Valentine 1 v3.871 report Los Angeles to Vegas and Back

[xjrguy]

Quick report:

I own a couple V1's

Some 3.864's and a 3.871

My wife and I took a trip out to Las Vegas from the San Fernando Valley and back and we took my recently repaired/upgraded 3.871 for a shakedown. Please keep in mind I have absolutely NO prior experience using a V1 since I just bought the 3.864's less than two weeks ago.

Now for the juice. On the trip out we picked up over 20+ actual threats with visual. The police were out in force on Thursday 8/7/08 when we departed.

Two laser falses the entire trip. That was it, and they occurred on the trip back today.

*Multiple 3.5 Mile Ka warnings

*ONE Laser scatter SAVE on the 15 heading out from a CHP officer aiming from the shoulder!!!

*NO J'ed out alerts at all, ZERO.

*Over 3 mile K range picking up multiple speed display signs on the 15 east and west

*NO GHOSTS at all even when we were ON TOP of the source (less than 500ft away from cruiser shooting KA)

*Rear facing antenna worked splendidly and I picked up K speed signs for miles after passing them, possibly matching performance of forward facing horn.

Ambient temps were in the triple digits (from 100 to 115F) and V1 was on the windshield the entire time.

I was not taken by surprise by any LEO encounter. If the officer was running radar I knew about it WAY in advance.

So that is my report from L.A. to Vegas and back with a 3.871 unit.

The next time we travel out to Vegas I will bring one of our 3.864's and see how that behaves.

[Brakelate]

Crazy to get so much action in one trip!

I gave up on detectors years back. I kept getting so many false readings (primarily Ka band) that I eventually ignored every alert as a false alarm. Apparently, out on the open highway, like the 15 out to Vegas, every aircraft radar site, or something would set it off. Then, in town, silly stuff like the automatic doors at supermarkets would trigger the K band alerts, that it too just became a total annoyance.

This was years back. I suppose it is like swearing off computers, because I couldn't remember all the DOS commands.

Perhaps it is time to re-visit the idea and see how far they have evolved with the benefits of modern filters, etc.

Either way, it seems there are two schools of thought with traffic officers. One, leave the in-car Radar running 24/7, and you will deter speeders by sending off alerts even when you aren't actually monitoring traffic, or looking for violators. The other, is seriously working traffic, and will either use the Ka Radar in "Instant On" mode, or shoot Laser from a stationary position. Either way, it is tough to avoid, even with the best detection device -IF- the officer is really on his game.

Also, most patrol cars shoot Ka Radar. This is a no brainer, and can be done moving or stationary on the shoulder. Laser is the tool of choice for most motor officers. Some CHP bikes still run Ka moving radar, but most city bikes use laser. It's just air-tight for in-court testimony. Some CHP offices now have hand held laser for the car guys, but they are forced to stand outside the car or must park diagonal to traffic to use it, so it really limits their ability to use it on the freeway. Reason being, the laser gets fractured shooting through glass (car windows) so they have to get out of the car (or sit on a bike) to use it effectively. Typically, if you are getting laser hits out on the open road, they are working some special sting operation. To my knowledge, no one has perfected a laser system capable of shooting on the move (yet).

I would bet you picked up your laser hit up on the N/B 14 near Ave. N. They stand up on the overpass and shoot traffic way off in the distance, with chase cars on the following on-ramp.

[Tetge]

Good info on the use of radar and laser. I have no detector but I never speed so it is not a big deal. Scary that they can pinpoint you so well with instant on laser.

[Brakelate]

I would be interested to see what triggers a new Laser detector. I am assuming (to be effective) it would pick up pulses as they target another vehicle up the road. That way you have time to react. If it dosn't react until it gets a "lock" on your particular vehicle, it would be too late.

I am told the Radar pattern is like a shotgun. Laser is like a Sniper Rifle. It hits one and only one target at a time, without all the splatter. So, I wonder how it is detected in time???

[Tetge]

I would be interested to see what triggers a new Laser detector. I am assuming (to be effective) it would pick up pulses as they target another vehicle up the road. That way you have time to react. If it dosn't react until it gets a "lock" on your particular vehicle, it would be too late.

I am told the Radar pattern is like a shotgun. Laser is like a Sniper Rifle. It hits one and only one target at a time, without all the splatter. So, I wonder how it is detected in time???

I assume that Laser can pick off a motorcycle at distance and is not subject to erroneously picking up a speeding semi behind the motorcycle. Does the officer see the the target being acquired through some kind of sight or are they all highly trained sharpshooters?

[xjrguy]

I would be interested to see what triggers a new Laser detector. I am assuming (to be effective) it would pick up pulses as they target another vehicle up the road. That way you have time to react. If it dosn't react until it gets a "lock" on your particular vehicle, it would be too late.

I am told the Radar pattern is like a shotgun. Laser is like a Sniper Rifle. It hits one and only one target at a time, without all the splatter. So, I wonder how it is detected in time???

Laser you can get "scatter" off vehicles in front.

The Valentine is legendary for its ability to pick up laser scatter which will give you time to slow down.

It's already saved me twice with the laser detection.

An amazing piece.

[Brakelate]

Does the officer see the the target being acquired through some kind of sight or are they all highly trained sharpshooters?

Who would know? I hear it is like a red-dot sight or something.

[xjrguy]

Does the officer see the the target being acquired through some kind of sight or are they all highly trained sharpshooters?

Who would know? I hear it is like a red-dot sight or something.

The real sharp shooters have Leopolds on their laser guns..LOL