Question about importing a V1 vs. buying something local

[Racerhead73]

Hello all,

First off I wanted to say that this is a great board and I’ve been spending way too much time here reading over the past few days. I know many of you are probably :roll: your eyes at yet another newbie asking yet another “which should I buy”? question and I do apologize. I really do hate to make these kinds of posts but I would appreciate the feedback on the questions below.

I have searched and read many great posts with lots of info, including the GOL tests.

My problem is that I really do want a V1 but I don’t know if I *need* it considering the final price. I live in Calgary, Alberta and when I phoned V1 I was quoted $50-$60 shipping charges. On top of that there will be a broker fee for $37.50 from FedEx. There will also be duty, taxes, and a few other fees that I have had to pay on past items I have bought in the US.

So it boils down to the V1 costing a minimum of $500 once I get it to my door. This is compared to a Bel RX-65 at $330 local or an Escort 8500 X50 at $350 local.

Is it worth the hassle and extra $150-$170 for the V1? My budget really isn’t huge, but I am a tech geek and although I really shouldn’t buy (or maybe even need)? a V1 I would *like* one.

If it helps I’m not a maniac speeder. But I do like to go for a rip every so often, and then of course there is the highway driving in the summer. I don’t do a lot of that anymore but this summer I will be on the road more often. Most of my driving is in the city, and I found my trusty old vector940 to not be annoying to me, and it worked very well.

As for radar, in Calgary there is a lot of laser, although my old vector940 picked up quite a bit of Ka band. We have a lot of photo radar as well, it seems to be the best way to rake in the bucks here in town. (I believe the photo radar is Ka band but I could very well be wrong).

In the end I guess I’m waffling on the V1, I really don’t know if it is worth all the extra cash for the kind of driving I do, and the prevalence of photo radar which even my old Bel picked up well in advance.

Thanks for tolerating my dumb Q’s and I hope someone can help me stop waffling on this issue with your experience and expertise. :?

Take care,

Ayr

[jerry540i]

No duty. Detectors are duty free as per the Free trade Agreement.

But, like you've said--you've still got GST, shipping and brokerage. (no PST lucky bastard. :wink: )

However, once you go V1, you'll never go back!! (or something to that effect.)

BTW, I've got a V1 for my trips state-side, and an Sti for home use. You can't beat the V1's arrows--that alone is worth the price.

J/

[Cips]

In my honest opinion, if I were you I'd get the RX-65.

While there is not real 'upgrade' policy from Beltronics, you said yourself you are not a crazy speeder. While I'm not either, I chose the V1; but I didn't have to pay all the extra stuff you will.

I wouldn't decide on the laser detection/alerts alone, either.

[RW'07]

No duty. Detectors are duty free as per the Free trade Agreement.
But, like you've said--you've still got GST, shipping and brokerage. (no PST lucky bastard. :wink: )

However, once you go V1, you'll never go back!! (or something to that effect.)

BTW, I've got a V1 for my trips state-side, and an Sti for home use. You can't beat the V1's arrows--that alone is worth the price.

J/

I feel ashamed ops: but no idea what's the difference btwn duty and tax (GST and PST for Ontario), when do you have to pay duty and how much is it? Thanks Jerry

[RW'07]

Hello all,

First off I wanted to say that this is a great board and I’ve been spending way too much time here reading over the past few days. I know many of you are probably :roll: your eyes at yet another newbie asking yet another “which should I buy”? question and I do apologize. I really do hate to make these kinds of posts but I would appreciate the feedback on the questions below.

I have searched and read many great posts with lots of info, including the GOL tests.

My problem is that I really do want a V1 but I don’t know if I *need* it considering the final price. I live in Calgary, Alberta and when I phoned V1 I was quoted $50-$60 shipping charges. On top of that there will be a broker fee for $37.50 from FedEx. There will also be duty, taxes, and a few other fees that I have had to pay on past items I have bought in the US.

So it boils down to the V1 costing a minimum of $500 once I get it to my door. This is compared to a Bel RX-65 at $330 local or an Escort 8500 X50 at $350 local.

Is it worth the hassle and extra $150-$170 for the V1? My budget really isn’t huge, but I am a tech geek and although I really shouldn’t buy (or maybe even need)? a V1 I would *like* one.

If it helps I’m not a maniac speeder. But I do like to go for a rip every so often, and then of course there is the highway driving in the summer. I don’t do a lot of that anymore but this summer I will be on the road more often. Most of my driving is in the city, and I found my trusty old vector940 to not be annoying to me, and it worked very well.

As for radar, in Calgary there is a lot of laser, although my old vector940 picked up quite a bit of Ka band. We have a lot of photo radar as well, it seems to be the best way to rake in the bucks here in town. (I believe the photo radar is Ka band but I could very well be wrong).

In the end I guess I’m waffling on the V1, I really don’t know if it is worth all the extra cash for the kind of driving I do, and the prevalence of photo radar which even my old Bel picked up well in advance.

Thanks for tolerating my dumb Q’s and I hope someone can help me stop waffling on this issue with your experience and expertise. :?

Take care,

Ayr

I don't think you really need a V1 (a very good RD but also a pretty expensive one), there are other very good RDs out there less expensive than the V1 but finally it's your call, personally I'm very familiar with the STI (you do NOT needed it in Alberta) so I can't give you advices on other RDs... also, if you drive at least once/year down in the States, you got the beautiful Cowboy Country of Montana, Cowboys hate taxes so NO tax in that state and when you come back, well, talk to me before coming back to Canada :wink: best of luck and drive safely

[jerry540i]

No duty. Detectors are duty free as per the Free trade Agreement.
But, like you've said--you've still got GST, shipping and brokerage. (no PST lucky bastard. :wink: )

However, once you go V1, you'll never go back!! (or something to that effect.)

BTW, I've got a V1 for my trips state-side, and an Sti for home use. You can't beat the V1's arrows--that alone is worth the price.

J/

I feel ashamed ops: but no idea what's the difference btwn duty and tax (GST and PST for Ontario), when do you have to pay duty and how much is it? Thanks Jerry

Taxes in Canada are charged on goods and services, by both the federal and provincial governments. The Goods and Services Tax (GST) as you know is 5% and charged by the federal government on everything. Provincial sales taxes vary between provinces (0 in Alberta, 8% in Ontario, etc)

Duties are additional fees levied by the federal government on imported goods. Duties were originally created to protect domestic industries (think cars made in Japan versus Canada) and are now used more often as retaliatory measures by one country against another (accusations of "dumping" "unfair subsidies" etc.)

Canada and the US have a Free Trade Agreement whereby most items manufactured in either country can enter either country without any additional duties levied upon them. )This started with the Auto Pact where cars made on either side of the border are imported/exported without duty)

Duty free however doesn't mean tax free. Governments are still free to impose taxes on these "duty free" items.

Plus, when you travel abroad and return home, the government gives you an allowance to bring stuff home--tax and duty free. However, if you go over this limit, then the additional items can be subject to both tax and duty, if the item is not duty free.

Get it now? :?

And back to the original statement--radar detectors manufactured in Canada or the US (Belscort, Valentine) are duty free as per the free trade agreement, but subject to sales tax (if not imported as part of the travel exemption.)

J/

[Racerhead73]

Thank you all for the fast replies and your recommendations!

jerry540i, it's good to know about the duty free. It's just now that I recall in my foggy memory that someone told me that a long time ago. I can see where the V1 has such appeal, the arrows do intrigue me. I'm still waffling about it, as well as the problem of explaining to my fiance why I need that expensive of a detector. He's getting fed up with all the tech stuff I keep buying. :P

Cips, if I did only have to pay $400 for a V1 it would be easier to make up my mind, especially with the dollar so close right now.

RW'07, I take it you own an STI? Do you like it? As Cips suggested I have been looking at the RX-65 as I really did like my old Vector940. I got used to the voice alerts as well, it was a nice feature.

I used to drive down to the States a few times a year but I haven't been down for almost two years now. It was nice as I would buy stuff down there then just bring it back up with me. 8) I will be going down there this summer at some point to bring back an engine for my project car.

Anyway enough of my blathering, I think I will look into the RX-65 a bit more, and research the X50 a bit more too. I think it would be best to wait, I can always buy a V1 down the road right? :wink: Now if only I could stop the little voice saying "But, but, but... You WANT"!

Take care,

Ayr