[silverado]

I was trying out my new Valentine 1 radar detector today. At some point I was experimenting with mount locations and I brought the detector down from the windshield while it's plugged in and on. As I passed it in front of the center panel, the laser alarm went off! At first I didn't know what happened as I was in my garage with no chance of a real laser gun to be in front of me. After some experimentation I found that the laser warning will sound for as long as the unit is in front of the iDrive screen!! The back sensor of the V1 can "detect" that too. This happens even when the iDrive screen is turned off from the "i" menu.

The iDrive unit (or something in that general area) must be giving out infrared radiation similar to that used by lidar! Could others try that out? I would also be interested in knowing whether this happens to people without iDrive, which would mean the source of the infrared rays would be from something else in that area or behind the console.

[E90Fleet]

BMW USA knows about the problem

Ask your dealer about "Service Measure 65 209 05" of May 2005

I think they must replace a certain little box in the car and radar detectors wont go off due to the car itself

[silverado]

E90Fleet:

Amazing inside info! Any idea what this little box is? Is there any advantage to replacing it other than not having the detector go off when it's not mounted properly?

[jwarcd]

Actually, all BMW NAV screens will set off the Laser detection on a Valentine One. It does it in my X5 as well. The service bulletin mentioned is for a different problem where it sets off the radar alert not laser.

[Amil]

mercedes nav does that tooo

[AW330i]

I think most navs do it because my old accords nav used to set off my v1's laser, also the flashing lights on ambulances, fire trucks, and police cars. And occasionaly infinity brake lights.