OT: Valentine1 Saved me today! TWICE! - Page 2

doug · 9th January 2002, 16:59

I just got a V1 for Christmas (thanks to you guys, and your raves!)-- it's already saved me once. Too bad I didn't get it before my last run-in w/ Johnny Law. Court date is next Thursday... pleading insanity!

PhilSeastrand · 9th January 2002, 17:46

Quote:

Originally posted by JimC
Tonight I pulled up the Valentine1 webpage Reprogramming the Valentine1 and turned off the K band and am seriously contemplating turning off X as well. After "hearing" from the CHP (Ka-Band) and SJ Police (Laser) today, I think I can finally put to bed all of the door opener false alarms that I've been too timid to turn off in the X and K bands.

==> In a previous post, Greg had mentioned that X (and I think I remember you saying K) weren't used in California - can you reaffirm this and if anyone else has had X/K-band encounters in California please reply back to this thread.

Be careful with this. Other states (e.g., Oregon) use K band. And some local police use K and possibly X. I find it better to have some false alarms instead of possible tickets.

JimC · 9th January 2002, 18:02

many thanks Greg !! - just reprogrammed the unit. I'm heading to go get C&D right now.

Quote:

Originally posted by greg
Yes indeed - I owe my freedom to the V1!

Jim - I only turned off X - I don't know if K is in use around here - but it doesn't create near the number of falses that X band does, which is where the door openers at Safeway live, among others.

Did you see this month's car and driver mag? (The one with the GT40 I want on the cover? )They did a fresh review of radar detectors, iincluding the latest greatest Escort/Passport. The V1 smoked every other detector by a wide margin.

teezm3 · 9th January 2002, 18:28

It seems they're switching to Laser guns out there in the West!!

Here in NC, I've only gotten Laser once, and I couldn't see him. I've gotten hit with X, K, and Ka sometimes instant-on. I wanted to turn off the X band, but they use them over here. Once on a road that I never heard one beep, I got X with 1 signal strength light, so I slowed down to 45, and then the signal got stronger and I saw the cop waiting

I was really surprised once to get hit by instant-on Ka within 1/8 mile (saw both cop cars). I was at the limit luckily, because I promised myself not to speed in this area (Cary/Morrisville) after getting into trouble earlier on. Instant-on is much harder to avoid though

Russ · 9th January 2002, 18:39

Quote:

Originally posted by Diamond Dave
...got me on an exit ramp doing 64 mph in a 45 mph zone

Isn't the speed on entrance/exit ramps just a "recommended" speed? (those signs have an indicated speed with a yellow background, right?).

Can they actually ticket you to the 64 in a 45 MPH zone?

I'm thinking that in the worst case, he may have caught you doing 64 MPH, that would have been in a 55MPH zone (or whatever the associated speed limit is on the connected highway)?

Comments?

Russ

Jacob Lee · 9th January 2002, 18:52

I've been thinking about getting a V1, but been lazy about it and doing the work to install it.

Jim,

Did you do the install yourself, or is there someplace around here in the Bay Area where I can go to buy a V1 and have someone do the hard wire install?

Jacob Lee · 9th January 2002, 18:53

p.s.

i've also actually never seen anyone with a V1, much less hard wired installed to their windshield.

any chance you can take a pic and post it here so I and anyone else that hasn't seen it can see how it would look installed on the windshield?

muchas gracias.

Bart Carter · 9th January 2002, 19:02

Jacob,

Do a search on "radar". You will get all the pictures and instructions you need.

gman · 9th January 2002, 19:33

For years I didn't believe in Radars. Started driving to track events (mostly in the middle of nowhere) and found the radar invaluble. I have a V1 and would never get anything else because of the success I have had w/ it.

I would like to hard wire in, but can't decide where to put. Does anyone have any suggestions or pics? thanks.

g

JimC · 9th January 2002, 19:38

I did the wiring myself - I'll go take some pictures and post them to cirince.com when I get a chance.

The hardwire unit comes with the V1 and is about the size of a half a certz roll. For it's power, I tapped into the power for the garage door opener - using a Fluke multi-meter to read the wires (there are 3 of them - 12V IGN, Ground, and 12V headlights) - use the 12V IGN and Ground. BTW I couldn't get the hitch-tap connectors to work for me so I soldered into the wiring harness.

Others have tapped into the power from the sunroof - might be a better idea then what I did. I elected to put the "certz roll" at the very top of the windshield outside of the compartment where I tapped into power so that I could easily plug in a short RJ-11 patch cable (silver right now - need to get a 6" black cable somewhere) and also have access for the concealed display unit. I keep it free as I wasn't overly excited with locations to mount it. The V1 is on suction cups in the middle of the windshield.

I'm sure any car stereo place would mount it for you. If they're too expensive, time permitting, I'll help.

Quote:

Originally posted by Jacob Lee
I've been thinking about getting a V1, but been lazy about it and doing the work to install it.

Jim,

Did you do the install yourself, or is there someplace around here in the Bay Area where I can go to buy a V1 and have someone do the hard wire install?