I'm looking for a detector to use "out of state" since they are illegal in the "Commonwealth" of Virginia. :skep: My ZR-1 still has the original windshield so I'm assuming I cannot hang it from the visor due to the film in the windshield :confused: I'd like to have something before the run down to WinterJam2.

Any comments about which detector to buy and where/how to mount? I see that Valentine has a "stealth" mounting system? Passport 8500 gets good press?

Comments appreciated :flag

 

I've had Valentine units in all 3 of my ZR-1s all with original windshields. Never a problem. We do a lot of traveling with our Vette Club and those with V1 units pick up signals before any one else in the club with other brands. It has saved us lots of ticket $$.
Valentine sells "Vacation Rentals" (their words for people who buy one, use it for a few weeks and then return it under Valentine's no questions money back policy).
You get one of these only by calling Valentine and requesting one of these units. You might have to wait until they get one in stock but none of us with these ever waited more than a few weeks. These units are repackaged and guaranteed like a new one (they are). Cost is 10% less that their new units. Few in our club still have other brands. Good luck. Bill :thumbs:

 

I have a V1 and love it. I think it has saved me on many occassions...so it has payed for itself several times over. You are welcome to borrow mine Tony for one of your "out of state" trips since we live in the communist...ooops..I mean commonwealth state!!!!!!! :)

 

I may take you up on that Bill :D I'm headed to Florida to WinterJam the last Wednesday in January. You should come out to the BCC AutoCross at Pungo next weekend anyway. Even if you don't run "The Beast" you'll have a ball watching :eek:

Check out details at Beachcombers website

 

I agree with the others, the V1 is the only way to go. Like the ad says, once you use the "arrows" you'll never go back to a lesser unit. I didn't really see the value of the arrows until i used it for a while, but these V1's have saved me thousands of $$$ over the years. :yesnod:

Btw, I've blasted through your state lots of times with a V1. It's curcuitry is very resistant to "radar detector detectors" the cops use. And the remote unit keeps the main unit dark, so that a cop behind you can't flip on his radar and make your upper windshield area light up like a video game :lol:


[Modified by Greybeard ZR1, 9:22 AM 1/1/2004]

 

I'd go with the v1, unless you want to go to the hassle of mounting an integrated radar system, like the escort sr1...

But I'd mount it low on the dash to make sure the signal gets through. That's why the windshield was designed that way, so it makes sense to put it there...

 

For you confirmed and $ucce$$ful V1/ZR1 users, where are you mounting your V1 units, up high at the mirror level or down on the dash? Has anyone tried both positions and noticed any sensitivity differences?

Steve

 

Very interesting "review" of radar detectors in the latest Motor Trend.
Basically said the Valentine wasn't worth the cost. All I've ever heard from
Corvette types was that V1 is the best.
I figure Valentine just doen't advertise as much in M/T as the others.
Anyone know any better?

Happy New Year!

Ted Feder
'95 ZR1 #106
So. Cal.
Don't need no stinkin' detector



[Modified by 95ZR1, 4:03 PM 1/1/2004]

 

It's my understanding that the V1 detects radar from in front, and behind. This restricts mounting locations because it needs a look behind without obstruction. That said, I always mount my V1s (in C4s) in the center just under the rear view mirror. That's also high enuff to look over any luggage we might have stacked in the back. Seems if I mount them low on the dash, the driver, passenger or luggage might interfer with detecting what's behind. As for the ZR-1 windshields, I've never noticed any detection problem ant ALWAYS pick up bogies sooner than other club members with other brands. Bill

 

I still think the V1 is the best. The only problem is that Radar detectors sometimes get your more tickets in the long run because you get a false sense of security. A laser gun will eat your lunch with a detector.

Best method is not go to fast maybe 80-or 90, stay in right lane and be aware of your surroundings as well as using a "shield" or sacrificial lamb as i call them. (Guys in front of you who go insane speeds - prob with a detector thinking they won't get caught) Follow these guys at about 1/8 mile.
Don't speed early in the morning or late at night -- There is no doubt the reading was your car then. (laser can pinpoint a car in traffic -- radar cannot)
Plus officers are going to use instant on on your car and you will be toast.

I used to be a big radar detector fan and I had a BEL Remote System with a police scanner in it but when I sold it I decided to let the new owner enjoy it rather then pull it out of the car.

I have not gotten a detector in the past year but that caught up with me when I first got the ZR-1 and got caught on a on ramp at 92. Nothing would have saved me that time anyway, the only thing would have been if the radar unit was constantly on, I might have gotten a beep.

A friend of mine who is a police officer let me use his handheld laser gun and he also shot me with it a few times in the 92. After seeing the results of those tests, I have not been real motivated to go spend $400 on a detector-- I have just slowed down considerably. The only real way to really do it right is to get a V1 and then a Laser Defense system.

Its like your either pregnant or not pregnant. If you are not driving with a laser defense system, you definately are not fully protected but taking a risk. I also hate to tell you that Laser is now quite common -- your chances of coming up against laser is imminent.

That being said -You have three options:

1. Don't speed -- save $400.00 and protect your low insurance rates.

2. Get a V1, use the right lane, use a sacrifical lamb, and be aware of your surroundings.

3. Protect yourself the best way which is all of # 2 combined with a laser defense system.

In closing, make sure you don't risk other peoples lives, use the track if you want to drive like a mad man :jester


[Modified by xlr8nflorida, 4:17 PM 1/1/2004]

 

As always, thanks for all the input guys :blueangel: 500 miles of I-95 in a ZR-1 and I know I'll let the mph it creep up there once in a while :lol: Just looking for a little edge when that happens.

Sounds like the V1 is a good value and it seems to wor through the ZR-1 windshield. If I can "test drive" Bill's V1 it may close the deal for me :thumbs:

Good points on the safety and keeping it on the track :thumbs: :thumbs:

 

I'm not recommending this one, but have a look at it.


http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=721019

I will make anyone who owns a V1 feel like they got off cheap :yesnod:

 

Ted...I don't think that Valentine really needs to advertise much...his product
speaks for itself.

Tony...let me know when you want to get ahold of the V1 for your trip.

Bill

 

Yes, but that unit works against laser :cheers:

 

That is true, but you can buy a separate laser jammer, still have your V1, with plenty of cash left over compared to that $1600.00 :eek: set up.

Happy New Year :cheers:

 

I've got 3 V1's but no laser defense system.

I usually haul butt, and use some of the techniques mentioned to stay out of trouble. Btw, I call the "sacrificial lambs", "Rabbits". Let the bunnies fly by, and flush all the bears out.

My only ticket with the Z' in ten years of driving it, was laser. So what's the best, most cost effective anti-laser system out there?

I'm wary of these cheapo systems that make a lot of claims, and most reviews claim they are worthless.

 

Here is some info for you to look at and decide for yourself.

-

http://www.radartest.com/article.asp?articleid=8502

-

:cheers:


[Modified by Z Factor, 9:40 AM 1/2/2004]

 

Bob - the laser detector on the V1 is excellent - problem is, once it goes off, you have to hammer the brakes, and that just isn't safe - so the only real way to defend against laser is to know the spots where the cops hang out, and avoid them. :crazy:

 

I concur... the Valentine is the best Radar Detector. I have mine mounted on the dash. If you look closely at the Solar Glass you will notice there is a part of the mettalic cutout for the EXACT purpose of a radar detector. It is right where my detector is mounted. Thanx GM!!! :thumbs:

 

Yes, I have and the cut out area does make a difference in signal strength. Last summer when I was commuting to work I had to pass through a small town that was using one of those "your speed is xx" trailers. One day I pulled over to the side of the road about 1/8 mile from the radar unit and tried moving the V1 around to various spots on the windshield to see if there was any difference in signal strength. When the V1 was located in the cut out area all the bars lit up (full warning). I then moved it around to several other spots on the windshield including up high by the mirror and only got about a half the bars to light up. If I recall correctly the radar unit was using K band.