New guy with a question

[MichaelGrae]

I'm new to the Radar Detector world but after a brutal speeding ticket just got one installed. I had my dealer install a hard wired V1 i bought from a friend installed in my 2011 bmw 750li. The tech took the power from the overhead console and we mounted the detector right under the rearview mirror.

Now hear is my question everything seams to work fine it turns on and off and seams like its running well. I even checked the serial number on valentine website and it is up to date. On my way home from the dealership i picked up one alert not sure if false or not. Now this is my concern, I drove tonight from Staten Island into Manhattan and all around Manhattan for about 2 hours. Then I drove home through tunnels and bridges etc. The detector didn't make one sound or beep and it is set in all bogeys mode. Now I am happy not to get an abundance of false alarms but I wonder if its working or if it is to its full potential. I have seen other V1's mounted in 2009+ 7 series bmw's so I dont think the car is the problem. So my question is two fold, 1 Am I just being paranoid?, 2 Anyway to test this thing and its performance in my car out? Thanks in advance for your help

[Arvetus]

You said you bought this from a friend? How good of a friend is he/she? If you are positive they came across it legit, then the next question I would ask is how old is it? What is the firmware version? If it's an older firmware, and more than 2-3 years old, it may need a tune up.

The only way I would know how to measure performance is to take a known good one and see how they compare with a couple falses in your area. I don't know the NY area, so I can't help you with that, but there are several here on the board that may be able to assist you with what you should be seeing for alerts.

[Andrew21]

bring it to a supermarket parking lot or where you know a speed sign exists. There must be some on Staten Island. I've been through there before. But this is strange!

[Hunter]

Welcome to the forum.

[Bridge Cables]

The V1 should be making more alerts than what you are describing in an urban area. The V1 may have been reprogrammed and that is reducing the alerts or there could be a problem with the unit. I would think it best to read the stickies here for the V1 and also on situational awareness to minimize your risk on the road.

It would not be a bad idea to initially send the V1 in to VR for a check. I believe it is usually around a $45 charge plus your shipping from what I have read here in the forum for their service work. Hopefully the V1 is not stolen, I don’t believe VR repairs those units.

BC

[MichaelGrae]

I bought it from my cousin so I know the source is fine.

[mrkookm]

On that route and especially in Manhattan the V1 should have been chatty. It's possible that X & K is turned off, have you checked?

[MichaelGrae]

i thought when the setting have been changed it shows a p on the screen when starting up.

[JCT1875]

i thought when the setting have been changed it shows a p on the screen when starting up.

http://www.valentine1.com/Lab/MikesLabRpt3.asp

[MichaelGrae]

Thanks guys for your help I'm thinking it might be this bmw windshield that's degrading the signal. I had one laser false alarm and only 2 very week x band warnings in very heavy NYC urban driving. Does anymethod exist to test the windshield? I am starting to think I might have to go with a custom system like the escort 9500ci. The only problem with that is I was planning on getting shifters from li I hear the escort shifters aren't as good. Once again thanks for your help it is appreciated.