Need advice on purchasing a radar detector - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

BM5W · 9th July 2002, 23:34

After reading numerous reviews over the past 6 months and reading practically every thread discussing the superiority of various radar detectors, I think I am ready to purchase a V1. (I am in college, so this is a serious purchase for me. Anyone want to donate one?)

I have a couple of questions. Should my first purchase be a radar detector (V1) or a laser jammer? I do most of my driving in Oregon and Washington. Does anyone know what the cops are using in this area?

Any other input or advice would be helpful.
Thank you

-Mark

X5Boston · 9th July 2002, 23:53

V1 hands down. It has paid for itself 50 fold. Not only does it detect threats at long distances but it is also good at filtering out false alarms (when set correctly). The indicator arrors have proven their worth several times. "Hmmm.... why is suddenly four alerts rather than the usual three from the automatic doors in that strip mall?" While the initial cost is stiff, the cost of an ticket plus rise in insurance premiums is even stiffer. If you elect to upgrade when new models come out, you get a discount.

Just remember that a radar detector is only a tool and should be used to suppliment the Mother Nature Eyeball and good driving habits. There is a learning curve on how to interpert the information it gives you and automatically respond to a known threat.

Diamond Dave · 10th July 2002, 00:00

Gotta agree with X5Boston - the Valentine I is a worthy purchase, even for a college student. For me when I was attending SMU, the price of a V1 equated to about two weeks worth of happy hours. Stay sober for half a month and score one! The bogey counter alone will make all the difference.

Believe I've read on this board that you can get one for a discount on Ebay but I'd be leery of that. I do know that Valentine 1 offers scratched/refurbed/open box returns at a bit of a discount and those folks I trust implicitly.

Good luck,

DWP

rebel1 · 10th July 2002, 01:45

BM5W,
The detector you choose depends on the car you drive, really. If you drive a $25,000.00 car and don't mind a windshield mount, the V1 is okay but costly. The bel and passports will do the same job for less.
If you drive a beast or equivilent car get the K 40 stealth with lasar diffusion. It is a far superior unit to the V1 and is a stealth mount. Less false alarms than and quicker on the draw than the V1 and it jambs lasar. Like the V1 it utilizes directional indicators, both visual and audible. LEDS mounted on opposing sides of your dash alert you with light and sound. Left is front, right is rear.
I have the V1 in my Yukon and the K40 in my beast. They are both good in there respective realms. The k40 however is the clear winner IMHO. The down side? It's expensive like the beast, but hey, you get what you pay for. An 80G car should have the best

Zeke013 · 10th July 2002, 03:23

As an Oregon/Washington traveler, the V1 does a great job of isolating the Ka radar used around here. Doesn't help too much with laser though. K40 might be an option if you can afford it.

Mehdi · 10th July 2002, 09:58

Here's another vote for V1!

I've made numerous HWY trips in the past few months and have come to totally rely & depend on the information from the V1. The directional and numerical alarms on the thing is wonderful.

There has been many times where I passed a patrol car and was warned of another one further ahead.

Other detectors without the directional pointers & bogie counters don't give you this level of information.

MEnthusiast · 10th July 2002, 15:11

I had a K40 system in 1996 and it was terrible. never worked. So I lost all faith in them. However, I believe Rebel has done some good testing. My take on perminent install detectors is a little different though- the mounting of the sensors is suboptimal and I dont want anyone messing with the car- its bad enough the authroized service people have to touch it. I say get the V1. You cant go wrong with this and its easy to return if you dont like it (if they have a return policy) and you can always move it to another vehicle.

Baxter · 10th July 2002, 19:24

Are radar jammers legal in Usa?

And how much do they cost?

just curious since they are illegal in Finland

BM5W · 10th July 2002, 20:05

I would definately purchase a portable detector, such as the V1. I would like to be able to hand my detector over to friends or family when they go on long trips or when I am not using mine.

Mark

X5Boston · 10th July 2002, 21:02

Radar jammers do NOT work. All of those systems that claim to make you car invisible are put snakeoil meant to bring in the uninformed. These passive systems supposidly reflect back garbage info to "confuse" police radar. Any claims made about them have been proven to be false Any systems that could actively jam a signal would be illegal by FCC standards since they produce emissions that could interfere with other radio bands. Systems like these do exist but they are very expensive, you need to build it yourself (its not illegal to sell the plans), and don't work with all current bands.

If you check the claims that state they the company will pay for any tickets, you'll notice they are carefully worded. Most of the time they will only pay if you are doing less than 15MPH over the posted speed limit. I've noticed as a general rule, most police will not pull over a vehicle doing 10MPH - 15MPH over the limit if they doing not stand out and going with the flow. A nice sneaky way of reducing their liability while still bringing in the deluded.

zoom · 11th July 2002, 05:29

For a long time I never belived all the V-1 hype. Then , tired one. I will never go back, I now own 3. Once you get used to the bogy counter and directional indicators you can make a knowledgeable decision when you are safe. It has sved me many times when 2 cops are 1 mile apart, or coming from different directions. Try it-- they have a 30 day $$ back guarantee. I figured I would probably return it. INstead I bought 2 more.