Valentine radar units losing efficiency?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 900
Likes: 38
From: Waunakee Wisconsin
St. Jude Donor '20
Valentine radar units losing efficiency?
I spoke to a rep. at Valentine today who told me that, according to an outside testing firm, their radar detectors lose 76% of their effciency when used in back of a C5 windshield. It's also posted on their web site. I'm guessing from the rave reviews found on this forum it's not a problem? Has anyone used a unit in a different car and found much better or poorer results?
Also, does aircraft traffic surveillance use any electronics to measure car speed?
Also, does aircraft traffic surveillance use any electronics to measure car speed?
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: "It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18-'19
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Steve - I have a buddy that drives an '07 BMW B7 Alpina. His Valentine 1 does not receive behind his windshield, which I understand has some kind of heating element in the glass.
As far as the airborne speed enforcement, it is done with stop watches timing the time it takes the target vehicle to cross from one line on the highway to the next. As a result, there is no radio or light signal for a detector to receive.
I've been running my Valentine 1 in my C5 for three years and I have gotten ample warning of any radar to the front. I've used the same Valentine 1 in our '07 Cadillac mounted just above the dash with suction cups and I have not noticed any significant difference in the reception.
As far as the airborne speed enforcement, it is done with stop watches timing the time it takes the target vehicle to cross from one line on the highway to the next. As a result, there is no radio or light signal for a detector to receive.
I've been running my Valentine 1 in my C5 for three years and I have gotten ample warning of any radar to the front. I've used the same Valentine 1 in our '07 Cadillac mounted just above the dash with suction cups and I have not noticed any significant difference in the reception.
Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,608
Likes: 11
From: Aliso Viejo So. Cal.
Tell me it ain't so 
. I recently bought one and just waiting for the invisicord. I do believe if it's mounted behind the blue tint on your upper windshield, one could have problem receiving signals. V1 experts, please chime in.
. I recently bought one and just waiting for the invisicord. I do believe if it's mounted behind the blue tint on your upper windshield, one could have problem receiving signals. V1 experts, please chime in.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,417
Likes: 2
From: Annapolis MD
http://www.valentine1.com/lab/MikesLabRpt2.asp
that's saying that the V1 loses 76% of its efficiency for LASER detection... Which makes sense, since the tinted band is limiting LIGHT... Tint wouldn't have an effect on a radar signal...
Vaughn
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 485
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From: Houston TX
Hogwash on the standard radar efficiency ( maybe w/Laser)... I've never used/owned a V1 until I bought my brother's vette last year. He let me keep the one he had installed. I drove it from NJ to Texas and the V1 never failed to tell me when there was a speed trap ahead. I kid you not I passed through at least 15 speed traps or cars already pulled over in Louisiana alone travelling west on I-10. The V1 was rock-solid and gave me ample warning EVERY time. I was truly amazed at how accurate the dectection was and the range at which the first warning would sound off! I got home and immediately called my brother and told him the best part of the vette was that freaking V1. And yes, mine is mounted high right next to the mirror where it's power source is. The V1 is the only detector I'll have in any of my cars from now on.
Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,608
Likes: 11
From: Aliso Viejo So. Cal.
Hogwash on the standard radar efficiency ( maybe w/Laser)... I've never used/owned a V1 until I bought my brother's vette last year. He let me keep the one he had installed. I drove it from NJ to Texas and the V1 never failed to tell me when there was a speed trap ahead. I kid you not I passed through at least 15 speed traps or cars already pulled over in Louisiana alone travelling west on I-10. The V1 was rock-solid and gave me ample warning EVERY time. I was truly amazed at how accurate the dectection was and the range at which the first warning would sound off! I got home and immediately called my brother and told him the best part of the vette was that freaking V1. And yes, mine is mounted high right next to the mirror where it's power source is. The V1 is the only detector I'll have in any of my cars from now on.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,417
Likes: 2
From: Annapolis MD
Hogwash on the standard radar efficiency ( maybe w/Laser)... I've never used/owned a V1 until I bought my brother's vette last year. He let me keep the one he had installed. I drove it from NJ to Texas and the V1 never failed to tell me when there was a speed trap ahead. I kid you not I passed through at least 15 speed traps or cars already pulled over in Louisiana alone travelling west on I-10. The V1 was rock-solid and gave me ample warning EVERY time. I was truly amazed at how accurate the dectection was and the range at which the first warning would sound off! I got home and immediately called my brother and told him the best part of the vette was that freaking V1. And yes, mine is mounted high right next to the mirror where it's power source is. The V1 is the only detector I'll have in any of my cars from now on.
Pretty much how anyone who's actually TRIED a V1 feels... 
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Brett Foote
Safety Car
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From: Garfield Heights (AKA:Garbage Hts.) Ohio USA
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St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18
Oldtimer
http://www.valentine1.com/upgrades/
Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,608
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From: Aliso Viejo So. Cal.
If you read their website, an older V1 can be sent back to them for upgrading. Not sure if there is a cost involved or not.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 607
Likes: 9
From: Sandy Eggo, California
Fixed wing aircraft enforcement has nothing to do with the use of radar or laser. A location for an aircraft traffic enforcement assignment is set up by utilizing ground police officers at a designated location selected and measured by the fixed wing pilot or observer. The pilot or flight observer will select an area of the roadway and measure a zone one quarter mile (1320 feet) in distance from one permanent line to a second permanent line that crosses both lanes of traffic. The pilot will then fly above these areas at altitudes of 1,500 to 2,000 feet watching for speeding violators approaching the lines. As the vehicle passes the first line, a calibrated stop watch is started and then stopped when the violator passes over the second line. The pilot or observer crunches the numbers and then notifies the officers on the ground of the vehicle's description, speed over the quarter mile distance, and current time. The pilot or observer then maintains visual contact of the violator until the ground officers pulls the correct vehicle over. The pilot or observer then notifies the ground officers that they have the correct vehicle stopped.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Atlanta GA
CAVEAT I do not know if scanners are legal in any/all states.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,417
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From: Annapolis MD
There is a cost, depending on which model you have. Off the top of my head, if you have the version in the previous larger chassis (changed 4-5 years ago I think), the upgrade is around $150, whereas if you have the newer, smaller case, the upgrade runs $50-$75...
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 900
Likes: 38
From: Waunakee Wisconsin
St. Jude Donor '20
Thank you for all your comments. I've learned from this forum that the Valentine unit is one of a very few detectors to consider purchasing. Just wanted to clear up the lazer issue. My order's going in today.