Thinking about going to V1

[M0nk3y]

For now, I have a 8500x50.

I've been thinking about making a switch to a V1 for awhile, but I think it's now the time.

For those who have V1s, how do you like them? I've heard they go crazy in the city...is this true or is it not that bad?

As well, doesn't the V1 have traffic drone monitoring now? Ohio has them all over the place, and it's getting to the point where the detector is becoming useless. This is all included in the new version too, correct?

I'm thinking of getting rid of the 8500x50 and pulling the trigger soon. I think I can fetch the 8500x50 for around $200, since it is upgraded, serviced and everything. With that being said, I can get a V1 for about $200 or even get a refurb unit from them directly for alittle cheaper. I wanted to go the used market, but with so many versions out there...I figure going the expensive route is the correct way this time.

Any other information is greatly appreciated. Thanks

[yura]

Don't have any experience with the V1, but I've never heard a bad thing about it, and I'd like to upgrade from my 8500, too.

You won't get $200 for your 8500, though. $130-$150, maybe.

[M0nk3y]

Don't have any experience with the V1, but I've never heard a bad thing about it, and I'd like to upgrade from my 8500, too.

You won't get $200 for your 8500, though. $130-$150, maybe.

I realize $200 is steep, but last year the detector was in for upgrade and top performance. It cost $70 alone.

With that being said, it's in top performance, no Service Required Codes...which I have been lied to before and said the detector was in perfect condition and then the next day it was throwing codes.

Anyways, I have paperwork to back this up...etc.

[edlvrt]

I have no complaints with my V1. It does give a lot of false alarms in the city, but I don't fault it as it was designed to alert you when there are active radars. Truthfully, I have never found radar detectors useful in the city, and I only use mine when I am on the highway. The arrows really are great to have, as well as the counter that shows the number of emitters. Those features have saved my bacon a few times. There aren't any traffic monitoring radars that I am aware of in my part of the country, so I can't comment on the filtering. I give it two thumbs up.

[tracerit]

how fast do you guys drive that justifies having a radar detector?

for me, i only go +5mph over whatever cars around me are driving in the city and on the highway i haven't gone over 85mph in a long time. i'm mostly cruising at 80mph (just like everyone else).

[M0nk3y]

how fast do you guys drive that justifies having a radar detector?

for me, i only go +5mph over whatever cars around me are driving in the city and on the highway i haven't gone over 85mph in a long time. i'm mostly cruising at 80mph (just like everyone else).

IMO, just going over the speed limit justifies it for me. If any cop wants to make it a bad day for you, they can ticket.

[yura]

I realize $200 is steep, but last year the detector was in for upgrade and top performance. It cost $70 alone.

With that being said, it's in top performance, no Service Required Codes...which I have been lied to before and said the detector was in perfect condition and then the next day it was throwing codes.

Anyways, I have paperwork to back this up...etc.

I totally understand what it cost you, but you'll never recoup that from a buyer. This is just like a modification on a vehicle - it adds no value unless you find a very specific enthusiast who will appreciate & desire the same mod; not likely to happen.


how fast do you guys drive that justifies having a radar detector?

for me, i only go +5mph over whatever cars around me are driving in the city and on the highway i haven't gone over 85mph in a long time. i'm mostly cruising at 80mph (just like everyone else).

Doesn't matter how fast or how slow; I'm not in the habit of shelling out money for easy tax collection and will do 100% everything I can to not get tagged. I have some pretty strong feelings regarding what the cops should and shouldn't be focusing on, which I won't go into here.

You're lucky you're able to be 'cruising' at 80mph. Doing that speed on many highways here in Vancouver will result in about $1500 worth of fines & insurance hikes, impound of your vehicle for a week and loss of license for a week or two. Yeah, a $400 radar detector doesn't sound so bad anymore ;). My escort has easily saved me $5000+ and countless headaches when driving and riding both here and down in the states.

[tripod06]

Used a V1 with the Boss and his ZHPX5 and LOVED IT! My experience was driving from San Diego, CA to Las Vegas, NV and along the desert road on the 15, the radar went off signaling a "KA" signal and myself, Casey, and the Boss all looked for it as the signal became stronger then all of the sudden, the signal dropped its intensity and then stopped altogether. We could not see the CHP officer at all but he was out there. Had we not had the V1, we would have been busted for doing about 95 in a 70 mph zone.

i am personally sold on it and plan to get one as a christmas gift to myself. Ask JohnRando, i know he has one too and loves it!

[tracerit]

good points. in order for a cop to ticket you for going over the speed limit, do they have to provide a radar readout, or can they say "yeah, you were going 50 in a 40mph zone, here's your ticket"?

[M0nk3y]

good points. in order for a cop to ticket you for going over the speed limit, do they have to provide a radar readout, or can they say "yeah, you were going 50 in a 40mph zone, here's your ticket"?

Depends on the State.

In Ohio, they have a stupid law now saying that Cops and estimate your speed and give you a ticket. This can be done with no Radar or LIDAR readout. They can simply just say "You looked like you were going 45 in a 35 based off my estimate".

This is getting repealed, but usually you need a readout in order for it to be a ticket-able offense. If you get pulled over and you don't think you were going over the speed limit, you can ask "May I see the radar unit/LIDAR (depending on what they tag you with) please." From my knowledge, they have to keep that information on the gun/unit during the stop. If there is no speed written down, you can fight the ticket and dismiss it, as long as you don't have a stupid law saying you can ticket otherwise.

[yura]

good points. in order for a cop to ticket you for going over the speed limit, do they have to provide a radar readout, or can they say "yeah, you were going 50 in a 40mph zone, here's your ticket"?

Depends on where you are. Here they can use visual estimation. If they think you are doing 40kph over the limit, your vehicle goes bye-bye.

Here's a quick story:

Buddy was riding his sportbike w/ his girl on the back on a local highway. Another similarly looking bike was going faster and doing some douche-like moves, also with a passenger. Someone calls the other bike in, and the cops stop my buddy. They don't clock him speeding, they don't get a speed estimate - nothing. They stop him purely on the fact of him matching the description of a civilian's phone call. The result was $600 worth of immediate fines, bike towed for a week, and license lost for two weeks. In a week those officers showed up at his house and took his license for another three months.

He paid $4000 for a lawyer to send a strongly worded letter (which got him his license back after a month) and who will also join him in court to fight these tickets. Once the trial takes place and he (no doubt) wins, he'll be proceeding to sue for costs.

All this because some grandma called 911 on her cellphone and said that a red motorcycle with a passenger was speeding.

And I know my buddy real well, and know how he rides (we ride together all the time) - this story isn't made up. I picked him and his girl up when the bike got taken. Welcome to beautiful British Columbia.

[johnrando]

Another vote for V1 - but I don't use mine in the city either. Another point of view on this (outside of going fast with extra protection) is the peace of mind it gives you while driving... We've all seen LEO on the road and wondered if they are hitting you with speed detection... well now you know. Also, sometimes your speed increases maybe you're going faster than you think, a detector going off is a good friendly reminder to keep your speed in check. (Even going 80 on a Interstate with a 70 mph could (but not likely) get you a ticket). Also, the bogey counter is extremely helpful. So are the directional arrows, as they help you find the source and you know when you've driven by them.

Most of these are additional side benefits. In reality, I drive with a lead foot and I like the added layer of protection, and the V1 provides that, equal to or better than what else is out there according to what I've read.

[Jon D]

As said above, they are the best detector right now. Would never do a road trip without mine. I set the cruise at about 10 over while they most likely won't ticket at that they can. I have had it really save me twice, once Ka the other a laser on the car in front.

[yura]

As said above, they are the best detector right now. Would never do a road trip without mine. I set the cruise at about 10 over while they most likely won't ticket at that they can. I have had it really save me twice, once Ka the other a laser on the car in front.

How sensitive is the laser performance? I'm surprised it picked up laser bouncing off the car in front of you as laser usually has a very narrow beam of only a few feet. Any feedback/experience?

I've found that with my 8500, seeing "LASER" light up is a cue for either an instant exit off the road, or a couple seconds heads-up to make up an excuse!

[Jon D]

How sensitive is the laser performance? I'm surprised it picked up laser bouncing off the car in front of you as laser usually has a very narrow beam of only a few feet. Any feedback/experience?

I've found that with my 8500, seeing "LASER" light up is a cue for either an instant exit off the road, or a couple seconds heads-up to make up an excuse!

It was good enough. No real measurement. Scared the xxx out of me when it went off.

[cakM3]

I have no complaints with my V1... The arrows really are great to have, as well as the counter that shows the number of emitters. Those features have saved my bacon a few times. There aren't any traffic monitoring radars that I am aware of in my part of the country, so I can't comment on the filtering. I give it two thumbs up.

I concur with edlvrt's statement above :thumbsup

Coupled with the RadarActive app I'm using with my iPhone4 I get a heads up of where the LEOs are parked ahead of time so I have GPS capability with mine...:biggrin

Not that I speed with wreckless abandon but its nice to drive down the road without any unnecessary surprises...:)