Just picked up a used v1

[matholland]

alright guys i'm 19, and had a few different radar detectors..

cobra (dont remember the model number, got it when i was 16, 150 dollar one from walmart that i picked up used for 40 bucks)

Upgraded to the escort x50 red, and used it for a while, it was a great detector..

Upgraded again just about 3 months ago to the 9500i...mistake..this thing wouldn't pick up the state boys that use ka instant on i think? very good at all...before if there was a car or 2 in front of me with the x50, it would pick it up, then go off..then boom hit me. Saved me several times....well i was driving with the 9500i the other day...on my way home from college...semi maybe an 1/8th of a mile in front of me..going 67 in a 55...boom...state cop...came up ka alert then went off...pop is disabled on the 9500i...i stuck it on ebay and said im going to a v1..sold the 9500i for what i paid for it..250 shipped 30 mins after i listed it..it left today

I found a v1 1.8 no pop for 240 shipped..it needed a power cord, and ive got both on the way..found them off craigslist, and payed through paypal, and he is shipping it to me..if it becomes damaged, i'll have to file a claim through paypal..

serial is 4480790727

does this v1 have pop at all? they arent explaining it on their site very much..does it mean mine will pick it up, but the cops can tell i have a radar detector?

are the state boys using pop? the x50 and 9500i i had pop disabled..but before i got rid of my x50, the range was getting weaker? maybe it was due for a tune? state boys are popping up as ka..town use k and ka.

guys think i made a decent deal for 250?..power cord was 10 bucks so i have 240 in the detector and 10 in the power cord.

I live in illinois...so idk if any of you guys have experience here or anything

[Vette6893]

Welcome to the forum. The V1 is an awesome unit. When running properly it is the best window unit available. It has good range, picks up IO/QT very well, and gives you great situational awareness. Now, about your purchase.

Your V1 is version 1.8. This is a good version of V1. POP is not much of a threat in most areas, the fact that you had POP off on your other detectors is a good indication of the threat. My recommendation would be to look at the "Local and Regional" section of the forum, there you will see enforcement information specific to your area. I doubt that POP is used but I would check just to be sure. If POP is not used in your area I would not see a reason to upgrade.

My concern with your unit would be that all of the internal electronics are working properly. You can assume that they are and test it out on the road or if you can get access to a radar gun, you can test it out yourself. There are forum members that have radar guns or you can go to a regional meet. Many professional installers also have testing equipment. Valentine will "tune up" your RD for $45 (your serial number must be entact for V1 to work on it). Many on the forum tune up the RD once a year to be sure that they are in spec. If I purchased a RD second hand, I would send it in for the "tune up". If you want to upgrade the unit, that would be the time to do so.

You may also want to consider getting the concealed unit and mounting the V1 high on the windshield. Higher mounting will give you better radar range and hide it from view. Check out the forum section on mounting.

Read up in the forum, these is alot of very good information.

Best of luck.

[Weeth]

Welcome to the forum! The V1 is an awesome detector.

I haven't used a non-pop version, so I can't give you much info first hand. The others will be more helpful with that.

I have spent lots of time browsing for used V1's before I got one as a gift, and it's tricky buying used.

The pre-pop ones are old. Many are 2005 or older. It probably has lots of mileage. You may need a tune up. Also the upgrade fee's expensive for a non-pop to the current pop with 3.872. (used price plus upgrade equal to new price, don't think I'm allowed to post much in the way of numbers).

I recommend calling Valentine Research and telling them the serial number to find out how old it is. For peace of mind, send it in for a tune-up or if it doesn't work right, send it back to the seller.

Hopefully, it will work fine. Buying a used V1 can be tricky though.

Hope this helps. Let me know if you have further questions.

[mikered30]

I am pretty sure it is a 3.813 from around 2005.

[snoopyc4]

When you get the V1, would you mind doing this and telling us what four numers appear?

does this v1 have pop at all?

A non-POP V1 doesn't have POP. That isn't important though since the odds of your running into POP are the same as you winning the lottery.

Now, just because your V1 doesn't have POP doesn't mean it won't do well against I/O. I/O and POP aren't the same thing. My non-POP V1 (3.813) does just fine against Instant-On (I/O):

[Vette6893]

The upgrade to the latest software would be $140.00. $250 plus $140, at that price you are probably better off getting a new unit. But the good news is that once you have the V1 you can upgrade it. Other brands make you buy all new units. Just my opinion.

[Weeth]

The upgrade to the latest software would be $140.00. $250 plus $140, at that price you are probably better off getting a new unit. But the good news is that once you have the V1 you can upgrade it. Other brands make you buy all new units. Just my opinion.

Good point! I totally agree! They quoted me $150 for a non-pop upgrade.

[matholland]

Cool guys, i appreciate the info! I will check and see if pop is used. My main concern is instant on ka band. I will do that test and tell you guys which version that I have. I understand about buying something used. He seemed like an honest guy. With paypal, I can always get my money back if something goes wrong. Paypal almost always decides in the buyers favor. I live in a small town and know several local cops, so i could have them help me with testing it.

Well if there is no difference, if I don't have pop in my area, theres no point in upgrading is there not? It says I have the latest minus pop. If a tune up is 45 bucks, thats not a biggie, I will pay for that. It is still cheaper than a new unit, and sounds to me like normal maintence on the detector. I can't wait to get it, I hope i get good range out of it.

As far as the conceled display..I have 2 cars..an 08 civic si, and a 94 5.0 mustang gt...the mustang is what I like to drive and speed in. It has a dark tint a good probably 8 inches or so at the top...thats where I had my old one..will the tint decrease my range? I can put the radar detector at the very top of my windshield like where the blue is at, because my mirror on my mustang is pretty low.

So out of curiousity...hows the range on the v1 vs the x50 or 9500i...im sure this has been asked several times..but my main concern is ka band...laser isnt used much..the only time ive been hit is in indiana going over to school..my x50 was my ticket notifier lol..only been hit by laser once....x band i will disable if i can? bcuz it isnt used here..that i no of, just k band for local, and ka band for local and state.

[Akosikojak]

Now, just because your V1 doesn't have POP doesn't mean it won't do well against I/O. I/O and POP aren't the same thing. My non-POP V1 (3.813) does just fine against Instant-On (I/O):

^Agree, In some ways I think my "older" NON POP V1 was better than my POP V1 version I have now, esp w/the IO KA alerts.

So out of curiousity...hows the range on the v1 vs the x50 or 9500i...

In a word superior, w/my experience when comparing the V1 and the X50.

laser isnt used much..the only time ive been hit is in indiana going over to school..my x50 was my ticket notifier lol..only been hit by laser once....

You hit the nail right on the head, that could be a painful bill pending concerning a ticket.

x band i will disable if i can? bcuz it isnt used here..that i no of, just k band for local, and ka band for local and state.

Take a gander in this area>>>>http://www.radardetector.net/forums/...regional-info/

[Vette6893]

The tint area is perfect for mounting. However, if the tint has metal in it, it will affect range and in that case I would not mount in that area.

As far as new or used, I generally buy new electronics for the peace of mind and to get the latest and greatest software. However, there is a case to save in this situation. Really your decision.

You can program the V1, look at the stickies are of the V1 Forum. You can turn bands off. My only caution would be sure that the band you are turning off is not used. You might want to run with all bands on for a period of time to be sure the bands are not used. I though K was dead in an area that I drive though only to pick up a LEO running constant K.