Radar Dectector Du Jour?
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Pro
Joined: Feb 2007
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Radar Dectector Du Jour?
What's the best radar detectors that you fellas are going with now?
I know its a subjective question, but Valentine 1's seemed to be the most popular about 8 years ago when I got my first Corvette.
And anybody have a quick link for "hardwiring" the V1 for direct power? I remember a photo tutorial here a long time ago showing how to wire into the unused pigtail wiring under the passenger footboard... got one for the C6 Z06?
I know its a subjective question, but Valentine 1's seemed to be the most popular about 8 years ago when I got my first Corvette.
And anybody have a quick link for "hardwiring" the V1 for direct power? I remember a photo tutorial here a long time ago showing how to wire into the unused pigtail wiring under the passenger footboard... got one for the C6 Z06?
Last edited by Mark Ducati; Aug 26, 2008 at 07:57 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,448
Likes: 4
From: Sarasota Florida
St. Jude Donor '06
Still is. Still the only one with arrows.
If you basically drive the speed limit and you just want a little assist, a top-of-the-line Escort or Passport has fewer false alarms. But if you seriously need a detector, the V1 is the only way to go.
Wiring today is done with an Invisicord into the back of the connector for the mirror. Much neater.
If you basically drive the speed limit and you just want a little assist, a top-of-the-line Escort or Passport has fewer false alarms. But if you seriously need a detector, the V1 is the only way to go.
Wiring today is done with an Invisicord into the back of the connector for the mirror. Much neater.
Last edited by Gannet; Aug 26, 2008 at 07:58 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 1999
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From: Huntington Beach California
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 45,273
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From: Rochester, NY
Still is. Still the only one with arrows.
If you basically drive the speed limit and you just want a little assist, a top-of-the-line Escort or Passport has fewer false alarms. But if you seriously need a detector, the V1 is the only way to go.
Wiring today is done with an Invisicord into the back of the connector for the mirror. Much neater.
If you basically drive the speed limit and you just want a little assist, a top-of-the-line Escort or Passport has fewer false alarms. But if you seriously need a detector, the V1 is the only way to go.
Wiring today is done with an Invisicord into the back of the connector for the mirror. Much neater.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2007
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Thank you fellas...
My V1 was purchased 2000, never been dropped... V1 offers an "upgrade" on the electronics. Would you upgrade or just buy a new one?
Invisicord? Plug into the back of the mirror? Now that's cool! Does Valentine carry the Invisicord or do I have to get it from another vendor?
My V1 was purchased 2000, never been dropped... V1 offers an "upgrade" on the electronics. Would you upgrade or just buy a new one?
Invisicord? Plug into the back of the mirror? Now that's cool! Does Valentine carry the Invisicord or do I have to get it from another vendor?
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 5,706
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From: St. Peters MO
C7 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
2018 C7 of Year Finalist
I think the 9500i is the most technologically advanced, detector currently available. Had a V1 and the false alarms drove me crazy. I can live without arrows as I always slow down regardless of where the radar signal is coming from.The V1 die hards will disagree of course but thats ok. The V1 is a great detector! I just prefer the Passport 9500i, for now.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,081
Likes: 8
From: San Francisco Bay Area California
Thank you fellas...
My V1 was purchased 2000, never been dropped... V1 offers an "upgrade" on the electronics. Would you upgrade or just buy a new one?
Invisicord? Plug into the back of the mirror? Now that's cool! Does Valentine carry the Invisicord or do I have to get it from another vendor?
My V1 was purchased 2000, never been dropped... V1 offers an "upgrade" on the electronics. Would you upgrade or just buy a new one?
Invisicord? Plug into the back of the mirror? Now that's cool! Does Valentine carry the Invisicord or do I have to get it from another vendor?
Visit the V1 site and put your serial number in the upgrade section and they will tell you what's changed from your model and what it will cost to upgrade. Offhand I'd say POP mode will be new and there have been significant laser detection improvements as well.
The Invisicord is available from Forum vendors. If that sounds attractive, you can find them with a search. Personally I prefer the traditional fuse protected V1 harness connection to the fuse box. I use a mini fuse tap and just plugged it into the heated seats fuse slot. Mine's not a ZO6, though so I won't post a photo that might be confusing.
Last edited by carnut08; Aug 26, 2008 at 08:15 PM. Reason: Additional information about wiring
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2007
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You guys are fast!
Dang, you make it too easy to spend money on accessories... my Z06 isnt even here yet and I'm already stocking up on stuff.
I think my wife is as excited as I am to get back into the corvette world... she didnt blink an eye when I showed her the mild-2-wild video and told her I ordered one... I think I'll send my old V1 back and get the "upgrade", I found the invisicord at vettemods.com, they've got two different brackets with the invisicord for $50 bucks. Worse case, $450 bucks for a new radar detector set up.
Dang, you make it too easy to spend money on accessories... my Z06 isnt even here yet and I'm already stocking up on stuff.
I think my wife is as excited as I am to get back into the corvette world... she didnt blink an eye when I showed her the mild-2-wild video and told her I ordered one... I think I'll send my old V1 back and get the "upgrade", I found the invisicord at vettemods.com, they've got two different brackets with the invisicord for $50 bucks. Worse case, $450 bucks for a new radar detector set up.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,081
Likes: 8
From: San Francisco Bay Area California
That's what I did! By the time it was built I had a Colgan Bra, Colgan side view mirror covers, Stormproof car cover, Race Ramps, stickers to cover those ugly airbag warning decals on the visors, Mild2Wild switch, lifting pucks, small 12 volt air compressor, removable front license plate bracket and probably more stuff I've forgotten.
The V1 was hardwired, the Mild2Wild was installed, the airbag warning decals were installed and Ed @ Pipedreams' free "stop the rocks" DIY tip was done as soon as the car hit my garage.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 106
Likes: 13
From: Beaumont Tx
I own both the 9500 and valentine..In the city around town the 9500 hands down because it will learn all the CVS automatic doors 
,but on the highway the Valentine IS more sensitive and will pick up the signal before the 9500. Is the 9500 good enough for the highway?Absolutely..
,but on the highway the Valentine IS more sensitive and will pick up the signal before the 9500. Is the 9500 good enough for the highway?Absolutely..
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 896
Likes: 0
From: St. Lucie, FLORIDA 757 RWHP 694 RWTQ
YES, This has been beaten to death but why not another answer to it.
I think the 9500i is the most technologically advanced, detector currently available. Had a V1 and the false alarms drove me crazy. I can live without arrows as I always slow down regardless of where the radar signal is coming from.The V1 die hards will disagree of course but thats ok. The V1 is a great detector! I just prefer the Passport 9500i, for now.
I like the option to block out false signals and the extra distance that the V1 out performs the 9500i series is useless. I know the more distance the better but if you're picking up signals at almost a mile away why do you need the extra 1/4 mile.
GO ahead and blast me for stating that the extra distance is useless but buy yourself a Passport 9500i and you will see what I mean
Pro
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 638
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From: Medford NY
St. Jude Donor '05-'07
Speed Measurement Laboratories, Inc. performs an independent (i.e., they're not selling anything) annual radar detector test:
http://www.speedzones.com/index.html
V1 is still one of the best and you've got to love those arrows; but, it's losing ground to the Passport 9500i and Beltronics STi Driver which perform better in many of the tests.
http://www.speedzones.com/index.html
V1 is still one of the best and you've got to love those arrows; but, it's losing ground to the Passport 9500i and Beltronics STi Driver which perform better in many of the tests.