Just picked one up, and was wondering if local police here in Seattle area ever use X band? If not I suppose "L" mode is the best. What mode is your V1 on? Also the other day I passed a state patrol on the highway and the V1 never detected anything, is it only cause he wasn't using his radar?

This is the first radar detector I've owned so sorry if these questions seem stupid :)

I only had it used on me in some countryside and it only happened once in the 4 years I have owned it.

I usually keep it in Smart Logic mode(L). You can also turn off X band completely and up the range on the KA band. Check out V1's site for more detail.

Detectors only detect radar not police. If there is a detector that detects police, I would throw my whole life savings into it to buy it. :) The police sitting in the side of the road is probably doing something called "Traffic Calming." Basically getting everyone to slow down a little. He could be also looking out for carpool violators.

"K" band radar more than anything. For that matter, I've never had laser go off legitimately up here either.

If you go by a cop, and the V1 doesn't beep, the cop isn't clocking. Just don't forget that there are plenty other ways to justify pulling you over if he thinks you were speeding.

I got nailed by laser in March and have seen them "reach out and touch" me on a number of other occasions. Lots of radar guns.