Deanski

Another reason I like my K-40 with Bluetooth.

Deanski

Carrera GT

FWIW, I've owned a few different units and read reviews and not found anything that even begins to compete with the V1 (over the years) for sensitivity, selectivity, discrimination and the unique facility to communicate count, strength and direction (of "bogies") instead of just "beeeep!"

With the advent of constant fixed radar stations on the freeways, I have to imagine it's just a matter of time before US customers will need the combined GPS systems so that instead of cancelled various "old" band sources, the unit will continuously download data from a satellite radio link to upload GPS coordinates to know when to discriminate between passive (decoy) radar sources and real threats.

As long as the US government revenue people persist with this "arms escalation" and counter-measure approach, the affluent driver will win (along with his 1199 tax) and so it goes.

In other States (and countries) they've given up the pretence of "safety" and made it all about revenue, so the "law" against the driver expands almost daily and (Australia and UK are clear examples) it's jut a extended, exorbitant and unpredictable road usage tax.

Both systems are outrageous simply because, fundamentally, both systems are revenue oriented and both systems have no connection to safety or an measure related to improving safety. That's the problem. If the given government authority found a way to effectively improve road safety, I'd be all for it.

ronmart

Lexus uses a laser cruise control feature so that is why you are seeing this and V1 doesn't know the difference between a cop laser and a Lexus laser because it is the same technology.

Mercedes uses ultrasonic radar waves so you shouldn't be seeing laser warnings but could get other warnings. Lexus is moving away from Laser because it isn't very reliable in the rain or fog, or when the front end gets real dirty.

dstrimbu

The only time you'll see me within two car-lengths of ANYTHING when driving the 911 is at or near zero mph - generally at a stoplight, gpjli2... that's how I determined the "detection range" of the 3rd brake lights.

My internal anti-tailgating directive says this:

a.) If I'm being an a-hole, tailgating someone - chances are great that the a-hole behind me will be tailgating me, too - and I KNOW that I can stop faster than he can... and;

b.) why subject my car to the high-velocity ejecta from the tires of the car in front of me?

I'm pretty amazed at how sedately I drive this car in traffic, especially when you consider how damned quick it is... don't need any more attention. <g>

-don

THPorsche

silly question, if you wave a laser pointer in front of the V1 would it trigger the unit?

CosmosC4S

I tried that with my Escort, no effect from a laser pointer.

Carrera GT

I was hoping they'd do more with the BT than just a wireless link -- it would have been cool to see it feed data (such as to a GPS to remember locations.)

Does it really cost $1500?

Philip9

I have a Toyota FJ Cruiser and put my V1 in it for a trip and there is some internal false laser source somewhere and the unit goes off constantly. It only happens during the day so I am thinking it is some sort of refraction within the car. I called V1 and they had no idea what causes it.

ChipAZ

I've had the V1 go off in the strangest places like 4-wheeling in the AZ desert. Could me microwave links, aircraft radar, I don't know. It has however saved my butt many times. I wouldn't be able to afford a Porsche, with lots of tickets, without the VI.

STATMAN

I don't think E55AMG's comment was a knock against the V1 (and Mike Valentine), in particular. In fact, it was my understanding that ALL detectors that provide laser warning are providing a warning that is too little and too late. Unless you have a jammer, once you detect a laser you are nailed. The detector only senses laser when your vehicle is actually getting hit by it (and not when someone else's speed is getting tracked by the laser, or when the cop simply has the laser turned on). Because the laser provides a pretty-much instaneous read on your speed, there is no time to slow down in response to the detector's warning.

Deanski

Yes somewhere in that area installed. Works well enough for me.

Deanski

E55AMG

No, it wasn't a knock against the V1 - I have one! But, I also am armed with a laser jammer.

CosmosC4S

Is this a FACT?
I've always understood radar detectors will detect radar equipment being used ahead (or behind) of it, whether it's directed at the detector directly or not.
That is one reason why I will never be the first speeding car on an empty stretch.
A radar detector is meant to give you an advantage in "smart" speeding.
I don't have a V1, I use a Solo2 (yeah, I'm gonna be flamed!) and I've been saved a few times, I believe the cops were shooting at the cars ahead of me.

wross996tt

Radar yes...laser no. Radar bounces all over the place so it can be detected relatively easily. Laser is a different story...much more directional. You might pick up a signal if the laser is used on a car very nearby, but in general once the laser signal goes off...busted (unless you have a jammer/shifter).

STATMAN

Yes, this is the case with LASER equipment. RADAR equipment sends a beam similar to that from a flashlight--it spreads out as the distance from the signal origin increases. This signal then bounces off objects in the path of the beam and it is reflected back to the gun. In the process, these wide beams bouncing around are easy to pick up by radar detectors, whether or not the radar is directed at your vehicle or someone else's vehicle in front or in back of you. Detectors are, for the most part, very effective in giving you advance warning of radar.

There is a big difference between police radar and laser. The laser guns transmit a beam of infrared light that is only about 18 inches wide at 500 feet. This narrow light beam needs to be aimed by the officer directly at a reflective area on your vehicle, such as your headlights. So, unless your detector is within this 18" circle, or if it happens to pick up some minor scatter from the beam, your detector will never alert. Generally, when it does detect laser, it is too late as the officer has already clocked your speed.