radar detectors

[Perfectlap]

the big difference between the x50 and the v1 is sensitivity.
You will get allot more alerts with the v1 and most will be false alerts.
But I think that's a positive, not a negative.
After a while you know right away what a real threat sounds like, its hard to confuse. So you learn how to "tune out" the false beeps.

THe other difference from the testing I have seen is that the V1 is the best at picking up lazer from a trailing vehicle. Lazer from a stationary vehicle (cop on the side of the road hiding behind trees) seem to be about even in x50 vs. V1
In other words you've got somewhat of a chance at eluding a state trooper following cars from behind with the V1. This is the hardest type of signal to pick up of all the radar situations and the V1 has come up many times as the only one to succeed at this. I've had two instances where a state trooper was lurking from behind the V1 fired off Lazer and a minute or two later he was speeding after another car.

There are some neat installs of the V1 on Renntech.org
One 911 guy mounted it above his rearview mirror (the best spot) and hardwired it so it fires up on ignition with all wires hidden under the pillars.
Get the attachment display box that keeps the V1 from flashing on the windshield.
Helps to avoid tailgaters looking to mooch off your $400 and keeps the five-O from noticing flashing lights in your cockpit. I've been yelled at by cops several tiems for having a radar detector.

[RandallNeighbour]

There are three reasons I chose my V1:

1) I can program the dang thing to turn OFF X band. It's only used in Ohio if I'm not mistaken, and is the cause of most of my false alarms (Walmart, Kroger, etc.)

2) It is upgradeable. Hopefully, it will be the last radar detector I must buy. I have a drawer full of noisemakers that I've retired and can't get a dime for now, even in a garage sale.

3) The arrows. Just last night, it was very comforting to know it was a cop on the other side of the barricaded tollway with his radar blazing... when I got side arrows then a rear arrow, I punched it back up to my "normal" driving speed. No worries that he's lurking ahead of me.

One gripe though: The V1's laser settings seem to go off randomly or when a newer SUV with LED tail lamps taps their brakes on the freeway. It's frustrating.

[Dr. Kill]

Originally Posted by RandallNeighbour

I can program the dang thing to turn OFF X band. It's only used in Ohio if I'm not mistaken, and is the cause of most of my false alarms (Walmart, Kroger, etc.)

You are right about this being a useful feature, but be careful, I think there is a lot of misinformation out there about where X is used and where it isn't. My experience is that it is more widely used than a lot of people think. A lot of Jersey cops use this, and you can always count on small town cop outfits running older equipment (X band).

I run with my 8500 X50 and slow down every time the thing goes off - it doesn't happen that often, so I just don't worry about false alarms - better safe than sorry + it is always fun to speed back up again later.

[Houston C4S]

Just FYI,

another source of false laser signals for the V1 is the cruise
control systems in the big Nissan and Infiniti tank-like SUVs.

Annoying, but that's why it goes off around those vehicles.

I expect this to increase as more cars use auto-controlling
cruise controls.

Personally, I think cruise controls should be disallowed as
they let drivers pay even less attention to the world around
them than they do anyway. Cell phones, too, for that matter.

Except for me, of course.

[Perfectlap]

actually I think its worse than that, it's the Ifiniti lighting systems. I only seem to get a false positive lazer alert when the FX45 SUV is behind me. once the car goes past the V1 goes silent. I've pulled back in front of it just to test it and sure enough it went off.

[jci-joe]

I see there are a number of radar detectors with remote mounted sensors including the Passport SR7+ and the Calibre K40. Has anyone installed one of these in a Boxster and what is your opinion. Also, if you installed the SR7+, do you know if the laser shifting has worked? At $1,599, it seems pricey unless it truely works.

Since I have not seen too many comments on these, my assumption is that they are not widely used.

[ukchris]

Love my V1!!! And the arrows did actually save me!

[Dr. Kill]

Originally Posted by jci-joe

I see there are a number of radar detectors with remote mounted sensors including the Passport SR7+ and the Calibre K40. Has anyone installed one of these in a Boxster and what is your opinion. Also, if you installed the SR7+, do you know if the laser shifting has worked? At $1,599, it seems pricey unless it truely works.

Since I have not seen too many comments on these, my assumption is that they are not widely used.

I have no experience with this product, but if I remember right, Radartest.com (in the report version you pay for) did test the shifter and found it to be effective.

[1JB]

Originally Posted by jci-joe

I see there are a number of radar detectors with remote mounted sensors including the Passport SR7+ and the Calibre K40. Has anyone installed one of these in a Boxster and what is your opinion. Also, if you installed the SR7+, do you know if the laser shifting has worked? At $1,599, it seems pricey unless it truely works.

Since I have not seen too many comments on these, my assumption is that they are not widely used.

There are a number of threads on this including one with a photo of my SRX install by the dealer. Front and rear laser detection and shifting. It detects slightly sooner than my X50 audibly and visually even a bit more so. I say that because the remote bi-color led actually signals before the audible signal. Yes the shifter works, from my personal experience but you can't be stupid, you do need to slow down so the cop doesn't put two and two together and get really ticked at you. I went through 2 laser traps in Connecticut both times in front, hit by laser, slowed and the cars in the right lane caught up. I am glad I do not drive in Connecticut often. Total installation was $2,300 and if I only had one accessory to add it would be this one. From the research I did the SRX sensitivity was better because of the increased size of the sensor due to the exterior, low installation - the low installation is not a positive but overcome by the larger sesor. I also concluded that the V1 was outdated and "resting on its lurels" but that's my personal conclusion, opinions are all over the map but some say their patents are quite a bit older than Escort's. I have no idea if that is true. I struggled with the cost of the SRX but would do it again in a heart beat. You also cannot see it from outside the car.

[mwh98]

Originally Posted by jci-joe

I see there are a number of radar detectors with remote mounted sensors including the Passport SR7+ and the Calibre K40. Has anyone installed one of these in a Boxster and what is your opinion. Also, if you installed the SR7+, do you know if the laser shifting has worked? At $1,599, it seems pricey unless it truely works.

Since I have not seen too many comments on these, my assumption is that they are not widely used.

I think they are so few and far between is the price, there is a lot more you can do for $1,600.00+. I found a new SR7 +shifters on fleabay ($650.00) and did the install myself. It was probabley the toughest install I have ever done., considering you are running wires from bumber to bumber.

I have had no experience with V1's but have an 8500 and an 8500 X50. The X50 was a noticible improvement from the regular 8500, while the SR7 is and the X50 are very close.

I have a picture of the install, but the server is limiting the file size, so I can't upload it. I cut out the bezel rectangle in the bow tie under the HVAC in the center console. For a while the Escort site has a custom instal in a Boxster.

After it was all done, I'm extreemly happy with the look and performance of the SR7. The only change is to add the optional external speaker for when the top is down, so you can hear it, since it is a little out of your line of sight.

Mark
2001 Seal Grey 986
San Antonio, Texas

[ukchris]

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

actually I think its worse than that, it's the Ifiniti lighting systems. I only seem to get a false positive lazer alert when the FX45 SUV is behind me. once the car goes past the V1 goes silent. I've pulled back in front of it just to test it and sure enough it went off.

I've read articles about Infiniti headlights setting off the V1 too, never experienced it though (yet).

[RandallNeighbour]

Originally Posted by ukchris

I've read articles about Infiniti headlights setting off the V1 too, never experienced it though (yet).

I could be wrong, but I think the infiniti's with the laser-assisted cruise control (where it slows down the car automatically when it gets too close to another car) is what is setting off your laser warning.

If this is the case, it's going to get a lot worse. This technology is now found in most luxury cars, including lexus, MB, BMW, Caddilacs, etc.

[Uncle Bob]

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

There are some neat installs of the V1 on Renntech.org
One 911 guy mounted it above his rearview mirror (the best spot) and hardwired it so it fires up on ignition with all wires hidden under the pillars.

I mounted my Escort 8500 using the guide there and I love it. Mine mounts to the right of the rear view mirror and with no wiring visible, is almost unnoticeable. Having it turn on automatically is a real plus, but getting the power outlet back under the glove box was a real boon also.

As far as the sensitivity? Man, some of it is quite subjective, imho. All I know is I've had it in my Dakota before i got the Boxster and it paid for itself first time. Laser radar is the worst. By the time you get a signal, you have most likely been spied. No scatter is the big problem. It's a very concentrated beam.

[David N.]

Nice motorcycle mounting UroTrash!

Although a good biker friend of mine stands behind an interesting statistic concerning bikes and speedtraps, that of all the bikes that are flagged and chased for speeding, only 15% actually get caught. Which with a decent sport bike is certainly possible, if a ZX-14 wants to lose a Crown Vic, there's not much the cop can do short of calling for a block or a chopper or something.

Ghostrider anyone?

-David

[ukchris]

[QUOTE=Perfectlap]"There are some neat installs of the V1 on Renntech.org
One 911 guy mounted it above his rearview mirror (the best spot) and hardwired it so it fires up on ignition with all wires hidden under the pillars."
[QUOTE]

Boxster:


911: