Radar Detector

[Some Guy]

Instead of going the Bluetooth route, has anyone tried Marc Parnes' Visual Alert?

http://www.marcparnes.com/Visual_Alert.htm

I'm months behind on this string, but I use an older system called VizAlert. They don't make it anymore, but by chance someone might come across a used one for sale.

It mounts on the side of my helmet and has a boom with lights on the end. Different light colors for different radar types, ie, blue for laser, orange for KA, etc. It was model specific and I bought it for my Escort 9500ix. Works perfectly. Only pain is the batteries. They are the nickel size types. Once installed they just keep powered on, no way to shut if off other than pulling the batteries. Not a big deal when I'm on a trip as that's when I use the radar most.

BTW, I mount the radar detector to the windshield. There are some good sticky mounts that last a summer at a time. I haven't gotten a ticket yet but I don't drive as insane as I used to...

If anyone is curious I'll post some pics. I haven't done that yet so it'll be a learning experience for me.

[Some Guy]

Here is their webpage. I haven't tried to contact them. I always look at this stuff on Friday night and forget by Monday;)

http://www.speedcheetah.com/scshop/page ... oxcontents

I'd buy another if they had one. I have to keep that helmet just for that device.

[Burmashave]

Instead of going the Bluetooth route, has anyone tried Marc Parnes' Visual Alert?

http://www.marcparnes.com/Visual_Alert.htm

I'm months behind on this string, but I use an older system called VizAlert. They don't make it anymore, but by chance someone might come across a used one for sale...

I haven't mounted my V1 yet, but I've played around with both the V1 remote audio and the BT dongle. I was reluctant to go with the BT dongle because the official V1 app won't run in the background, nor does it run when the display is off. I'm trying to completely streamline my mount, so having to constantly mount the phone defeats this purpose. I also tried the remote audio unit with a Taotronics BT transmitter. The downsides to that is that the transmitter requires it's own charger (and these have a tendency to melt down or burn), plus I'd have to lift the seat to power it up before each ride.

That said, I found the YAV1 app (https://www.rdforum.org/content/yav1-valentine-app/) at the rdforum.org site. I haven't had time to play around with it, but it does the things the official V1 app should do. It's hugely customizable and should run in the background, allowing me to start the app and put the phone in my pocket to get audio alerts. So, I'm thinking the way to go for me is the BT dongle. I don't need BT comms, so I've gonna try a pair of snugphones (https://snugphones.com/for-motorcycles/) instead of mounting a BT set to my helmet.

[HouTexH2SX]

I've never liked those generic fitting earspeakers--they just don't fit right in my ears and don't stay put, especially while donning or removing my helmet. I went with custom molded earspeakers from Big Ear and just plug them into a BT receiver that I tuck away in my inside jacket pocket. I also don't keep my Taotronics BT transmitter permanently plugged into a charger on the bike--I just routinely charge it and the receiver before each ride (takes about 2 hours) and get about 8 hours of usage (I also carry a spare charged set on the bike in case I run out of juice). I velcro the transmitter to the top of my radar detector that's on a Techmount above my clutch reservoir so it's easily accessible for recharging.

[danham]

I experimented with various setups and believe I have found one that is ideal for me. Its main benefit is automating all sorts of filtering and muting, transforming the V1 into a device that requires very little attention and no more mute-button-pushing from me. This is huge, as the need to mute seems always to come just when you need both hands to slow down or steer and of course your brain to avoid all the hazards around you. This beats fussing with a radar detector or being distracted by excessive beeping.

My setup: V1 connected to its Bluetooth LE dongle, paired with my iPhone in my pocket, which is paired to my Sena 20S on my helmet. I run the V1Driver app on my phone. Like YAV1 (mentioned above) it is highly customizable, runs in the background with minimal battery hit, and the author is very available online for support, suggestions and constant improvements. Features of V1Driver include geo-fenced false lockouts, sophisticated filtering, timed auto-muting, and lots of data collection.

Since getting V1Driver (https://www.rdforum.org/index.php?forums/177/) I never have to reach over and touch the V1 mute button. Here's a list of features of the app for iOS: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/v1drive ... 09674?mt=8

-dan

[Burmashave]

...Since getting V1Driver (https://www.rdforum.org/index.php?forums/177/) I never have to reach over and touch the V1 mute button. Here's a list of features of the app for iOS: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/v1drive ... 09674?mt=8...

Thanks. I'll play around with both.

[JonTheChron]

I experimented with various setups and believe I have found one that is ideal for me. Its main benefit is automating all sorts of filtering and muting, transforming the V1 into a device that requires very little attention and no more mute-button-pushing from me. This is huge, as the need to mute seems always to come just when you need both hands to slow down or steer and of course your brain to avoid all the hazards around you. This beats fussing with a radar detector or being distracted by excessive beeping.

My setup: V1 connected to its Bluetooth LE dongle, paired with my iPhone in my pocket, which is paired to my Sena 20S on my helmet. I run the V1Driver app on my phone. Like YAV1 (mentioned above) it is highly customizable, runs in the background with minimal battery hit, and the author is very available online for support, suggestions and constant improvements. Features of V1Driver include geo-fenced false lockouts, sophisticated filtering, timed auto-muting, and lots of data collection.

Since getting V1Driver (https://www.rdforum.org/index.php?forums/177/) I never have to reach over and touch the V1 mute button. Here's a list of features of the app for iOS: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/v1drive ... 09674?mt=8

-dan

Nice to see an other member of RDForums here.

My H2SXSE is equipped with ALP running 1 RX and a BT Module. I have a TX waiting to be installed. All alerts are sent directly to my phone which pairs with my SENA and I also have the RGB LED installed, so I have both visual and audible alerts with virtual no lag. I use a FLIC button to JTK. Not much use for an RD in my area and local and provincial LEO use the Specter.


I might one day add a NetRadar DSP if the need arise.

[danham]

Nice to see an other member of RDForums here.

My H2SXSE is equipped with ALP running 1 RX and I have a TX waiting to be installed. Not much use for an RD in my area and local and provincial LEO use the Specter.

I might one day add a NetRadar DSP if the need arise.

The ALP is a nice setup. But most of the laser I encounter is on the slab, where I pretty much go with traffic flow anyway, so there are better targets all around me. Bikes are fairly hard to hit with laser, so the LEOs tend to aim for a nice wide SUV target, given the choice. So for me the V1 does an adequate job of warning about laser as the beam "splashes" off nearby vehicles.

The biggest threat I encounter is Ka instant-on. The V1 has good range on this, so unless I'm alone on the road and the LEO waits to hit the trigger until he sees me, I get good warning.

-dan

[Burmashave]

My H2SXSE is equipped with ALP running 1 RX and a BT Module. I have a TX waiting to be installed. All alerts are sent directly to my phone which pairs with my SENA and I also have the RGB LED installed, so I have both visual and audible alerts with virtual no lag. I use a FLIC button to JTK. Not much use for an RD in my area and local and provincial LEO use the Specter.

In all my grepping about, I somehow missed the ALP system. Looks nice, very concealable, but very pricey.

The ALP is a nice setup. But most of the laser I encounter is on the slab, where I pretty much go with traffic flow anyway, so there are better targets all around me. Bikes are fairly hard to hit with laser, so the LEOs tend to aim for a nice wide SUV target, given the choice. So for me the V1 does an adequate job of warning about laser as the beam "splashes" off nearby vehicles.

The biggest threat I encounter is Ka instant-on. The V1 has good range on this, so unless I'm alone on the road and the LEO waits to hit the trigger until he sees me, I get good warning.

-dan

I'd agree. Mebbe it's a regional thing, but I think I can count on one hand the number of times I have been hit with or seen an LEO using laser. I have encountered instant on Ka a bit more than that, but mostly, the troopers leave their radar on all the time. On the interstates here, they park in a hidden turnaround, set the alert threshold level and wait for someone to trigger it. In the olden days (pre-smartphone), they'd actually watch the traffic go by. Now, they set the alarm and spend the time looking at their phones. I know because I always give them a solid wave as I go by, which they usually miss because they're looking down at their phones.

[HouTexH2SX]

My H2SXSE is equipped with ALP running 1 RX and a BT Module. I have a TX waiting to be installed. All alerts are sent directly to my phone which pairs with my SENA and I also have the RGB LED installed, so I have both visual and audible alerts with virtual no lag. I use a FLIC button to JTK. Not much use for an RD in my area and local and provincial LEO use the Specter.

In all my grepping about, I somehow missed the ALP system. Looks nice, very concealable, but very pricey.

The ALP is a nice setup. But most of the laser I encounter is on the slab, where I pretty much go with traffic flow anyway, so there are better targets all around me. Bikes are fairly hard to hit with laser, so the LEOs tend to aim for a nice wide SUV target, given the choice. So for me the V1 does an adequate job of warning about laser as the beam "splashes" off nearby vehicles.

The biggest threat I encounter is Ka instant-on. The V1 has good range on this, so unless I'm alone on the road and the LEO waits to hit the trigger until he sees me, I get good warning.

-dan

I'd agree. Mebbe it's a regional thing, but I think I can count on one hand the number of times I have been hit with or seen an LEO using laser. I have encountered instant on Ka a bit more than that, but mostly, the troopers leave their radar on all the time. On the interstates here, they park in a hidden turnaround, set the alert threshold level and wait for someone to trigger it. In the olden days (pre-smartphone), they'd actually watch the traffic go by. Now, they set the alarm and spend the time looking at their phones. I know because I always give them a solid wave as I go by, which they usually miss because they're looking down at their phones.

That's pretty much my experience here in Texas as well. I turn off the lasar detection on my Beltronics Vector 995 due to too much falsing (and it's so focused that you don't hear it from other traffic and if you do hear it they got you) and just watch for K and Ka band. You can certainly be unlucky enough to be hit with instant on radar without prior warning but it's the exception since you will usually hear it far in advance from other traffic. I did pass a truck pulling a trailer recently on a country road and got hit with instant on by a trooper parked in the opposite direction right in the middle of the pass and got ticketed. I mostly like using it out in the countryside where the troopers and local LEO's usually run with their radar on all the time so plenty of advanced warning--it has saved my bacon numerous times.