V1 experience -
03-10-2004, 01:50 PM
#1
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V1 experience -
Sorry if this is off topic, but I'm looking for feedback from fast drivers (A8/S8) ;-). I have an old Passport which has served me very well, no tickets in almost 20 years with it. Looking at the V1 now, reading some folks saying that it's so sensitive it's worthless in urban areas. I've got alot of falsing now of course so I'm used to it, but will it get out of hand and become worthless? Is it worth it? Thanks!
03-10-2004, 02:27 PM
#2
my experience
The V1 is perfect for me. My wife and I carpool in the S8 everyday, and we have a 35-mile commute. Most of the route is along State Highways and Interstates, so 80+mph cruising speeds are common.
This morning, I got a Ka signal alert while cruising at 105mph. I had plenty of time to safely slow down to 60mph and move over to the center lane, before the police cruiser even came around the canyon bend (he was traveling in the opposite direction with his radar on, trolling for speeders). I'd estimate I had at least 20 seconds between the first Ka beep and when he had a chance to read my speed.
This same sensitivity in town can sometimes be maddening for me. Going to the airport, going to lunch at the restaurant next door to the hospital, driving past any gas station--in these situations the K-band alert is pretty much constant and wildly annoying as it picks up multiple bogeys. Sometimes I need to switch it off for awhile, so that's why I had a remote, under-dash cutoff switch installed. The only tough part is remembering to turn it back on when I get on the highway again.
On the highways and in rural areas, though, where we do about 90% of our driving (and about 98% of our speeding) the V1 is absolutely perfect.
When we lived in San Diego, it was a different story. I can almost guarantee that I wouldn't even bother owning a radar detector if I lived in a big city, with all the false alarms we got. Not to mention the fact that speeding is usually very dangerous if not downright impossible in most San Diego traffic commute situations.
I've used a friend's Passport, and haven't noticed any difference in false alarm rates, but did notice a pretty big difference in the amount of time you get to slow down. With the Passport, it was pretty risky trying to pass on the two-lane highway, because if a cop was in the oncoming lane > 1/4 mile away, around a bend, you wouldn't know it until it was too late.
For me, it's either a V1 or nothing. But YMMV.
This morning, I got a Ka signal alert while cruising at 105mph. I had plenty of time to safely slow down to 60mph and move over to the center lane, before the police cruiser even came around the canyon bend (he was traveling in the opposite direction with his radar on, trolling for speeders). I'd estimate I had at least 20 seconds between the first Ka beep and when he had a chance to read my speed.
This same sensitivity in town can sometimes be maddening for me. Going to the airport, going to lunch at the restaurant next door to the hospital, driving past any gas station--in these situations the K-band alert is pretty much constant and wildly annoying as it picks up multiple bogeys. Sometimes I need to switch it off for awhile, so that's why I had a remote, under-dash cutoff switch installed. The only tough part is remembering to turn it back on when I get on the highway again.
On the highways and in rural areas, though, where we do about 90% of our driving (and about 98% of our speeding) the V1 is absolutely perfect.
When we lived in San Diego, it was a different story. I can almost guarantee that I wouldn't even bother owning a radar detector if I lived in a big city, with all the false alarms we got. Not to mention the fact that speeding is usually very dangerous if not downright impossible in most San Diego traffic commute situations.
I've used a friend's Passport, and haven't noticed any difference in false alarm rates, but did notice a pretty big difference in the amount of time you get to slow down. With the Passport, it was pretty risky trying to pass on the two-lane highway, because if a cop was in the oncoming lane > 1/4 mile away, around a bend, you wouldn't know it until it was too late.
For me, it's either a V1 or nothing. But YMMV.
03-10-2004, 07:25 PM
#6
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Go for the V1...
I just jumped on the V1 bandwagon and am happy I did. The arrows are priceless. I pondered the move to a "upper level" detector for quite some time but when I got the A8 it was apparent that my old First Alert wasn't doing the job. I have the Summer package in a pre-facelift A8 meaning that I have the double pain glass that reflects much of the microwave activity and I have found that the V1's sensitivity is so great that it still has saved my butt plenty of times. It gives me sufficient time to slow down. So the falseing problem has been dulled considerably.
I drive a majority of my commute on the freeway but some of my driving is in the city but if you switch to the logic setting the V1 seems to false a lot less.
Give it a try Valentine offers a 30-day trial period. Also do a search on this forum for more in depth discussion about the V1 vs. Passport debate.
G. Hart
I drive a majority of my commute on the freeway but some of my driving is in the city but if you switch to the logic setting the V1 seems to false a lot less.
Give it a try Valentine offers a 30-day trial period. Also do a search on this forum for more in depth discussion about the V1 vs. Passport debate.
G. Hart
