector on the market.

If, on the other hand, you want the best installation without a black box on the glass, go with the K40. Caveat: must be installed by a pro - and mine was and still works flawlessly today.

Either unit is good, and will protect you. You got screwed by a bogus installer, it seems.

Keep working on it and call customer service at K40 for more help. They'll get it right, and you'll be happy.

mitch236

I use the K-40 and have found that it works. My install went very well. (Braman in Florida)They did a very slick job of hiding everything. I agree with Eric about not having to look to tell where the detection is from. The diffuser is behind the front grill. I get alot of false alarms but I guess they all do.

Can you see me now?

<img src="http://mitchlampert.com/Porsche-FVD2002.jpg" alt=" - " />

x-50speeder

Have had both. V-1 hands down. I have never received a ticket while using the V-1. Did receive one using the K40. The false chirps are annoying! As someone else said, the V1 has paid for itself time and time again! Most people on this board swear by it. Just my .02! Avoiding laser? That I am not sure of. Does the diffuser work? Will the cop get a false reading and then simply aim the laser at your windshield? Does anyone have experience? All of these systems require some measure of intuition. Nothing is going to save you if you are running flat out, with no one in front of you for miles, cresting a hill <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" />

Steve

Trojan Man

I understand that any laser "diffuser" (read jammer) is designed to do 2 things:
1. Detect the laser signal and sound a warning to the driver.
2. "Diffuse" the initial signal from the gun, giving the driver time to slow down while the officer redirects his gun to an area that will read.

If, however, the officer INITIALLY aims the gun at an area outside of the "diffusion zone" (which is VERY small) then you are SOL no matter what.

In other words, while the K40 diffuser (and others) will work if the gun is aimed at them, if you remove your front plate completely you are inviting the officer to aim at your headlights, which are not protected by ANY diffusion from ANY system.

Don't be fooled by advertisements claiming "complete coverage of laser". As we all know, laser beams have minimal scatter even at long range. From 700 feet away, the average police laser is only a matter of inches wide. Just think about it. How is a behind-the-grill mounted unit going to work on a shot at the headlights or other reflective portion of the car?

I know I'm the one who originally asked the question about the K40, but I don't want anyone on the board to be fooled by delusions of being invisible to the police.
<img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" />

World Wide Pusher

the k40 came with my car i never used it its horrible... false alarms is a understatement. i have been a V1 fan for since mike valentine left escort he makes the best stuff. i currently have the lidatech and V1 works GREAT..other people have the same setup also on the forum ask like oak i know has this same setup for sure...i love it!

BC

This may not be applicable to the above info, but it must be restated that the individual (and its one guy) that does Radartest.com is a complete, and unbelievably useless idiot.

While the info on the V1 site is correct, I must urge you to do a search in the WWW for some other info about the author of redartest.com

HBdirtbag

hey guys, i have something to say regarding false alarms.

They aren't false alarms, they are doing exactly what they are suppose to be doing and that's picking up radar signals around you. Just because it's not a cop doesn't mean it's a false alarm. It is doing it's job.

msindi

I think a lot of board members here have a Lidatek/V1 as the most common setup - supposed to be the best!

markski

I had a k40 in a 350 spyder i purchased and had mixed feelings. I now own V-1 and its great - hands down... and I can move it around my other cars as apposed to the k-40.
V-1 is worth every dollar invested...

HBdirtbag

yea, i'll agree, i love the v1 because it's mobile, i have a line hardwired in all of our cars.