Finally something intelligent! Thank god! This thread was becoming so boring.

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Current Garage:
2015 Singapore Grey M6 Gran Coupe (ED - May 2014) -new car
2008 Imola Red E60 M5 - love of my life
2012 Alpine White LCI E70 X5 50i w/ LCI Aero Kit and Rocker Panels - wife and kids car

Retired:
2009 Jet Black E70 X5 4.8i Sport w/ Aero Kit
2007 Jet Black E60 530xi M Sport
2003 Jet Black E39 530i Sport

At least you folks have a slightly less Draconian approach to speeding. We did once too when there were real policemen on the streets who would give you an ear bashing and a 'correctional lecture' before letting you on your way. Now it's all done by cameras and they give no leeway other than the 10% +/-2mph legal requirement.

My own experience with laser detectors is that the beam is so narrow even out to the 'typical' distance of 500 feet), and usually aimed at either the number plate (UK ones are highly reflective with a layer of micro glass beads) or headlight, that the detectors never actually receive the beam unless they are mounted on the front bumper. The beamwidth is of the order of an inch or less with no appreciable scatter for a detector to work on even out to a mile or so (and it's only about 1mm to start with). By the time the alarm has gone it's waaayyyy too late. About 1/10sec is all that's needed. The one time I did get caught I has less than 1/2 second's sight of the van with the laser/camera unit and the detector never beeped once (receiver at the base of the windscreen where the beam never went) as I went past. I was duly fined and had to pay up.

At least you guys get a better chance it seems - well in some States anyway.

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Me:
Current: 2011 E71 40D Vermilion Red/Beige Nappa

Wifey:
Current: 2012 R80 Countryman SDX Green/Cream

Some great info/advice. I'd be interested in hearing why you chose the LI system over another one like say the M27/M47?

Excellent points. You point out well one of the major flaws in laser detector design when dealing with mobile setups that can be adjusted to hit the area of the car below the windshield. At 330 terahertz and a typical operator distance of just a few hundred feet some models have a beam width of less than 12 inches. No laser detector will identify it and your only choice will be to jam it which will require a setup that sufficiently covers the entire front of the car, with emphasis on the license plate area, and in some cases will require more than 1 or 2 jamming heads.

interesting thread...

Can't wait till radar detectors become useless everywhere

Had V1...yes arrows are nice...but no matter where the signal comes from you still slow down...just a commodity which adds to the price...

Had the passport 9500i...same as V1 to me at least. Both of them went off in the same places regarding the false alarms...

Try driving here with an RD now a days. Cops don't keep their radars on anymore...so when you hear the beeps... usually their close as hell or their either after someone else...

But every patrol car has and uses laser on highways and even city...

Unless you also get a jammer $400 + is a waste of money whether you get a beeper with gps or one with arrows

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01 4.4


P5 card hacked
'our curr€ncy, your problem'
Bavarian Motor Wrong
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Sort of agree but if you want to spend only $400, the V1 is is the way to go. I have had so many saves on my V1 -- I haven't had a ticket for 23 years now! (I didn't have a V1 then...)

I have my remote display up near my heads-up display so I frequently drive with V1 muted. Only have any volume if I'm on the open road and way over...

... a V1 Zombie

FWIW

Years without a detector. Did pretty darn well. Finally went with the V1 combined with the S1 to put the display on the OBC display, fantastic.

COUNT is critical. Many static speed signs in town. The cops will now hang out in the vicinity taking radar. The V1 lets you know how many signals it is detecting. Saved me a few times.

Direction is key as well. Have had multiple signals at once. When one patrol car passes on the the other side of the freeway, it still shows that car passing and highlights the strongest signal and DIRECTION to keep you from driving into a another patrol car's trap. Also, some patrol officers (Texas) like to sneak up on cars as they work their way through traffic. It's nice to see the signal is from behind and react appropriately. Usually, they turn it on intermittently as they spy a possible offender. The V1 has saved me from this.

As far as distance sensitivity.... the V1 covers a massive amt. of ground. (The mounting height is crucial to any detector operating at high capacity.) It would seem that if another RD can go out farther, what's the point. I pick up signals on the Highway constantly, at low level, and wait, watching it grow to critical.

It would seem logical that at the highest end of the RD market, you get down to splitting hairs and personal preferences. If you guys can honestly use a V1 and think it is useless, then WOW!

The V1 is continually upgradable.

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2001 e53 4.4i Sport, Nieman Marcus Edition. Stealth One.
2013 e70 3.5d Stacked, Custom

BTW,

Valentine pioneered the magnesium case, like 20 yrs ago. It is as undectable as any other high end RD.

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2001 e53 4.4i Sport, Nieman Marcus Edition. Stealth One.
2013 e70 3.5d Stacked, Custom

Yes they did, but according to more recent tests your 2nd statement isn't accurate.