Originally Posted by Namir

V1, like any other radar detector, detects stray signals in the air to alert you that a radar or laser gun is being used. This can sometimes be miles away from a police officer, or 1000ft away when he has you in the sights of his laser gun.

Laser is NOT always on. The operator aims it at a car, pulls the trigger, and immediately views your current speed on his display. In this situation, your V1 will go off (in a set of Panic beep/chimes) and for the most part just makes you aware of the fact that you have been lasered.

Radar, is typically left on and emitted from a car mounted unit. These signals are scattered through the air bouncing off cars and other objects. Usually you can detect radar signals far in advance and slow down.

The radar detector WILL detect a signal if it hits your car/detector. But sometimes the situation makes this obsolete because you will get pulled over regardless.

Be smart, a radar detector is not a magic cloaking device.