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Old 08-07-2003, 08:53 AM   #1
skuttledude
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Default Valentine 1 fix for Sti

If you are a loyal V1 fan like me, I'm sure you put your V1 in your Sti right away. For those that have a V1 that is powered by your cigarette lighter (like me), and perhaps have a slightly older unit (mines 4 yrs old, no updates), you may have experienced the following:

When driving the car and you are at low revs then get on the gas, right when boost is coming on (around 2800-ish) you may notice your V1 to go to a full Laser signal warning. Mine did this over and over.

I called V1 customer service and they told me this was a quark with Subaru's and RX-7 and that he knew of the issue very well. He asked for my shipping address and sent me a new power plug (free of charge) that has FIXED the problem. Great company to do business with and excellent customer service.
http://www.valentine1.com/home.asp


The tech said that there is some sort of power flutuation when the boost comes on and that will throw a wrong laser signal to the V1. Can you imagine the frustration that one wouldhave that everytime boost came on the radar would go on full, making you thing that you just got pegged by a copper

Anyways, go to their link and call them up you have this problem too.

Davis
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Last edited by skuttledude; 08-07-2003 at 11:07 AM.
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Old 08-07-2003, 10:26 AM   #2
Leonardo
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Sticking it for awhile!

Mine does this as well. Calling them up today!

Thanks for the info!
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Old 08-07-2003, 11:05 AM   #3
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Hey great!

Glad it was of help. I knew the V1's are popular on the forum but wasn't sure that others were having probs with it. The part that they sent me was a new little cigarette lighter adapter that looked similar (slightly different) to the original one and has performed great! Kudos to a company who not only makes an innovative and smart product but a customer service rep (Engineer) who is also technically knowledgable about their own product.

Off-Topic: While talking with the Tech at V1, I asked if V1 would be interested in doing a group buy. He said that they've been asked that question alot but decline to do group buys.
Now I'm in the Manufacturing business (we do not sell direct to public thou) in a non-automotive industry. If we sold to the public a certain product and knew that there were XXX amount of buyers out there that pump/hype your product alot, I would at least want to do a group buy, even if it wasn't a huge savings to the end-user, it would at least get a bunch of sales. I can't imagine their margins to be so close that they can't do a group buy. But hey, maybe there are some issues that (distribution, sales etc..) that prevent them from selling that way.

Cheers,
Davis
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Old 08-07-2003, 02:06 PM   #4
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I brought this problem up in another forum and found this out. I just opted to upgrade. The newest one has better laser and I think KA detection. It also is smaller compared to my older unit (had it for almost 5 years).
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Old 08-07-2003, 03:32 PM   #5
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Does this problem apply to hard-wired V1s, or just the cigarette lighter adapter? I'm planning on hard wiring mine using the wiring harness for the auto-dimming mirror.
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Old 08-07-2003, 03:42 PM   #6
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New V1s already come with the fix. I still experience the same issue with mine hardwired. They recommend testing the V1 in another car to verify that it is Subaru's wiring that is causing the problem in my case. I suspect it is Subaru's wiring and just something I have to live with, but I will test it anyway.
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Old 08-07-2003, 04:14 PM   #7
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How is the V1 comparing with the K40? I got the K40 built in the front and back....
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Old 08-07-2003, 04:19 PM   #8
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V1 is still the best detector available on the market. Just read some of the compairson articles online and/or from Car & Driver. I belive the next best was one of the high end Escort's, but was still noticably behind the V1. K40 I dont' recall exactly where it is, but it was about mid range IIRC.
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Old 08-07-2003, 04:44 PM   #9
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I agree with Obsidian. I'm just finishing my PhD in astronomy with a concentration in Electrical Engineering. I design and build receivers for high frequency radio telescopes. These receivers are basically souped up, million doller versions of radar detectors. I have had a V1 for over three years, and wouldn't even consider another detector. The people at Valentine know what they're doing. They've forgotten more about microwave engineering than most of the other radar detector manufacturers will ever know. You might not get all the bells and whistles useless features that the other detectors have. What you get is good engineering, and a product that does exactly what it claims to do.
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Old 08-07-2003, 05:15 PM   #10
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whats the price of a V1 built in with the jammer?
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Old 08-07-2003, 06:45 PM   #11
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V1's don't come with jammers, they stick with passive settings.

I live in VA and I would like to have a radar detector. I want it to be as steath as possible. I don't care much about arrows, I just want a beep when I need to slow down. This will be mostly used on the highways where I don't need to worry about false readings. I don't speed in town.

Are there any suggestions?
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Old 08-07-2003, 07:17 PM   #12
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Whats the current street price for V1s..?
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Old 08-07-2003, 07:25 PM   #13
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Default V1 prices

As far as I know, Valentine don't distribute their detectors through normal dealer networks........you have to buy direct from them (may be some stuff on ebay....never looked).

Anyway, prices/info. etc. can be found at www.valentine1.com

I think the detector itself is $399 plus $39 if you want the concealed display module. You get what you pay for; a nice bit of kit.
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Old 08-07-2003, 08:11 PM   #14
cgroppi
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Quote:
Originally posted by Capt Crunch
V1's don't come with jammers, they stick with passive settings.

I live in VA and I would like to have a radar detector. I want it to be as steath as possible. I don't care much about arrows, I just want a beep when I need to slow down. This will be mostly used on the highways where I don't need to worry about false readings. I don't speed in town.

Are there any suggestions?
The V1 would work for that. All radar detectors have a small transmitter in them. They use a device called a mixer to combine the signal from the internal transmitter with what they recieve through their antennas. The two signals beat against each other like two musical notes played out of tune. The detector then looks at the beating which is at a much lower frequency and easier to amplify and process. It's the transmitter in the detector (called the Local Oscillator or LO) that radar detector-detectors try to find.

The V1 is great, because it's case is all magnesium, and it's been designed to not leak any of the LO signal out of the detector. Half the alerts I get on the highway are from other people's crappy detectors spewing their LO out the case. Combined with the remote display, it works pretty well. The only problem is that it costs $400, and that 4 bills might end up under a cop's tire if you get caught with it in VA.

Also, you're going to get false readings in town no matter what if your detector is any good. You know all those automatic door openers at gas stations, convenience stores and supermarkets? X and K band radar. Exactly like a cop's radar but lower powered. A good detector will see every one of those, and no amount of fancy signal processing will help since they're actually radar units.
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Old 08-07-2003, 08:33 PM   #15
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Default wow

Great Post!

Thanks...now I have some ammunition to go after Escort Radar, because my 8500 does the exact same thing in my vanilla WRX.

Hmmm...on the door opener list...it would be nice to integrate a GPS and a radar detector so a few things could happen...

1.) You could log where those pesky K-band door openers are.
2.) A national database of speed trap spots could be downloaded to your radar detector/GPS combo and it will increase sensivity and maybe sound a light warning that you're in "speed trap" territory.

My theory...don't be going 5 over going past smoky...be going 5 under.

Later,

jcnel.
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Old 08-08-2003, 08:16 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally posted by Capt Crunch
V1's don't come with jammers, they stick with passive settings.

I live in VA and I would like to have a radar detector. I want it to be as steath as possible. I don't care much about arrows, I just want a beep when I need to slow down. This will be mostly used on the highways where I don't need to worry about false readings. I don't speed in town.

Are there any suggestions?
I've tried them all, and the V1 is by far the best for detection, direction (the biggest plus) accurate signal count, and stealth. You can order the optional concealed display module that is basically a faceplate of the V1. It's about 2" by 1" x 1/4" and mounts anywhere you can run the wiring (like near your knees under the dash, etc.). Only downfall with this is the sensors are mounted in your grill/rear end and I believe this slightly degrades the distance at which the unit detects.

Go V1...you won't be dissapointed.
Scott
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Old 08-08-2003, 08:35 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally posted by Davis K Powers



Off-Topic: While talking with the Tech at V1, I asked if V1 would be interested in doing a group buy. He said that they've been asked that question alot but decline to do group buys.
Now I'm in the Manufacturing business (we do not sell direct to public thou) in a non-automotive industry. If we sold to the public a certain product and knew that there were XXX amount of buyers out there that pump/hype your product alot, I would at least want to do a group buy, even if it wasn't a huge savings to the end-user, it would at least get a bunch of sales. I can't imagine their margins to be so close that they can't do a group buy. But hey, maybe there are some issues that (distribution, sales etc..) that prevent them from selling that way.

Cheers,
Davis
My friend was a regional Manager for Goodyear in the Cincinnati area. He's since relocated. Valentine Research is in Cincinnati also, and Mike Valentine used to buy tires for his personal vehicles (he has quite a few really nice cars) from my friend. He would always negotiate a huge discount and my friend would always end up selling him the tires at less than dealer cost, as a favor. At one point my friend, myself and one other person wanted to buy V1's so my friend went to Mike and asked if he could get a discount on 3 V1's for his own use. Mike Valentine flatly refused.
We ended up buying the V1's anyway - they are the best. But Mike Valentine is not the type who will sell anything at a discount...ever, so I'm not at all suprised that they won't do a group buy.
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Old 08-08-2003, 10:14 AM   #18
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Hey guys, I have an Evo 8 with an older Valentine detector. I have mine hardwired and was experiencing the exact same problem. Once I got on it, the laser indicator would start blaring at me. However, if I used the cigarette adapter, it wouldn't do this. Only when I had it hard wired in. I just ended up turning laser detection off, which kind of sucks.
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Old 08-08-2003, 10:35 AM   #19
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They sometimes do have refurbished units at reduced prices, you just have to ask.
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Old 08-08-2003, 10:35 AM   #20
skuttledude
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Quote:
Originally posted by harrydog


My friend was a regional Manager for Goodyear in the Cincinnati area. He's since relocated. Valentine Research is in Cincinnati also, and Mike Valentine used to buy tires for his personal vehicles (he has quite a few really nice cars) from my friend. He would always negotiate a huge discount and my friend would always end up selling him the tires at less than dealer cost, as a favor. At one point my friend, myself and one other person wanted to buy V1's so my friend went to Mike and asked if he could get a discount on 3 V1's for his own use. Mike Valentine flatly refused.
We ended up buying the V1's anyway - they are the best. But Mike Valentine is not the type who will sell anything at a discount...ever, so I'm not at all suprised that they won't do a group buy.
Hey, interesting insider information you got there!
I agree, depsite the no bargain deal, I still feel that V1's are the best. Matter of fact...it saved me arse this morning!

Davis
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Old 08-08-2003, 01:37 PM   #21
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Default no issues

Don't see any of these issues with my Passport 8500....works like a charm :-)


v1 vs 8500

a new competition......lol (i'm kidding guys, don't want this thread to turn into a detector argument) but it is true that I have had no issues with the 8500 and its saved my ass countless times. I'm sure the v1 is great too, this is actually the first bad thing i've heard about it.
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Old 08-08-2003, 06:06 PM   #22
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This is interesting. I have a pretty old V1 (the first thicker one's
that had laser) & first started using it w/ the cig socket & then
hardwired it into the mirror harness when I installed that. I
haven't had any problems at all. The only thing that sets my
V1 laser off is Avalanche & Trailblazer brakelights
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Old 08-09-2003, 09:07 AM   #23
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If I ever get pulled over I don't want the popo to see my detector. They are almost sure to see a V1 mounted on the windshield.

What radar detectors are there where seperate pieces can be mounted in different places? I would like to not be able to find it unless you were looking really hard.
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Old 08-09-2003, 11:27 AM   #24
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There used to be one like 10 years ago that you could mount in your grille and under the rear bumper, with a control unit hidden in the passenger compartment. I don't think there's anything like that now. I guess since they're only illegal in VA, most people aren't as worried. I just stick mine into the glove compartment if I get stopped.
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Old 08-11-2003, 09:32 AM   #25
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Quote:
Originally posted by cgroppi
Does this problem apply to hard-wired V1s, or just the cigarette lighter adapter? I'm planning on hard wiring mine using the wiring harness for the auto-dimming mirror.
Iy directly hard wire the detector you will experience the same Laser warning issue everythime you plant the right foot.

So you should use the little hard wired device that came with the detector, but then again if its a old detector you will need to upgrade to the new module. Or if you want tou can add a 1.1 mfarad capacitor between the + / - wires from memory, probably best to get them to send a new hard wired unit...it only takes a few days.

N.
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