I have a V1, had it for 7 years, and it paid for itself many times over. $400 is a lot of money to drop, but it is definitely worth it. But it's not a license to speed. A cleverly designed (although most likely illegal according to the statutes) radar trap can catch most speeders, especially if you're the only car on the road for miles around. (which is exactly when we're most likely to speed) If I'm driving at night, I take every blip on the V1 seriously. It could be some car two miles ahead who triggered an instant on radar. More than a dozen times, I coasted down to speed limit, and two miles down the road, I get lit by an instant on radar. I just smile and move on, smile and move on.

 

The big question is how to mount one such that it's not visible from the exterior. I currently have mine sitting under a ballcap on the dash, which isn't exactly the most practical. It works and all, but I'd like something a little more permanent and a little better hidden.

I thought about removing the top sunvisor and sandwiching it between the headliner and the sunvisor in the space left over, has anyone done anything similar?

 

I don't know exactly where you'd put the V1 to keep it out of view but still effective. However, I feel it's worth mentioning that Valentine makes a remote "head unit"-type of accessory so you can do things like that.

see item 2

-Ollie

 

The remote unit is only for display... you can shut off the display on the main unit during use so poeple behind or around you can't see that you have the unit on... you still need to place the main unit someplace where is can see unobstructed forward and back...

right above the mirror is not very visable to people walking by... it's just inside of the windshield glare tint, which can weaken laser detection, but, the truth is, if the laser warning goes off, you just got clocked...so that's where I'm keeping mine. I lucked out and they shipped 3 sets of EXTRA suction cups... so, figuring 6 months per set, I should get two years out of that mount before looking for new suction cups or a different solution.

I have 15% tint on my sides so people can't see it in my truck really at all. I do plan on removing it from the truck if I'm in a "shady" area...

 

FWIW I have the same suction cups six years and counting..Ive taken the V1 down from the windshield maybe 10-15times..still have my extras in the bag..

V1 is the best!

Chris H

 

thepawn... My 8500 will be delivered on Monday. I saw you have the SmartCord hardwired. I ordered the regular hardwire kit, not the SmartCord kit. Do you like the SmartCord with the hardwire. I thought I'd be able to reach the detector easy enough. Thanks for your opinion.

 

I've got mine wired like all of yours but I bought the little remote and mounted it on the steering column. I move my detector between vehicles and am still using the original suction cups.

 

Suction cups - they include 2 pairs with the unit. And will sell you another 2 pairs for a buck. I got a bunch more when I ordered the remote display, so that should keep me going for a few years

One great thing about Valentine is their warranty - mine started having power-on problems after 11 1/2 months. Under 12 months they just fix it for free, and shipped the unit back so I was only without for 3 days. Great service. None of this 30-day warranty stuff.


Drive sensibly - and if you can't, do yourself a favor and get a v1


Mike F

 

Valentine's are thumbs-up in my book. Be careful for Laser though, it doesn't pick it up untill you're hit with it, then it's too late. (Canada can thank me or my $359.00 "donation" thanks to that.)

Mike

 

sckoosey : I didn't want the cord running down the front of the car, so I got the hardwire kit...plus the mute button is useful.

The cord is plenty long if you don't care about it hanging down.

Daniel