Passport vs. V1
10-02-2009, 06:18 PM
#46
I was a RF engineer for 14 years and I tested the V1 against the others including the K40 hardwired into my first car. When I had questions it was easy to email Mike Valentine (Rennlist member) and get some answers. Its easy to upgrade. I believe everyone else gets you for a new one. Situational Awareness is so very important and the V1 does that best. It also had the best ranges and several times so far its detected stuff over hills. The only thing that would work better as CarreraGT says is a ALR 67 Radar warning system off a military jet. The V1 does not do false positives. As someone else said it reports what it sees.
Mine reports supermarkets in K band, airport radars in X band. It reports CHPs as Ka band and I have picked up Laser a couple times when the trooper was shooting down range and I picked up a photon or two.
With antenna gain being the way it is I think the V1 size can stay where it is. As dectectors get smaller so do the antennas and their gain. I dont know much about phased arrays and how small they can get.
So there is a chance you are hurting your range by making the receiving antennas smaller.
V1 has very good customer service but I was disappointed in not getting new suction cups when I sent it in.
My testing was 4 years ago and I dont remember what escort and passport models I borrowed.
Mine reports supermarkets in K band, airport radars in X band. It reports CHPs as Ka band and I have picked up Laser a couple times when the trooper was shooting down range and I picked up a photon or two.
With antenna gain being the way it is I think the V1 size can stay where it is. As dectectors get smaller so do the antennas and their gain. I dont know much about phased arrays and how small they can get.
So there is a chance you are hurting your range by making the receiving antennas smaller.
V1 has very good customer service but I was disappointed in not getting new suction cups when I sent it in.
My testing was 4 years ago and I dont remember what escort and passport models I borrowed.
I have a unit in a weathertight container on the Roof of my Cayenne (which has the pesky metal-film glass) which is good for radar range, but too far out of line for laser.
I tape a second unit on the a/c on the roof of the trailer so I get rear-facing coverage when I'm towing. Which reminds me, I had trouble when the phone line was longer than about 25'. I just put the V1 in a clear plastic container from some product packaging and it seems to pick up radar unimpaired. I had it in a clear plastic box and it masked the radar, so you have to check.
10-03-2009, 01:30 AM
#47
Rennlist Member
"If the signal keeps getting stronger, then it's in front."
Spoken from a true lack of situational awareness position. I've personally seen many times where an LEO was behind me traveling fast running constant K or Ka. With the V1, I always knew where he was and that he was closing. (positive V sub c)
"x-band", I look to the side, see a strip mall, and I know where it's coming from."
How do you know the small city cop down the road is not the real source?
Some people just don't know, what they don't know. This would be another clear example of a lack of SA.
Spoken from a true lack of situational awareness position. I've personally seen many times where an LEO was behind me traveling fast running constant K or Ka. With the V1, I always knew where he was and that he was closing. (positive V sub c)
"x-band", I look to the side, see a strip mall, and I know where it's coming from."
How do you know the small city cop down the road is not the real source?
Some people just don't know, what they don't know. This would be another clear example of a lack of SA.
10-03-2009, 01:55 AM
#48
"If the signal keeps getting stronger, then it's in front."
Spoken from a true lack of situational awareness position. I've personally seen many times where an LEO was behind me traveling fast running constant K or Ka. With the V1, I always knew where he was and that he was closing. (positive V sub c)
"x-band", I look to the side, see a strip mall, and I know where it's coming from."
How do you know the small city cop down the road is not the real source?
Some people just don't know, what they don't know. This would be another clear example of a lack of SA.
Spoken from a true lack of situational awareness position. I've personally seen many times where an LEO was behind me traveling fast running constant K or Ka. With the V1, I always knew where he was and that he was closing. (positive V sub c)
"x-band", I look to the side, see a strip mall, and I know where it's coming from."
How do you know the small city cop down the road is not the real source?
Some people just don't know, what they don't know. This would be another clear example of a lack of SA.
I drive I80 every weekend during ski season. It's quite common to find yourself a mile or two in front or behind a radar source that just blips along. If it's get stronger in front, chances are someone got caught and the cop is on the shoulder pulling them over. If it gets stronger from behind, it's usually as the traffic thins out and the cop starts to gain on you -- then it's time to blend in and let him pass without drawing attention to yourself.
I think the real challenge in the near future is the sudden interest in revenues to the state. A motorcycle cop with a laser is a helluva cash cow. The notoriously predatory speed traps around the Bay Area could multiply to the point that speeding or "borrowing" the commute lane might be impracticable.
10-03-2009, 02:39 AM
#49
Rennlist Member
"How much time are you willing to spend analyzing the bips and blips, especially if there's more than one source?"
I'm probably not the guy to ask that question. I flew F-14s in the Navy so I am very aware of and attentive to the alerts I get. I keep the V1 remote on the steering wheel stalk so it is in my field of view while driving and also had the LEDs for band identification changed to Red for Ka, Yellow for K. That allows for quick visual ID, especially at night or top down driving. For the laser threat I have 3-front and 1-rear Laser Interceptors. (Not a legal option for you in Ca.-Sorry, that sucks) No doubt this is a serious carry over from my previous world where a lack of SA, or attention to RHAW gear got you killed very quickly.
I'm probably not the guy to ask that question. I flew F-14s in the Navy so I am very aware of and attentive to the alerts I get. I keep the V1 remote on the steering wheel stalk so it is in my field of view while driving and also had the LEDs for band identification changed to Red for Ka, Yellow for K. That allows for quick visual ID, especially at night or top down driving. For the laser threat I have 3-front and 1-rear Laser Interceptors. (Not a legal option for you in Ca.-Sorry, that sucks) No doubt this is a serious carry over from my previous world where a lack of SA, or attention to RHAW gear got you killed very quickly.
10-03-2009, 04:42 AM
#50
"How much time are you willing to spend analyzing the bips and blips, especially if there's more than one source?"
I'm probably not the guy to ask that question. I flew F-14s in the Navy so I am very aware of and attentive to the alerts I get. I keep the V1 remote on the steering wheel stalk so it is in my field of view while driving and also had the LEDs for band identification changed to Red for Ka, Yellow for K. That allows for quick visual ID, especially at night or top down driving. For the laser threat I have 3-front and 1-rear Laser Interceptors. (Not a legal option for you in Ca.-Sorry, that sucks) No doubt this is a serious carry over from my previous world where a lack of SA, or attention to RHAW gear got you killed very quickly.
I'm probably not the guy to ask that question. I flew F-14s in the Navy so I am very aware of and attentive to the alerts I get. I keep the V1 remote on the steering wheel stalk so it is in my field of view while driving and also had the LEDs for band identification changed to Red for Ka, Yellow for K. That allows for quick visual ID, especially at night or top down driving. For the laser threat I have 3-front and 1-rear Laser Interceptors. (Not a legal option for you in Ca.-Sorry, that sucks) No doubt this is a serious carry over from my previous world where a lack of SA, or attention to RHAW gear got you killed very quickly.
I think Valentine leaves a LOT of money on the table from customers willing to spend a lot more on not getting points on their license. And your example of laser scramblers, etc., shows that the budget is not limited to something hanging from suction cups.
10-03-2009, 06:39 AM
#51
Intermediate
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I'd (still) vote V1. I have several in several cars. A long drive on I80 recently and it saved me TWICE from laser. I guess laser is happening more now. I don't recall getting hit by laser in ages (it's always just falses from cruise controls or bright digital billboards.) I still wonder if perhaps I didn't get the laser signal until the cop gave up on me, but each time I was right on 10 mph over the 65 limit and I was a comfortable 100-200 feet behind a car in front. Between the speedometer error and the "allowance" of the cop, perhaps a new 911 wasn't enough of a bait and he was wanting people well over the limit (10 over is usually a pass in CA.)...
IMV, a detector is practically useless, unless the you find the "signals" entertaining. To me, they're a distraction.
10-03-2009, 07:24 AM
#52
Rennlist Member
Yes, what "saved" you twice was the fact you that you were only going 10mph over the limit, not the V1. I have driven on an Interstate in just about every state in the Union at one time or another, and I've NEVER been stopped for going 10mph over the posted limit. Hell, I've PASSED cops while going 10-15 mph over the limit! Driving is about being safe (to yourself and others) and being smart about the roads you drive - basically being aware.
IMV, a detector is practically useless, unless the you find the "signals" entertaining. To me, they're a distraction.
IMV, a detector is practically useless, unless the you find the "signals" entertaining. To me, they're a distraction.
10-03-2009, 01:07 PM
#53
Three Wheelin'
Depends on where you drive. In rural GA, off the interstate, I think its a good idea to have a detector. There's little traffic, huge variations in speed limits for the same type roads, and what is safe vs legal does not correlate well. I got two tickets last year in my 550i on those roads - both times I was plenty safe - maybe doing 60, but in an unexpected "45" and 50 in a "35".
As one guy mentioned, I'm not trying to do "cannonball run", just want a leg up for areas that can catch people off guard.
I do have to agree that otherwise a detector is mostly annoying either with falses or warnings when I am already not doing anything wrong. If they had GPS and speed limit data and compared that with current speed/location and only warned when you were over, that would be very cool and eliminate a huge number of needless warnings.
As far as which brand, it is pretty easily to see which are among the top and then weigh features vs marketing and propaganda and "kool-aid". As with most products available today, there is no monopoly on a clear winner - all have +/-s if we're being realistic and objective.
As one guy mentioned, I'm not trying to do "cannonball run", just want a leg up for areas that can catch people off guard.
I do have to agree that otherwise a detector is mostly annoying either with falses or warnings when I am already not doing anything wrong. If they had GPS and speed limit data and compared that with current speed/location and only warned when you were over, that would be very cool and eliminate a huge number of needless warnings.
As far as which brand, it is pretty easily to see which are among the top and then weigh features vs marketing and propaganda and "kool-aid". As with most products available today, there is no monopoly on a clear winner - all have +/-s if we're being realistic and objective.
10-03-2009, 01:19 PM
#54
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I have the 9500 and it has saved me numerous times. Motorcycle cop on an overpass with Laser last weekend firing down on cars below with backup cops hidden behind the overpass that he would radio down to after his aim/fire sequence shot a victim. Somehow I got a slight laser read about two seconds before he chose me for the aim/fire sequence which made the detector light up like a christmas tree. I managed to slow down about 15mps? before getting hit, which saved me. Needless to say I was relieved and drove away with only an elevated heart rate vs a nice ticket. Pretty odd feeling to look up and see him looking down the barrel of the gun at me..... the GPS on the 9500 captured the mph right as I was hit so I knew I was right on the edge of the ticket/no ticket threshold.
10-03-2009, 04:12 PM
#55
Rennlist Member
"I do have to agree that otherwise a detector is mostly annoying either with falses or warnings when I am already not doing anything wrong. If they had GPS and speed limit data and compared that with current speed/location and only warned when you were over, that would be very cool and eliminate a huge number of needless warnings."
It's also nice to know when the coast is clear for when you are about to do something wrong like: not coming to a complete stop at a stop sign, accelerating to make the yellow, or showing off the acceleration you now have with that new mod, 0-55 MPH in a 55 MPH zone
Certainly detectors beep and could be considered a distraction however I would like to know where a cop is even if I am not speeding at that particular time. Having the detector detecting may help identify one I would not have seen otherwise.
To each his own on this one.
It's also nice to know when the coast is clear for when you are about to do something wrong like: not coming to a complete stop at a stop sign, accelerating to make the yellow, or showing off the acceleration you now have with that new mod, 0-55 MPH in a 55 MPH zone
Certainly detectors beep and could be considered a distraction however I would like to know where a cop is even if I am not speeding at that particular time. Having the detector detecting may help identify one I would not have seen otherwise.
To each his own on this one.
10-03-2009, 05:16 PM
#56
Three Wheelin'
It's also nice to know when the coast is clear for when you are about to do something wrong like: not coming to a complete stop at a stop sign, accelerating to make the yellow, or showing off the acceleration you now have with that new mod, 0-55 MPH in a 55 MPH zone
And for hitting the "pink" lights, that's mostly handled by cameras here - knowing where the cops are won't help as there are none usually. There must have been some "money" funding these in GA, because a few months ago I was down in the relatively small town of Thomasville and I was getting Red Light Camera warnings at almost every light. I expect it in ATL, but in more rural areas, kind of a surprise.
10-05-2009, 01:15 PM
#59
"If the signal keeps getting stronger, then it's in front."
Spoken from a true lack of situational awareness position. I've personally seen many times where an LEO was behind me traveling fast running constant K or Ka. With the V1, I always knew where he was and that he was closing. (positive V sub c)
"x-band", I look to the side, see a strip mall, and I know where it's coming from."
How do you know the small city cop down the road is not the real source?
Some people just don't know, what they don't know. This would be another clear example of a lack of SA.
Spoken from a true lack of situational awareness position. I've personally seen many times where an LEO was behind me traveling fast running constant K or Ka. With the V1, I always knew where he was and that he was closing. (positive V sub c)
"x-band", I look to the side, see a strip mall, and I know where it's coming from."
How do you know the small city cop down the road is not the real source?
Some people just don't know, what they don't know. This would be another clear example of a lack of SA.
Last time I checked the CHP doesn't have Stinger missiles and my P-car doesn't have flares or chaff.
I use common sense. If I get an alert, I slow down. Then I have all the time in the world to find the threat, or not. Really doesn't matter, since I'm no longer speeding.
Last edited by medtech; 10-06-2009 at 02:06 PM. Reason: spelling
10-05-2009, 09:48 PM
#60
Rennlist Member
SA= Situational Awareness.
Feel free to slow down when you get an alert but realize over half the time that is really not needed and a waste of energy. Up to you though. I would not call that common sense however, more like a reactionary response. Common sense would be more like finding the best available detector, learning all its capabilities and then utilizing them.
BTW- The stinger is an IR missile and unaffected by Chaff.
Feel free to slow down when you get an alert but realize over half the time that is really not needed and a waste of energy. Up to you though. I would not call that common sense however, more like a reactionary response. Common sense would be more like finding the best available detector, learning all its capabilities and then utilizing them.
BTW- The stinger is an IR missile and unaffected by Chaff.