schwartzwest

Well for what it's worth... I have a V1 in my M5 and love it so much, bought one for my Porsche. I have been very very happy with it. The V1 has been very good to me- bailing me out more than once! It's directional arrows are beneficial. I believe the K40 works on a similar principle- two antennae which essentially work to identify the sources position- front hit (in front) a rear hit (behind) and both hit (to the side). The source count has also helped me by making me aware of an additional source (cop) in a location where I normally get a reading off of some security motion sensor or something. I'm not sure if the K40 has this feature.

I think a lot of what has been said here (ignoring the political comments) has some truth: Yes, nothing short of active counter-measures will help against laser or instant on. Yes, little will help if you are alone on the road and get tagged. Yes it is better than nothing. Yes, you should always drive intelligently and slow down appropriately depending on road conditions, weather and visibility. Yes, we are all trying to avoid getting caught breaking the law.

FWIW, (I know this is off-topic, but) the placement of the V1 in my M5, especially when mated with my StealthOne just could not be any sweeter! The V1 is installed in my headliner above an easily removable panel where my sunroof and light switches are (totally invisible) and all information (radar band, # of sources, location) is displayed immediately below the tach on speedo on the BMW information display in the instrument cluster!!!!!!!!!!!! 100% cool! Always on and never has to be removed. Yes, I know I give up laser (no line of sight) and possibly some reduced detection due to potential metal shielding (roof) of the antennae, but in practice this has not been a problem for me and like I said it i way cool. I can also configure the output to auto-mute at a user configurable speed (so in city driving at 50 km/h it isn't going off constantly). If only they made a unit like it for the Porsche...

Chris C.

I should clarify that my 5+ hour test side-by-side of my K40 laser diffuser and radar detector versus my V1 in my daily driver showed on several occasions where the K40 NEVER detected the speed trap but the V1 in my wife's car did (and thus I slowed). This is a real world result, not simulation or theory.

On the laser diffuser functionality of the K40, I got hit directly on the front bumper by a motorcycle cop with laser - directly above the diffuser installed professionally. Did quite literally *nothing* as he clocked me at full speed - (he did let me off with a warning!)

I've never gotten a ticket with the V-1 in 20 years, with responsible driving. It even gave me enough time on a laser trap recently to slow to the limit from 5-7 over

Please draw you own conclusions, I can't answer as to why others get tickets - there ar far too many variables. I can tell you I wanted the K40 to succeed, as I liked the built-in design and found the front//rear audible indicator was decent (if not arrows). I found the inability to stop the "clicking" on long encounters was a real shortcoming, and it just wasn't nearly as useful or sensitive a detector. Plus, for those who travel - it is actually nice to relocate the V1 into a rental or loaner car - too many states hungry for revenue are loading their freeways with revenue collectors wearing badges.

Chris

sandwedge

Sums it up. You'll get as many opinions on this as there are operators of various brands of detectors. I had a V1 that couldn't do anything right. Blared and flashed no end approaching Walgreens and CVS's but slept right through a KA trap that ended up with a 15 over ticket. Sent it back for calibration and whatever else they do but it still didn't seem right. Sold it to a buddy for $150 with full disclosure and bought a Beltronics RX65 instead.

Not one ticket in 4 years but dozens and dozens of what seem like at least 1 1/2 mile advance warnings. That's what it's all about imo. Timely alert. Arrows pointing to where the signal is coming from is helpful in what way? Isn't the alert itself a better reference since it indicates whether you're in range or not regardless of direction?

alexb76

I think most better radar detectors do a fine job, Escort 8500/9500, Valentine, Beltronics, etc... they will detect all radar bands with various levels of success, ALL will fail when a Laser is pointed at you as you won't have time to slow down.

I guess the better question is, WHICH LASER JAMMER is EASIER to install on our cars?

Escort ZR4, K40, Blinder M27, Cheetah?

http://www.1stradardetectors.com/Las...mers/index.php

medtech

As I've stated before, I like my 9500ix.

I can't stand false alarms, and for that reason alone the V1 would never be an option for me.

The directional arrows in the V1 are an interesting gimmick. The 9500 does give directional arrows when pointing out red light cameras and speed traps, but not during regular radar alerts. Personally I don't feel that I need it.

IMO the perks of the 9500 are; few if any false alarms, it talks (so I don't even need to see the display), red light database, gps, it displays my current speed at the moment it detects a signal.

So far no tickets since I bought the unit.

At the end of the day, it's just a tool. Depends on what your preferences are, and how you use it.

limey940

same for me, i just tood advanatge of escorts offer to upgared my 9500i with the database and self learning feature that blocks out false alarms,


I can't stand false alarms, and for that reason alone the V1 would never be an option for me.

The directional arrows in the V1 are an interesting gimmick. The 9500 does give directional arrows when pointing out red light cameras and speed traps, but not during regular radar alerts. Personally I don't feel that I need it.

IMO the perks of the 9500 are; few if any false alarms, it talks (so I don't even need to see the display), red light database, gps, it displays my current speed at the moment it detects a signal.

So far no tickets since I bought the unit.

At the end of the day, it's just a tool. Depends on what your preferences are, and how you use it.[/QUOTE]

Charlie C

The arrows are anything but a gimmick. The reason the 9500 gives directional arrows but not regular radar alerts is that they are not allowed. I believe the arrow feature is a patented idea.

I would never say my two V-1's are perfect, but I stopped using my older passports and solo units once I saw how effective the arrows were and how only having a "beep" was not enough information.

Comparing the V-1 with the Arrows to a radar detector with just beeps is like the difference between a temperature gauge and an idiot light. I'm sure there are other detectors with some cool gimmicky features but driving with the arrows adds situational awareness that I find invaluable.

Edgy01

What he just said. SA is critical this day in age.

Mike in CA

Gotta agree.

PHDX2

Me too---I find the arrows to be extremely helpful.

schwartzwest

I couldn't agree more.

sandwedge

How? What do the arrows help you to do that you wouldn't be able to do without them? I'm not arguing. I'm genuinely curious.

schwartzwest

1 Example:

I'm driving along and my V1 goes off- 1 radar source, to the side, I slow down, and it keeps going off- 1 source to the side. Keep driving for a bit- same. Non-divided highway with only trees on either side of the road's shoulders. Can't be to the left because after a few kms anything on that side close enough to set off the side arrows would have been way behind me. So it must be moving with me, somewhere close enough that it is registering a side hit, and likely with a weak enough signal that it is not ahead of me firing behind (or my front arrow would havelit up) or behind firing ahead (or my rear arrow would have). I keep driving cautiously checking out the cars in close proximity to me. Sure enough I spot him- a car with a cheap (poorly shielded) radar detector setting off my V1 and pacing me. Away I go...

PHDX2

Nice example!

medtech

Huh? That story makes absolutely no sense.
A radar detector is nothing more than an antenna from what I understand. It is a receiving unit only. How could another detector set off your V1? And do you consider that a benefit or a design flaw?