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RM125king
20th September 2006, 19:50
who has got one of these with the valentine 1? are they worth the money? i saw alot of people using them on the last cruise.

R6_kid
20th September 2006, 19:52
i think boomer and leong are the ones that have them.

Blackbird
20th September 2006, 20:01
Do a search for radar detectors on this site. Heaps of discussions.

dangerous
20th September 2006, 20:14
If you are talking about the H.A.R.D system, then yeah I use it along with a Escort 8500... rate it highly, however does come with a few problems.

Gixxer 4 ever
20th September 2006, 20:21
Better reaction time with audio (ear plugs ) than visual from the H.A.R.D system, I recon.

I have used the ear plugs for 2 years. Great cos they are instant and when the 8500 goes off you react immediately. The only problem is the plug out is mono. Most ear plugs are stereo. A lot cheaper as well.

beyond
20th September 2006, 20:43
I'm running the H.A.R.D system as well and I use the Bel XR detector. The setup is great. Had a few problems wiring mine up and unless I connect direct to the battery, any other wire I use on the bike, produces a signal to the HUD in the helmet as you rev the engine, which wasn't much chop. :(

I just have to remember to turn it off each time I stop now.

Leong
20th September 2006, 20:56
Yeah I got the H.A.R.D bout a month ago, been using the V1 in the car much longer and my so called NZ spec V1 works very well IMO, never falses, and picks up radar from great enough distance. Have been pinged by instant on once, but usually pick up signals of traffic ahead being zapped.

H.A.R.D LED take a short while to get used to. Seems in your field of vision to be most effective, but after a while you tend to look thru it. Most difficult part is remembering to turn off the receiver when you get home.

Worked very well on the weekend, and must be more than just Boomer and me with it as I was picking up other peoples signals while we were stoppped, eg in Paeroa.


Better reaction time with audio (ear plugs ) than visual from the H.A.R.D system, I recon.

I have used the ear plugs for 2 years. Great cos they are instant and when the 8500 goes off you react immediately. The only problem is the plug out is mono. Most ear plugs are stereo. A lot cheaper as well.

I'd agree about the faster reaction time with audio. BUT if it means putting on earplugs and having a wired connection to the radar detector then I'd prefer the ease of use of the H.A.R.D

boomer
20th September 2006, 21:01
i have the hard and v1; definately paid for itself in the year i've had it just from motorway stationary cameras alone; they give you plenty of notice for you to untwist the wrist or help make the choice in twisting the wrist or not.

i've notived alot of the HP are now using instant on which, if theres lots of traffic infront, is fine but if your out on ya own and come around a bend .. voila.. :buggerd:

they help you make choices and definately aid getting you from A to B faster on teh motorways. Stock up on batteries cos you will forget to turn the bugger of.

Beyond.. i still reckon you should hook into an empty slot in the fuse box bro.... give it a go!

geoffm
20th September 2006, 21:21
I have a HARD and the 3rd oen has died. The desing of the helmet part is poor, with no strain relief on the LED arm bit. They also like batteries, which adds up in cost.
Overall, I don't think they are very fgood, they are expensive and you can buy an Escort x50 for not much more,and dedicate it to the bike, and use an earphone.
I have a Valentine - nice kit,but bulky.
Geoff

MD
20th September 2006, 21:31
I've got a hard on for my V1. Gets me excited just thinking about it.
A blast in your ear would get your attention a split second earlier and you could not miss the warning like a visual warning. But the convenience and ease of use with the HARD system wins it over for me. I used to have the light above my eye but on the new helmet I found it works better placed below the eye facing upward. This way it is totalling out of sight behind that mouth/nose guard bit and not sitting in the corner of my vision. When the light flashes it seems to get my attention better than when placed above. maybe because inside the helmet it is darker below your eyeline so this contrast helps. Whereas if it's above you eyeline then it's competing with the direction the sunlight. If you can follow my drift here.

boomer
20th September 2006, 21:36
If you can follow my drift here.


Seems totally black and white to me MD; your world that is :hug: ahahhaha
mines by my left cheek and with a tinted visor on i have no troubles seeing it; sometimes scares the shit out of me;

Vagabond
20th September 2006, 21:37
Check this site out http://www.motorcycleradar.com/products.htm I just bought one and it really works well, no more wires or hassles!

Sorry meant to say check the screamer out!

Lou Girardin
21st September 2006, 07:06
Some people like the HARD system. Doesn't work for me though, I prefer a buzzer right by my earhole.

adiddy
21st September 2006, 14:34
im looking at getting one of these but not too sure bout how im gonna mount 1 aye

Vagabond
21st September 2006, 14:57
Some people like the HARD system. Doesn't work for me though, I prefer a buzzer right by my earhole.



Radar Screamer
Simply the best way to hear your motorcycle's radar detector without the need for uncomfortable earphones or the hassel of helmet wiring. Works great even while wearing your earplugs!

Click here to read the review article from the August 2002 issue of


Idiot lights on the instrument panel are for idiots... they can't be relied on to warn of an imminent threat. That's why our military uses audio alert systems when aircraft are under missile attack and seconds count. The Radar Screamer provides the same immediate warning that will get your attention and allow you time to take action.
The Radar Screamer enhances the feeble audio warning signal produced by radar detectors so that the motorcycle rider is better able to hear the warning while at speed. No earphones and no helmet wiring is required. All Radar Screamer components are water proof and remain on the bike allowing the rider maximum freedom. To enhance reliability the Radar Screamer is powered from the bike's electrical system and does not depend on replaceable batteries.

A special interface module drives a 108 dB piezo beeper. Includes 3-position low volume/mute/high volume control switch. Simple plug-and-play installation. Comes with complete installation instructions. Model RS1-V has a 2.5mm audio plug for Valentine* detectors and Bel 946. The model RS1-P has a 3.5mm plug to fit the Passport 8500, Passport 8500-X50, Escort Solo2, Bel RX65 and Bel RX55. Waterproof construction allows the system to withstand weather extremes and remain permanently mounted on the motorcycle. (* Valentine detectors must be equipped with Valentine remote audio panel.) See the Radar Screamer page for more info.


The above paste job is what I was on about :2thumbsup

Blackbird
21st September 2006, 15:33
One of my riding parners has a screamer on his Blackbird and I'm so impressed with it that Mrs B will be buying me one for my birthday next month (she doesn't know yet). I use an earpiece and it works fine but I have managed to disconnect it occasionally which is a bit of a worry. They are about US $100 from www.motorcycleradar.com who give great service. If you want to make your own, PM Jantar. He made one from smoke detector internals and it works brilliantly.

Edit:When I made a post a year or so back on whether anyone had experience with screamers, the responses from Hitcher and Scumdog were such that I wish I had phrased my question more carefully. They were nonetheless so funny that I nearly cried http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=14483&highlight=screamer.

Have found Jantar's post about building one: http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=16601&highlight=screamer

dangerous
21st September 2006, 21:50
Some people like the HARD system. Doesn't work for me though, I prefer a buzzer right by my earhole.

Idiot lights on the instrument panel are for idiots...

Do you know what a H.A.R.D is???

Lou Girardin
22nd September 2006, 07:00
Do you know what a H.A.R.D is???

Yeah. Why for you ask?

Vagabond
22nd September 2006, 15:30
Yeah. Why for you ask?

Might need some Viagra with that! :jerry:

dangerous
22nd September 2006, 21:12
Yeah. Why for you ask?

Was askig VB not you LG... the HARD as you know is a wire less led light in ya face, not on the dash.

Vagabond
23rd September 2006, 05:10
Was askig VB not you LG... the HARD as you know is a wire less led light in ya face, not on the dash.

Yeah I know what they are but prefer having an audio stimulus:banana:
And they have an added bonus for when you lane split, as the siren seems to make the cages give you space!

BNZ
3rd October 2006, 07:50
How much does the H.A.R.D system set you back? There is one on trade me for $320 which seems a bit bloody expensive for $20 worth of parts!!!

Gixxer 4 ever
3rd October 2006, 11:29
How much does the H.A.R.D system set you back? There is one on trade me for $320 which seems a bit bloody expensive for $20 worth of parts!!!

Last time I looked they were around $230.00. I went to the web page to check for you but it has gone

BNZ
3rd October 2006, 11:32
Last time I looked they were around $230.00. I went to the web page to check for you but it has gone

Cheers mate. I am looking at a Nolan 102 with the Ncom. If I go for that I can hook up the audio to my helmet :2thumbsup

ajturbo
3rd October 2006, 11:59
i had one made up by a guy on KB.. unfortunatly i cannot remember who the hell it was, but it is a LOT better than looking at a flashing red light on the dash.. and luke bushing me in the back , telling me that the radar is going off it's head at .... Ks/hr....:banana:

dangerous
3rd October 2006, 20:17
How much does the H.A.R.D system set you back? There is one on trade me for $320 which seems a bit bloody expensive for $20 worth of parts!!!

I paid $400, and yes thats bloody rude when you consider whats involved in one, but it has saved my licence more than once.
Cruntly $369 at Radar Direct

BNZ
3rd October 2006, 20:22
I paid $400, and yes thats bloody rude when you consider whats involved in one, but it has saved my licence more than once.
Cruntly $369 at Radar Direct

I am on the verge of buying a Nolan flip-face with the NCOM system, so I think I will try and track down a Valentine 1 Remote Audio Adapter and go down that path.

$400=Hard
$680=Nice new helmet with audio built in. + I need(want) a new helmet

ajturbo
4th October 2006, 06:37
I paid $400, and yes thats bloody rude when you consider whats involved in one, but it has saved my licence more than once.
Cruntly $369 at Radar Direct


my unit cost me $80.00
it IS hard wired from unit to helmet, but i can put up with that....

Blackbird
4th October 2006, 06:49
I ordered my "Screamer" from www.motorcycleradar.com last night so that I can have an audible signal without a direct connection to my helmet as per the present set-up.

Will give a full report after it's installed and tested.

beyond
4th October 2006, 07:09
I ordered my "Screamer" from www.motorcycleradar.com last night so that I can have an audible signal without a direct connection to my helmet as per the present set-up.

Will give a full report after it's installed and tested.

Be interested in hearing about your findings on this. Do keep us posted, thanks. :)

Blackbird
4th October 2006, 07:43
Be interested in hearing about your findings on this. Do keep us posted, thanks. :)

No worries - will post a detailed evaluation of features, performance and ease of installlation. However, a friend with a 'bird has one and he is very pleased. The only specific comment I can offer from him at this stage is that on its highest setting, it's completely audible at ummmmm...... speeds over 100 km/hr:whistle:

Geoff

sillywilly
4th October 2006, 15:24
got a HARD system with bell x50 and it gives me the shits instantly when it goes off so works for me.also keep forgeting to turn off receiver when i finish a ride though, so wonder how long the battery will last.
I never been good with electricity though so got it wired to bike by Cellnet in east tamaki, they've got a techie who knows his way around bike electrics and he does a tidy job,not all trigger happy with a cordless drill some radio/phone guys