V1 Hairline scratches on lens

[Swift101]

Hi all,

I've asked this question before I wanted to confirm if hairline scratches on the lens of my unit would cause any performance issues. I have the V1 carry case and I always handle my unit with extra care. Some how I managed to get tiny hairline scratches on the lens despite my efforts to minimize this from occurring. They can only be seen under direct sunlight or under a lamp but are invisible in normal lighting conditions. I have OCD with these things of things and wish the lens was made of of gorilla glass. Is this something to be concerned about? I have not seen any performance drop thus far but I worry down the line things could get worse.

-Thanks

[Mr Q]

My guess is that if the whole lens was covered in these scratches, only a small amount of signal would be reflected away from the horn antenna and would not affect the device's performance to any detectable degree...if I'm wrong, I'm sure someone will correct me.

[Buckdarma]

No problem as long as they aren't on the laser section and even then I doubt they would do any harm whatsoever.

[ghz1]

Nothing to be concerned about at all really don't worry it's nothing that will affect your radar detection even laser can handle it. Im OCD about this stuff too. Unfortunately i have found the carry case to mark the V1's lens! What i do is wrap my V1 in a over sized sun glass lens cleaning cloth (Black one) then place it in the V1 carry case works great. I'm sure if you call VR about they can help you out with new lens covers. The lens covers just clip in and out thou don't start doin that........Try owning a black car now thats something that will take all your spear time

[689hodaka]

My rear lens had hairline scratches as well.
I called Valentine to buy a set of of lenses and they wouldn't sell them to me.
They gave me a canned excuse why they wouldn't....but I forgot what it was.
Absolutely terrible customer service.
Anyway, I bought some Novus 2 & 3 and was able to hand polish the lenses like new.
Just use the softest cloth you can find and let the polish do the work. Don't rub hard.
A cloth diaper works great.
I took the lenses out to polish them, but it isn't necessary.

[Swift101]

Nothing to be concerned about at all really don't worry it's nothing that will affect your radar detection even laser can handle it. Im OCD about this stuff too. Unfortunately i have found the carry case to mark the V1's lens! What i do is wrap my V1 in a over sized sun glass lens cleaning cloth (Black one) then place it in the V1 carry case works great. I'm sure if you call VR about they can help you out with new lens covers. The lens covers just clip in and out thou don't start doin that........Try owning a black car now thats something that will take all your spear time

Thanks for the tip and info, I just started using your method and it works quite well. I noticed the power/volume knob is now closer if not touching the inside of the case but that's nothing to worry about since it's protected. If you don't mind me asking, how long have you had your V1? I'm just curious how these units stand up to the test of time and constantly being handled. I plan on sending my unit in for a tune up and a cosmetic refresh once it's 2/3 years old. I got it in July of 2012 (3.893). It is the best RD I have ever owned and I plan maintaining it properly.

[ghz1]

I have had many different units. I started with an .813,.819,.821,.826,.872. Then I asked a very kind member of the forum for help to upgrade I think it was .698?? To.872. the reason I have had so many units is because I live in New Zealand and VR will not deal out of the US so I have to buy or trade to a newer model when one comes out (Costing me a lot $1000 + NZ each new V1). I think my .872 has been with me 3 years or so and is still in good nick. So If I were you I would not worry about sending the unit in unless you feel it's malfunctioning or a newer firmware has been released and you would like the latest... However dude with OCD you may need to do such things as one may need settle one’s mind LOL. My .872 works just fine it was made in the last week of the .872 line and from want I can tell has the same LNO's as the .891/3. It is able to out gun my redline often. So in a nut shell they will last a long time if treated well.
TIP do not leave the unit sitting the hot sun this shortens its life while parked up, also some low life on a bicycle will break into your car and take it.
I try to use my cars A/C to move the heat away. At end of the day you can’t always roll like that and the units designed to handle it.

[kasher1979]

Hey I asked then at Valentine Research about the hairline scratches. Every detector I have owned gets these. They told me that it was purely cosmetic and would not affect the performance whatsoever.

[Swift101]

Thanks everyone for your input, I appreciate all the information and help!