Radar detectors

[doktorek]

True, V1 is no longer a top dog. Its a good unit but I went with a BEL from research 3 years ago. I dont know who has the top unit now. I have to go back to my bookmarks.

 

[KMeloney]

True, V1 is no longer a top dog. Its a good unit but I went with a BEL from research 3 years ago. I dont know who has the top unit now. I have to go back to my bookmarks.

The V-1 is a "good" unit? Have you owned one? They're outstanding. And once you've had the directional arrows, there's no going back to not having them.

 

[09tahoehybrid]

The V-1 is a "good" unit? Have you owned one? They're outstanding. And once you've had the directional arrows, there's no going back to not having them.

I have owned a V1 and was thoroughly disappointed. Unless your commute is all highway, the V1 gives way too many false alarms. The directional arrows are useless if they are pointing you towards the nearest Walmarts auto door opener.

Currently running a Beltronics 9500ix, very few false alarms, red light cam & speed trap warning, plus the ability to block out false alerts via GPS.

 

[doktorek]

Yes, I had one for years before I got BEL or BELTRONICS 3 years ago. 3 years ago there was a study where BEL came on top of V1. So I decided to change to newer technology. I dont know how they stand now. I cant find those comparison links. V1 used to lack in something - I dont remember what it was - I think it lacked some new radar detectors technology from what I remember.

 

[KMeloney]

I have owned a V1 and was thoroughly disappointed. Unless your commute is all highway, the V1 gives way too many false alarms. The directional arrows are useless if they are pointing you towards the nearest Walmarts auto door opener.

Currently running a Beltronics 9500ix, very few false alarms, red light cam & speed trap warning, plus the ability to block out false alerts via GPS.

They don't use radar "in town" around here. Only timing traps, and no radar detector will help you there. I also don't need red light camera warnings -- I'd assume that an actual officer would nail me if I were to blow a red light. Incidentally, I don't blow red lights. So, yeah, I just need the detector to work well on the highway...

 

[09tahoehybrid]

They don't use radar "in town" around here. Only timing traps, and no radar detector will help you there. I also don't need red light camera warnings -- I'd assume that an actual officer would nail me if I were to blow a red light. Incidentally, I don't blow red lights. So, yeah, I just need the detector to work well on the highway...

I'm glad you are enjoying the V1 more than I did; but for my needs, the more advanced, GPS equipped 9500ix is the clear winner.

 

[doktorek]

Im wondering if that red camera warning works. We have a ton of those in my town - that would be so cool to have. How the heck did they figure that out?

 

[stevek]

V1, all the way. Almost 6 years driving, 6 years of no ticket. I've been pretty dumb in a variety of trucks/cars so I'd definitely say it works. Just be smart about it and you won't have a problem.

 

[09tahoehybrid]

It definitely works... Its a database the detector has in it that has all the gps coordinates of known red light cams. The detector database can be updated by syncing it with the beltronics website. You can also create your own gps "points of interest"..

I just realized I have been saying beltronics ....I mean ****** 9500ix. Same parent company, but still a mistake on my part.

 

[doktorek]

Stevek - your unit maybe out of date. Since 6 years ago - 2 new radar technologies came out. I dont have details on it. Does V1 let you update their detectors?

 

[gnarpow]

V1 constantly updates their firmware. I'm not a V1 guy either, I currently have a ****** 8500 but will never buy an ****** product again. I love the idea of GPS on the 9500 series to lock out false alerts, but poor ****** product quality and even worse customer support will keep me from ever purchasing one.

I currently rarely use mine, due mostly to the fact that it has lost its calibration for the second time on nearly all bands. Most of my driving is currently in town, so it doesn't bother me much not having in. When I go back to driving more highway/ interstate I will be upgrading to the V1

 

[KMeloney]

Does V1 let you update their detectors?

Yes. You can enter your serial number on the site and see if there are upgrades available.

 

[ajaxnxs]

You can update the v1 on the web. I have never had an issue with false alarms wig my unit.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using Tapatalk

 

[Kman]

The CHP and freeway cops in the states next door to CA use Ka and Laser so I have only those two bands turned on. I also have setting 5 "down" on my V1 to make Ka more sensitive.

Love it.

 

[stevek]

Stevek - your unit maybe out of date. Since 6 years ago - 2 new radar technologies came out. I dont have details on it. Does V1 let you update their detectors?

Long story short, I got one in 06, Tahoe got totaled in 08 so I got a new one from insurance money in 08, and I updated it I think a year ago. It's just a reprogram and occasionally have a hardware upgrade. Instead of needing to buy a new $400+ radar detector, it's costs much less to upgrade depending on the version you have versus the current one. My family swears by the V1, everybody has one in every car. We're all ticket free. I often go 10-15 over depending where I am, time of day, and how many other people are on the road.

People say they get a lot of false alarms, then they haven't gone into advanced programming and changed their settings beyond the basic filtering settings. Also, I'd rather have more false signals than missing a real one.

 

[KMeloney]

All this talk got me to check to see if there's an upgrade available to my V1, and there is. There are two stretches of road I travel somewhat regularly where they hit the whole stretch of roadway with traffic-monitoring radar. What that does is make your detector go off steadily for the whole stretch of road. Sure, the V1 tells me if there are ADDITIONAL signals hitting, but it's annoying to have this traffic nonsense interfere. Turns out that the latest update takes care of this (as well as updates a couple other things). Very cool!

Mine is actually in need of two board replacements. I sent it off to Ohio today.

I think this is the second (maybe third?) update I'll be putting it through. Gotta love the "expandability."

 

[gnarpow]

All this talk got me to check to see if there's an upgrade available to my V1, and there is. There are two stretches of road I travel somewhat regularly where they hit the whole stretch of roadway with traffic-monitoring radar. What that does is make your detector go off steadily for the whole stretch of road. Sure, the V1 tells me if there are ADDITIONAL signals hitting, but it's annoying to have this traffic nonsense interfere. Turns out that the latest update takes care of this (as well as updates a couple other things). Very cool!

Mine is actually in need of two board replacements. I sent it off to Ohio today.

I think this is the second (maybe third?) update I'll be putting it through. Gotta love the "expandability."

Whats the cost for the update with Valentine? ****** wants around $90 just to recalibrate my old 8500. It's the number 1 reason I will never purchase another detector from them.

 

[KMeloney]

This update is a biggie, since they're not just flashing it, they're replacing two boards in it. So, I think this was $189. Not cheap. But, I'm able to justify it.

 

[gnarpow]

Sure beats ****** charging $90 for no update but just getting it to work again.
I see a V1 in my future.

 

[KMeloney]

Sure beats ****** charging $90 for no update but just getting it to work again.
I see a V1 in my future.

Oh, I see what you're saying -- that was $$ just to get it to WORK again? Yipes. Not good.

I seem to remember the software-only upgrades costing nothing or some nominal amount. And, it's been a while, so I thought I'd go for this (costly) update...

Yeah, I'd highly recommend getting a V1 and calling it a day. You probably already know this, but Mike Valentine was the head engineer at ****** before going off on his own. So, I believe that the V1 flat-out works.