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AV80R
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Happy to help! Let me know if I can be of further assistance.
I wrapped the cable over the mirror stem and secured it with the included cable tie. Not a problem to deal with really.
brandonsmash
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To piggyback, I'm thinking of picking up a V1. Is it worth spending the $400 on V1's webpage? Are there better sources?
Bob99b5
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Not meaning to start another "what is the best radar detector" thread war, but V1 is the best. Plus they will always allow you to upgrade to the latest version. Only way to get a discount is to ask for a B Stock unit. They're basically units that come back under their 30 day money back guarantee. They usually have them 30 days after major holidays becUse people buy them for long trips then return them. I know, not nice....but people do it. The units look new and carry a full warranty. I think you save about $30.
I have mine harried with the Valentine hardware kit and velcrowed to the top of the.mirror to keep it completely hidden from view. I also have their concealed display mounted in the dash so the alert doesn't show from behind (especially a problem in a convertible.)
MVSicari
Member
I got the mirror tap and had a lot of problems getting a secure connection on the mirror after trying various probes I ended up breaking it. Not to mention it is so expensive for really thin gauge wire, I'm sure the markup on that is at least 1000%. I ended up cutting an old phone cord, stripping one end and running it to the passenger fuse box. Tucked the wire throughout the headrest, a-pillar and then under the carpet into the compartment, works great!
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AV80R
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I had a remote mount that came with my Escort but I was never really happy with the install if it. The mirror tap was simple to install after I pulled the plug from the back of the mirror. You just have to be careful when inserting the connections. I slid them in the corners next to the existing wires and they went right in. I had heard that some folks had issues so I was extra careful. Haven't had any issues with either the mirror tap or the blendmount and I wouldn't hesitate to buy either of them again. Yes, they're both a little pricey, but they work well...
brandonsmash
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Would you mind posting a photo of your setup?
Looking around, it looks like there are lots of ways to make a V1 more expensive. I'm trying to figure out which would be the most reasonable solution. I've also been thinking of adding a dash cam, but I'm very much not interested in having a bunch of clutter on my windshield so figuring out how best to tuck things away is important.
Mr. G
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nice job. i did mine today but wasn't able to get the mirror tap all the into the molex connector. it works but doesn't fit well. what did you do?
whalesalad
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My buddy gave me an old school Valentine One and I never installed it when he gave it to me because I had an old Wrangler at the time. Still have it in a box.
Are these things still relevant? I thought police used Lidar and all that craziness now. Figured the Valentine One was archaic at this point.
Are these things still relevant? I thought police used Lidar and all that craziness now. Figured the Valentine One was archaic at this point.
AV80R
Well-Known Member
Thanks! I have big hands so I held the mirror tap pin w needle nose pliers. I held the pin parallel to the pliers so I was pushing straight in. I tried a couple different spots until I found the one with the least resistance and the pin slid right in. Ended up being in the corner between the factory pin and the side of the Molex plug. I did this with the plug removed from the mirror.
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Mike02z
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The V1 can always be updated to the latest firmware. It must be sent in with a valid serial number. If you plug the serial number into the Valentine site and it will give you the price for the upgrade. It can be anywhere from 99-+ depending on how old the current firmware is.
If you get hit directly with Lidar the only thing a detector will do is tell you that you just got a ticket. If there is a car in front and the LEO hits him with Lidar it will bounce off and you'll get a warning.
The latest V1 firmware does away with a lot of false alerts. I use my V1 whenever I'm on the highway. I also use Waze for even better protection.
steven1955
Active Member
Definitely irrelevant. Just send it to me, and I'll dispose of t for you.
Seriously, a Valentine One can still be a useful tool even in this day of Waze. But, the Valentine One must be updated. My Valentine One was worthless until I had it updated last summer, to the tune of about 3/4 the price of a new one. (They actually sent me a new one, so my old one just counted as the trade in.) It has all but eliminated the false alarms I was plagued with, and has saved me many times.
As soon as my 2016 is updated to run Android Auto I'll be running Waze, but the Valentine One will be used at the same time.
AV80R
Well-Known Member
Valentine could probably tell you what your detector is capable of based on the serial number. They might even be willing to upgrade it for a small fee.
LIDAR detection just tells you you've been caught so I wouldn't be too worried about that. If you can detect K and Ka you're pretty well covered...
whalesalad
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Wow yeah I just dug it up and did as you suggested, put the serial number in to get the breakdown.
Pretty neat! I might install this with the suggested mirror-tap harness above. Very cool.
whalesalad
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My one hesitation with Waze is that it fully depends on fellow citizens actually entering in that they see a police officer. Im sure in bigger cities this is more common but I would hate to build a dependence on crowdsourced data that in some situations can be completely unreliable.
But yeah definitely better than nothing. I guess I should install this thing.
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