I will be picking up a Valentine One in the next day or so. I have seen some interesting mounting options, including right above the rear view mirror. From my understanding tint and metallic objects reduce the sensitivity of the detector. The location that i really like for the unit is above the rear view, but, there are those small annoying dots between the two sunvisors. my question is this, do those dots reduce the sensitivity? and if so, does anyone know a way to (safely) remove them?
Not sure, but I don't take chances with mine. It's mounted on the passenger side of the mirror, with a clear view to the back as well as the front.
I've got mine above the rearview, passenger side. I don't think my bugeye has the dots. And anyway, the dots are only going to cut down (very slightly) on your laser detection, and you're not really going to get any early warning there anyway. It basically just lets you know you've been hit.
good information to know, i am debating picking up a laser jammer system too, but i dont really know if i am going to need all that.
I've got mine mounted above the mirror using that little extra hole. No messing with suction cups, power wired into the map lights. The convenience of just having it there all the time far outweighs any possible reduction in sensitivity. I'd be willing to bet there essentially zero intereference with radar detection, hell, the V1 will still go off even if you throw it on the floor. The location behind the tint and the fact that it isn't plastered directly to the windshield keep it less visible from outside. Laser I could see being more of an issue, but as mentioned, if you get hit with laser it is too late anyway. Just an fyi, keep in mind laser jammers are illegal in MN. (detectors are fine.) I haven't really noticed much laser use in MN, but I know Edina has them. ;P
Yes, state troopers use laser. So, again: if you get hit with laser, you're getting a ticket. :laugh:
Not true. Under most circumstances... yeah. your boned if you pick up laser.. but i have had a few when i was following behind someone, and picked up the laser through their car. that's why you want to mount it high. higher probability of picking up laser from both in front of and behind you. it's light. it's much more direct, but light inherently bounces and goes through clear things. you can still get a heads up.
austinpike, do you have a writeup of how you mounted that? i have been looking for one but havent had any luck yet.
I have been hit the last few days with Ka radar by MN troopers on 94 east of Woodbury. These were both driving and standing still.
i have mine mounted with the standard window mount that comes with it right above the center mirror offset to the passangers side just a little. never had a problem with picking up anything that had its radar on. Your always susceptible to being picked up by either laster or cops that just pop the radar on when they see people coming. thats where driving sensible comes in and if you are going to speed and see a car coming slow down to a manageable speed.
Not much of a writeup, but here are some more pics. http://www.iwsti.com/forums/how-install/16651-v1-install-05-a.html Just drill a hole in the metal clip in the appropriate location. It is a bitch to cut through, helps if you have a drill press. I can't tell you the thread pitch for the hole, I just happened to find a screw that worked. Something metric as I recall.
i was working on getting the mount up, how do i remove the plastic cap that is right in front of the headliner, without breaking it?
As Shane said, I've picked up bits of laser before they actually targeted my car. I mount mine right below the rearview, tucked up real close. It works phenomenally, and is not intrusive. I have never been messed with by police for having it mounted on the windshield. Hardwire it, and be done. Laser is used all over the place. I've been hit all over the cities.
I have my V1 mounted up just a bit above my mirror on the drivers side. I did some research about radar detectors. Alot of people claim that window tint(as long as it is not metallic based, or something like that) does not affect radar/laser detection.
yeah, I like it to scare the crap out of me. I guess there have been a couple times when I thought I might have picked up some residual laser from another car. Happens pretty quick though. There are so many laser falses now, some brake lights set it off, and those adaptive cruise controls... annoying as hell when you get stuck near someone using one of those. I picked up one of these a long time ago, works great for that sort of thing. Google "trim removal" or "door removal" tool.
The laser false alarms don't happen at any practical times though. If you are tailgating an Envoy, no worries. If you are pulling into Arby's and the red neons set it off, who cares. When you are on the highway, none of those affect you, as I have seen in the last two years of using a V1.
Have you had one of the newer Infinitis "lock on" to you...? With the adaptive cruise they just camp out behind you, V1 laser goes off every 5 seconds, it certainly gets your attention until you figure out what's going on. You can speed up, slow down, they don't care since their cruise is matching your pace, they aren't even paying attention.
No I have not. When someone is matching my speed like that, I accelerate until they back off. It takes up to 90 mph for that to happen sometimes...
Yeah, I've had this happen a few times... i usually just shut it off and slow down until i can get some distance or vehicles between me and them. and those systems do have a bottom limiter... if you really want to get them off your tail... just slow down. an alert will flash on their dash and it will force them back into control
I am trying to hardwire the unit, but the guy that sold it to me lost it, and cant find it, does anyone know any local places that sell the hardwiring kit, or something that will work for it?
MY v1 falses laser behind some vehicles. The new audis make it go crazy also. My last trip on the highway I got some laser falsing in the midle of nowhere. When my buddy 1/8 mile in front of me who also has a V1 did not get any. Anyone have any clue why the state decided to put radars on all the road signs?
Faber is your V1 newer? If not, run the serial number here (https://store.valentine1.com/upgrades/) and see if you are due for an upgrade. - Jason
I bought it from V1 website this winter/spring. I don't think it is in need of an update(I guess I could run it just because). I have thought about contacting them and seeing what they have to say. I know Jeremy's has not been updated(at least not recently). Maybe they changed stuff to be more sensative.
Chevy trailblazers are the worst for this, it's be talked about this on several radar detector forums.
