Radar detectors

[gnarpow]

V1 constantly updates their firmware. I'm not a V1 guy either, I currently have a ****** 8500 but will never buy an ****** product again. I love the idea of GPS on the 9500 series to lock out false alerts, but poor ****** product quality and even worse customer support will keep me from ever purchasing one.

I currently rarely use mine, due mostly to the fact that it has lost its calibration for the second time on nearly all bands. Most of my driving is currently in town, so it doesn't bother me much not having in. When I go back to driving more highway/ interstate I will be upgrading to the V1

 

[KMeloney]

Does V1 let you update their detectors?

Yes. You can enter your serial number on the site and see if there are upgrades available.

 

[ajaxnxs]

You can update the v1 on the web. I have never had an issue with false alarms wig my unit.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using Tapatalk

 

[Kman]

The CHP and freeway cops in the states next door to CA use Ka and Laser so I have only those two bands turned on. I also have setting 5 "down" on my V1 to make Ka more sensitive.

Love it.

 

[stevek]

Stevek - your unit maybe out of date. Since 6 years ago - 2 new radar technologies came out. I dont have details on it. Does V1 let you update their detectors?

Long story short, I got one in 06, Tahoe got totaled in 08 so I got a new one from insurance money in 08, and I updated it I think a year ago. It's just a reprogram and occasionally have a hardware upgrade. Instead of needing to buy a new $400+ radar detector, it's costs much less to upgrade depending on the version you have versus the current one. My family swears by the V1, everybody has one in every car. We're all ticket free. I often go 10-15 over depending where I am, time of day, and how many other people are on the road.

People say they get a lot of false alarms, then they haven't gone into advanced programming and changed their settings beyond the basic filtering settings. Also, I'd rather have more false signals than missing a real one.

 

[KMeloney]

All this talk got me to check to see if there's an upgrade available to my V1, and there is. There are two stretches of road I travel somewhat regularly where they hit the whole stretch of roadway with traffic-monitoring radar. What that does is make your detector go off steadily for the whole stretch of road. Sure, the V1 tells me if there are ADDITIONAL signals hitting, but it's annoying to have this traffic nonsense interfere. Turns out that the latest update takes care of this (as well as updates a couple other things). Very cool!

Mine is actually in need of two board replacements. I sent it off to Ohio today.

I think this is the second (maybe third?) update I'll be putting it through. Gotta love the "expandability."

 

[gnarpow]

All this talk got me to check to see if there's an upgrade available to my V1, and there is. There are two stretches of road I travel somewhat regularly where they hit the whole stretch of roadway with traffic-monitoring radar. What that does is make your detector go off steadily for the whole stretch of road. Sure, the V1 tells me if there are ADDITIONAL signals hitting, but it's annoying to have this traffic nonsense interfere. Turns out that the latest update takes care of this (as well as updates a couple other things). Very cool!

Mine is actually in need of two board replacements. I sent it off to Ohio today.

I think this is the second (maybe third?) update I'll be putting it through. Gotta love the "expandability."

Whats the cost for the update with Valentine? ****** wants around $90 just to recalibrate my old 8500. It's the number 1 reason I will never purchase another detector from them.

 

[KMeloney]

This update is a biggie, since they're not just flashing it, they're replacing two boards in it. So, I think this was $189. Not cheap. But, I'm able to justify it.

 

[gnarpow]

Sure beats ****** charging $90 for no update but just getting it to work again.
I see a V1 in my future.

 

[KMeloney]

Sure beats ****** charging $90 for no update but just getting it to work again.
I see a V1 in my future.

Oh, I see what you're saying -- that was $$ just to get it to WORK again? Yipes. Not good.

I seem to remember the software-only upgrades costing nothing or some nominal amount. And, it's been a while, so I thought I'd go for this (costly) update...

Yeah, I'd highly recommend getting a V1 and calling it a day. You probably already know this, but Mike Valentine was the head engineer at ****** before going off on his own. So, I believe that the V1 flat-out works.