430 radar detectors

I am thinking about getting a radar detector. Any recommendations of either built in detectors/jammers or plug in to the cigarette lighter detectors?

 

I have an Escort SRX built in with a remote speaker mounted behind my left ear and I love it. They are just comming out with a 9500 ci to replace it. I am going to get one for my Ford GT.

 

I have a V1 but its useless in towns, only good for highway I think as there is so many other things setting it off all the time that I turn it off when in towns.

I think radar is good but nothing better then having a watchful eye.

 

Valentine1 use it in the Capital L mode

 

Passport SRX

 

Passport SRX have it my M5 and F430, works great.

 

I absolutely hate driving without my V1.

 

V1 is the only one to have. Mine is set to go off only with KA band, therefore I never receive false alarms.

Bob

 

Do any of you know if any of these radar detectors work in Europe by any chance? I heard that in the US you have different frequencies and therefore Valentine 1 & CO don't work in in Europe...is it true? If it is, what is the best radar detector that works in Europe?

Thanks in advance,
Carlo

 

I believe that radar in Europe is Ka band. Therefore any detector from the US will work.

 

Oh really? That would be great. If that's the case, I'd be inclined to get V1 as it seems to be the most popular around here...or are there any better options (eg. passport)?

 

How do you make it selective for Ka only?
I didn't know this was possible.

 

Just discussing the Escort and Valentine - could we pin down how each of us uses them so we can help each other a little better? In my case, I have experimented with other units but find the Escort 9500 the lesser of evils in that driving between San Diego and Las Vegas I get so many false X Band readings near trucks and especially (if anyone knows the area) around Baker, I all but ignore them. The K band seems to work better (few, if any, false alarms) but sometimes I am warned within a few seconds of seeing the source.

What have you experienced regarding warning "distance"... "False Alarms". What "settings" do you have your detector on, i.e. Auto, City, Highway. Do you have suggestions for "mounting"? Best

 

yeah, i thought you could only take off X

 

I just got my V1 back from being updated (they actually sent me a new unit). In the OM it talks about how they have both a Ku band and a Euro mode that are not active in the unit but can be activated by going to their website (www.valentine1.com/lab/MikesLabRpt3.asp). They say that the Euro mode "narrows and intensifies radar coverage and limits it to K and sections of Ka bands used in Europe for photo radar".

 

Have had both models....no contest, go the V1...I'll take the false positives over a ticket any day...own 3 of them...have paid for
the tickets many times over...

 

Call Kevin Wright at Audio Illusions in LA and tell him Ronnie reffered you. Kevin is probably the best in the country when it comes to installations of radar detectors, laser defusers, stereos, speakers, navigation systems, etc. He only works on high end cars, mainly Ferraris. People from all over the country use him, including most of my F-car friends here in the LA area. In my 430 spider I have a V1 radar dector and front and rear laser defusers. Never had a ticket. PM me for Kevins phone #'s.

 

The directions are on the V1 website.

Bob

BTW, you can turn on or off almost all settings. I have also selected the "increased sensitivity" for Ka band.

 

http://web.mac.com/wsna/Site/F430_for_web.html

 

I prefer my V1

 

How to program the V1

http://www.valentine1.com/lab/MikesLabRpt3.asp

 

Ahh...that's awesome Thanks for the input everyone, V1 it shall be then...

They only seem to ship to the US & Canada from their website unfortunately...I guess I'll have a look on eBay.

 

thanks

 

To get into programming mode, turn your V1 to the off position. Press down on the knob and turn on, still holding the knob down. After about 5 seconds, let go. The whole unit should light up and display P. Press the knob again and it will show your version (ex. 3.815). Press it again and you will see #1 with arrow up. This is X-band. Press and hold the knob and the arrow will go from front to rear. X-band will no longer report. Press the knob and move onto #2, K-band. Make sure you know what radar bands are used in your area so you don't turn off bands you need!

You can also have an automatic K-band mute in big L, which will keep K-band muted for 30 seconds threshold, or either 4 or 6 LED threshold. Which ever it reaches first, the V1 will alert.

To program K-band auto mute, enter programming mode and change these settings:

1. Go to programming mode in the v1.
2. Go to option 7, then make sure the arrow is pointed DOWN. (it is pointed UP as default from VR)
3. Go to option b next, make sure arrow is pointed DOWN.
4. Go to option C next, make sure arrow is pointed UP.
5. Go to option d next, make sure arrow is pointed UP.
6. Go to option E next, make sure arrow is pointed UP (default).
7. Go to option F next, make sure arrow is pointed UP (default).
8. Go to option G, make sure arrow is pointed DOWN.