fish_antlers
Administrator
The Truth is Out There
Posts: 21894
|
posted June 22, 2006 04:53 AM
 Edited By: fish_antlers on 22 Jun 2006 06:01
matt... the deal is that we sat down and spent a lot of time testing these things and didnt make the stuff up. we had 3 people take part in the test, not just one, and we did that specifically so that we could have some level of assured impartiality. you seem to be hell bent on denying the results, and there's nothing I can do about that. like I said none of us were paid or have any agenda... we did it out of curiousity and wanting to keep the membership informed about the latest technology, yet you continually respond trying to state that the V1 is still the best, no matter what, even though you personally didnt test the comeptition,
well, we did...
would you have prefered that we lie to you and tell you the V1 was the best, even though it wasnt?
geez.. I dont know what to say other than that... everything is already written down and we've presented our findings.,. what you have to say and feel about the V1 has little to do with anything for us as I personally own a V1 and I still think the Bel is better.
You know matt... one year Suzkui is fast.. the next year Kawasaki... then maybe Honda...
what's you point other than arguing in circles? once again, I get it... you really like your V1.
You might consider checking out the Bel when you're in the market for a replacement, dat's all.
____________
What business is it of yours where I'm from, Friendo?
   
|
zerMATT
Pro
Posts: 1931
|
posted June 22, 2006 05:03 AM
quote:
what's you point other than arguing in circles? once again, I get it... you really like your V1.
My point is stil the only thing that I've said so far - that I prefer the V1 because of it's ability to locate radar (which you said in your review that it is equal to the other units), and it's ability to hold it's value in the retail market for resale purposes. Period. That's it. But you act like I'm attacking your review, I'm not, I am simply using this forum (this *is* a forum, right?) to voice my opinion much like you do. We can all have our opinions, right? Maybe your should lock review topics so that people can't respond with counterpoint remarks.
quote:
You might consider checking out the Bel when you're in the market for a replacement, dat's all.
I appreciate that, and I will likely check out the Bel as a 2nd unit, then I'll know for myself how incredibly wonderful theirs is.
____________
'06 Passion Red ZX-14 | Black D&D Slip-ons | Speedo Healer | V1 | zumo 550 | Heli-Risers | PhantomX
|
fish_antlers
Administrator
The Truth is Out There
Posts: 21894
|
posted June 22, 2006 05:11 AM
no prob, Matt... maybe I misunderstood your "Awshucksterator" responses... and we all do agree that we love the arrows... like Tony the Tiger says "they'rrrrrrrrrrrrree Greeaaaaaaaate" ...
and remember... we're talking about use on a bike in this review... not a car... if it was a car the results would be different.
-instead of locking topics can we just lock you up? 
____________
What business is it of yours where I'm from, Friendo?
|
zerMATT
Pro
Posts: 1931
|
posted June 22, 2006 05:16 AM
quote:
-instead of locking topics can we just lock you up?
Lock me up?!?!?! Then I wouldn't be able to get my hourly ZX-14.com fix!!!!!
____________
'06 Passion Red ZX-14 | Black D&D Slip-ons | Speedo Healer | V1 | zumo 550 | Heli-Risers | PhantomX
|
fish_antlers
Administrator
The Truth is Out There
Posts: 21894
|
posted June 22, 2006 05:23 AM
-working on an intravenous version
____________
What business is it of yours where I'm from, Friendo?
|
Wideout
Expert Class
Posts: 300
|
posted June 22, 2006 06:28 AM
Thanks for the review. Normally, I'll opt for the cheapo under 200 dollar unit. Might consider raising my thinking a bit now.
|
swft
Needs a life
Full throttle!
Posts: One MEEEEEELLION
|
posted June 22, 2006 07:23 AM
Edited By: swft on 22 Jun 2006 08:25
When I popped for the '03 Z06, the first mod I made was putting the radar detector / laser 'shifter' in it. I chose the Escort based on it's ability to effectively counter laser detection, and it's results in testing. The SR7 and ZR3 combo (SR7 Plus not avail at that time) is the dropdead knockout killer punch against both radar and laser.
Here's one of my favorite comprehensive tests of radar detectors:
http://www.radarbusters.com/support/speedlabs-2005/Default.asp
|
Squareman357
Expert Class
Posts: 148
|
posted June 22, 2006 07:43 AM
I don't know why you guys had problems with the suction mounts for the V-1. Mine is rock solid and I drive my car like I was racing on Laguna Seca (at times LOL!) and it's never shifted, moved, or fallen off the window. I'll agree having to pay the extra $40 bucks for the audio output sucked major ass, but like Matt, when I think about what I use the radar for, I also don't care if it's X, K, or Ka, I only care about how many signals there are, where they are, and how strong they are.
The V-1 has saved my ass from tickets more times than I can count, especially when they set up the traps where there are multiple revenue collectors spaced apart on the same road in the same direction. Most folks get the hit, see johnny po-po on the side of the road, pass him, get out of his visual range and step it up, thinking that alarm still going off is just him. My V-1 tells me that there are 3 signals, 2 ahead 1 behind, strongest is behind...no wait now its ahead (arrow blinks in the direction of the strongest signal threat)...so I keep it slow even though I passed Johnny po-po number one, only to crest the next rise and see number 2 and number 3 waiting to pick off the people that think their alarm is going off for number 1.
That translates in the car or on the bike for me, and it's worked flawlessly. I'm gonna invest the dinero in the HARD system to give me the bright LED light in my eye when the detector goes off, then I can slow down and check signal indicators for location and bogey count. The article DID say that in radar detection the three units performed so closely that you would call it a wash and only price and ergos determined who won. With that in mind, I'm more than happy to keep using my V-1 and upgrade it as necessary. It was a good read though.
____________
Keep the shiny side up!
Square
'06 Ebony Metallic ZX-14 - "Delilah"
'02 Silver CBR1100XX - "Stormcloud"
'04 GS500F - "Wife's Bike"
|
zerMATT
Pro
Posts: 1931
|
posted June 22, 2006 07:54 AM
quote:
The V-1 has saved my ass from tickets more times than I can count, especially when they set up the traps where there are multiple revenue collectors spaced apart on the same road in the same direction. Most folks get the hit, see johnny po-po on the side of the road, pass him, get out of his visual range and step it up, thinking that alarm still going off is just him. My V-1 tells me that there are 3 signals, 2 ahead 1 behind, strongest is behind...no wait now its ahead (arrow blinks in the direction of the strongest signal threat)...so I keep it slow even though I passed Johnny po-po number one, only to crest the next rise and see number 2 and number 3 waiting to pick off the people that think their alarm is going off for number 1.
+1 on that experience. That happens *all the time* on our long interstates here in TX, especially on I-45 heading South from DFW to Houston. They love to have one trooper setup in a rest area (pretty obvious) clocking cars, then another just down the road catching people who had no idea there was still a bogey ahead.
That experience doesn't happen as much on the motorcycle as it does the car, because I'm rarely on an interstate with the bike, so fish's comments about what works best on a bike is very valid, but I don't know if I want to sacrifice that feature for my *only* radar detector since it'll be used each and every day in my car, and only on weekend rides with the bike. I'm thinking about picking up a Bel65 to try it out, but it will likely only every see motorcycle use.
____________
'06 Passion Red ZX-14 | Black D&D Slip-ons | Speedo Healer | V1 | zumo 550 | Heli-Risers | PhantomX
|
frEEk
Administrator
ummm... yeah
Posts: 9660
|
posted June 22, 2006 09:49 AM
zermatt, part of why fish has a hard time accepting your statement that you like the V1 better is simply because you haven't tried the Bel. now as i argued, if you are happy with the V1 (specifically the audio/visual notification) theyn the Bel loses one of its big advantages. however, consider than once you tried using the audio with the voice synthesis and/or using the display (which is actually usable on the Bel, especially on the bike), you may throw out a "i didn't know what i was missing!". that's what it comes down to. now in all fairness, you may not do so. maybe you really would prefer using the HARD system, and that's fine. then the Bel still has the huge price advantage, which is a winning point unless you have money to burn (i know many people here do). i'm part Scot tho so i dont much like having to pay 35% more for nothing.
now my assumption is that the HARD system provides zero indication of which band you are detecting, and i wonder if it even provides any indication of signal strength or it is just an on/off thing? if the latter, i woudl find that almost useless, cause u would spend so much time stomping on the brakes for false signals it would take all the fun out of my day. i can see how an experienced user woudl be able to get all the info they need from the audio and not have to use the display at all (which woudl be great as i hate to take my eyes off the road) but IMO it takes quite a bit of use to really learn to recognizse what each sound means. i used the 3 detectors, but primarily the V1, for months and never got close to really memorizing and distinguishing what all the blips and braps meant. maybe i'm just stupid that way. that's why i loved the Bel for the voice synthesis. my only critisism of that system is it should be a little quicker. i seem to recall it made one beep before sayign the band, and the voice just said it too slow. compared to recognizing the audio signals, it may lose as much as half a second, which is pretty respectable, but in some cases that can be an issue (primarily in laser or very well placed radar).
it is worth mentioning that part of the reason i (and i beleive all of us) find an informative display and/or audio so important is because it helps filter out false signals or non-threats. i found there are just so many signals going off all the time, that u spend half your time waiting for the signal to disappear before you can have fun again. and i'm not just talking in the city where you can pretty much ignore all the X band threats that popup up at least once per block. even highways outside the main city seem to be peppered with signals from all sorts of sources. this is of course where the V1s arrows are great. they help detect falses in the city, where you can confirm that the odd K/Ka false frmo a automatic door is indeed a false (X don't amtter cause they're all false in the city). on teh highway, they're mainly useful because you can tell when u've passed the signal and keep moving instead of having to wait for the passed signal to fade. this is raelly only a few seconds of time savings, but it is still nice to have. i guess what it comes down to is i like the arrows, but they are not critical at all. they save you a few extra falses, and a little time when passing radar. plus they're not 100% in that weaker signals seem to confuse them somtimes, with the arrow jumping around (and i'm not talking multiple bogeys where it is rightly jumping around depending on which is strongest). in short, i think we all like the arrows more than they deserve, perhaps because they give us a feeling of control and information beyond what we actually have or need.
squareman, i wanted to point out that the other 2 units also had multiple bogey tracking, which is something that people don't seem to realize. however, they go about it differently (arguably better actually), but u need to have your display in a mode i consider less than easy on the eyes, because the signal strength bars become tiny to accomodate the multiple signals.
i guess what this all comes down to is, if/when i could learn to use the audio signals effectively and not need a visual display, the playing field would definitely be more even. BUT... given that the units performed very similarly (in fact the Bel & Escort are slightly better overall if i remember the results from radartest.com), the advantage still goes to the bel and escort as they have an audio jack built in (that the V1 doesnt have this just pisses me off on the bike) and are significantly cheaper, not to mention smaller and lighter. the more durable caase of the V1 does have its advantage of course, as does the ability to upgrade. however, what do the upgrades cost? i can't help but think they must be quite expensive since it requires replacement of hardware. depending on the cost, that may kill the V1's upgrade advantage.
of course, in the end all that matters is whether your particular detector and setup keeps you from having to give your autograph to any of the local constabulary. if what you have now has met that criterion, then you're golden. however, don't go around saying your detector is the best in the world just because u never got a ticket. you may just be a pussy or plain lucky.
one last interesting observation: i found having a detector actually slowed me down. i see 2 reasons for this:
1. frequent bogeys had me checking my speed more often than if i had no detector
2. having the detector in my face all the time, even when it wasn't going off, served as a constant reminder of the potential proximity of ticket dispensers
This was definitely something i wasn't expecting. Now, except in very rare cases, I simply don't speed in populated areas due to the high ptential for damage/injury to myself and others (driveways, sidewalks, heavy traffic), but on the (uncongested) highways I don't see much harm. So i figured with a detector i would be flyin around like a 16yo punk in his new ricer, but as it turned out i slowed down and generally was much more alert to boot. go figure.
|
zerMATT
Pro
Posts: 1931
|
posted June 22, 2006 10:51 AM
Edited By: zerMATT on 22 Jun 2006 12:04
Freek - Let me try to address some of your points with regards to my comments above, and how it relates to how *I* use a radar detector:
quote:
zermatt, part of why fish has a hard time accepting your statement that you like the V1 better is simply because you haven't tried the Bel. now as i argued, if you are happy with the V1 (specifically the audio/visual notification) theyn the Bel loses one of its big advantages. however, consider than once you tried using the audio with the voice synthesis and/or using the display (which is actually usable on the Bel, especially on the bike), you may throw out a "i didn't know what i was missing!". that's what it comes down to.
I can accept that - no problem. As I said, I will probably try out a Bel65 one of these days, it sounds like a great unit 
quote:
maybe you really would prefer using the HARD system, and that's fine. then the Bel still has the huge price advantage, which is a winning point unless you have money to burn (i know many people here do). i'm part Scot tho so i dont much like having to pay 35% more for nothing.
now my assumption is that the HARD system provides zero indication of which band you are detecting, and i wonder if it even provides any indication of signal strength or it is just an on/off thing? if the latter, i woudl find that almost useless, cause u would spend so much time stomping on the brakes for false signals it would take all the fun out of my day. i can see how an experienced user woudl be able to get all the info they need from the audio and not have to use the display at all (which woudl be great as i hate to take my eyes off the road) but IMO it takes quite a bit of use to really learn to recognizse what each sound means. i used the 3 detectors, but primarily the V1, for months and never got close to really memorizing and distinguishing what all the blips and braps meant. maybe i'm just stupid that way. that's why i loved the Bel for the voice synthesis. my only critisism of that system is it should be a little quicker. i seem to recall it made one beep before sayign the band, and the voice just said it too slow. compared to recognizing the audio signals, it may lose as much as half a second, which is pretty respectable, but in some cases that can be an issue (primarily in laser or very well placed radar).
For me it's all about simplicity. And there are two scinereos at play here, on a bike, and in the car. In the car, I have had the V1's audible sounds memorized since my first month with my first V1 back in early 1993, so that doesn't factor into my personal decision at this point. When I'm on the bike, I use the HARD system because I really don't care what sound it makes - I have X-band turned OFF. Also, when I'm riding at speeds where I *really* don't want to run up on a cop without warning, I'm typically not in a city, or anywhere near one, so any indication at all will cause me to slow. If I'm commuting to work in the city, I am very much aware of where my K-band falses will be (Home Depot, grocery stores, etc), so I ignore nose HARD alerts, and only slow if I get an alert in a non-falsing area. Again, I'm running with X-band turned off, so falses are few anyway.
quote:
...V1s arrows are great....
I love the arrows, and would have a hard time giving them up. That's my story and I'm sticking with it! 
quote:
the advantage still goes to the bel and escort as they have an audio jack built in (that the V1 doesnt have this just pisses me off on the bike) and are significantly cheaper, not to mention smaller and lighter. the more durable caase of the V1 does have its advantage of course, as does the ability to upgrade. however, what do the upgrades cost? i can't help but think they must be quite expensive since it requires replacement of hardware. depending on the cost, that may kill the V1's upgrade advantage.
The V1's cost advantage to me is the simple fact that I've sold 3 prior V1's on ebay for $325 to $375. That means when Mike V. releases a newer model with significant improvements, it only costs me $50-$100 to upgrade to the latest and greatest version, including shipping. No Escort or Bell will ever attain this level of value retention, except for possibly the new STi Driver (which retails for $449, by the way), but only time will tell.
quote:
of course, in the end all that matters is whether your particular detector and setup keeps you from having to give your autograph to any of the local constabulary. if what you have now has met that criterion, then you're golden. however, don't go around saying your detector is the best in the world just because u never got a ticket. you may just be a pussy or plain lucky.
Amen.
The bottom line for me, and everyone else interested in radar detectors should be that the industry is making advancements. That's a good thing for all of us, no matter which unit we like better. It's been my opinion that the radar detector industry has been slow to improve technology for a LONG time, and Bel/Passport were the ones playing catch-up for quite a while. Now that they have caught up, and even surpassed the V1, the radar detector world is a better place to live. I look forward to some leap-frogging between these guys for quite some time now!!
____________
'06 Passion Red ZX-14 | Black D&D Slip-ons | Speedo Healer | V1 | zumo 550 | Heli-Risers | PhantomX
|
Megabyte
Pro
Posts: 1047
|
posted June 22, 2006 11:27 AM
I got mine for $218.00
Item #:
Item Title: NEW Bel RX65 Pro Radar Laser Detector X K KA Bands
Quantity: 1
Price: $218.00 USD
Subtotal: $218.00 USD
http://shop.vendio.com/inetdistributors/item/808049892/index.html
____________
We First make our habits and then our habits make us.
|
frEEk
Administrator
ummm... yeah
Posts: 9660
|
posted June 22, 2006 11:55 AM
zerMATT, sounds like you're the textbook power user. got the sounds all figured out, and more importantly, know the route you're traveling well. unfortunately i suspect the majority of users don't fit that profile. i know i dont. moreover, i am interested in a detector as much for long trips as for local riding, where everything in unknown. the Bel just has a much easier learning curve for a recreational user like me.
megabyte, that's a smokin' deal!
|
suzukidragracer
Parking Attendant
Posts: 1
|
posted June 22, 2006 11:57 AM
"V1 is heavy, bulky and its styling looks to be about 15 to 20 years out of date"
You failed to mention that the V1 case is MODULAR (meaning upgradable) and made of MAGNESIUM! I get really tired of all the reviews not reporting this and then having the nerve to bash real quality.
I mean damn, how whiny to can you get....."it's so square and bulky". Yeah, it's not made of cheapy plastic, can be upgraded (for a pretty penny tho), and will not break! That magnesium does get hot in the sun I must admit
I agree the suction cups suck in cold weather but the mounting mechanism is BY FAR the best out there. It actually slides to adjust the angle. Much better than actually BENDING the mount to adjust the angle!
I'm not sure if the other units you used had "voice alerts" but if they did I don't understand how anyone can like this feature unless you are tone deaf. It's not that hard to get used to the sounds, it beeps differently to k and ka band, and if you can't tell when you are hit by laser, you should not have a V1 in the first place.
Just my .02 cents.
Vince
|
frEEk
Administrator
ummm... yeah
Posts: 9660
|
posted June 22, 2006 12:01 PM
quote:
Yeah, it's not made of cheapy plastic, can be upgraded (for a pretty penny tho), and will not break!
fish did touch on this: note that he says the other 2 broke and needed to go in for repair. the V1 is still being used (albeit a little worse for wear).
|
TeamSpeed
Expert Class
Posts: 449
|
posted June 22, 2006 02:15 PM
Edited By: TeamSpeed on 22 Jun 2006 15:16
1) Resale has not real advantage over the others if the others have available firmware upgrades, correct? Why sell, if you can just flash the firmware? Most of the time a firmware is all you need, thus resale does not come into play. Not really a consideration for me at this time.
2) Arrows are the only really nice item on the V1 that is missing from the others, and that is really it. Enough to cover the price differential, not in my case.
3) I am not dragging my detector around with me to care about durability in regards to an automobile. On a bike, it would make a difference though.
On a financial note, I like all 3 brands!!!! My invisicord fits them all for everyone to enjoy, regardless of their brand, which is great for my business.
|
zerMATT
Pro
Posts: 1931
|
posted June 22, 2006 05:15 PM
quote:
"V1 is heavy, bulky and its styling looks to be about 15 to 20 years out of date"
You failed to mention that the V1 case is MODULAR (meaning upgradable) and made of MAGNESIUM! I get really tired of all the reviews not reporting this and then having the nerve to bash real quality.
Yup, it doesn't get any better than magnesium. And guess what?? The new Bel STi Driver is made of... you guessed it... *magnesium*, and as mentioned above, it sells for... ready for it... $450!!!
Does everyone that bashes the V1's price want to re-think their statements? The simple fact that the STi Driver is made out of magnesium, and it's price went up ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY DOLLARS says a lot for the now EXACT cost of a Valentine One when you include that stupid earphone jack dingleberry.
(yes, I think that Mike should make a headphone jack std equipment too).
'nuff said
____________
'06 Passion Red ZX-14 | Black D&D Slip-ons | Speedo Healer | V1 | zumo 550 | Heli-Risers | PhantomX
|
zerMATT
Pro
Posts: 1931
|
posted June 22, 2006 05:20 PM
quote:
1) Resale has not real advantage over the others if the others have available firmware upgrades, correct? Why sell, if you can just flash the firmware? Most of the time a firmware is all you need, thus resale does not come into play. Not really a consideration for me at this time.
Incorrect when you consider that "just flashing" the firmware means shelling out money, usually along the lines of $100 or so after the unit is out of it's initial 1-year warranty. As I said above, the V1 holds it's value for several years. I sold my last V1 that was 3+ years old on eBay for $360 plus shipping. That means that I upgraded to ENTIRELY new hardware AND firmware for only $40.
The STi Driver may demand this type of respect in the way of future resale value. Only time will tell, but at least it's not made out of disposable materials like all of it's predicessors.
____________
'06 Passion Red ZX-14 | Black D&D Slip-ons | Speedo Healer | V1 | zumo 550 | Heli-Risers | PhantomX
|
heavenlyride
Novice Class
Posts: 76
|
posted June 22, 2006 06:31 PM
I like to see the road. I like the HARD system. It works in a way that can elimate the angle of the detector. It also is as fast as an audio signal. Yet my ability to grab brake is quicker than Audio. I guess I am deaf.
I am a tech geek and to me the upgradable firmware warrenty is important. I understand that it locks me into the product, however If you believe in the technolgist than that is fine. I am buying the logic they built ultimately. I can slow when I see the light on when riding. I then can evaluate the cause.
I run a V1 with Hard, so I am committed. Afterall, you can't get sort of pregnant, you either are or you are not. I own it so I am stuck with it.
I like the arrows. Prior to the hard system, I put a remote display on it. This is right at the edge of the underside of the windscreen. This is a much better visual position that any of the other devices, regardless of angle designed in. But like you said, I had to pay more and cut the cables and insure I had a good crimper.
Ultimately, if buying new and cost were my driver, I would test the bell.
I know that I can drop the V1 as I have done it.
I know it sticks in texas all the time because I use it in my car at all times.
I know it drops off in Wi. when cold as it has done it too often to describe.
I have not used a bell in my life so I take the recomendation from here to heart. If my V1 is stolen I will try it.
Thanks for the data.
|
mugsymd
Expert Class
Posts: 169
|
posted June 22, 2006 07:53 PM
Anyone with problems using rd's in VA - i.e. supposedly illegal here - have actually been ticketed for having a rd in my truck. Has anyone actually noted if VG-2 works?
____________
1987 Red/White Ninja 750
1988 K1
1991 FatBoy
2004 VROD
2005 K1200S
2006 ZX-14 - Red
|
TeamSpeed
Expert Class
Posts: 449
|
posted June 22, 2006 08:00 PM
Edited By: TeamSpeed on 22 Jun 2006 21:06
quote:
quote:
1) Resale has not real advantage over the others if the others have available firmware upgrades, correct? Why sell, if you can just flash the firmware? Most of the time a firmware is all you need, thus resale does not come into play. Not really a consideration for me at this time.
Incorrect when you consider that "just flashing" the firmware means shelling out money, usually along the lines of $100 or so after the unit is out of it's initial 1-year warranty. As I said above, the V1 holds it's value for several years. I sold my last V1 that was 3+ years old on eBay for $360 plus shipping. That means that I upgraded to ENTIRELY new hardware AND firmware for only $40.
The STi Driver may demand this type of respect in the way of future resale value. Only time will tell, but at least it's not made out of disposable materials like all of it's predicessors.
You are missing an important fact on the purchase of a Bel (and possibly the Escort). For $30, you can purchase a 2 year extended warranty covering the detector and future firmware upgrades, cheaper than your sell/buy strategy, giving you a 3 year period with a warranty to cover issues with the detector and all future firmware upgrades in that period. I am not sure whether Valentine offer this kind of protection and firmware upgrade policy? This might have been a great item to include in the review too, something about longevity and upgradeability.
|
TedG
Moderator
Posts: 8222
|
posted June 22, 2006 08:30 PM
To me money is no object, and resale is of no concern. Usage on a bike is a big consideration and I still feel that all the features in the world are pretty much worthless if the detector is confusing or just doesn't let you know where the signal is. I hate the idea that the V1 is the only detector with the arrows. Their service sucks, they are arrogant about their detector, and they dont seem to give a shit. But those arrows have me hooked. I still think that a bluetooth setup in the helmet will be the tits and work well with just about any detector. The arrows and bogie counter would be icing on the cake.
____________
Ted
2000 Green ZX12 sold
The fast color!!
Green 2005 ZX10R
2009 Concours Black ABS
|
fish_antlers
Administrator
The Truth is Out There
Posts: 21894
|
posted June 22, 2006 09:06 PM
quote:
I'm not sure if the other units you used had "voice alerts" but if they did I don't understand how anyone can like this feature unless you are tone deaf. It's not that hard to get used to the sounds, it beeps differently to k and ka band, and if you can't tell when you are hit by laser, you should not have a V1 in the first place.
Just my .02 cents.
Vince
did you actually read the review? If you had then you'd know that the Bel had voice alerts, which were a godsend on the bike. As was mentioned in the review (why do we even write these things if peope dont read them!!) at first we thought it was cheesy.... after using it for a bit it became absolutely 100% indespensible.
____________
What business is it of yours where I'm from, Friendo?
|
redelk
Moderator
Please... speak to the hand.
Posts: 3212
|
posted June 22, 2006 09:21 PM
Good review, fish. If I was in the market for a new detector, I would consider a BEL. Only because Escort scooped them up.
Yet, I would still be paranoid about service/warranty work. I've whined enough about the repeated problems I had with BEL's repair and warranty service with three different detectors. Going weeks (sometime MONTHS) without a detector sucks when it's somewhere up in the Great White North, supposedly getting fixed.
I have to agree on the V1's dated look, but it's durability seems almost bulletproof. I have had to send it back for a warranty claim and got it back the same week. I also have the audio jack and remote display. I used both on my 12R, but just use the audio on my 10R.
I locate the detector above the headlight and in front of the instrument cluster om both bikes. It does require removing the windscreen to place it in that location, but it does not require any mounting brackets or velcro. I just set it in there. I could not see the display on the 12R, thus I used the remote display . Actually, I can partially see the display on the 10R.
Needless to say, I don't worry about the vibration or heat, but I do like it's semi-hidden location that makes going and paying for gas equally worry free. All the same, that would apply to just about any detector, because I doubt if I'd use a Techmount, M stand or what ever it's called.
I will also agree that the suction cups are only "so-so". I guess that's why they give you an extra set of cups. The "quick release" wire is nice, if you get it to stick in the first place. I just leave the bracket attached to my truck's windshield when I use it on the bike. When I loan it to my son-in-law, I'll let him use the visor mount.
All the same, with all it's drawbacks, unless it gets stolen, I don't see myself getting a new detector for some time. My only problem is figuring our where to locate it on my next bike.
____________
There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games.
-Ernest Hemingway
|
fish_antlers
Administrator
The Truth is Out There
Posts: 21894
|
posted June 22, 2006 09:31 PM
get a techmount!
____________
What business is it of yours where I'm from, Friendo?
|
|
|
|
|
HOME
NEW TOPIC