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Looking for info on radar detectors? (1 Viewer)

John*K

Stunt Coordinator
Joined
Oct 20, 2001
Messages
145
PS - To Shawn Sefranek
I have an Acura CL-S as well. Are there any problems with the windowshield and the V1? I read on the site that some windowshields are not that great.
 

Shawn Sefranek

Second Unit
Joined
Sep 30, 1998
Messages
258
John*K
No problems as long as it is mounted below the tint band on the front windshield.
Shawn S
PS…..Come join other CL owners over at: acura-cl.com
My user name is “Shawn S” over there.
 

Shawn Sefranek

Second Unit
Joined
Sep 30, 1998
Messages
258
That is a strong endorsement! How 'bout you Valentine One owners?
Only ONE ticket since 1992 while using my V1.
I can only blame myself because I was talking to my passenger and in a hurry to get to the airport and I failed to notice a fully marked State Police car following me while doing 75 in a 55 zone.
He didn’t need to use RADAR because he was pacing me.
Shawn S
 

Dan D.

Stunt Coordinator
Joined
Aug 29, 1999
Messages
215
quote: That is a strong endorsement! How 'bout you Valentine One owners?[/quote]
I can say the same. I, nor any of my family members, have been nailed for speeding with a Valentine in the car. I even take mine on business trips and vacations where I end up with lots of driving to do.
Here's a story for you that really shows the benefit of the Valentine. Over here in Massachusetts they use these big orange electronic signs on trailers to signal construction ahead or for traffic advisories. The things have an emitter that sends out the same K-band signal as police radar, not even the Valentine can filter it out. The Mass Turnpike usually has about 4 to 5 of these things along the 50-mile stretch I frequently drive. You get used to them because they stay in the same location for very long periods of time, and that's the problem. If you drive the same routes frequently, you get used to the regular false signals. Worse still, with a bad radar detector, you get annoyed with all of the false signals and stop paying attention altogether.
About two months ago I was doing about 80 in light traffic as I approached one of these things. It was visible from quite a distance so the Valentine started beeping early on. As I went to hit the mute button, (which resets itself after the current signal dies or a new one gets detected, another nice feature) I noticed the Valentine was indicating not one, but two signals straight ahead. I slowed down and moved over a lane. As I passed the familiar sign in the median, I finally saw the fender of a state trooper car that had been tucked in on a pull-off on the right side of the road. I'd been afraid that they would start getting smart enough to use the signs as radar cover, and this was the first time I'd seen it. A green Ford Explorer who blew by me at that point wasn't so lucky.
The Valentine will catch stuff like this. Other detectors, even ones with decent performance, won't.
[Edited last by Dan D. on November 14, 2001 at 08:10 AM]
[Edited last by Dan D. on November 14, 2001 at 08:12 AM]
 

LDfan

Supporting Actor
Joined
Nov 30, 1998
Messages
724
Real Name
Jeffrey
Does anyone know how a cop can detect if you use a radar detector and are any of these units considered to be 'stealth'?
Yes they are illegal here in Va but only if you get caught. :)
Jeff
 

Shawn Sefranek

Second Unit
Joined
Sep 30, 1998
Messages
258
On my way to Florida I drove clear through Virginia with my trusty V1 without a single problem.
They are also invisible to the so-called “detector-detectors” that the cops use there.
Shawn S
 

Philip Hamm

Senior HTF Member
Joined
Jan 23, 1999
Messages
6,874
Here's a story for you that really shows the benefit of the Valentine. Over here in Massachusetts they use these big orange electronic signs on trailers to signal construction ahead or for traffic advisories. The things have an emitter that sends out the same K-band signal as police radar, not even the Valentine can filter it out. The Mass Turnpike usually has about 4 to 5 of these things along the 50-mile stretch I frequently drive. You get used to them because they stay in the same location for very long periods of time, and that's the problem. If you drive the same routes frequently, you get used to the regular false signals. Worse still, with a bad radar detector, you get annoyed with all of the false signals and stop paying attention altogether.
About two months ago I was doing about 80 in light traffic as I approached one of these things. It was visible from quite a distance so the Valentine started beeping early on. As I went to hit the mute button, (which resets itself after the current signal dies or a new one gets detected, another nice feature) I noticed the Valentine was indicating not one, but two signals straight ahead. I slowed down and moved over a lane. As I passed the familiar sign in the median, I finally saw the fender of a state trooper car that had been tucked in on a pull-off on the right side of the road. I'd been afraid that they would start getting smart enough to use the signs as radar cover, and this was the first time I'd seen it. A green Ford Explorer who blew by me at that point wasn't so lucky.
The Valentine will catch stuff like this. Other detectors, even ones with decent performance, won't.
Great story. Penna has these radar emitters on their road signs as well, and I have family there and drive there often. Not having as smart a detector as the Valentine, I slow down every time my Bel detector goes off. 19 times out of 20 in PA, after I've slowed down I'll see one of these signs around a corner or over a rise or something. Actually it makes me feel good because I know the detector is working. :)
This is not the only place that I've read such glowing endorsements of the Valentine 1. If I were buying a new detector today I'd probably get a Valentine. That is if they have a model that can accomodate my motorycyle. Battery powered, a remote speaker for my helmet, Option for Audio-only functionality, and ability to function from inside my cordura tank bag behind my fairing/bars.
------------------
Philip Hamm
AIM: PhilBiker
 

Drew Bethel

Screenwriter
Joined
Nov 22, 1999
Messages
1,209
Jeff, cops have radar detector detectors which scan for signals that are emitted from the radar detectors. I heard the penalties are pretty stiff if you're found with one in Va so you're probably best of avoiding 'em. Sorry mate.
[Edited last by Drew Bethel on November 14, 2001 at 11:07 AM]
 

Don Black

Screenwriter
Joined
Dec 11, 1998
Messages
1,480
All of the high-end newer radar detectors (e.g., V1, Escort 8500) have VG-2 protection. This means that they are shielded from detection from police. I've never had a problem in Fairfax with my V1 .. provided you conceal it properly (as noted above).
 

Dan D.

Stunt Coordinator
Joined
Aug 29, 1999
Messages
215
Philip,
My one wish for the Valentine would be a battery-powered version. Before the Valentine, I was using the original Escort Solo radar detector developed by Mike Valentine. What I loved about it the most was the ability to pull it off my visor quickly when passing a cop. Even in states where they are legal, the police always take a dim view of them, and I didn't want to give them any reason to hassle me. Not that I thought they would do that for the detector alone, but if they suspected I had been speeding AND they saw the detector, well, cops will be cops. The Valentine's stealth kit is a help, but the unit itself is a bit bulky and hard to hide on your windshield.
I heard a while back that the current Valentine a bit power hungry, so a they couldn't build a battery powered version with either the same performance or acceptable battery life. Too bad. It's an amazing detector though.
 

Mark Leiter

Second Unit
Joined
Aug 9, 1999
Messages
387
Here's another enthusiastic V1 owner!!! IMHO everything else is just a toy compared to it.
In 4+ years of doing a twice a week run between Orlando and Miami, FL (about 250 miles each way) with the cruise control set at 87, i've only been ticketed once. And that was when i got caught by VASCAR. On each trip I would average at least one and sometimes as many as 5 confirmed contacts.
Great peice of machinery.
Mark
------------------
Mark F. Leiter
My 1995 Corvette is for sale. Please view the web site I have set-up if you are interested.
www.corvetteforum.net/c4/mark_leiter
 

Don Black

Screenwriter
Joined
Dec 11, 1998
Messages
1,480
I forgot that another excellent feature of the V1, on top of directional arrows, is the bogey counter. I forgot that the 8500 doesn't have that.
 

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