[Whateva]

Just bumped my JB+ up 75% and enjoying that. Going across the 105 east this morning around 90 something because the JB+ thinks that's 60mph. Coming around a bend where you wouldn't see the CHP officer until it's too late, but not for me. Glad I got the Valentine 1 radar detector with the JB mod. Ka band goes off around a 1000 feet before the bend just enough time for me to click the paddle shifters and the brakes to get into the 60 mph range. Seconds later full strength ka band, and there he is literally hanging out the window with his speed gun. Heart raced and I thought, not today CHP guys, not today!

Watched my rear view mirror, no tailing. Good to go. Another $1000 dollars saved, points on license and insurance increases avoided.

The moral of the story the JB+ could give 2 donkey shi!$ about you getting tickets, but your radar detector changes that playing field. I normally have the waze app running in parallel, but forgot to launch it. The V1 engages automatically when I start the car aka fail safe.

It's said that if you upgrade your ponies you should upgrade your brakes. No one really preaches the third element which is situational awareness. Either use waze app (which kinda works) or getting a high end radar/laser detector or both.

P.S. This is the fourth save with my V1. I have the X and k band off so I know when $hit is about to get real and isn't annoying. If I go on a long road trip I'll turn everything back on. From my personal experience CHP only uses Ka band.

[WRichieX]

I've had my V1 for almost 7 years and can't even count the times it's saved me. I get nervous when I drive a friends car without a radar. lol.

[BOOSTHOT]

I was very close to buying a v1 but didn't because I remembered every time I've been caught by the chp (3) they've used Lidar or laser. I was discouraged from buying the v1 because it can't warn you about upcoming laser signals, it only alerts you when it's too late. So what's the point if all the cops in my area are using lasers?

[Spectre]

+1

I love my V1. It has already paid for itself 20x over. Best $400 investment I've ever made. Can't convince people enough to go out and get one if they dont!

[mythek]

i love my beltronics pro500 (99% identical to passport 9500ix). The first week of ownership saved me at least 3 tickets. And it's been almost a year of ownership so I've lost counts now.

a reliable radar detector is now the first must-have mod you can add to your car.

[KeepRightPassLeft]

Originally Posted by BOOSTHOT

I was very close to buying a v1 but didn't because I remembered every time I've been caught by the chp (3) they've used Lidar or laser. I was discouraged from buying the v1 because it can't warn you about upcoming laser signals, it only alerts you when it's too late. So what's the point if all the cops in my area are using lasers?

If they are using LIDAR in your area look into the AntiLaser Priority. It will defend you from getting a laser ticket.

[TrAcK TRaP]

removed it from the car for a while thats because when I have it installed I drive insanely fast on highways and tired of trusting it and speeding..

[Whateva]

Originally Posted by N54CherryHill

removed it from the car for a while thats because when I have it installed I drive insanely fast on highways and tired of trusting it and speeding..

I got tired of all the false alarms. I have turned of the X and K band front and rear, and its been spot on with the CHP's Ka band. 4 saves so far!

So when it goes off its the real-deal and immediately apply the brakes! Who cares if the guy/gal behind gets pissed on a brake check he/she will thank you in a few seconds or let him/her fall into the trap.

[e90sood]

Is v1 still much better then passport max or 9500?

[AzureHaze]

Originally Posted by e90sood

Is v1 still much better then passport max or 9500?

They both have their advantages and disadvantages but you can't go wrong with either one. The V1 seems to be more popular with the car enthusiasts though.

[NoTempoLimitN54]

+1 for V1. Only time I ever got busted with it, CHP was tailing me and never turned his radar on. He may have seen the V1's red LED's through my rear window and known to maintain radio silence. That one was my fault - it was Labor Day, four years ago, and of course they are busy looking for drunks (where they make their money). Some drunks drive slow but some drive fast.

I now have my V1 integrated into my car so that I put the V1 on the visor in "stealth mode" and the display is in my ashtray, with all cables hidden. Was a bitch to install but works GREAT.

My last good V1 save was coming back from Vegas early morning on a Thursday. My Ka warning lights up coming from the rear. I move to the right lane, slow down and wait. At least a full minute later here comes a pickup truck I passed miles ago in the left lane with the lit-up CHP right behind him. That could have been me.

From what I've read, CHP uses only Ka. LIDAR seems to be a short range ambush weapon only. Used mostly by local cops hiding in driveways (like the cop I used to see literally hiding in people's driveways on Laurel Canyon Blvd. South of Mulholland).

[Whateva]

Originally Posted by NoTempoLimitN54

+1 for V1. Only time I ever got busted with it, CHP was tailing me and never turned his radar on. He may have seen the V1's red LED's through my rear window and known to maintain radio silence. That one was my fault - it was Labor Day, four years ago, and of course they are busy looking for drunks (where they make their money). Some drunks drive slow but some drive fast.

I now have my V1 integrated into my car so that I put the V1 on the visor in "stealth mode" and the display is in my ashtray, with all cables hidden. Was a bitch to install but works GREAT.

My last good V1 save was coming back from Vegas early morning on a Thursday. My Ka warning lights up coming from the rear. I move to the right lane, slow down and wait. At least a full minute later here comes a pickup truck I passed miles ago in the left lane with the lit-up CHP right behind him. That could have been me.

From what I've read, CHP uses only Ka. LIDAR seems to be a short range ambush weapon only. Used mostly by local cops hiding in driveways (like the cop I used to see literally hiding in people's driveways on Laurel Canyon Blvd. South of Mulholland).

Yeah CHP mainly use Ka. I have been marked by laser coming back from Vegas but for some reason my Ka band went off so I slowed down and there he was on a bend with laser. I was doing he limit so I didn't get snagged. Thought it was strange he had on both ka band and laser. 6 avoidances so far!

I always worry about the popo tailgaters. Got to watch those under passes when heading to or leaving vegas.

What did the cop say about your detector?

[Sick335]

I don't know how to drive without my V1. I just take the bus when my car is down(got my V1 hard wired into the car).

[NoTempoLimitN54]

Originally Posted by Whateva

What did the cop say about your detector?

He never said anything. I don't think he saw it... at least not during the stop. Since it's mounted so high up on the visor with no suction cup, it's not really visible to someone standing outside the car looking through the window. It's possible he never saw it through the back window either. I'll never know.

The impression I get here in SoCal is that the PoPo is always looking for DUI's. Once they are convinced you're not intoxicated, they either write up a ticket for something else and don't really hassle you much, or just let you go. You have twice the chance of getting busted for speeding during any holiday where people usually drink (all the 3-day weekends, 4th of July, Thanksgiving and NYE).

The key thing is: Pull over like a cop would. Acknowledge their lights on with a hand outside the window, signal right, pull over in a safe place (for him), roll down your windows and put hands on the wheel. Look straight at the cop like you have nothing to hide. If you can lower the cops sphincter lever a few notches it really helps.

Sometimes if you're driving late at night, LAPD will come up with lame excuses to pull you over. Happened to me once in my E39. He claimed my xenons were too bright and my LED halo rings too blue, no front plate, etc. Once all my stuff (license insurance no priors, etc.) checked out he let me go. Needs to write something in the logbook for that block of time.

BTW, the LA - Vegas run is no fun anymore. I call it "MiG Alley". Ridiculous amount of enforcement.

[lukasbmw]

If baby jesus drove a car, he'd rock a V1.

[KwlAznKid]

how do u turn k and x off?!

[Conti.]

Is that the little l or the bigL with both off. I always forgot and have recently left it on A all the time but do notice it goes off more than I'd like for stores and such that I pass

[Whateva]

Originally Posted by KwlAznKid

how do u turn k and x off?!

Arrow 1, 2 and G pointed down. That is a great setting for metropolitan areas.

http://www.valentine1.com/Lab/techreport3.asp

[KwlAznKid]

Originally Posted by Whateva

Arrow 1, 2 and G pointed down. That is a great setting for metropolitan areas.

http://www.valentine1.com/Lab/techreport3.asp

thanks!

[Whateva]

Originally Posted by KwlAznKid

thanks!

Hope you're not desensitized by all the beeping. Just know now as soon as you hear it go off mash those brakes and downshift. When you hear it now it's the real deal!

[Sick335]

Originally Posted by Whateva

Hope you're not desensitized by all the beeping. Just know now as soon as you hear it go off mash those brakes and downshift. When you hear it now it's the real deal!

I did this too. Can confirm, mash brakes hard!