Upgraded my old V1 (bought in '98) to a new one..impressions and questions

[mujjuman]

I have a 1.7 2.909 and I have pretty much all those "problems".

I get terrible ghosting on K band, but only on false alerts. On true radar sources that use K, I get an accurate number... for example speed signs, police radar, and other construction signs.

Ka band seems pretty good... since this is my only RD, I dont know if I've ever been hit with 35.5 Ka. I get plenty of warning for C/O, for both K and Ka.

I get laser falses on some toll booths... I dont mind it though.
I dont get J nor E errors yet.... hopefully I never get E. I'd be extremely sad if I did.

I absolutely LOVE my V1... I guess I should stick with 1.7 rather than upgrade to 1.8.
If I make a decision to upgrade, I have to make it quick because it costs $189 now, and its only going to get more expensive if newer versions come out.

[GTO_04]

I am a 1.7 fan, there is no excuse for K band ghosting up to 3-4 bogies on a single K band source like most 1.8's do, this makes the bogie counter completely useless and does not happen on the 1.7 and possibly pre pop 1.8, my counter is accurate.

Ka is supposed to be a little better on 1.8 but I could not notice a difference, only to find out later from Mike B that 1.8 was only improved on 35.5 Ghz.
Fortunately I don't have this frequency where I live.
(Pre 97-98 have weaker Ka, no mode memory, there was a compleate gut swap upgrade)

Laser detection has always been the leader on a 1.7 with six forward diodes, two at a 45 degree angle.
Newly improved 1.8 laser is overkill and just causes many more falses.
My 1.7 can pick up red neon signs close up, older Chevy Trailblazer/GMC Envoy, it does not pick up laser cruise control or toll plaza's when going through like the 1.8 does, yet has never missed a direct laser hit,

I don't know of a single glitch accept for the bulbs were not very good prior to the 99' band LED ID upgrade.

With 1.8 you have continuous attempts to fix the "J" alert on real threats, ghosting, K-Band Muting problem on one version, K-Band bogey lock tone problem on one version, "E" error.
1.7 has no yearly tune ups, although it has had repairs it has never fallen out of tune.

I would put my unit in a GOL test anytime!

Did you know that 1.7 has a mode to sample X and K band tones in both regular and muted volume?

The 1.7 still has very respectable laser detection. It may have a wider field of view than the 1.8 with it's collimating lens. When a laser is aimed at the foglights on my GTO, my 1.7 will still alert at 100 ft. and it is mounted up high on the windshield.

As far as 35.5 Ka, the biggest difference you will see is with off-axis detection.
While off-axis 35.5 Ka detection is nothing to write home about, the 1.8 has the advantage there. On 33.8 Ka, the 1.7 is every bit as good as the 1.8 and very close on 34.7 Ka.

The 1.7 is also just as good on K band QT as the 1.8 with POP mode on, and you don't have to worry about J alerts with the 1.7 because it does not have the J feature.

GTO_04

[V1 Dave]

I have a 1.7 2.909 and I have pretty much all those "problems".

I get terrible ghosting on K band, but only on false alerts. On true radar sources that use K, I get an accurate number... for example speed signs, police radar, and other construction signs.

If your true radar signals don't ghost then your falses don't ghost,
what your unit is doing is counting each door opener by recieving slightly different frequencies for each one.

[spartcus]

I am a 1.7 fan, there is no excuse for K band ghosting up to 3-4 bogies on a single K band source like most 1.8's do, this makes the bogie counter completely useless and does not happen on the 1.7 and possibly pre pop 1.8, my counter is accurate.

Ka is supposed to be a little better on 1.8 but I could not notice a difference, only to find out later from Mike B that 1.8 was only improved on 35.5 Ghz.
Fortunately I don't have this frequency where I live.
(Pre 97-98 have weaker Ka, no mode memory, there was a compleate gut swap upgrade)

Laser detection has always been the leader on a 1.7 with six forward diodes, two at a 45 degree angle.
Newly improved 1.8 laser is overkill and just causes many more falses.
My 1.7 can pick up red neon signs close up, older Chevy Trailblazer/GMC Envoy, it does not pick up laser cruise control or toll plaza's when going through like the 1.8 does, yet has never missed a direct laser hit,

I don't know of a single glitch accept for the bulbs were not very good prior to the 99' band LED ID upgrade.

With 1.8 you have continuous attempts to fix the "J" alert on real threats, ghosting, K-Band Muting problem on one version, K-Band bogey lock tone problem on one version, "E" error.
1.7 has no yearly tune ups, although it has had repairs it has never fallen out of tune.

I would put my unit in a GOL test anytime!

Did you know that 1.7 has a mode to sample X and K band tones in both regular and muted volume?

Interesting

[dizwiz24]

the thing that is pi$$ing me off is that I dont think front laser alert is working.

I put on 500 miles across ohio yesterday, doing rounds for work.

I encountered 2 laser speed traps.

One motorcycle cop on I-270 and a state highway patrol on I-71.

In both cases, they were out of the car holding a dual lense looking device, that Im assuming was laser.

Despite heavy traffic. I did not give any laser alert whatsoever.

[North Alabama]

The only thing I noticed between the 1.7 and the 1.8 was better X and Ka. Laser? When new, the 3.872 worked flawless. It has an issue that the front horn is less directional than the rear horn which makes the V1 alarm rearward sometimes (35.5) when actually the source is sideways, but does indicate correct when the front sees a signal. I have noticed this lately and wondered if something is wrong with the V1 like a problem of loosing front sensitivity. But cannot forget that it sees only what it sees because the radio waves bounce all over in the auto thus the V1 has to alarm rearward until there is a reflection/better angle for the front to see the signal for the higher freq. of a 35.5 is getting closer to light like laser.......

[THRASHER]

From what I have read, it is ALWAYS BEST to upgrade, every year - or every few years, especially since V1 has that path (sure wish my six former computers did).

[mujjuman]

From what I have read, it is ALWAYS BEST to upgrade, every year - or every few years, especially since V1 has that path (sure wish my six former computers did).

No its not always best to upgrade... only sometimes.
Sometimes the upgraded product may be inferior to the older versions...
Take AOL Instant Messenger for example. I find that the older versions are much better than the new crap they have out.
And our own V1s, many of the software versions for 1.8 seemed to have many undesirable problems vs the older versions and the newest version they have out currently (3.872).
Even the new iPhone 4 is not as great as the iPhone 3GS... which was the best iPhone ever made in my opinion... the iPhone 4 has too many problems which makes the 3GS king, because it doesnt have any of those problems. Sure, its lacking a slightly faster processor and some more RAM and dual cameras, but all of that is unusable if the phone doesnt even work right haha. Ok I'm getting way sidetracked.

[Leadfut]

How do you guys know what HW/SW revisions are better than others?

I have a hardware v1.8 with 3.619 software. I bought it in 2001 (I think) and I have no other V1 to compare it to. Should I upgrade?

Here is what the V1 website says when I put in my serial number:


V1 Description: Radar circuitry known in-house as V1.8. This is our latest and best performer on both radar and laser with just one exception—it lacks POP Protection. Of interest to those who drive in Europe, the latest V1 version also has a Euro Mode.
Upgrade Recommendation: You have a sophisticated security system, and we’re cautious about recommending an Upgrade. If you believe in keeping up with technology, particularly if the POP Mode is being used in your area, then go ahead. V1’s approach to the POP problem is superior to all others in the industry. If you drive in Europe, you will appreciate our new Euro Mode which improves protection on photo radar as it is used in the E.U.

ETA: I have very infrequent business trips to Europe but don't bring my V1 so Euro mode is not important to me.

[mujjuman]

How do you guys know what HW/SW revisions are better than others?

I have a hardware v1.8 with 3.619 software. I bought it in 2001 (I think) and I have no other V1 to compare it to. Should I upgrade?

Here is what the V1 website says when I put in my serial number:


V1 Description: Radar circuitry known in-house as V1.8. This is our latest and best performer on both radar and laser with just one exception—it lacks POP Protection. Of interest to those who drive in Europe, the latest V1 version also has a Euro Mode.
Upgrade Recommendation: You have a sophisticated security system, and we’re cautious about recommending an Upgrade. If you believe in keeping up with technology, particularly if the POP Mode is being used in your area, then go ahead. V1’s approach to the POP problem is superior to all others in the industry. If you drive in Europe, you will appreciate our new Euro Mode which improves protection on photo radar as it is used in the E.U.

ETA: I have very infrequent business trips to Europe but don't bring my V1 so Euro mode is not important to me.

i think just through experience