v1 falling out of calibration

**laserblaster** · 06-13-2006, 06:32 PM

I've been reading on a few people saying their v1's out of calibration and failing to pick up bands etc...

how often does this happen to the v1 and what actuly happens inside the v1 to mkaing this happen.....

it it a case of a screw coming loose, or the heat sending a circuit corrupt.

**kpatz** · 06-13-2006, 07:13 PM

Every superheterodyne receiver (including your V1, and other RDs) has a local oscillator (LO) inside tuned to a specific frequency, or a range of frequencies that it sweeps, in order to scan the multiple frequencies used by radar (X, K, and wideband Ka). The purpose of this oscillator is to convert the high radar frequencies (in the 10-35 GHz range) down to lower frequencies that the circuits can detect. Sometimes this LO can drift out of spec over time, either due to temperature extremes/changes, faulty components, age, etc.

Not every V1 will drift out of tune, but some certainly do. Mine did last summer. VR fixed it free of charge. I would guess they hook it up to a scope or something and tweak a trimmer inside to bring it back to spec.

**laserblaster** · 06-13-2006, 07:51 PM

ah cheers..

i'll try not to let mine get hot which it got red hot over the passed few days temps in 30c over here..

and now its 3am and 15c outside seems freezing...

**againstme!** · 06-13-2006, 11:49 PM

ha. 30c is not red hot. ha. where i live, it gets 38-43c. thats hot. :shock:

**mrm1951** · 06-14-2006, 05:01 AM

My V1(v1.7) stays on my windshield 24/7 and in the Texas heat. Maybe I'm fortunate but the V1 never misses a beat or radar.

**Robert46123** · 06-14-2006, 06:31 AM

I've noticed that my V1 does get really warm when running down the road in the summer. I definately take mine down at work and stick it in the glove box for both security and heat reasons. At home I park in my garage. Mine is now going on nearly 4 years old and have never had a problem. I've got an early 1.8 and never had it upgraded. I guess I should consider it just to have it checked out.

**GTO_04** · 06-14-2006, 10:59 AM

Originally Posted by kpatz

Every superheterodyne receiver (including your V1, and other RDs) has a local oscillator (LO) inside tuned to a specific frequency, or a range of frequencies that it sweeps, in order to scan the multiple frequencies used by radar (X, K, and wideband Ka). The purpose of this oscillator is to convert the high radar frequencies (in the 10-35 GHz range) down to lower frequencies that the circuits can detect. Sometimes this LO can drift out of spec over time, either due to temperature extremes/changes, faulty components, age, etc.

Not every V1 will drift out of tune, but some certainly do. Mine did last summer. VR fixed it free of charge. I would guess they hook it up to a scope or something and tweak a trimmer inside to bring it back to spec.

This is why it is a good idea to have a backup RD! You need to have something to compare to. Also it is good to pay attention to how your RD alerts to door openers motion sensors and to look for any changes. All of a sudden, the K band range on my V1 dropped by at least 500 ft on a grocery stor motion sensor. I made another run with my 985 (which has similar K band performance) and it still had the same longer range that the V1 used to have. It appears my V1 just went out of calibration. So I'm sending it in to be checked.

GTO_04

**proudNMAmember** · 06-18-2006, 05:42 PM

When in doubt, send it back to be looked at. Good luck GTO!!!

**sixfootgeek** · 06-25-2006, 09:50 AM

Hello all new to the forums...blah blah. I just sent my V1 in last week for false laser alerts from the rear (6 years no problems). It had been doing it for a year, and it would not do it everyday, but when it would I had to program laser off to keep from driving me insane. Anyway I finally sent it off last Friday. On Tuesday I ordered a remote display. This past Friday I got a big box with not only my remote display, but my fixed V1! My card was only charged for the display! Anyway after re-installing and installing my new display I discovered my K-band at-least must have been out of spec. The reason I know this is because I own a Kustom Ka-band and MPH K-band radars. I thought the k-band radar was out of spec because my V1 would not pick it up (prior to the currrent repair). Apparently my V1 was out of spec. What I want to know is, how can the average Joe tell when their V1 is out of spec, and also, why was I not charged for the repair?

Scott

ADDED: Not related but here is a laser encounter video via my cellphone camera. http://www.sixfootgeek.com/lasertrap.3gp quicktime required

**GTO_04** · 06-25-2006, 08:29 PM

Watch for changes in how V1 responds to K band motion sensors. You can also use a backup RD to check V1 performance periodically. I am a big believer in having a backup RD, and it should be either top of the line BEL, an X50, or a V1.

Plus you already have some K and Ka band guns and that is probably the best way to test any RD. Your V1 response to the K band gun already was telling you something was wrong.

V1 has great customer service and they will often do minor repairs N/C even if out of warranty.

GTO_04