Yea I prefer new for $50 bucks....any recommendation on mounts though?

 

G Bracket for V1 via Bumperplugs
http://www.bumperplugs.com/BPindex.html

 

Thank you everyone for the excellent responses. This forum is great- intelligent and active users. Looks like I need to decide between a V1 or a custom install (perhaps 9500ci). Big difference in price though!

 

Check craigslist or the classified section of this and other forums. I've seen them for as low as $250 which is a good deal.

 

I've used a V1 for many years and have them in all my cars. The arrows are the main sell for me. Knowing WHERE the radar is is key.

The challenge now is laser which is being used more and more at the local level, and by some CHP (I saw a CHP cycle cop doing laser on the 22 East bound the other day. Full east-coast hide ambush style). He targeted me for a good 10 seconds, I wasn't speeding, the V1 was going crazy but at that point it was too late, if I had been.

Regarding False alarms, I've NEVER seen an identified Cop radar source in CA that wasn't Ka band. You can program the V1, it's not hard. I have X and K set to very high delay levels, in addition to a K filter setting due to some speed management system they use on the 101 that sends K signals through the air. I get very, very few false alarms now. You can turn off X and K, but I chose to keep them active.

BTW, I use the stock suction mount, mounted high just to the right of the mirror, hard wired in.

 

Just did some searching...if you're looking to buy a V1 and want to hardwire definitely suggest buying the SAVVY with it, I know I am when I place the order tonight.

Still Debating between the G bracket around the mirror (requires minor drilling) or just using the visor clip mount option. Have any of you folks used the visor option or use just the suction cups in combo with hardwire???



https://store.valentine1.com/Store/

 

Here is a very bad picture of my suction cup mount with hardwire. I really see no reason to not use the suction. It holds very well and the position is high center where you want it.

 

I started using suction cups on my Passport in the 80's. When the V1 came out I switched to that & I have been upgrading my V1 whenever there is a new release. I change out the suction cups w/ a new pair ~ every 4 months. However about a month after one change out the suction cups failed & my V1 fell & cut the leather on the front of the glove box. After 16+ years of no problems I had a failure. That's why I switched to the G-Bracket.

 

Good point and not cool. Do you hard wire? I know on mine if the suction cups failed the wire would let it dangle there... not great but wouldn't smack the dash.

 

Sort of. I ran the wire out the back of the fuse box, up the A pillar & tucked the wire into the top of the frame. It looks like it's hard wired but when the suction cups broke loose the V1 swung down w/ the cord attached like Tarzan Lord of the Jungle.
The sad thing was I was on a smooth Interstate going about 75 mph & I have no I idea why it broke loose. I still use those same suction cups when I'm in a rental & have not had any other problems.

 

I do the same. Here's a trick. if you have enough slack at the detector end, tie a loose-ish knot in the cable about 8" from the end of the cable and stuff that back up in the headliner. It will keep it from dropping out without a really firm pull. A bit of hack but easier than trying to remove the headliner to zip-tie the V1 phone cord in place.

 

I have always used the visor mount as it is very secure and lowers the device just below the top tint band on most car windows. Valentine One's site says if you mount high in front of the tint band it reduces range and effectiveness. The visor mount is best IMHO.

 

V1 is great !
Problem with the v1 for me was simple. I was too lazy to attach / detach every time I use my car. Having a cab, it's safer to hide it rather than take a chance of some idiot breaking in to steal the v1.
Installed a 9500ci. Pretty happy with it.

 

I purchased a new Passport 9500iX about a month ago. This unit has the GPS feature that will automatically store false alarms. I was a bit skeptical at first-my first trip to work with the new unit was filled with many alarms. After 3-4 days it had stored them all recognizing the radar frequency and global position-now it might go off 0-2 times during the trip. I also like the feature where it allows you to mark a location as a speed trap for known areas. Once you do that it will give a quick alarm and show a countdown in feet until you hit the speed trap spot (similar to GPS feet countdown to turn).

 

Obviously everyone has their own opinion. I can tell you I've owned the V1, custom install of the 9500ci (with laser jammer) and now the K40 360. The K40 blows the V1 and 9500ci away...again in my opinion.

http://www.k40.com/rl360---new----pages-20.php