Been a V1 user for 20+ years. Recently received my V1G2. I wondered, what if I compared them, side-by-side in the real world? Given that new detectors have such extremely low RF emissions (to keep then undetectable) I wondered whether one would really interfere with the other. (Yes, I know everyone believes this). However, I found no specs nor any objective testing. Unfortunately, my own spectrum analyzer won't go up to 35 Ghz, so I can't objectively measure the RF emissions. So, when lab toys and specs aren't available, I say test in the real world. So I did. I recently drove from Illinois to Breckenridge, CO, to Park City, UT, then down to Scottsdale, AZ. Below are the results of my side by side testing of my G1 and G2. As always, this is just one test, by one tester, in one configuration, so your mileage may vary. But if you are wondering what a side by side comparison, at interstate highway speeds, would reveal, read on.
Both the G1 and G2 have the latest firmware. Both units were center of the windshield mounted, about 6" apart. Ran "A" mode in the remote areas and "l" mode in more urbanized areas. Always the same mode on both detectors. "K" Verifier was always on.
FIRST - THE EXPECTED RESULTS
1) KA band range. The G2 typically gave 3-6 seconds earlier alert over the G1. (At 85 MPH, that is 125 feet per second).
2) KA False alerts. A couple of times, the G2 alerted to KA, but I could not identify the source. Could have been any number of things, including real radar aiming at a different area, reflections, etc, etc. Given that the G2 is more sensitive than the G1, this **probably** explains this, but its hard to know for sure.
3) Blind Spot Performance. Of 86 apparent blind spot monitor alerts, the G2 was either quiet or alerted at the lowest level 77 times. No question that the G2 is much quieter on the BSM front. Often the G1 was alerting near full tilt, while the G2 was silent.
4) K band Range. No clear winner here - at highway speeds. At times, one alerted a second or two over the other. My gut tells me that the G2 tended to be a little better, at highway speeds, but I really can't say for sure.
5) The G2 suffers from ghosting more than the G1. I captured a screen shot of one instance where the G2 went wild in a construction zone. See below. This was rare. Perhaps 3 times in 2,400 miles.
SECOND - THE UNEXPECTED RESULTS
I passed 2 automated K band speed signs where the G1 alerted full tilt, but the G2 was silent! (Never happened with live LE situation) One automated sign was in Colorado outside of Breckenridge and the other was in Utah. I have no explanation for this. Especially given the results above. Could it be that some automated speed signs are operating at BSM frequencies that are blocked by "K" verifier of the G2? I really don't know. Perhaps others can offer a theory or explanation.
CONCLUSIONS
So, there you have the results of my 2,400 mile testing of my G1 and G2, side by side. I saw no evidence of any cross-talk or interference. Could it have been a factor and I just never saw it? Possibly, but I saw no evidence. It sure would be nice to see some spectral analysis on actual measured RF emissions from both devices, but so far as I am able to ascertain, if it exists, its not in the public domain. (A spectrum analyzer capable of 35 GHZ is a very expensive piece of RF engineering hardware). Remember, as with all testing, your mileage may vary.
Both the G1 and G2 have the latest firmware. Both units were center of the windshield mounted, about 6" apart. Ran "A" mode in the remote areas and "l" mode in more urbanized areas. Always the same mode on both detectors. "K" Verifier was always on.
FIRST - THE EXPECTED RESULTS
1) KA band range. The G2 typically gave 3-6 seconds earlier alert over the G1. (At 85 MPH, that is 125 feet per second).
2) KA False alerts. A couple of times, the G2 alerted to KA, but I could not identify the source. Could have been any number of things, including real radar aiming at a different area, reflections, etc, etc. Given that the G2 is more sensitive than the G1, this **probably** explains this, but its hard to know for sure.
3) Blind Spot Performance. Of 86 apparent blind spot monitor alerts, the G2 was either quiet or alerted at the lowest level 77 times. No question that the G2 is much quieter on the BSM front. Often the G1 was alerting near full tilt, while the G2 was silent.
4) K band Range. No clear winner here - at highway speeds. At times, one alerted a second or two over the other. My gut tells me that the G2 tended to be a little better, at highway speeds, but I really can't say for sure.
5) The G2 suffers from ghosting more than the G1. I captured a screen shot of one instance where the G2 went wild in a construction zone. See below. This was rare. Perhaps 3 times in 2,400 miles.
SECOND - THE UNEXPECTED RESULTS
I passed 2 automated K band speed signs where the G1 alerted full tilt, but the G2 was silent! (Never happened with live LE situation) One automated sign was in Colorado outside of Breckenridge and the other was in Utah. I have no explanation for this. Especially given the results above. Could it be that some automated speed signs are operating at BSM frequencies that are blocked by "K" verifier of the G2? I really don't know. Perhaps others can offer a theory or explanation.
CONCLUSIONS
So, there you have the results of my 2,400 mile testing of my G1 and G2, side by side. I saw no evidence of any cross-talk or interference. Could it have been a factor and I just never saw it? Possibly, but I saw no evidence. It sure would be nice to see some spectral analysis on actual measured RF emissions from both devices, but so far as I am able to ascertain, if it exists, its not in the public domain. (A spectrum analyzer capable of 35 GHZ is a very expensive piece of RF engineering hardware). Remember, as with all testing, your mileage may vary.
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