Effervescent Posted August 4, 2006 Share Posted August 4, 2006 $59 http://www.marcparnes.com/Visual_Alert.htm You're welcome! -Eff Link to comment
Dances_With_Wiener_Dogs Posted August 4, 2006 Share Posted August 4, 2006 This would be nice for a stealth mount and remote visual display...then these behind the speaker grill perhaps. Link to comment
David Posted August 4, 2006 Share Posted August 4, 2006 I just bought one of those, too. I'm going to try it out and do a write-up shortly. Link to comment
DFTB Posted August 4, 2006 Share Posted August 4, 2006 From the write up the product definitely has a niche to fill. Check out that low lighting condition as well as it sounds like it could really take the fun out of the program if you forget to turn it off at night! Link to comment
Jerry Johnston Posted August 4, 2006 Share Posted August 4, 2006 I think you'd miss the direction arrows that the Valentine has. Link to comment
timmr Posted August 4, 2006 Share Posted August 4, 2006 Good point. I've got the V-1 remote mounted above the display on the S. Dectector is in the tankbag. The remote is about $35. It's kept me out of trouble so far. Link to comment
smiller Posted August 4, 2006 Share Posted August 4, 2006 I haven't yet seen any kind of visual alert that is anywhere close to as reliable or quick (in terms of my perception) as an audible alert through helmet speakers or earphones... but maybe that's just the way my brain is wired. Link to comment
David Posted August 4, 2006 Share Posted August 4, 2006 I think you'd miss the direction arrows that the Valentine has. It's not one or the other, really. I'm on a mission to simplify the electronics on my bike, which means dumping intercom, helmet speakers, etc. So I just need it to catch my attention (it'll be nearly in my line of vision). From there, I can glance at the remote display and get the info I need. It's just theoretical at this point--I'm still testing. Link to comment
JerryMather Posted August 4, 2006 Share Posted August 4, 2006 I haven't yet seen any kind of visual alert that is anywhere close to as reliable or quick (in terms of my perception) as an audible alert through helmet speakers or earphones... but maybe that's just the way my brain is wired. I gotta agree with this. If it wasn't for my earplugs being plugged into the V-1, I'd have a whole lot less money to buy tires. I use the visual indicators on the V-1 only to let me know where the LEO is located, in front of me or behind me. Without the audio alarm, I doubt if I could lower my speed in time before visual contact with the LEO. IMO, It's just not comfortable for me to be looking away from the road while at speeds that will get me a performance award. Link to comment
ShovelStrokeEd Posted August 4, 2006 Share Posted August 4, 2006 Me too on the audio alarm. Once you learn to differentiate the warning sounds and train yourself to react ASAP to the dangerous ones, the visual just becomes a confirmation as to location. I used to mount my remote visual to just under the top of the windscreen using a large document clip and some 3M duo-loc. It worked there but, on the bikes I ride now, the windscreen is all but out of my vision. I plan on another remote display (mine died in a rain storm) but it is gonna be from V1 again. I like the arrows and the bogey counter. Link to comment
Effervescent Posted August 4, 2006 Author Share Posted August 4, 2006 I have H.A.R.D. system with my x50 and have to say there's borderline no delay with my brain. It's a red LED shining right into your eyes (cheeks at night). Kinda resembles bright red lightning. -Eff Link to comment
AdventurePoser Posted August 4, 2006 Share Posted August 4, 2006 I just bought one of those, too. I'm going to try it out and do a write-up shortly. I've been using Parnes' device for over two years now and I love it...it's nice not having another sound in the helmet, and the LED lights are quite bright! Money well spent IMHO. Steve in So Cal Link to comment
Cheechoo Posted August 4, 2006 Share Posted August 4, 2006 I bought one a while back. Mine only has 5 LED's and is bright enough to alert me; you would be surprised at the brightness. I don't always ride with sound and feel that I pick up the visual warnings in plenty of time. Also, I've moved to reducing the audio inputs when I do have the earplugs in. I recommend this product if you wish to eliminate or reduce audio inputs. Link to comment
johnt650 Posted August 4, 2006 Share Posted August 4, 2006 I've been using the 5 light model and while it's not a perfect solution it is a big help. My V1 is on an RCU shelf in the protective box so the arrows are still visible. I would like to have the flashing lights higher in my field of vision, once I put the V1 in the box I can no longer hear the alarm so I depend on not missing the flash. Link to comment
KMG_365 Posted August 5, 2006 Share Posted August 5, 2006 I think you'd miss the direction arrows that the Valentine has. It's not one or the other, really. I'm on a mission to simplify the electronics on my bike, which means dumping intercom, helmet speakers, etc. So I just need it to catch my attention (it'll be nearly in my line of vision). From there, I can glance at the remote display and get the info I need. It's just theoretical at this point--I'm still testing. I think if I did most of my riding in remote or at least rural areas this might be a good solution. I'll be anxious to hear how it works out for you. Marc does a great job on everything he makes so it'll probably just come down to whether it suits your riding style and needs. My problem is riding in congested areas with numerous radar sources (automatic doors, alarm systems, stationary systems, etc.) as well as Laser ( ), I have to leave the audio on in the background all the time and tune my brain to key in on the Ka only. I'm lucky in that most of the enforcement Radar in the West is Ka as there is now so much junk K band anywhere near where LEO's are active. I have the volume set to just below the threshhold level to mute the Autocom so it plays an almost constant background music accompanying me and my XM on my ride. Mine is mounted pretty high on the Gadget Guy bracket so it's not much of an eye dip to check it (I just remove and throw my gloves over it for the roadside "interview"! ). If I had to look at the screen every time I got a hit just to see which band it was I'd surely crash as I'd need to check the road at least every now and again! Link to comment
smiller Posted August 6, 2006 Share Posted August 6, 2006 FWIW I believe that you can program the V1 to ignore specific radar bands so you could set it to respond to Ka only and thus eliminate virtually all false alarms. That's a little risky though as K-band is still in use in a lot of areas. Link to comment
David Posted August 6, 2006 Share Posted August 6, 2006 Jamie, I think you're right--my solution might not work in congested areas. Today Mark and I rode 330 miles and I'm guessing we got three or four radar hits (I didn't have mine, but he had his). The difference is that when you do get a hit, it's much more likely to be the real thing! What filter are you running? I always run big L. Link to comment
Effervescent Posted August 6, 2006 Author Share Posted August 6, 2006 FWIW I believe that you can program the V1 to ignore specific radar bands so you could set it to respond to Ka only and thus eliminate virtually all false alarms. That's a little risky though as K-band is still in use in a lot of areas. x50 does this as well. I have X turned off. MUCH fewer false alarms. -Eff Link to comment
johnt650 Posted August 6, 2006 Share Posted August 6, 2006 Be sure and turn the X back on if you visit NC, our troopers still use it alot. Link to comment
KMG_365 Posted August 6, 2006 Share Posted August 6, 2006 FWIW I believe that you can program the V1 to ignore specific radar bands so you could set it to respond to Ka only and thus eliminate virtually all false alarms. That's a little risky though as K-band is still in use in a lot of areas. True, in addition to the three "quick settings" "A" (all bogeys), "(small)L" (logic), and "(big)L" (full logic), you can "hard" program it for many different settings--like turning X-band or even K-band off entirely. Jamie, I think you're right--my solution might not work in congested areas. What filter are you running? I always run big L. Be sure and turn the X back on if you visit NC, our troopers still use it alot. The latter quote is why I leave mine on "all bogeys" all the time. The way Les and I ride--many small towns out in the boonies and crossing numerous state lines with regularity--it's too difficult to remember which states use which bands (or remembering to turn it back on) so I've gotten used to its music the way I have the sound of the motor and it becomes just another of the many sights and sounds associated with the riding experience. Similarly, if I suddenly hear an unexpected sound coming from the engine that gets my attention pretty quick too! Out here they get very creative with those stationary moveable "Your Speed Is:" signs that blare K-band and a LEO will hide in the shadow with a handheld Ka or even Laser gun picking you off while your detector is whited out on the strong K-band source. Then the next month the stationary box will be moved on to another location, but for the next week a LEO will be hiding in the old spot--NOW SHOOTING A K-BAND HANDHELD GUN!! Sneaky!! I really pity those folks who bought the cheapo detectors about that time as I pass them on the side of the road having a friendly "chat" with the local constabulary. Also, the old X-band guns are now very cheap on the used market so a lot of smaller towns (where we like to ride) are picking them up from the bigger departments that have upgraded to the newer units as they move up to speed enforcement. I've been surprised at least once in small towns out in the middle of nowhere ("Boy, that's a strong X-band signal out here!" ) and I don't care to give up my advantage. It only takes one time to ruin your day (and driving record). But of course, YMMV! Link to comment
Effervescent Posted August 6, 2006 Author Share Posted August 6, 2006 Be sure and turn the X back on if you visit NC, our troopers still use it alot. Thanks for the tip. -Eff Link to comment
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