Radar detector
 

Hi Guys! Can anyone recommend a radar detector?
V1, k40 or something else ?

I have two V1s, used them both domestically, and internationally... one of the best, even though there are some newer ones that have learned from the V1 and have newer technology... there was a thread not long ago on a better detector than V1, with GPS and whatnot...

do a search, you should find it...

Do you have it installed in your mirror? I was trying to do that. It's actually a present for my husband, I know very little about that, that's why I've lodged in to seek answers :) I've heard V1 is hard to hide in the car and that with k40 they drill two tiny holes and itch much simpler. Also I've heard good things about escort.

no, not in the mirror, not really that covert and not convenient... i have remote display, and remote power control, so the detector is in the top right corner of the windshield, the display is in the bottom left corner of the windshield, and the remote is somewhere in the vicinity of the console lights at the top

People do get a little passionate about radar detectors :) My preference is the V1. It fits in well above the mirror.

I used to have it hard-wired but now I have the "Savvy" (so don't need hard wiring) and I have a "Concealed Display with Band Identification" on this Valentine1 page.

People who buy the V1 typically really like the arrows that tell you where the signal is coming from. There are more expensive radar detectors out there but, in this price range, you can't go wrong.

If you can, buy new from Valentine One. If you buy an used one, it might have older firmware.

here is my old page with E34 and E39 - click on the V1, to see where I got them installed at the time (about 7 years ago)

http://www.midnightstar.com/bmw/

I have my remote in much the same location as you had.

I've had my remote slimmed down and the colors changed on the LEDs so that it's easy to what band is being detected.

that is downside of the display - at night you can't tell which band went off, if the sound is turned low... there are displays on ebay that have color coding - i would think, if the LED opening were not in the round shape, but in the form of the letters K, Ka or whatnot, it'd be much better - you would actually see the band spelled out...

The K40 is an inferior radar detector. They are hidden. Big deal. Unless you are in a state where they are illegal, dont bother. The K40 is insanely expensive too, which is so ironic given its poor performance.

I use a V1 in my M5 and 996TT. Saved me many, many times.

One big caveat: many sites on line purporting to be 'radar detector review' sites will also sell detectors. V1s are only sold by valentine. Sites that dont sell the V1 tend to poorly review it. So.

Dont fall for the 'built in' thing- did you go to a local store where they were trying to sell you on it???

Dont fall for the 'built in' thing- did you go to a local store where they were trying to sell you on it???[/QUOTE]


This is the website :

Store V1 Mirrors

It needs to be build in, I know maybe you don't agree.

That's interesting. I did not know there were even any available, in the mirror, for the E70 model. This works out to lot more expensive (plus you have the labor cost). I don't see mention of the rain sensor; not sure if it's missing.

I personally don't like the radar detector up high (in the mirror or above) as it's easily seen from behind (when you're driving too).

think about the line of sight - to have the display in the mirror is almost the same as having the detector ITSELF in the vicinity of the mirror - anyone driving behind you or to your side can see the light coming on inside the mirror, so there is not much of concealment, nor convenience, as you have to take the eyes off the road and move the eyes to the mirror... A separate display directly from the V1 is only about $40 (as opposed to $800), and can be placed on the dash in front of you, thus will be within the perepherial vision as you are looking straight up to the road, will be concealed from the view from behind, and from the side due to curvature of the dash...

Much cheaper and much better solution to the mirror...

In the BMWs with the iBus, there is also a unit, called StealthOne, which takes the info from the V1, and pipes it into the car's computer system, and displays the info on the speedometer cluster and/or on the Navigation screen (still outside of the perepherial vision).

Also, for those with the CarPC, there is a software called SoftwareOne, that takes the V1 feed and feeds it into the CarPC

I think for the price, the original $40 display is much better - try to drive with the mirror display in Washington DC - you will get busted in 5 minutes!!!

I've stuck with the V1 over the years. The Escort Redline may have a bit more sensitivity, but the directional arrows of the V1 are indispensable, in my opinion.

Assuming you aren't going for a built-in detector, I think there are really three primary choices:

(1) Valentine 1

(2) Escort PASSPORT 9500ix

(3) Escort Redline

I own, and use, (1) and (2).

I find the V-1 to generally be my favorite, as it is quite sensitive and has the arrows feature. Now, the arrows feature does not work as well as suggested, since reflected radar throws in a lot of "noise" much of the time, e.g., do not expect the arrow display to be "magic" and always point to the correct direction. But, while not perfect, I find that after you use the V-1 for a while, you begine to get use to recognizing certain patterns and behaviors of the arrow display which provides a lot of information as the location of the radar. The biggest failing of the V-1 is that it is no more than a radar detector -- it is of no help for stop light cameras and of limited use for speed zone cameras.

The 9500ix is a good radar detector AND has a GPS database to warn of speed traps, red light cameras, fixed location speed cameras, etc. However, the radar indication seems a bit more "detached" from the actual radar signal than the V-1. In other words, the 9500ix seems to process the signals a lot more and decide what to display, "smoothing-out" variations in the signal, as opposed to the V-1 which seems to immediately pass-through signal changes and variations.

I do not own the Redline, but everything I have seen seems says to is great as a radar detector only -- but it does not have the gps function of the 9500ix, and it does not have the arrow display of the V-1.

So my advice would be:

If you want a proven performer with the arrow display, go for the V-1.

If you want the GPS function which will also alert you to red light cameras, fixed-location speed camera, etc., go for the 9500ix

If you want a radar detector only, with maximum sensitivity but no GPS function, and you do not care for the arrow display, then go for the Redline.


P.S. With the 9500ix you will have to buy a subscription for access to database updates of red light cameras and other locations, if you want to have up to date information.

so... it sounds like the V1 is an automotive equivalent to a manual transmission and the 9500ix is an automatic transmission... hmmm?... interesting...

I have one Valentine one which I take with me and use on 3 bikes/2 cars so I have a mount on each vehicle.

on the X5 I mount above the mirror as pictured above.

mine has X and K band disabled, I only detect Ka and lidar. this depends on your location but it cuts out about 90% of false alarms.

the arrows is the best feature. you can determine location the radar sooner and get back up to speed. half the time it's on a patrol car on the other side of the freeway.

Slightly OT but I should disable X and K band too. Never seen it used in many years in the North East...

NJ uses X band.... if you drive through NJ X band needs to be on!

Interesting. Don't drive through NJ much but I guess I shouldn't disable after all...

Heard they are too cheap to upgrade, and if that county upgraded, its usually Laser....

I have a Redline. Love it. Excellent range, a very few false alerts.
Has saved me a number of times.

Love my Redline in conjunction with a ZR4 Shifter. Been debating on trying out the Escort live thing.

Yes, I neglected to mention the Escort live optional feature for the Escort models. It sounds promising if enough people begin using it, but you do need an iPhone or compatible smartphone for it to work. The Escort live feature might actually be useful against laser traps.

Thanks Blue Dragon! Thanks to all of you Guys! Although I didn't understand many terms :) I made my decision - I'm going with v1 (and that will be part one of the gift for my husband) then, if he agrees, I will have it installed in the rear mirror :P
Now, I know some of you might disagree , but thanks a lot for helping. After all I needed a guy prospective on that :D

FYI, if you do proceed, talk to scott at Radar-Mirror.com

Store V1 Mirrors

Personally, I dont like the mirror mount- my detector is high up on the windshield anyway, moving it from the detector 4 inches over isnt much help..AND, I want to avoid any indicator lights that other drivers (law enforcement officers) can see at night. I like a remote display down low.

Either way, he'll love Part 1, and let him figure our part 2....

A

Thanks 'ard', I already did talk to him :D

Yeah. I hope he likes it :)