Shank: You still need to mount the box on the windshield don't you?

 

Sorry to jump in here, but, you are correct the box still needs to be mounted somewhere. I remember a guy from the board had his installer remove the guts of the V1 and put them in his headliner out of site. Anyone remember who that was??

Lou

 

Colorchange, I had the V1 unit mounted itself on the ROLL BAR. Still considered out of site, out of mind, yet in line with front and rear visibility.

However, my V1 Mirror did go up in smoke (literally) so I am waiting for AI Design to repair and return it.

Knock on wood, last time I got a speeding ticket was 1988 with the old HUGE Escort Radar detector (instant on went on but was too late) Since the V1, not one ticket - again knock on wood.

Shank

 

Those old Escorts were wonderful.

 

IMO this is the best way to go its very cool looking,

http://www.miautodesign.com/gallery....7&v=th&man=bmw

 

What's the big deal with the arrows? You still have to hammer the brakes, wait for the signal to dissapear and then cautiously pick up the pace. I love gadgets as much as the next guy (except for mabey KPV) but I don't understand the utility of the arrows.

 

The biggest utility of the arrows, the rear one in particular...because of the rear facing additional sensor... allows you to be warned of radar coming up from behind you at the same warning distance the front facing sensor can. This allows you to pick up police shooting pictures from behind you when they are cruising and taking radar at the same time. I find this to be quite beneficial since I encounter this type of radar threat quite frequently here in new york state...

 

i can't stress how key the arrows are, some will never understand


I did a side by side up to san fran w/ my v1 and a buddies 8500. They are both great detectors, however on one occasion the V1 picked up a cop WELL before the 8500, WELL before. That and the arrows have sold me. Been a user for 6 years now

 

mike, now that you have chimed in. Any chance you are willing to leak any info on a new version comming out soon?

 

If Escort would install arrows in the built in units, that would be a great setup. There is a rear sensor, which could easily setect reae fire. I would assume the 2 front sensors could interpret a left or right side radar fire....

If Escort were to implement this, there wouldn't be much of a reason to buy a V1 if a stealth installation was sought..... only if!

 

Mono and shankGT2, I just talked to MIautodesign. They do make the rear view mirror. But you still have to mount the box on the windshield. Now if you are local in NJ, they will hide the guts of the box in the headliner. But what is really cool, is that for those of you (I do not) who have navigation in your car, they are working on the display showing on the Nav screen. BTW, they have the V1 components and they will order an OEM mirror for the first option, or you can send to them your mirror and your V1 components. They are supposed to check out this site and give a little info. I wonder if ShankGT2 is already one of their clients?

 

My only complaint about V1 (besides size and the sounds) is the lask of a usable auto mute button or clear indicators of the band it is picking up. have you ever driven in an urban environment with you and have to keep hitting the mute button non-stop. I like that almost every other brand includes different color leds or large letters to indicate the band. Its essential if you know what band your local police use...

Please also stop comparing old versions with new....the X50 is far superior to the old 8500. When choosing between brands you are now choosing between this model and the current V1. Stories your buddy's 8500 not being nearly as good are meaningless...

dave w

 

I've owned and had both the 8500 and V1. They are far superiour to any of the others... V1 is smaller and has nice "mute" functions. Seems to have good range and seemed to give less false alarms. However, it seemed to get overheated a lot and would stop functioning during really hot days with the sun shinning on it during long trips. Not sure if that was just mine or what. We did some testing with both radars on in the same car. The V1 would go off first by a couple of seconds- sometimes that's really important. I don't know why but I like the arrows even if it gives you a false sense of security. You should slow down if you here a bleep regardless of which side it's coming. But the V1 is too big and it's shame it doesn't have a decent mute function/button. It also gave out more false alarms. I stuck to the V1 even if it was a $100 more pricey.

Also correct me if I'm wrong but Mike Valentine used to work at Escort and left to do his own thing, right? If so well bloody done...

 

You can do it --

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

 

yes, but reprogramming only allows you to mute/adjust K band...which should probably just be turned off at this poing since its pretty obsolete for radar guns...

-dw