Lacrose who did the v1 install on your car

 

Thanks for the tip. My guess is there won't be much opportunity to go over 80 with the Labor Day weekend crowd. For now, I just wanna take it out for a long drive and slowly start building confidence on it.

 

I have one in both of my cars - well worth it. Saved me a hundred times! Just have it hardwired nicely and you're good to go.

 

For those of you who have wired it directly, I'm curious where you ran the wires thru. And where did you tap it in for power. I don't like to see the wire running across the dash.

 

I have a v1. Just did chicago - ny - Chicago in my panamera tt with it last week. The v1 saved me more times than I can count, including one time where it detected laser scatter on rt 80 in ohio. Of course you still have to drive smartly.

Check out the savy add-on for connecting to power in the OBD port (also reduces the degree to which false alerts in town annoy). You can mount up high and run the cable behind the windshield/dash gaps all the way down.

 

You mind giving a little bit more detail about connecting power in the ODB port? Do I need to purchase anything extra from Valentive? I have it mounted to the windshield right now and ran the cable down from the dash then tucked into the globe compartment then out to the cigarette lighter on the passenger side leg room. Not bad but I think rear view mirror might be a better location for it.

Thx in advance.

 

I use the Passport 9500ix. The Max is the newer model, very similar. I passed on the V1 and went with the Passport because of the built in GPS learning mode. It remembers false signals that are at a fixed GPS location over time and "stores" them. Then you never hear them again. Works great for commutes and driving familiar paths. Significantly less false signals than the V1. But no arrows showing where the signal is coming from like the V1. That's the tradeoff.

 

Check out Valentine's website for the savvy - its an extra device desgned to reduce volume below certain speeds.

I bought it mainly bc it Connects to the OBD (located to left of driver footwell in most Pcars) and serves as a power source for the main unit. allows a clean install near the rearview mirror with cable tucked away down window gap to dash and then along dash joint down to OBD.

You can search the forums here to see pics of some installs. I installed mine in 5mins using a credit card to push the cable into gap.

 

Thanks! Found it. Part is a bit pricey but seems the cleanest. And it sounds like you can hook up the conceal display to it as well.

 

I forgot to mention that I run Waze on my phone as well, which helps with cops running hidden laser traps and potential road hazards.

 

Sold my V1 some time ago, but that's my recollection. It never stopped making noise, even with some of the programming changes to reduce X band sensitivity.

http://www.valentine1.com/Lab/techreport3.asp

 

Mine is mounted on the suction cups just to the left of the mirror. The cups hang on fine for months at a time (I typically dampen them with a wet finger when installing). I ran the wire behind the windshield trim and down the left A pillar to the fuse box where I installed a fuse in a spare slot that is controlled by the ignition switch. That way it comes on automatically whenever the car is running. The high windshield mounting is quite inconspicuous and provides great range both front and rear. I can also easily remove the V1 and use it in another car when needed, using the coil cord for power.

 

Detailing Dynamics in Mineola. Ask for Matt or Eddie. Great guys. They are a board sponsor.

 

I have had the V1, now have a 9500ci in my 911 and a Escort Max in our X5. My opinion is you should get the one most suited for the area you live in. The V1 drove me nuts with all the false alarms, albeit I loved and do miss the arrows. The 9500ci and Max, literally almost no false alarms and the red light/speed camera database is worth its weight in gold for Phoenix. The 9500 ci is pricey but I love not having anything on the windshield or mirror, very clean install, and laser protection. The Max, excellent if you need the red light/speed camera database, ability to use it in another car and no false alarms - not sure about the laser protection ability of the Max, the sensor is awful small. Big plus for both is the database is updated regurarly, escort sends an email, plug it up abd it updates - very simple. In closing, if you do mostly hwy driving and don't mind the unit in full view get the V1. If you drive both hwy/cty, get the Escort. If you have cameras in your area, no brainer - get the Escort. If $ was not a factor I think the ideal setup would be the 9500ci installed without the laser shifters for its clean, nearly undetectable installation and the Laser Interceptor system. My guess is $1600 for the 9500ci, $800 ish for the LI, $500 installation - right at 3k for one badass setup.

 

If you dont mind running a smart phone w gps, waze has pretty much all speed/red light cameras and is constantly updated for free. Also shows police in your area as reported by other wazers. I decided the v1 + waze gives me the protection I need in the suburbs and highway. But I do echo the other posters comments about high number of false alarms in more urban areas. I keep the v1 muted when in city or dense shopping areas.