After waiting forever to decide, I finally bought my V1!!

[Echoi17]

Believe it or not, I have actually put this decision on hold for about 3 years now...but I finally gave in and purchased a Valentine V1 radar detector... ...what do people think? Have you guys had good experiences with them? Or is there a better one out there? Thanks ahead of time for your opinions.

[MatriX5]

Originally Posted by Echoi17

Believe it or not, I have actually put this decision on hold for about 3 years now...but I finally gave in and purchased a Valentine V1 radar detector... ...what do people think? Have you guys had good experiences with them? Or is there a better one out there? Thanks ahead of time for your opinions.

From my experience, you're going to love it. Especially if you hardwire it in and hook up the Stealth One interface. The whole system is very customizable, and all your friends will want to know how they can get their alerts to show up on their car's dashboard.

[CGSTL]

Congratulations! Now, here's the best $30 - $40 bucks you'll ever spend:

Talk to either your favorite service advisor or your service manager and ask them to do an off-the-books cash job (or a cheap flat rate on the books job) of wiring your V1 into the sunroof power source.

The result is a high and tight install just to the right (passenger side) of your rear view mirror and it turns on and off automatically. The only exposed wiring is a 3 inch power wire (suggest replacing the supplied black cord with a standard clear, thin telephone cord you steal from an old modem you don't use anymore).

It is always ready for you and cleanly installed. Good luck!
CG

[SANguru]

acutally.. you can hardwire it to the Homelink... and why pay for it? it's not even a half a beer job.. The instructions are on X5world DIY section...

and to Echoi's post... you'll love it and it will save you over and over again... now get your 11-99 tags and you're all set...

Originally Posted by CGSTL

Congratulations! Now, here's the best $30 - $40 bucks you'll ever spend:

Talk to either your favorite service advisor or your service manager and ask them to do an off-the-books cash job (or a cheap flat rate on the books job) of wiring your V1 into the sunroof power source.

The result is a high and tight install just to the right (passenger side) of your rear view mirror and it turns on and off automatically. The only exposed wiring is a 3 inch power wire (suggest replacing the supplied black cord with a standard clear, thin telephone cord you steal from an old modem you don't use anymore).

It is always ready for you and cleanly installed. Good luck!
CG

[Echoi17]

Originally Posted by SANguru

acutally.. you can hardwire it to the Homelink... and why pay for it? it's not even a half a beer job.. The instructions are on X5world DIY section...

and to Echoi's post... you'll love it and it will save you over and over again... now get your 11-99 tags and you're all set...

For $1800 I hope I wouldn't get any more tickets...thanks for all your advices. I will definitely look into the Stealth 1. Oh, by the way, I know that some people have been hiding the V1 unit itself inside the middle back headrest. Does that affect the range of the detector itself at all? Are there any other pros or cons to that? Thanks again.

[SANguru]

as long as there is no obstruction front and rear. Trust me on the 11-99 tags... you'll love the lack of attention you get... not to mention that the whole amount can be written off on your taxes for philantrophy and also like B said.. it's for a great cause I've had drive-by salutes and also CHP officers coming up to me at Starbucks to thank me.

Originally Posted by Echoi17

For $1800 I hope I wouldn't get any more tickets...thanks for all your advices. I will definitely look into the Stealth 1. Oh, by the way, I know that some people have been hiding the V1 unit itself inside the middle back headrest. Does that affect the range of the detector itself at all? Are there any other pros or cons to that? Thanks again.

[B-Line]

Originally Posted by SANguru

now get your 11-99 tags and you're all set...

I got mine.... And I don't leave home without my 11-99 tags

[PersonaNonGrata]

Originally Posted by B-Line

I got mine.... And I don't leave home without my 11-99 tags

I have been meaning to poll my CHP buddies as to whether the 11-99 plate frame influences them. I know that they like it because there is lots of scholarship money to be had for their kids.

[illuminum]

Originally Posted by CGSTL

Congratulations! Now, here's the best $30 - $40 bucks you'll ever spend:

Talk to either your favorite service advisor or your service manager and ask them to do an off-the-books cash job (or a cheap flat rate on the books job) of wiring your V1 into the sunroof power source.

The result is a high and tight install just to the right (passenger side) of your rear view mirror and it turns on and off automatically. The only exposed wiring is a 3 inch power wire (suggest replacing the supplied black cord with a standard clear, thin telephone cord you steal from an old modem you don't use anymore).

It is always ready for you and cleanly installed. Good luck!
CG

Wow that souhnds really cool. Could you take some photos of the install by any chance?

Also, what's the Stealth 1? I've been thinking about a radar detector for a while and want to get one very soon.

[MatriX5]

Originally Posted by illuminum

Wow that souhnds really cool. Could you take some photos of the install by any chance?

Also, what's the Stealth 1? I've been thinking about a radar detector for a while and want to get one very soon.

http://store.stealth-one.com/

It blacks out the V1 display and transfers the warnings to your OBC, MID, or NAV. Cool demos on the website, and worth the money IMO. Ver. 1.5 added an auto mute feature that would automatically mute the V1 if you speed drops below a level you specify (I have mine at 20 for parking lots and such).