zerbey
04-04-2009, 10:57 AM
Since my co-workers car has died I got a chance to play with a V1 over the last few days, so I thought I'd share my observations. I'm considering purchasing a V1 the next time I upgrade. My current every day RD is my RX65.
Tested units:
V1 with 1.8 firmware (this is according to V1's web site, so far as I can tell it's only missing POP).
RX65 with 6.3 firmware
Mounted both radar units center windshield just below the RVM one at a time. I made an attempt to put them as far apart as possible and leave them both on but, needless to say, I now know what an I/O X-band hit looks like :-D
The V1 was set to "A" mode, all bands on. The RX65 is in Highway mode with all bands + POP on and Ka set to USA mode.
I tested by doing my usual drive to and from work. I use this drive because I know where all the false alerts are and FHP are kind enough to have a couple of speed traps that they use on a daily basis.
Here's my real world observations on performance:
X band:
*Only tested door openers, no X-band here in FL thank goodness! *
V1 is the clear winner here, I never had any doubt that it wouldn't. It picked up some X-band sources I was previously unaware of.
The RX65 is an excellent performer also, on the X-band sources it alerted to it was about 1-2 seconds behind.
K band:
It's a draw, the V1 actually stayed silent in some places where my RX65 usually alerts on (all door openers). I was lucky enough to find a local city cop running K-band and the V1 was maybe half a second ahead of the RX65.
Ka band:
V1 comes out on top, but only just. I found the RX65 is actually a little quicker on the draw with I/O, but the range is slightly (maybe 1 second) better on the V1. I suspect the newer POP enabled firmware will level things out. Now, where the V1 really shines is the rear detection thank, it kept alerting for a good 3-4 seconds more in those cases.
Laser:
Not encountered, but I would expect the V1 to win here.
Arrows:
V1 wins! I love those arrows, I really hope when the patent expires other RD manufacturers start using them.
Interface:
RX65 wins, by a wide margin. I absolutely hate the V1's interface, it's just unnecessarily complicated. Those arrows are the only redeeming feature really. The bogey counter? Not really useful, who cares how many cops are there - it only takes one to give me a ticket!
Audio alerts:
RX65 wins simply because the volume is louder, I really don't like having to turn the V1 on full blast for it to be audible over the radio (and I don't keep my radio very loud). Maybe his speaker is dodgy? The alert tones we equally intuitive on both.
Mounts:
V1 has a better mount, that V1 stayed rock solid and hardly wobbled at all even on rough terrain. It DOES look flimsy in my opinion, but maybe that's me
The RX65 mounting bracket sucks, sorry Beltronics! I like that it's made of metal, but it's way to small and fiddly.
Conclusion:
I'd really like to do this test again with a V1 that's running the very latest firmware. I'm impressed enough with this V1 that I'll definitely consider buying one next time around. I'm very pleased with my trusty RX65, it cost me $100 less but it's definitely not performing like it did. I would recommend both RDs to someone in the market, but the V1 edges out the competition in terms of performance (esp. if you live in an X-band area). I wish I had $400 to burn on a new one!
I'm not done with the V1 yet, he just sold his car as junk so I've got it for a few more days. I'll post more observations as I see them.
Comments welcome.
Tested units:
V1 with 1.8 firmware (this is according to V1's web site, so far as I can tell it's only missing POP).
RX65 with 6.3 firmware
Mounted both radar units center windshield just below the RVM one at a time. I made an attempt to put them as far apart as possible and leave them both on but, needless to say, I now know what an I/O X-band hit looks like :-D
The V1 was set to "A" mode, all bands on. The RX65 is in Highway mode with all bands + POP on and Ka set to USA mode.
I tested by doing my usual drive to and from work. I use this drive because I know where all the false alerts are and FHP are kind enough to have a couple of speed traps that they use on a daily basis.
Here's my real world observations on performance:
X band:
*Only tested door openers, no X-band here in FL thank goodness! *
V1 is the clear winner here, I never had any doubt that it wouldn't. It picked up some X-band sources I was previously unaware of.
The RX65 is an excellent performer also, on the X-band sources it alerted to it was about 1-2 seconds behind.
K band:
It's a draw, the V1 actually stayed silent in some places where my RX65 usually alerts on (all door openers). I was lucky enough to find a local city cop running K-band and the V1 was maybe half a second ahead of the RX65.
Ka band:
V1 comes out on top, but only just. I found the RX65 is actually a little quicker on the draw with I/O, but the range is slightly (maybe 1 second) better on the V1. I suspect the newer POP enabled firmware will level things out. Now, where the V1 really shines is the rear detection thank, it kept alerting for a good 3-4 seconds more in those cases.
Laser:
Not encountered, but I would expect the V1 to win here.
Arrows:
V1 wins! I love those arrows, I really hope when the patent expires other RD manufacturers start using them.
Interface:
RX65 wins, by a wide margin. I absolutely hate the V1's interface, it's just unnecessarily complicated. Those arrows are the only redeeming feature really. The bogey counter? Not really useful, who cares how many cops are there - it only takes one to give me a ticket!
Audio alerts:
RX65 wins simply because the volume is louder, I really don't like having to turn the V1 on full blast for it to be audible over the radio (and I don't keep my radio very loud). Maybe his speaker is dodgy? The alert tones we equally intuitive on both.
Mounts:
V1 has a better mount, that V1 stayed rock solid and hardly wobbled at all even on rough terrain. It DOES look flimsy in my opinion, but maybe that's me
The RX65 mounting bracket sucks, sorry Beltronics! I like that it's made of metal, but it's way to small and fiddly.
Conclusion:
I'd really like to do this test again with a V1 that's running the very latest firmware. I'm impressed enough with this V1 that I'll definitely consider buying one next time around. I'm very pleased with my trusty RX65, it cost me $100 less but it's definitely not performing like it did. I would recommend both RDs to someone in the market, but the V1 edges out the competition in terms of performance (esp. if you live in an X-band area). I wish I had $400 to burn on a new one!
I'm not done with the V1 yet, he just sold his car as junk so I've got it for a few more days. I'll post more observations as I see them.
Comments welcome.