Radar detector placement

[Zeya]

Well, let's just suffice to say that after being pulled over twice in 2 months, I'm definitely considering a Valentine One radar detector since both times the cop was lurking in some dark shadow on a side street or something waiting for bright red cars to come by on a wide assed five lane road where the speed limit is 35 for some retarded reason.(321fu) Sorry I'm venting.

Anyway. I've never had a radar detector. And I don't like the idea of stretching some obnoxious power cord up across the windshield/field of view, all waving and bouncing around all the time.

Here are my questions to you. Where are you all mounting your radar detectors? You have to keep the detector up high, right? How about mounting on a rear view mirror? Any way to get a power cord up there?

P.S. Anyone know what band cops tend to use in California?

 

[DeanSweet]

in my P5 I have mine mounted above the mirror. It's actually resting on top of it. I ran the power cord right in and spliced in to the 12v lines for lighting in upper console(map lights and sunroof controls).

 

[Zeya]

in my P5 I have mine mounted above the mirror. It's actually resting on top of it. I ran the power cord right in and spliced in to the 12v lines for lighting in upper console(map lights and sunroof controls).

Interesting. Pictures would be awesome, if you could.

I was looking at the rear view mirror thinking "how big are those radar detectors" and wondering if you need a mounting bracket or something up there.

 

[lestat13]

I have an escort passport 8500 x50 just below the tint where the rear view mirror is. The wire is run along the headliner, down the passenger side into the fuse box. Used a fuse tap on the radio fuse (low power when the engine is not on) and grounded to a nut just below the glovebox. If I have time tomorrow, I will try to take some pics.

Works excellently and has saved my butt a few times since I purchased it about a month ago, including laser twice!! Used for $200 and ratings are not too far off from the V1 level.

 

[Zeya]

I have an escort passport 8500 x50 just below the tint where the rear view mirror is. The wire is run along the headliner, down the passenger side into the fuse box. Used a fuse tap on the radio fuse (low power when the engine is not on) and grounded to a nut just below the glovebox. If I have time tomorrow, I will try to take some pics.

Works excellently and has saved my butt a few times since I purchased it about a month ago, including laser twice!! Used for $200 and ratings are not too far off from the V1 level.

Pics would be much appreciated. Is the wire visible, or did you run it under the headliner?

 

[SharkDiver]

you may like this site..It will tell you were you should mount it for best performance and many other things. I just got a RX65 and love it..I hard wired it.I didnt have $400 to spend so I went with the RX65 which is almost just as good as the V1 and STI.I dont really think I need the arrows.

http://www.radardetector.net/index.php

 

[Darkhorse]

Get the V1, trust me. I just bought it a couple months ago and it has saved me numerous times. It's not a hype when other V1 owners say "Live by the Arrow." Its just that vicious of a radar detector.

goto the Valentine site, they answer all your questions in the FAQs section. Its a awesome site.

 

[GoFast]

you may like this site..It will tell you were you should mount it for best performance and many other things. I just got a RX65 and love it..I hard wired it.I didnt have $400 to spend so I went with the RX65 which is almost just as good as the V1 and STI.I dont really think I need the arrows.

http://www.radardetector.net/index.php

very good link. the trick to location is keeping it as low as possible without taking away the path to the rear window. in other words, if you mount it too low, any ability to pick up radar shot from the rear will be inhibited by the seat back. so you want to make sure you have a nice clear view out the back and the read window.

 

[DeanSweet]

bad night picture. I will take a better one tomorrow... only bad thing I know from having it resting on mirror is when the bass is hitting the thing ratttles a bit.

 

[MikeHTally]

My RX-65 is tied into the power for the mirror. I have a mount and power connection in my Ram and in the MS3. I just shuttle the unit between the vehicles.

 

[Zeya]

So you can get a nice mounting bracket for the mirror?

And I didn't realize the V1 was that small. For some reason I thought it would be twice that size.

Edit: Oh wait that's not the V1.

 

[DeanSweet]

nope, thats the passport 8500... sorry.

 

[sperry]

very good link. the trick to location is keeping it as low as possible without taking away the path to the rear window. in other words, if you mount it too low, any ability to pick up radar shot from the rear will be inhibited by the seat back. so you want to make sure you have a nice clear view out the back and the read window.

I think you want the detector as high as possible. The higher it is, the further "over the horizon" it can see... not to mention you want it to be above crash walls, other cars, etc so it can see radar around them.

I've got a V1 and it's amazing. I've mounted it like DeanSweet mentioned in several different cars placing the detector jus above the rear-view mirror... just run a fused 12V and ground up into the headliner and drop a small 4" piece of telephone wire down to plug it in. The V1 actually comes with a hardwire kit to allow you to do it that way. Makes for a very clean install.

On my truck, the power runs up the A-pillar, in my WRX it's wired into the power for the autodimming mirror, on the SVX it's tapped into the sunroof power. Just make sure it's on an ACC or IGN line... if it's on all the time, you'll drain the battery.

Edit: found an old ass picture of my WRX, the V1 is above the mirror:

 

[Rotus]

I mounted mine above the mirror also. I ran the V1 remote line (included) from the fusebox under the glove box and ran the line up the side of the dash and a pillar and tucked it under the headliner.

 

[GoFast]

I think you want the detector as high as possible. The higher it is, the further "over the horizon" it can see... not to mention you want it to be above crash walls, other cars, etc so it can see radar around them.

not quite true....

have a read. this is a perfect article for maximizing your radar detector

http://www.radarbusters.com/mountdetectorproperlyarticle.cfm

 

[sperry]

not quite true....

have a read. this is a perfect article for maximizing your radar detector

http://www.radarbusters.com/mountdetectorproperlyarticle.cfm

With the exception of laser detection I don't see a single reason that really overrides the reasons to place the detector high up. Plus if you're really worried about laser, you should be running an external detector/jammer mounted down next to the license plate.

Since laser isn't used where I live, I'd rather have the detector so it can see over and around as many obsticals as possible. Plus, when it's above the mirror it's almost invisible when the car is parked, thus reducing theft.

 

[808MP5]

sub

 

[GoFast]

With the exception of laser detection I don't see a single reason that really overrides the reasons to place the detector high up. Plus if you're really worried about laser, you should be running an external detector/jammer mounted down next to the license plate.

Since laser isn't used where I live, I'd rather have the detector so it can see over and around as many obsticals as possible. Plus, when it's above the mirror it's almost invisible when the car is parked, thus reducing theft.

really?? Reno doesnt run laser? I know Vegas does(I lived there for the past 6 years) I also know NHP does as well. If you are confident that reno doesnt use laser then you are right there is no reason to run it down low. Just make sure that you don't leave reno though. Laser is a very popular radar tool thats used and it is becoming more and more popular. As for the Jammer option, you have to be very careful with that and make sure that you know the states that have laws against ownership of it. there are a few states that dont allow detectors, but even more that outlaw the use or ownership of laser jammers.

 

[sperry]

really?? Reno doesnt run laser? I know Vegas does(I lived there for the past 6 years) I also know NHP does as well. If you are confident that reno doesnt use laser then you are right there is no reason to run it down low. Just make sure that you don't leave reno though. Laser is a very popular radar tool thats used and it is becoming more and more popular. As for the Jammer option, you have to be very careful with that and make sure that you know the states that have laws against ownership of it. there are a few states that dont allow detectors, but even more that outlaw the use or ownership of laser jammers.

I've never seen a laser warning on either my V1 or my Beltronics (which does have a laser receiver right next to the license plate, and a jammer that I don't have turned on). And all the officers I've heard from are all using radar still here.

Plus I figure, laser is so instant, you're screwed even with a detector, so you might as well maximize radar reception.

 

[Rotus]

I've never seen a laser warning on either my V1 or my Beltronics (which does have a laser receiver right next to the license plate, and a jammer that I don't have turned on). And all the officers I've heard from are all using radar still here.

Plus I figure, laser is so instant, you're screwed even with a detector, so you might as well maximize radar reception.

Not nessa-celery... I've had the laser warning go off and it's saved me, but you have to be behind or beside someone else and be luckey enough to not be the target. But other than that, you're screwed.