BMW Interference with V1

[Needsdecaf]

Hey all, noobie here. I just installed my old (1999) V1 (V1 site says an upgrade isn't necessary) in my 2011 BMW 535i. It has the driver's assistance package with blind spot warning. Since I installed it I have a low powered (1-2 LED's) K band warning that's intermittent but fairly constant. Turning off the blind spot warning seems to make no difference, but I suspect that just shuts off the warning, not the system.

Should I shut off K band? Set an auto mute? I've never set auto mutes before, I've always just dealt with the falses and really don't know the ins and outs of what's preferred there.

I tried searching but couldn't come up with anything BMW specific...it kicks out the term.

[speeddemon]

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[kpatz]

A good rule of thumb is make sure the car you're buying doesn't have those features in them, before you sign the paperwork.

Not just for your benefit in using countermeasures, but as a favor for other countermeasure users who you share the road with...

[Needsdecaf]

A good rule of thumb is make sure the car you're buying doesn't have those features in them, before you sign the paperwork.

Not just for your benefit in using countermeasures, but as a favor for other countermeasure users who you share the road with...

I would not have purchased the package, however, the car I wanted came with it so that was the way it worked out.

Also, do not want to disable the feature. It's actually fairly useful. Plus, I live and drive in Virginia and DC where radar detectors are illegal, so it's only used when I go on long trips.

Do any cops use K band any more?

[kpatz]

Do any cops use K band any more?

Yes, depending on your location. Some departments have switched entirely to Ka, others still have K guns.

[pilot_corey]

Do any cops use K band any more?

Yes, depending on your location. Some departments have switched entirely to Ka, others still have K guns.

I mentioned in another thread that I've only had one K band encounter on several cross-country road trips out west. I haven't driven on the east coast, so maybe its different there, but out west and down south, its almost 100% Ka.

[kpatz]

It depends on whether you're driving on the highway or through cities/towns as well. State police depts. usually have bigger budgets so they upgrade their equipment sooner. Thus there are probably a lot of state troops that are all Ka now (though there are exceptions, Ohio and NJ being two off the top of my head that still use *X* band).

Drive into a podunk one-horse town and you don't know what kind of radar they might hit you with. K band probably.

Here in NH, the stateys seem to have switched entirely to Ka band (haven't seen K band from a statey in probably 3 years) but many towns and cities still have K band guns. For example, the largest city in NH, Manchester, is still 95 percent K band, though they do have a cruiser or three with a Ka unit. Other cities and towns around here that have Ka usually still have K units too.

[Needsdecaf]

I am in VA, drive in DC (no radar use in either), MD, PA, NJ, NY.

[atticuss187]

Unless you disable the feature VIA fuse box...you're kinda screwed. DO NOT turn off K band. It is still VERY much ALIVE on the highways and especially in the cities. Automuteing is only going to make the V1 one quite, and isn't actually going to let you know if you have a real K band encounter. Your best bet would be to disable the feature. If you find it "useful" and don't want to disable it, get rid of your countermeasure. Sorry to break it you my friend, but it's one or the other with cars that have these features. The only exception is to turn of K band which I strongly do not suggest.

[HighVoltage]

Try a lower spot on the windshield, like just below the mirror. It will effect overall range but it might stop the Kband pickup.