JBV1 is easily one of the best countermeasure apps available. It’s was developed by @johnboy00 for the Valentine 1 (hence the name JBV1) and it has taken the place of YaV1 as the best app (it’s Android only) to run with your V1. It has also since added integration with the TMG laser jammer, plus it can now be run standalone so you can take advantage of many of its features even if you’re not running a V1 or TMG.
JBV1 is packed with a crazy amount of features. Here’s a look at some of the highlights of the app and how to get started using it.
JBV1’s Coolest Features
First off, here’s a look at some of the coolest features of the app:
JBV1’s coolest features:
- Automatic GPS lockouts (requires V1) to filter out stationary falses from door openers and speed signs
- Can visually chill out the V1’s display in shopping centers with lots of false alerts
- Low speed muting
- Adds additional BSM recognition and muting for Hondas, Acuras, Mazdas, and GM falses
- Frequency display of your radar alerts
- Can be set up to automatically reprogram the V1 depending on where you drive (ie. automatically enabling X band when you enter Ohio or disabling K band when you enter California)
- Alert logging
- Realtime crowd-sourced police spotted alerts
- Historical crowd-sourced data overlaid on the map showing common police speed traps
- Alerts you to police aircraft overhead
- Previously seen radar, laser, and crowd-sourced alerts can be overlaid on the map as well
- TMG laser jammer integration
- Redlight camera & speed camera alerts
- Speed limit info for your current road
- Can display current location (road, city, county, state)
- Realtime weather info can be displayed so you can see if there’s a storm ahead
- Works great background too and pops up small overlays with relevant information on top of other apps like Waze, Google Maps, or Spotify
- Does a great job automatically reconnecting to your V1 every time you get in the car
As you can see, there’s a massive amount of useful features available in the app, along with many others that I didn’t mention.
Note: Some features (like radar filtering and muting) will require a V1. Other features (like realtime police spotted alerts and speed limit info) will require an internet connection, whether it’s data on your phone or in-car WiFi.
Getting Familiar with JBV1
Next up, let’s take a look at getting familiar with the interface of the app:
As a bonus, here’s a video from johnboy himself explaining the main interface of JBV1 and how to get started using the app’s buttons and controls.
Learning How to Use JBV1
JBV1 is insanely feature-packed and it can take some time to learn how to use all the different features. Here’s a video that walks you through some of the most popular settings:
As a bonus, @Tregar has put together an overview of JBV1’s settings you can read over to start getting familiar with the app. It’s a great PDF to help you get more familiar with the app and learn how to use many of the key features.
Be aware that JBV1 changes rapidly (new versions based on user feedback and requests are often released every week or two) with new features being regularly added or changed, so there may be new features now available that haven’t yet been added to the guide.
How to Run JBV1 Standalone
If you’re not a V1 user, you can still run JBV1 and take advantage of many of the features it offers (ie. crowdsourced alerts, weather info, RLC alerts, or speed limit info). You’ll need to first enable standalone mode since it’s off by default.
Here’s how to activate standalone mode:
- Menu
- Settings
- Connection
- Other Options: Standalone
- Standalone Mode Unlocked
- Connect Starts Standalone
Then from the main screen, hit the blue “Start” button at the top to launch JBV1 in standalone mode. (Before you follow these steps, the blue “Start” button will say “Connect” to connect to a V1.)
Have Questions Using JBV1?
If you have additional questions (you probably will) or need any help with the app, the best place to get support is the JBV1 section of RDF. Chances are your question may already be answered there. In case it hasn’t been, @johnboy00 himself or one of the many other JBV1 users can help answer your questions.
Finally, if you find the free app useful and want to support @johnboy00 in continuing to rapidly develop his app, you can also consider donating to him as well.
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26 comments
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A great detector shouldn’t need external apps or connections to function properly or to access all of the features. They also take your attention off of driving and your eyes off of the road. I much prefer my R3, because after I dial in the settings I am able to hang it on the dash and let it do it’s thing. Pretty much set it and forget it. I can use Waze if I want to, but it isn’t required to access features of the detector.
Author
Like Waze, JBV1 offers a tremendous amount of extra useful functionality that is totally independent of a radar detector, in addition to adding a ton of critical functionality to the V1 that it’s otherwise missing.
I initially learned about programming YaV from you years ago through a video called “Programming your new V1 & YaV1 from scratch” shortly after it first came out. It was immensely helpful. Any chance you could do a video on how to configure JVB1 with your preferred settings?
Author
I’ve thought about it, but I’m still pretty overwhelmed by all the available options and so it’s one of the reasons I’m referring you to the guide that already exists instead.
Will the new v1 gen2 power up when I start my truck, or do I have to hit the power button each time I shut my truck off? I leave it plugged up but hide it. I love my old v1, but I do not like the new button on the gen2 that is specifically for mute and volume.
Author
So long as you have it powered on when you turn off your truck, it’ll start back up when you turn your truck back on next time.
I just bought the V1G2 specifically because of the functionality of the apps. Even though I consider myself pretty tech savvy, it is somewhat overwhelming. I am going through your JBV1 videos now. If it weren’t for them, I don’t think I would have purchased this unit. Even with the videos, if I wasn’t highly motivated, I would have bought a different unit.
Author
Yeah I hear you. I don’t want to scare people away from the V1 because of how overwhelming the apps are, but it really is a thing. It took me a while running the app to get comfortable with it too, and I like to think of myself is pretty tech savvy as well. There’s a ton of capabilities here, but it’s also the biggest learning curve by far out of any RD. I’m glad to hear the videos and tutorials are helpful!
Will it work, at least partially, if the Android does not have internet or phone service?
Author
Yep
Should I get the least expensive Android at Walmart that’s compatible with Verizon or one from Verizon?
I personally always buy unlocked phones directly from the manufacturer. Why? Less bloatware and freedom to switch providers if I get dissatisfied with the service. However, if you have been with Verizon for years and plan to stick with it for a long time, buying one from VerIzon would be fine.
So what it amounts to is that you have to buy the detector AND an Android phone to make it a viable product.
The price of using the detector just went way up. Even if you currently own an Android, you still have to load and configure the app, then learn how to use it. And if you happen to not have your phone, the detector is way less effective. Sorry, but I just can’t see it.
Author
That’s fine. There’s more involved here, sure, and you wind up with something more powerful and capable than literally anything else, but if you don’t want to deal with the trade-offs to get there (many times I don’t either), you can go for a simpler route. Either way, we’re lucky to have options. Pick the one that works best for you!
Can you download JBV1 to the Android if you don’t have phone service?
Author
Yep. You’ll miss out on some features, but you’ll still get many of them to add additional functionality to your V1.
jbv1 is so complicated i deleted it. all i want is it to tell me when to slow down because of police.
I use an iPhone. I’m willing to purchase a dedicated Android for JBV1. What should I get and does it have to be functional with a phone service?
Author
Most any newer Android would work fine. You can use it without a data connection and get some features like the GPS lockouts. To get the full functionality though including crowd sourced alerts, weather info, or aircraft info, you’ll want to ensure it has an internet connection.
So can I just connect the Android phone to my iPhone hotspot for a Internet connection?
Seems strange they won’t make an iOS version of the app. I wouldn’t have a problem paying money for it.
Author
That would work, yeah.
As for the iOS thing, yeah it gets asked a lot. The dev simply doesn’t have time to support two OS’s, not to mention there’s limitations on iOS that prevents it from doing everything you can on Android.
To all the people who say the app is too complicated or you shouldn’t need to go through all of these steps just to have adequate protection from police radar.
The answer is, you don’t, if you don’t want to. But for those of us who want the absolute best radar detector and app on the market that provides the most information, and therefore the absolute best protection bar none, this is the only way to go.
I live in NY and drive over 100 miles a day on heavily patrolled highways and streets with red light and speed cameras all over the place with new ones being installed constantly. My V1 paired with this app give me piece of mind and protection like nothing else. I mean literally, nothing else compares to everything you get here.
Can it be a little overwhelming at first? , maybe. But once you get it tuned in and familiar with all that it can do, and eliminate the stuff you don’t need, this app is awesome! I’ve literally been running with V1 radar detectors since the early to mid 90’s and they have saved my ass hundreds if not thousands of times. But now with this app, I’m getting so much more info and it makes my my radar detector so much better by adding some functions that aren’t available on just the radar detector alone. Does that mean the V1 isn’t as great detector? Not at all. But the JBV1 app takes a great detector and makes it literally in a class by itself.
Sure, so I need to use my phone now every time I dive somewhere? Yes, but I was already doing that anyway using Waze for traffic routing and alerts, so what’s the big deal? It’s not like I ever go anywhere without my phone, so to me, it’s not really a big deal.
But I can literally say that whenever I drive anywhere without my V1 along with the JBV1 app running along side of it, I feel naked and unprotected in the jungle called the NYC streets that I travel everyday.
All I can say to Johnboy000 is “Thank You, Thank You, Thank You”! I don’t think I would ever feel safe again driving without either of these essential and complimentary tools for keeping me ticket free! Trust me, if you have a V1 detector, get the app. It might take some effort to set up and learn, but it protects you like nothing else! You won’t be disappointed.
And many thanks to Vortex Radar for all his efforts in providing us with reviews, information and training guides for helping up with all the detectors, apps and even settings on the detectors or in the apps that are on the market, and helping us make the best decisions for us as individuals and helping us save some money making those decisions. You my friend are a saint, and I can’t thank you enough as well. Please keep up the good work!
Does adding JBV1 to the V1G2 increase the detection range of the V1G2? Or does the JBV1 simply add more convenience features to the V1G2?
From tests, it seems the Uniden R7, Radenso D1 and Escort 360c have better range than the V1G2. Thanks
Author
It’s the latter. The V1 detects the way the V1 detects. JBV1 just adds some additional features like an additional display, some more advanced muting features, etc., but it’s up to the V1 to handle alerting based on its own inherent level of sensitivity.
Can JBV1 turn K band on and off based on GPS location?
ie… Don’t want K band on in the city/state where it is zero risk, but once I leave a boundary, it turns on.
Author
Yep. I even mentioned it in the list of JBV1’s coolest features. It’s the Auto Profile Overrides feature.
Here’s a pair of older videos demoing the feature. Video 1, Video 2.