Radar/Laser Detector and Jammer Verdict

Alright,

After a good bit of research, it is down to either the K40 or the Valentine 1. Although I may end up with a mix of the two, I have yet to hear some definitive feedback on this and other message boards.

I was pretty much set on the top of the line K40 until I read a disgruntled review of the portable (and lower end) K40 on the following link:
http://members.xoom.com/k40sucks/index.htm
It made me wonder if the underlying technology of the radar detection system in the K40 was not as good as the Valentine. This is why I may simply go for the K40 laser jammer and a V1 radar detector.

I would love to hear about everyone's experience with both of these products.

Thanks in advance,
Sam
Taking delivery of '00 Silverstone/Black Exclusive tomorrow and I can't sleep.

[rebel1]

Let me know how you make out. I read the article in C & D and they like the Valentine 1 But they didn't rate the K 40...

[Louis]

At the SEMA (Speciality Equipment Manufactures Association) show in Las Vegas all the radar detector manufactures touted their features. None compared their performance to the Valentine 1 or made any claim to be as good. I guess that says it all.

[BillK]

I bought a V1 this January and took it across the US...New England to Arizona. It detects everything including laser, and it gets it a mile away if it is unobstructed. The worst it did was approaching a state patrol in the median strip with his radar facing ACROSS the 2 lanes, not toward the approaching traffic. (Didn't stop to ask him why, unless he was just settin for a spell). The V1 didn't pick him up until we were about 200 yards away. He WAS over a slight incline and still out of sight when it went off, giving me time..which I didn't need anyway since we weren't speeding.
I warn everyone though...these detectors are getting to be less useful since the cops use instant on in half the places we went thru. A jammer (if it really works) may be the best defense, and that could well become illegal in the future.
Good luck. I can't imagine any detector being BETTER than the V1....especially with the directional indicator and counter.
Bill

[rebel1]

Well I bought the K 40 stealth, lasar jammer and detector. I paid ?%?%%?%%?%?% damn bucks for it and now I'm thinking I got ripped! If the V1 is that good I goofed. Such is life, win some lose some....

[Chris]

Well i use the V1 here in Germany and it works perfect. Esp. the long range is helpfull because when you drive with high speed on the Autobahn ...

[greg]

I have the V1 and am very happy with it. It is indeed sensitive and the directional information is helpful too.

[Alberto]

I've been using the K40 stealth on my '91 E34 M5 for one month. I had the laser jammer installed at the same time. I went for the K40 so as not to have any visible wires or unit on the dash or head liner. Piezo speakers were installed in the stock location of the dash midrange speakers. Left speaker alarm means radar up front right means rear. As well, the blank to the left of the fog light switch now houses lights that flash according to front rear detection.

I'm very satisfied with the system. The other day I was cruising back into town and the front alarm sounded(strong, not the single clicks as door sesors can send), but there was no cops. I slowed, and as I passed an on ramp Mr Officer was merging on and my rear detector went crazy. This on ramp was at a lower elevation and perhaps 75 feet to my right, with no direct line of site to the ramp until you are actually merging on. I thought it was great that the front detector gave me the warning, and the rear confrimed his presence(always look and use your mirrors too).

There has been a couple other incidences during the last month, but luckily I can say no tickets. Go for the K40, its worth doing it right the first time.

Alberto

[SteveP]

My V1 saved the day just today! Was out for a little ride at lunch, doing ~75 on a twisty local road. V1 alerted me to a bogey, and I cruised by the cop at around 40. No problem. Another satisfied customer!

[NigelM5]

The v1 is definitely the way to go for shear performance, ergonomics and features. The only problem is that its relatively large unit. For more stealthful operation, consider the Passport SRX which is a very good remote unit.

I have both and they're both great.

[phillym5]

i have the v1 and k-40 diffuser. i dont think ive ever been hit by laser. the only time the v1 goes off for laser is when a car with those tail lights get in front or when a z8 is coming at me. so i have no idea if the diffuser really jams or not. the v1 is good if there is traffic on the road. usually from philadelphia to michigan(mostly turnpike highways), the cops always intant on. i got two tickets in twenty minutes one night from instant on. there were no other cars on the road in front to get the "blip". i came around a bend and bang, full signal blip. so in my expierience the only time it works for me is when there is multiple bogeys on the road. however, most jammers simply dont work. there was a company out there that had some legit jammers you could get black market. they work, but they pulled there stock because it only jammed one band of radar. im waiting for the new batch to come out, but its been a while. the new ones will jam ALL bands of radar. it will also allow you to program what speed you want to show on the cops radar gun or to just make it error out. rumor has it theyll be about $3,000. its a chunk. but i will hook that up foresure!!!! thats gonna make my car faster than blackm5's......sorta.

[XrayMD]

I've been sold on the V1 since they came out. If you have one of the older, bulkier units, you can send it back and have it upgraded to the lighter, thinner new units. Check out Valentine1.com and there's an upgrade area where you enter your serial # and find out what upgrade is available.

The combination of the V1 and Lidatek laser jammer is great. Now, if I only could jam radar with frying my testicles at the same time!