V1 Question / Suggestion

This may be better directed at V1 corporate itself but thought I would see if there are any electronics experts out there.... IMHO it would be much nicer to have a V1 where say the "receiver" (the part that actually picks up the signals) was the only part needed to be mounted in the windshield (I picture something much smaller like the remote display). The "rest" of the stuff where the incoming signals were "intepreted" could be mounted under the dash etc. (This could be the "meat" of the V1 or the larger part). Then a third piece (remote display) could be mounted wherever convenient. This would involve 3 different pieces but I think overall would offer much more flexibility and a neater installation. The main question is how small can you make the antenna that detects the actuall imcoming signal? Any thoughts?

there is a company that takes them apart and does just that. They charge a pretty penny too. like 1k or so. The put the front and rear sensors in little angled boxes that go on the top of the front and back windshield and then you can stuff the unit wherever and run a remote display. Who does it? Damned if I remember do a search and you should be able to find something.

I just had it done with the display in the rearview mirror and the volume in the punchout next to the ignition and the guts in the headliner by AVI in little Falls, NJ for <1500 including the v1 unit

What did they use for the separate sensors? The sensors on the stock unit are all part of the main casing so how did they mount them separately? My vision would be to have something smaller which could have a front and rear in the same unit OR I guess you could have a small and separate front AND rear sensor mounted in different locations.

If you pull the sensors out of the valentine you loose most of the effectiveness and range. They took the volume switch out and left the guts intact then mounted it inside the headliner in the rear of the car. This kept it high for maximum range. They installed the volume/on off switch next to the ignition and put the remote display in the rearview mirror with the mute button on the bottom. I am going to take some pictures and post them.

There's no getting around the radar horn which constitutes the bulk of the V1 shape and size. The newer V1's are a tad thinner, but still a brick. I bought my first V1 in about '96 and immediately email the guy to ask for a "front and back with remote" -- he replied that this was pretty easily done but it would be cheaper for me to just buy a second unit and have two remote displays. As I recall, his position was he had found very few customers wanted anything more than the unit on the windshield. Plus the other 'stealth' systems like K40 were over-the-top for price, mounted in the worst location on the car for performance (although nowadays the laser is pointed at the front or rear plate as a reliable paint surface.) I replied that I expected to mount the split units on the front and rear cabin glass, but I don't recall him getting into a conversation about it and I was left with the impression I got a "cut and paste" boilerplate response. Personally, Ijust wish Valentine would innovate a bit -- the remote thingy is unnecessarily huge and the main unit could easily be separated into two halves using the "bus" telephone cord approach they already have. Plus, other companies, for motorcycle riders have developed HUD units and need better access to the V1 internals to offer more than a blinking light. It's a great detector but the usefulness is held back by aging design. There. Glad I got that off my chest!

Carrera....well said. If it was something the technically couldn't be done I would understand. I also understand the agruement about the K40 being over the top but I think the solution we're talking about here is a nice compromise. It would give you great performance, many more mounting location options (good for different interiors), and good be installed fairly easily by the averager person. I'm struggling what to do with mine. I just have it suctioned to the bottom of the windshield right now. I don't like the sunvisor methods either. The remote display gives you some options but the "brick" kills the deal. Something small would be great. Maybe something the just attached to the back of the rear view mirror. If they wanted to get really fancy they could make something that attached to the bottom of the rear view mirror that looked OEM as well, although that would probably be too limiting and costly.

I had a K40 in 2 other cars snd it doesn't compare to the valentine

tme, I live in VA where detectors are illegal. When the remote display is in the mirror, how bright is it? I like the idea but I'm afraid it would be obvious too obvious to a cop if all of these lights were going off inside the mirror. Can it be easily seen from outside the car? Also, when you say that the guts of the unit are mounted inside the headliner in the rear of the car, how does that work? I assume it is not completely hidden, since the front and rear antenna would have to remain exposed. Does it hang from the roof of the car? TIA Karl

The guts are mounted under the headliner so you don't see anything. The receivers can get signals through everything but metal I believe. With the power switch on the dash you can turn it off whenever you want. The rearview mirror looks stock unlike the AI where they etch out the arrows and lights. See the other V1 post on this board for pics.

hi all - i've always questioned the practicality of the display being put into the rearview mirror. the whole purpose (in my mind) of moving the display is to do two things: 1 - get it OUT of sight of other drivers (specifically, those behind you) 2 - get it MORE in YOUR line of sight. with that in mind, i have mounted my V1 above the mirror with the suction cups - its snug against the headliner. i have the remote visual display mounted behind the 'glass' inbetween the tach and speedo, and the remote audio control flush mounted in a small panel that i fabbed that replaces my ashtray in the console. it falls easily to hand for muting, etc. its a GREAT setup - when it goes off, no one around me sees it (especially the cops in VA) and i can ck the alert AND my speed at nearly the same time. its all hard-wired to a switched feed so it turns on/off with the key...nothing a dremel and a little time couldn't take care of! it's also easily removable so i can take it with me if i ever sell the car (NEVER!).... i AM running the main box behind a little bit of the tint on the upper band on the windshield, which some say cuts the range, but i haven't noticed any. its saved me so many times.... i do, agree however that a 'multi-box' setup would be idea with 2 receivers, main box and separate displays would be EXCELLENT!

Brian, Did you self install or find a local shop that could do it? Karl

Washington...Have any pics?

If they could make an entire rear view mirror that had the entire unit mounted in it.... that would be nice. Only thing needed would be a power cord (to area above the mirror). A small aircraft style toggle switch to on/off the unit, Lights etched into the mirror glass, the control ***** for volume and brightness across the bottom of the mirror and the mounting position high enough to get good line of sight from both front and rear. It would always be in the car, though hidden from all but the most astute observer. The wave guide problems wouldn't be a problem since Valentine would design the mirror housing. I mentioned it to Valentine when I had a suggestion about making each annunciator LED a different color so you could tell what was shooting you if the sound were turned down.(ie, blue for Laser, Orange for Ka band, etc)

Karl - i did it myself. the 'plate' that the audio is in is from a 'project box' from radio shack. the display is secured using velcro (cheesy, i know, but it really works, can't be seen and hasn't moved!) the V1 is sitting up there on the stock suction cups... here ya go: [IMG]http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/Vmirror:ms [/IMG]

hhhmmmm - not sure why the pics aren't showing....

<img src="http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/visualwidangle.jpg" alt=" - " /> <img src="http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/Vmirror:ms.jpg" alt=" - " /> <img src="http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/audicu.jpg" alt=" - " />

Personally I don't use suction cups for the V1s in any of my cars.....both because I don't want the unit easily seen from the outside of the car, and 2, I don't like sticking things to my windshield with suction cups (read 'tacky'). On Remote placement, the Boxster & 993 dash lend themselves a lttle bit easier (vs 996). Remote placement (IMHO) should be just down from line-of-sight, and as mentioned on another post, not viewable outside the car. <img src="http://www.986host.com/albums/GreggT/turbo_remote_head1.jpg" alt=" - " />

Stem...I thought of the rearview mirror idea as well except for two possible issues... 1. Making a unit that will fit ALL cars 2. The lights would probably be visible from the rear. I liked the idea about different color lights for each type of alert though! Anybody ever had productive conversation with V1 personnel?