Miata Mailing List: September 1998, Message #64

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On Tue, 1 Sep 1998 BRG91MX5@aol.com wrote:

> This is disturbing. I am really interested in a *good* radar detector system.
> By all accounts the V1 is the best. However, I keep hearing from a number of
> people that these units fail and must be sent back for repairs. This is not
> just from the Miata list. I've heard the same from all the people that I know
> personally who have a V 1. Considering the price I would expect far better
> than average reliability. What good is the best detector in the world if it's
> broken? Or in the4 factory getting repaired?
> I'd like to hear from V1 owners without problems *and* with problems. Then I
> can make an educated decision.

Just a few datapoints.  I have had a V1 for 3 years now w/ no problems.
However, I have a friend who has one and had to send it back after about 3
years when it stopped working.  Funny thing is that all the lights and
sounds came on at power-up and it appeared normal, but it didn't alert any
more.  This was tested by driving past certain known motion detectors at
supermarkets that would make my unit go off.  In addition, he was talking
to a local cop once and he actually had him turn on his radar.  His V1
didn't make a peep.  :)  Finally, for another positive datapoint, another
friend has had one for at least 4 or 5 years w/o any problems.

All of these models are the ones w/o laser detection and have not been
upgraded recently w/ the latest detection circuitry.  FWIW, I still love
this detector, its features and its excellent range.  I think it's worth
the extra cost over some of the other high end models from other
manufacturers.

Steve