Question on Valentine 1 w.r.t. hills

[cyclo]

I'm trying to inquire if anyone knows how the V1 performs with respect to hilly terrain.

I'd like to hear from as many of you as I can about your use of the V1 in detecting patrol cars that are over the other side of the hill, for which are out of view, and how well or how poorly the V1 performs in giving a 'heads-up' BEFORE you actually view 'Ol Smokey on the other side.

I recently experienced a speed trap in Southern Louisiana and finally got a Ka band alert with a different detector, namely the Escort 8500 X50, but when I got the alert, I was already at the top of the hill, and I already saw the patrol car in view by that time. BTW, the patrol car was stationary, sitting in the median on the other side of the hill, with very little time to react.

I'm wondering if the V1 can do any better with over-the-hill detection, BEFORE seeing the trooper or being at the top of the hill.

What do y'all say are your experiences with V1 on this subject??

[computersoc]

It is different for every encounter, but it usually does ok to good. Sometimes I am very happy and sometimes I have mixed feelings.

[repeter]

I've had very good experience with my V1 detecting radar over the hill. One recent example, I was driving through Georgia along I-75 approaching a hill and could see a leo with a customer in the distance. Near the bottom of the hill the V1 started to alert Ka band which I assumed was the leo I saw in the distance, but instinctively slowed down. About half was up the hill the bogey counted jumped to two and sure enough as I reached the top there were to GSP cars parted in the median.

As stated above, every encounter is different. Was this the first over the hill experience with your x50?

[TQUILL]

Yeah I am in Austin Texas quite a bit, which is very hilly, and I have had nothing but good things when detecting LEO's over hills and around corners. Just try it out for yourself, and you can send it back for a refund if you don't like it.

[John_in_NC]

You are asking the right question!


All detectors are sufficient for a straight run radar hit. That is probably the only reason you would need a V1 over anything else.

You need to get on YouTube and search V1's this will let you see what other users are getting for range.

Personally I have had a few 1/4 to 1/2 mile hits over a hill where my other detectors would only go off just an instant before I hit the peak.

Straight run detection is rediculous, goes on and on and on forever.

The other day I picked up a cop with forward facing radar from the next street over through a hill and woods abt 1/4 mile of woods and vegetation. Was funny seeing the side arrow come on, had me scratching my head trying to figure who is sitting in the woods with a radar gun. Turned out to be the cop was on the next block over and was pointing away from the direction I was coming from.
Nothing short of Amazing.

[cyclo]

Yes, this was my first time in over-the-hill encounter with Smokey.


I've had some questionable doubts with this 8500 X50, about it going off too late.

Ironically, BEFORE I reached the crest, top point of the hill, I was getting X-band alarm from it for about 1 mile before hand.

Being this is my first detector....and have not had any experience in Louisiana, I take all threats serious.

My only saving grace for this situation in not getting pulled over was the X-band alarm going off 1 mile before-hand it switched over to the Ka band.

However, if I had ONLY a Ka Band alert at the top of the hill, while he was at the bottom, then it would have been too late and I'd have been ticketed.

IMO, I think the curves and the hills are what separates the good detectors from the bad.

I saw on Speedzones that they rated 3 Bel products the best in the Over-the-Hill encounter at the 1/4 mile point, but I'm shaky about switching to a Bel, because of the user complaints I've read about how folks have had to send back their units for repair so often.

Again, I'd still like to get more people's input. So please keep 'em coming about your experiences with over-the-hill performance from V1, for those who would care to respond to those who have already.

The more samplings I can get from everyone, the more it will build my confidence either one way or another. Numbers bring confidence to me. Or if I should just stick with 8500 X50.

I thank all of you who have been so kind in "chiming-in" so far about how V1 does with cops on the other side of the hill and V1's capability or lack thereof in detection, with over-the-hill encounter. It's really the only way Smokey can catch us, since the rest of South Louisiana is flat with no curves on I-10.

[John_in_NC]

IMO, I think the curves and the hills are what separates the good detectors from the bad

Yup!

That is why I stopped screwing around and bought the V1 before I get a ticket and put up with it's chattiness. <-- is that a word?

Might want to hang on to the X50 for city driving if you cant get your money back out of it.

[repeter]

Never heard of speedzones. I'd recommend reviewing the last GuysOfLidar test. They are legit.

http://guysoflidar.com/march-2007/ra...ctor-test.html

[kensteele]

the v1 performs admirably on hills and around corners. gives you plenty of warning of what's on the other side. as for the x50, it has a problem. just like you mentioned, doesn't want to tell you anything until you're at the crest. i ought know. i have them both and the v1 kills the x50. my other detector, the 9500i is a little bit better. but it's wants to stay quiet most of the time as well.

[cyclo]

Thanx a bunch!

In order to get the best detection over-the-hill, what type of scanning mode to I need to set it to?

I've read there's POP on and POP off. I also read on the forum about a false guard alarm too.

What'll be the most sensitive setting to be able to pick up on the other side of the hill?