[ScheerSpeed]

i would be deeply in debt to the govt. if i didn't have my V1

[ianbiz]

Originally Posted by ScheerSpeed

i would be deeply in debt to the govt. if i didn't have my V1

Same

[tintivilus]

Originally Posted by subterFUSE

Laser works on the same principle as radar. The doppler effect. ...

That's what I always thought, but I just found this today:

The British media has been scathing in its treatment of the inaccuracy of the LTI 20-20 speed gun. The basic operation problem is that handheld laser speed guns must take two separate measurements of distance to generate a speed estimate. If, while taking a speed reading, an officer's hand twitches slightly, the laser beam can "slip" from one portion of a vehicle to another. The extra distance measured in the second reading is then added to the calculation that determines the speed readout. For example, if the speed gun's aim point slips from the windshield to the grill, the speed reading will read 8 MPH too high. London's Daily Mail newspaper, the BBC, and ITV network have each run stories exposing fundamental flaws in the way lidar guns estimate speed.

(from http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/23/2348.asp )

Apparently a laser gun (or at least the LTI 20-20) uses two range findings over a fixed time interval, rather than doppler shift, to determine speed. Everything SubterFUSE said about parallax is true either way, though.

[shragon]

i don't have a v1, but there's some good info here.

fyi... california highway patrol (chp) is using laser more frequently. they may have to be stationary, but they can aim for cars from a greater distance.

also, here in the south bay (sf bay area), the chp has a special task force. they got one cop on the road doing the laser work and 3 motorcycle cops ready to pull people over.

[nmcampbell]

Originally Posted by shragon

i don't have a v1, but there's some good info here.

fyi... california highway patrol (chp) is using laser more frequently. they may have to be stationary, but they can aim for cars from a greater distance.

also, here in the south bay (sf bay area), the chp has a special task force. they got one cop on the road doing the laser work and 3 motorcycle cops ready to pull people over.

It seems like everytime I have a Ka band chirp from my V1 there's a CA Chippie close by. Just two days ago, it was picking up a Ka band signal from a distance in the rear on the 118 east in Simi Valley. Turns out a CHP was way back behind me (although I didn't know for sure since I hadn't seem him yet), so I kept it slow. The signal would come in and out, then it got stronger, would drop back down, finally as he was getting closer (mind you, I hadn't even seen him yet), the V1 starting increasing the beeping and then went off like crazy. As he passed me, the arrows switched to the sides and then the front.

Even though I bought a V1, I was skeptical about how good these things are, especially so as to whether or not the "rear antennae" was worth a crap." Not anymore. I've had mine two weeks and I'm already convinced it's helped me keep extra money out of the State budget. I'm sold.


****UPDATE****

It saved my ass again tonight. I was on my way home from Nick Alexander BMW in the e90 after picking up the wifey's new 528i. We were on the way home, she was a few cars back behind me when I punched it....the V1 went off, I slowed down, and spotted the CHP up on the right. Without the V1, I would have missed him in the dark and blazed right by him. I owe Mike Valentine a drink.

[nmcampbell]

Originally Posted by Hester

Candi read that over my shoulder and said "Here's an idea. How about you slow the F#$% down, Nick."

Tell her I said, "Thanks, Mom"

[Appropriate]

[BMW_TT]

Originally Posted by gonzo

I have had my V1 for about 6 years. Never had a ticket before my 335.

1. Lasered in a moderately heavy traffic on a toll road. He was hiding in the shadows of an overpass. "Why me" ..."Sign here"
2. He comes off a ramp and tags me in heavy traffic. "Why me"..."Sign here"
3.Going down an empty service road. No signal on V1. He was in a parking lot and "heard I was speeding" Caught up to me. This one I was lucky. 130..tapped me for 65.

Mine has always been mounted in the top left corner of the glass. Easier to glance at and is probably the most concealed spot other than grill mount. Cops here don't care if you have radars. "Just sign here".

The 335 is history and I am loving my new machine.

you sold the 335i?

[subterFUSE]

Originally Posted by itsxtian

What about when you park, do you put the detector into the glove?

Since GPS theft has started going up, is there a lot of radar detector theft?

No. I leave my detector on the windshield. I don't worry about it.

Although, I have it installed high enough on the windshield that it's not very visble from outside. And I have it hard wired into my domelight, so there are no wires hanging to give it away.

[Bimmer330i]

I always take my V1 down off the windshield and store it in its case and slip it under the seat or into the trunk. I don't want to give anyone the opportunity of breaking into the car to get it. It just isn't worth teasing anyone... and sometimes, I have to park in some not-so-respectible areas.

[dinkoh]

V1 hasn't detected anything, but noise.

I was hoping my V1 would go off at certain speed traps, but my V1 stays quiet.

For me, it has been a waste of money.

[FrankoQ]

Originally Posted by dinkoh

V1 hasn't detected anything, but noise.

I was hoping my V1 would go off at certain speed traps, but my V1 stays quiet.

For me, it has been a waste of money.

For me, it has saved my ass so many times... it already paid off with the tickets I did not get.
It has picked up permanent speed traps, mobile vans, cops, and the occasional false alarm.

I feel naked when driving without it.

[Das M]

i just finished the first leg of my 4000 mile road trip and my V1 saved my ass numerous times, just on this trip. Cops hiding out in pull offs, cops on bridges with the wolf pack circling, i usually go 12-15 mph higher than the limit but so far (knock on wood) no tickets when the V1 is in the window. i will let you know how the return trip goes.

[Gig103]

I just got my V1, and it is only 'useful' on the highways since local PA cops can't use radar... But it found 3 state troopers on Sunday, so I'm sure it works!

Turns it into a new fun game... When you hear the alert, you slow down and try to find the sucker.

[RaDaRkInG]

Nothing beats a Valentine One.

http://guysoflidar.com/august-2007/r...ctor-test.html

[Rising]

I got my V1 back in april. it is my first ever radar dectector. it have saved me a couple of times already, and it was very useful, especially during the drive to bimmerfest back in may.

[e92phreak]

no tickets yet! Have had it for about 8 months. Saved me quite a few times. Latest save: last week on the 23 freeway onramp.

[Andrew@ET]

seems today on my lunch break every street had ka bands going off .. not even joking like 8 streets were being enforced out of like 10.. anyway on one of the streets i got a fast hit of ka for like 5 sec then its gone then again. so i slow down of course i know they are up there some where . They were pretty much using instant on ka band? so i get closer to them i see them point and hit my car by this time i slow down to like 10 mph lol on a 35 just to mess with them as i pass by one of the cops he screams "thats not fair!" lol

if no one was infront i would be pretty screwed tho.

does everyone keep it on auto?

[Lassaxi]

Originally Posted by RaDaRkInG

Nothing beats a Valentine One.

http://guysoflidar.com/august-2007/r...ctor-test.html

Not RaDaRkInG again...