Heads Up Display (HUD) for Valentine 1 (and others)

So I recently bought a V1 radar detector and I've been trying to work out how best to use it. I've ordered RAM mounting gear but that's just part of the battle - I ride with ear plugs and don't want audio alerts.

I would love to say I've found a great HUD but there doesn't appear to be a viable one on the market (buyer beware of SpeedVue) so I dug a bit deeper and I came across three options.

The first and my original favourite because of its advanced features was the VizAlert V2 which wirelessly connects a small LED unit inside your helmet to the detector, but unfortunately it doesn't work with the latest V1 Firmware (will buy it as soon as they sort this out) Cheetah USA LLC > Vizalert RADAR products

I then found another similar system from a company called Legal Speeding called H.A.R.D (Helmet Assisted Radar Detection). Much more basic, and by all accounts less reliable but worth a look!
Legal Speeding - Park-n-Move | Easily park and move your motorcycle anywhere in your garage

Finally I found a low-tech, no-frills but engagingly simple solution called Visual Alert which consists of a block of plastic with 5 ultra bright LED lights that can be placed in the riders peripehral vision, that flash as the detector flashes - which appeals simply because there's no other wires/wireless units and stuff in my helmet to worry about.
Radar Detector Visual Alert for Motorcycles.

I ended up buying the last two just see how they work so I'll report back but interested to hear if anyone had used any of these products.

Looking forward to your reviews. V1 rocks. All the technology exists for transmitting alerts via bluetooth to helmeted eyes/ears, but so far nothing has been very promising.

WAfatboy said:

So I recently bought a V1 radar detector and I've been trying to work out how best to use it. I've ordered RAM mounting gear but that's just part of the battle - I ride with ear plugs and don't want audio alerts.

I would love to say I've found a great HUD but there doesn't appear to be a viable one on the market (buyer beware of SpeedVue) so I dug a bit deeper and I came across three options.

The first and my original favourite because of its advanced features was the VizAlert V2 which wirelessly connects a small LED unit inside your helmet to the detector, but unfortunately it doesn't work with the latest V1 Firmware (will buy it as soon as they sort this out) Cheetah USA LLC > Vizalert RADAR products

I then found another similar system from a company called Legal Speeding called H.A.R.D (Helmet Assisted Radar Detection). Much more basic, and by all accounts less reliable but worth a look!
Legal Speeding - Park-n-Move | Easily park and move your motorcycle anywhere in your garage

Finally I found a low-tech, no-frills but engagingly simple solution called Visual Alert which consists of a block of plastic with 5 ultra bright LED lights that can be placed in the riders peripehral vision, that flash as the detector flashes - which appeals simply because there's no other wires/wireless units and stuff in my helmet to worry about.
Radar Detector Visual Alert for Motorcycles.

I ended up buying the last two just see how they work so I'll report back but interested to hear if anyone had used any of these products.

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I am using the Bluetooth interface to the Cobra, comes through your iPhone/Android interface to you headset. Valentine has one for the Android, iPhone this Spring. Cobra's interface is free ($120 detector), Valentines add on is only $49. I don't know why anyone would use any other method, this gives you an audio alert right through your helmet headset (wireless), and a full dash display if your phone is visual (hear the alert, look down at phone).

All of the items that you posted are all decent and have been around for quite awhile and have several reviews. I have the VizAlert and the Marc Parnes device and here is what I can tell you it will help you.

Vizalert hasn't updated the Viz1 product in a long time so there are no guarantees but likely it works (unless it says "not compatible") and I have both the Valentine and the Escort chip. I have a Valentine1 in my car so I never mounted it on the bike but I use my 9500i on the bike and it works fine even though it says compatible with 8500 x50.

Viz1 is a good device. I enjoyed it for many years. It is easily seen in the daylight but not too bright at night. It chews thru batteries but if you can get a bunch of cheap batteries from ebay. I'm not the big speeder but I know how important it is to detect properly. For Viz1, I don't worry about the color or the blinking frequency, when it goes off, I slow down. It takes about 1 sec for this to translate so be careful if you depend on the timing. The unit is permanently stuck to one of my older helmets so I cannot switch to my new Ducati helmet; besides the unit is ugly and I don't like the looks of Viz1 any longer. That's when I found Marc Parnes. BTW, there is a second version of Vizalert (Viz2) on the market and it appears to be a little bit different with better features and without the ugly wart attached to your helmet. I plan to buy Viz2 shortly.

So Marc Parnes is pretty neat. Again, you can easily see it during the day and it's not distracting at night. My 9500i is pretty silent (unlike my V1) so not a lot of annoying false alerts which translates to Marc Parnes flashing all day long. I mounted my unit just above the 1199 display and for the most part, I can see it right away with my head down (almost no delay when flashing). However, there are some situations where you can't exactly see it so be aware because there is no audio and you know how seconds count. Maybe I need to choose a different mounting location but even though you can see Marc Parnes out the corner of your eye and the visual angle is pretty decent, there are times where your helmet will block it. I'm looking into a splitter and will hook up an audio speaker (for backup because I can always hear my 9500i alerts even with earplugs).

I recommend Marc Parnes because it is inexpensive and mostly flawless and easy to install and mount. I can't recommend Viz1 because it is old and to my knowledge, don't expect any upgrades. Can't speak for Viz2 because I like what I am hearing and reading and plan to buy it so I can get something back into my helmet (which I think is the right place to mount these types of devices).

Not sure about the HARD unit so looking forward to your review; might be something to consider. Hope this helps.

Why would you want a visual alert (plus cost, wiring, batteries), when you can hear the warnings, and possible vocal description of the threat, right in your ear?

Unless wearing earplugs, sorry! I have the Valentine visual alert mounted on my Beemer, mounted at the top of the dash in this pic. I will do the same for the Pani when the iPhone interface is released for the V1.

I have been using the Marc Parnes visual alert on four of my motorcycles over the past six years or so. I mount them on top of my gauges and have never missed them. If I get a Panigale I'll be using the same system.

Here is what they look like on my Ninja 1000....



And a picture of them lit up on my Concours....

Radar detector? Seriously?

Here is my set up for the V1. I have the radar detector mounted on my shoulder with the wires in my backpack. Then a concealed display just below my dash up front. I can hear it on my shoulder most of the time, and see it anytime I am looking at my dash. I would like an LED strip for my helmet as well. So if you find one keep us posted. Thanks!

elitesoldier357 said:

Here is my set up for the V1. I have the radar detector mounted on my shoulder with the wires in my backpack. Then a concealed display just below my dash up front. I can hear it on my shoulder most of the time, and see it anytime I am looking at my dash. I would like an LED strip for my helmet as well. So if you find one keep us posted. Thanks!

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Is that a parrot on your shoulder? No, it's a radar detector, arrrgh!

I had not thought about placing the detector on my person; would have to explore that.

again, i don't speed alot. mounting a radar detector is a decades old habit for me so i mount it anyway especially with this bike that has a tendancy to go fast.

either way, i have to warn you about marc parnes again or any other visual only device. if you look at marc parnes, you will see it 100% of the time, no doubt. however, if you are not looking at it (as in turning your head to the side), you may miss it 100% of the time or you might not see it until it is too late. if you don't see marc parnes, you can't react to it. timing is everything.

in my state, it's 50/50 radar/laser. i don't recall exactly the experience, but a quick blast from a laser will flash the unit for just a few seconds (not sure how long it continues to flash after the event is over). if you have your head turned because you are changing lanes or if you are looking at the car you are passing and your marc parnes flashes for 2 seconds, you will not see it and the next set of flashing might be you. however, if your rd sounded off, you might hear it. it's good to have a backup imo.

i should point out that where my marc parnes is mounted (above the gauges) and the way i ride on the stock seat, if i tilt my head up just a bit too much, the chin piece on my helmet will block marc parnes completely. when i find myself doing this, i drop my chin and reposition but i often find myself not having marc parnes within my view. for me personally, i can't 100% rely on marc parnes. in my area, you have to keep your eyes on the road and [far] ahead and out front constantly scanning if you want to see the police before they see you.

i'm not about cluttering the dash area. but i don't know the best devices out there either so if an audible alert in the ear is simple, easy, and effective then i'm down with it and should probably check it out. i absolutely do not use my mobile phone or any music whatsoever while i ride. but i only wear earplugs about 5% of the time. ymmv

kensteele said:

I had not thought about placing the detector on my person; would have to explore that.

again, i don't speed alot. mounting a radar detector is a decades old habit for me so i mount it anyway especially with this bike that has a tendancy to go fast.

either way, i have to warn you about marc parnes again or any other visual only device. if you look at marc parnes, you will see it 100% of the time, no doubt. however, if you are not looking at it (as in turning your head to the side), you may miss it 100% of the time or you might not see it until it is too late. if you don't see marc parnes, you can't react to it. timing is everything.

in my state, it's 50/50 radar/laser. i don't recall exactly the experience, but a quick blast from a laser will flash the unit for just a few seconds (not sure how long it continues to flash after the event is over). if you have your head turned because you are changing lanes or if you are looking at the car you are passing and your marc parnes flashes for 2 seconds, you will not see it and the next set of flashing might be you. however, if your rd sounded off, you might hear it. it's good to have a backup imo.

i should point out that where my marc parnes is mounted (above the gauges) and the way i ride on the stock seat, if i tilt my head up just a bit too much, the chin piece on my helmet will block marc parnes completely. when i find myself doing this, i drop my chin and reposition but i often find myself not having marc parnes within my view. for me personally, i can't 100% rely on marc parnes. in my area, you have to keep your eyes on the road and [far] ahead and out front constantly scanning if you want to see the police before they see you.

i'm not about cluttering the dash area. but i don't know the best devices out there either so if an audible alert in the ear is simple, easy, and effective then i'm down with it and should probably check it out. i absolutely do not use my mobile phone or any music whatsoever while i ride. but i only wear earplugs about 5% of the time. ymmv

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Do you have a picture of your mark parnes mounted?

elitesoldier357 said:

Do you have a picture of your mark parnes mounted?

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kensteele said:

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Just as an FYI, if you order from Marc (or want to send it back to him) he'll cut it down as in the pics I posted above so it's not so tall.

kensteele said:

I had not thought about placing the detector on my person; would have to explore that.

again, i don't speed alot. mounting a radar detector is a decades old habit for me so i mount it anyway especially with this bike that has a tendancy to go fast.

either way, i have to warn you about marc parnes again or any other visual only device. if you look at marc parnes, you will see it 100% of the time, no doubt. however, if you are not looking at it (as in turning your head to the side), you may miss it 100% of the time or you might not see it until it is too late. if you don't see marc parnes, you can't react to it. timing is everything.

in my state, it's 50/50 radar/laser. i don't recall exactly the experience, but a quick blast from a laser will flash the unit for just a few seconds (not sure how long it continues to flash after the event is over). if you have your head turned because you are changing lanes or if you are looking at the car you are passing and your marc parnes flashes for 2 seconds, you will not see it and the next set of flashing might be you. however, if your rd sounded off, you might hear it. it's good to have a backup imo.

i should point out that where my marc parnes is mounted (above the gauges) and the way i ride on the stock seat, if i tilt my head up just a bit too much, the chin piece on my helmet will block marc parnes completely. when i find myself doing this, i drop my chin and reposition but i often find myself not having marc parnes within my view. for me personally, i can't 100% rely on marc parnes. in my area, you have to keep your eyes on the road and [far] ahead and out front constantly scanning if you want to see the police before they see you.

i'm not about cluttering the dash area. but i don't know the best devices out there either so if an audible alert in the ear is simple, easy, and effective then i'm down with it and should probably check it out. i absolutely do not use my mobile phone or any music whatsoever while i ride. but i only wear earplugs about 5% of the time. ymmv

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That's why I mount mine on top of the gauges. I honestly don't think I have ever missed a warning on mine.

For me, I"m only concerned about cops out on the back roads where they never use Laser. In fact, I was getting so many false lasers that I turned my laser off.

I hate the damn adaptive cruise control false alarms - they give V1 multiple bogies when near. I can be at a light it it looks like I am surrounded by 3 or police cars

jjsC6 said:

Just as an FYI, if you order from Marc (or want to send it back to him) he'll cut it down as in the pics I posted above so it's not so tall.

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Good to know, I will send mine back.

Thanks for all the feedback guys, I will make sure to post when they get here.

JjsC6 and kensteele - great feedback on Visual Alert, I just modified my order for the Marc Parnes to a double row of LED lights (10), in the hope that sheer brightness will be hard to miss even if slightly out of line of site because of the glow. Won't be riding at night so shouldn't be a problem.

Trauma - I would ove to find a way to have plugs and an wireless audio signal. I'm going to experiment with some military style earplugs that allow for an audio insert.

Elitesoldier357 - love the height and rear visibility your mount gives the unit but no way could I ride with wires hanging off me, and I'm not a fan of backpacks either.

Thanks

WAfatboy said:

Thanks for all the feedback guys, I will make sure to post when they get here.

JjsC6 and kensteele - great feedback on Visual Alert, I just modified my order for the Marc Parnes to a double row of LED lights (10), in the hope that sheer brightness will be hard to miss even if slightly out of line of site because of the glow. Won't be riding at night so shouldn't be a problem.

Trauma - I would ove to find a way to have plugs and an wireless audio signal. I'm going to experiment with some military style earplugs that allow for an audio insert.

Elitesoldier357 - love the height and rear visibility your mount gives the unit but no way could I ride with wires hanging off me, and I'm not a fan of backpacks either.

Thanks

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A lot of riders have Bluetooth systems like Sena (mine) and hear the speakers in the helmet even with earplgs. Just a thought.

^WA, maybe that's it. On the 1199, marc.parnes is not mounted all that close to the rider and although it can be seen from pretty extreme angles (up/down/left/right), perhaps a second row of LEDs will increase the brightness to the extent you see reflections off the bike/helmet regardless. Let me know what you find out, I may have to order another one before I send back my single-row for rework.

Trauma said:

A lot of riders have Bluetooth systems like Sena (mine) and hear the speakers in the helmet even with earplgs. Just a thought.

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Ye spooky because I've also just ordered these two bits of kit after answering the original post
Sena SM10 Dual Stream Bluetooth Stereo Transmitter - RevZilla to hook up the V1
And this to take the audio but can still wear plugs
Sena SMH10R Bluetooth Headset - RevZilla

Great minds!