Some V1 history

[VanMan]

So I am just curious. We all know what the V1.8 looks like, but what are visual differences in previous V1's? The V1.7 seems to have that slightly thicker ledge at the bottom with an 'eye', and I have seen V1s without that 'eye' but with the ledge. What other differences have the generations had over the years?

[nine_c1]

So I am just curious. We all know what the V1.8 looks like, but what are visual differences in previous V1's? The V1.7 seems to have that slightly thicker ledge at the bottom with an 'eye', and I have seen V1s without that 'eye' but with the ledge. What other differences have the generations had over the years?

The original V1 was hardware version 1.6 (Firmware Version 1.36). The outer case was a slim line case exactly like today's V1s. The 1.6 did not have Lidar detection and did not have visual band id LEDs on the display.

The next generation of V1s, hardware version 1.7 (Firmware Versions 2.391 - 2.909) were the thick cased version.......thicker because the built in Lidar detector had it's own PC board. Both the 1.6 and 1.7 versions used the original "fast flared" horns.

Hardware version 1.8 is the latest (Firmware Versions 3.619 - 3.872). Actually, there are two FCCIDs associated to this hardware version.....QJAV18 and QJAV18A. The latter incorporated digital temperature control. The big differences with Version 1.8 were incorporation of the Lidar detection onto the main PC board (back to a thinner case), better Lidar detection due to the parabolic lense on the front sensor, and better Ka detection due to the redesigned horns (high efficiency double ridged).

Here are some pics of the two styles of horns......

http://www.radardetector.net/forums/...ntine-one.html

[VanMan]

Were the fast flared horns why the V1 has historically suffered Ka-band 35.5 GHz?

[nine_c1]

Were the fast flared horns why the V1 has historically suffered Ka-band 35.5 GHz?

No, the fast flared horns were generally not as good on any of the Ka bands as todays version. When Escort adopted the S7 design from the recent aquistion of Bel back in 2002 and released the 8500, Valentine had to step up it's game on Ka band reception.

[VanMan]

Were the fast flared horns why the V1 has historically suffered Ka-band 35.5 GHz?

No, the fast flared horns were generally not as good on any of the Ka bands as todays version. When Escort adopted the S7 design from the recent aquistion of Bel back in 2002 and released the 8500, Valentine had to step up it's game on Ka band reception.

How does that work as IIRC the original 8500 came out in 2001...but for a while it was superior to the V1. Did Escort change the 8500 mid-way through? I got my first 8500 around 2002/3 and that, 8500 is ridiculously sensitive (and better with IO than most detectors to date).

[nine_c1]

Were the fast flared horns why the V1 has historically suffered Ka-band 35.5 GHz?

No, the fast flared horns were generally not as good on any of the Ka bands as todays version. When Escort adopted the S7 design from the recent aquistion of Bel back in 2002 and released the 8500, Valentine had to step up it's game on Ka band reception.

How does that work as IIRC the original 8500 came out in 2001...but for a while it was superior to the V1. Did Escort change the 8500 mid-way through? I got my first 8500 around 2002/3 and that, 8500 is ridiculously sensitive (and better with IO than most detectors to date).

The 8500 did not come out until 2002........the FCCID for the 8500 was submitted to the FCC on September 9th 2002.

Actually, the V1 hardware version 1.8 predated Escort's submission by a few weeks. I believe the S7 horn was currently available in Beltronics detectors prior to the release of the 8500. Until the release of the 8500, it was Beltronics that constantly challenged the V1 and oft times edged it out on Ka reception.

The FCC online records for Bel / Escort / Valentine do not go back beyond 2002 so I can't say for sure when the S7 originally debuted.

[GTO_04]

Were the fast flared horns why the V1 has historically suffered Ka-band 35.5 GHz?

No, the fast flared horns were generally not as good on any of the Ka bands as todays version. When Escort adopted the S7 design from the recent aquistion of Bel back in 2002 and released the 8500, Valentine had to step up it's game on Ka band reception.

Being the proud owner of a 1.7, I can definitively say that it's off-axis 35.5 detection is MUCH worse than the 1.8!

GTO_04

[jimbonzzz]

The original V1 was hardware version 1.6 (Firmware Version 1.36). The outer case was a slim line case exactly like today's V1s. The 1.6 did not have Lidar detection and did not have visual band id LEDs on the display.

Are you sure? Here's a 1.36 with a thick case...

[nine_c1]

The original V1 was hardware version 1.6 (Firmware Version 1.36). The outer case was a slim line case exactly like today's V1s. The 1.6 did not have Lidar detection and did not have visual band id LEDs on the display.

Are you sure? Here's a 1.36 with a thick case...

What the heck is that?

I don't remember a chunky version 1.6! This is the original V1 I recollect.

[jimbonzzz]

What the heck is that?

Here's what the V1 site says about it: