I am in the market for one but I don't have $300-$400 to spend on one. I have a few friends that have lower end Cobra and Whistler raders and I have driven with them and they work okay. So I am just curious why do many people suggest to stay away from these? I understand the V1 is great because of its arrows and range but how about a $70 cobra radar? Reading reviews on a radar forum many people are happy with cobras and whistler radars.

My friend who got a V1 had a $65 cobra before. I wanted to see whats the difference between the two so we had both connected and went on the highway to put them to the test. The V1 of course alerted first and the arrows looked very cool but a few moments later the Cobra alerted. Sure a slight delay between the two but more then enough time to slow down either way.


And if anyone knows. In NY/NJ are most police using lasers or are they still using radars? If they are using lasers now I see no point in even buying a detector and I rather stick to my human detector. No tickets so far. *knock on wood*.

 

Not living on the East Coast, but very much interested in the same topic:

Especially, what's a good detector for decent money, and why are there such big differences in pricing?
The ones I looked at (BavAuto) are insanely pricey; with nothing below $300...

Thanks for posting this, aretardedorange!

 

Keep in mind that radar detector will not stand up to laser if shot or even an instant on situation if they shoot you and you don't see them before hand (unless it has scrambling on it). It will just simply tell you that you have been tagged and expect to pay.... The good thing about detectors are when the cops are shooting someone else and your unit picks it up then you should have plenty of time to react.

 

+1 i have a V1 and its saved my butt a couple of times! also it takes a bit of time to get to kno which radar band is the real ones to watch out for and which ones are false.. like here in cali CHP uses Ka band and those speed check things in the neighborhood streets use k band so it takes time but id go V1

 

The arrows are what sold me on the V1, knowing that the radar is on the opposite side of the highway etc or what direction I should look out for the popo for. I fortunately got a decent price on my V1 on craigslist $200 and it was an up to date version.

 

I am on the east coast, not in NJ but a further 120 miles south. Cops here use Laser guns and radar guns. Lately I have been experiencing more Laser than radar. The good thing is I am covered with the 9500ci which I am in love with.
I dont know what the V1 can do when it comes to laser since Laser could be sopntaneous, I have heard many people say that if you dont jam the laser there is no point in detecting it since it would be like, you and the cop get their respective alerts (You get your beep and the cop gets your speed) at the same time, so its pointless for you to slow down after that.

 

Hi, RacerBoss...
You almost sold me on the "9500ci" unit - until I looked up its price: $1,200 on eBay (=cheapest option)? -- DANG!!
I do cherish my driver's license very much, but that's a bit too steep for my taste. I guess taking it more slowly will do the same trick and save me a bundle; especially since I'm usually not even speeding that much...

No wonder you're in love with that thing, man. The list of features sounds awesome; seems to be a real high-tech "license saver"!!
Thanks for sharing....

P.S.: Do I hear "Group Buy"...?

 

AFAIK: the V1 does not pick up Lidar, and more & more law enforcement agencies are starting to move over to Lidar...

 

The V1 can't do anything more but detect laser. There IS some good in detecting it since you at least know its being used nearby. It only sucks when you are unfortunate enough to be pinged with the first signal. What's more important is to know how laser has to be used:

-Laser requires a clear line of sight from the gun to the car
-It is almost always used against the front silhouette of the car. It will not give an accurate reading from the side (not sure about the back)
-It is less acurrate in rain, snow, or foggy conditions (all which disperse the beam)
-It cannot be used through glass, the operator must have the window rolled down or stand outside of the car in order to get an accurate reading
-The operator must be in a stationary position when using the device


With that being said, just watch your speed when driving through blind curves or going into a straightaway. This is where most police cars like to set up.

 

LIDAR is a laser beam system, and thus would be detected by the V1 or any other laser detector.