or maybe they are using the instant on feature. they think you are speeding, they follow you, and suddenly turn on the radar. you are done....

that's why even with the radar, you still have to be careful and look around to see what's around you.

 

Not sure on what you consider one too many false alarms or if the V1 has that issue. But I always turn mine one whereever I drive and from time to time I will get false signals. Although not all are false just because you don't see the cop. Sometimes they are under the underpass or down a sidestreet where you can't see them. I used to have a Bel Vector for years and the instructions state that you should get used to it and drive with it regularly. Even just going to the grocery store. This way you know the buildings, etc. that create false readings and really get to know how your RD works in various situations. My Passport 8500 (I believe mine has the X50 upgrade) does get a few false signals here and there, I would still rather have a false signal rather than not get warned at all.

On the RD not going off when you pass a cop just means that the cop doesn't have his radar on so there is nothing to pick up. And with the new "instant on" technology some of my cops friends say that no matter what detector you have, that it really doesn't help if the cops is standing on the side of the road and waits until you are right upon him to turn it on and aim it at you. Although he stated that because of the cost, only a few actually have the latest technology for instant on, so not all cops have this. Does any of the V1 guys know if this is an issue with the V1?. Anyone been caught with instant on?

Also just one last comment, I obtained my Passport for $250 (2nd hand, but basically new from another member here), half the price of the $500 V1 listed above by someone. I don't doubt the V1 is better based on the great reviews it is getting, but I just didn't see spending another $250.

 

V1 is $399- person above was incorrect. I'd pay the extra $$ in a heartbeat and have four times in fact - one for each of the three cars and once to replace one that was stolen from the LS at the airport.

 

A few years back, it was sometimes possible to beat the "instant on" guns, since they are programmed to ignore a speed that is changing too rapidly to represent a "real" car. The gun could take as long as 1.5 - 2 seconds to obtain a locked reading which it would then display for the officer's benefit, the locale's financial aggrandizement, and to the detriment of both your wallet load and your license. If your reaction time was quick enough, you could stomp the brakes hard, producing a deceleration rapid enough to prevent lock. (Of course, the policeman could see the nose dive, but without a speed reading they rarely pulled out - unless you didn't have ABS, locked up, and produced a large amount of smoke - this tended to attract their attention a bit more, to say the least.)

That was then; this is now.

Current instant on guns produce a lock in less than 0.5 secs which is not enough time to utilize that strategy any longer. Ideally, one is running with enough traffic to produce early warnings as the revenue agent (I mean, police officer) samples vehicles ahead. But the most important feature of any RD is still the operator.............................let's pay attention out there.

(This subject has been done a number of times. It seems the Passport guys are significantly outnumbered in this thread. It's a very good RD. But once you've lived with the arrows, there's no going back!!! V1: Long Live The King!!)

 

ok so looking at valentines website there is nothing to mount in the front and rear of the car ??

 

very interesting info there! yes, instant on is definitely hard to "fight" with, but i will not give up to those people

 

What do you mean? In addition to the V1 unit? Everything is built in. There are a few accessories like the remote display but all you need is in the unit. It is not like the K1 where there are external sensors.

 

From what I gather from a few car forums, there is currently a flux in speed detection from radar to laser. If this trend is actually true and not just a statistical blip, then most current radar detectors will be obsolete in the near future.

Also be careful of those detectors that say they can detect laser. The problem in detecting laser is that it has a low scatter field. So if a police officer hits a car in front of you, you are unlikely to detect it. And if your detector does detect it, it means the cop has hit you and if you are speeding, it's too late.

Just food for thought.

 

Oh yeah your right about that, I would rather have a flase alarm to, but I ment more in areas where you know no cops can hide, or areas that you are very familiar with and it goes off. It does become annoying after awhile, but I do have the mute button which is extremely helpful. With the grocery stores I think its the automatic doors that make it go off. Mine always picks up X band when I drive by Pathmark or Shoprite.

 

Ahh that is very true however we do have the option of very effective laser Jammers now adays.

http://www.radarbusters.com/products...rs/default.asp

 

well at least here in cali they are still mostly using the k band, so it's fine

 

I think thats because the Passport 8500 is easier to purchase. I can walk into Best Buy and purchase a 8500, and with V1, you have to order it and use a credit card or whatever. I dont have a Credit Card, so guess what. I'm going to Best Buy.

 

Actually there are lots of problems with Laser radars. For example, it is stationary and you can't move while attempting to get speed of a vechicle. I wouldn't worry about Laser anytime soon. They have to double team you in order to get you.

Things to worry about are more in the line of helicopters or airplanes, undercover Police matching your speed, etc etc. Police is encouriged to use other means to detect your speed. A radar will never save you from a ticket. It can only help you. Little common sense and watchful eye is what you really need.

Chris

 

very well put chris. before i got my detector i tried to resist it coz' i was afraid that i would just rely on it. and i knew it's a bad thing coz' there are so many traps and undercovered around that can still be dangerous. but finally i gave in, and i am glad that while i am seeking for its help now, i am not completely relying on it or driving stupidly fast all the time.

i tell people that it's a good feature to help you catch all the hidden traps, but you still need to be careful to things around you

 

I'm sure this is dependent upon jurisdiction, I rarely get hit with radar anymore, however each of the last 3 or 4 tickets I have gotten were due to laser. Here in good ole GA state police and county police are using laser extensively. These Laser jammers fill the hole for me of course now I have to scrape together some cash.