Have been using Escort 8500 for several years. Not the newer X50 version. Thought it was time for an upgrade. After a great deal of “flip-flopping” between Escort, Bell, V1 and the major remote detectors I went with V1. Wanted something different and liked the idea of the directional arrows.
Well I’m on my second week now and the thing drives me crazy. Never shuts up. I live in a small town and when I drive through a section with a few stores 5,6,7 or more bogeys.
The filtering on the V1 is non-existent. It goes off for everything and I tend to start ignoring it.

Is this typical of the V1?

With the escort I would keep it on frequency read out or what ever you call it. I found it much easier to determine real radar front door openers, alarms and other radar detector.
Once you learn the frequency police radar and the frequency of door openers, to me, it seams easier to sort them out.

I do like the V1 directional arrows but not sure if they are worth it.

I guess the radar debate is like the header debate. Never ending.

Oh ya. I tried using them simultaneously. Won’t work. The V1 won’t allow it. Starts going off as soon as I turn the Escort on. The Escort works normally with the V1 on.

I’m going to try it for one more week and see if I can learn to love like many V1 users do.

Only problem I’ll have to take the V1 out of the Z and put it in a different car.
Unless it stops raining. That would be nice, as the Z gets claustrophobic when in the garage too long. . .Or is it me.

 

the false alarms are something you just have to get used to. read the manual that came with the v1 carefully and you will have a good understanding of how radar really works. in my opinion if there is any filtering at all you increase your chances of not picking up a cop at some point. it probably took me about a month to really get used to the V1 and know its "habits". i have had mine for 4 years and wouldnt trade it for anything. it has saved me from more tickets than i can possibly imagine.

 

Thanks

Have you ever used an Escort or Bell?

I’m wondering if most V1 owners have tried Escort or Bell for comparison.
If they have was the frequency read out mode used?

 

I use my 8500 in "expert" mode, I find it easier to see all of the different types and signal strenths of radar signals it's receiving.

I'm not a fan of the V1 for the very reasons you're experiencing.

upgrade to the 8500 X50.

 

This is where the V1 gets its much vaunted better detection ranges. Basically it's filtering sucks, as does it's packaging/case. Don't they offer a satisfaction guarantee? If so send it back and get the X50.

 

Have you put it to full logic mode to prevent all from interfering? I have 3 V1's wouldn't have it any other way.

 

Have you tried different modes? I started out with the "A" mode and it had a lot of false readings. I run on the small "L" mode and have very few false readings. Push in the volume **** to switch modes.

 

I think since they added the POP functionality, the falses have gone up.

I have an older V1, and really don't use it much... LA freeways are their own best protection. But I keep it incase we travel out of LA.

 

You can view programming options here.............http://valentine1.com/lab/MikesLabRpt3.asp

I run mine in advance logic mode (Big L) with the following program changes. This helps filter a lot of the door openers, etc. I use an X50 in my truck, it is still goes off in the same areas as the V1 with those settings.

Option #7 enabled (Didn’t adjust anything other than enabling it)
Option J (POP) Disabled, not an issue in most areas especially mine!! lol

This made a huge difference in city driving, I still use All Bogeys (A) mode for the highway. The owners manual which you can also view online explains all of the modes.

Enjoy,



Tony2

 

I run mine in Advanced Logic mode as well. Just today it saved me from getting hit by radar 3 times. Two of them I wouldn't have known where they were if it weren't for the directional arrows and bogy counter. Sneaky lil bastiges!

Oh, I have an Escort too and I hate that damn thing.

 

I've got the 8500 in a Yukon and the V1 in the Vette. The V1 is much more sensitive and comparing the two in identicle situations, the V1 gives an earlier warning. I do miss those arrows when I'm in the Yukon.