Radar Detector Mounting

[RonnieH]

Can anyone point me to a good article describing mounting of a detector and wiring it into the power source at the rear view mirror? I live on the NC/Va border and drive in Va. a good deal of the time. Good ole Va. is the only state where detectors are still illegal. Not wanting to remove my detector, I would like to mount one inconspicuously up around the mirror as I have seen in other C5's. I currently have an older Escort detector. I am sure opinions regarding detectors are all over the place, but curious if anyone can personally vouch for a detector that works well at a reasonable price. Detector is not a must have for me - this is my 4th Vette and I can say the Vettes are the only cars/trucks I have never been the recipient of a speeding ticket - when driving the Vette I am particularly observant of speed limits not wanting to make some conscientious policeman's day.

 

[Hib Halverson]

The Valentine One is perhaps the best detector on the market, problem is a lot of people don't feel its price is "reasonable".

As far as I'm concerned, if the purpose of the device is to detect law enforcement's use of radar at as far a distance from the radar emitter as possible, I'd not worry about "reasonable" pricing, I'd worry about how good the detector is, regardless of price.

I've used the V1 for well over a decade and that it works very well. and has paid for itself in avoided citations makes it an outstanding value regardless of its retail price.

Mounting it up high is fairly easy, provided you're a reasonably good electronics installer. You need a mount and you need the wiring diagram for your model year. If you have an auto-adjusting rearview, which I think most C5s had, you have power up in the windshield header. Question is, can that wire flow enough current to power a detector as well as the mirror. You'll have to determine that yourself. If there is power up there and there's enough current available, it's just a case of removing the trim, finding the wire, splicing into it and feeding power to the detector. Of course, you also have to ground the device. If you're good with wiring and electrics, it's easy to figure that out.

Keep in mind that the VA authorities have been known to use radar detector detectors so even though you have it mounted inconspicuously, "they" may still be able to "detect" that you're using a radar detector.

 

[RonnieH]

Hib,

Thanks for the great feedback. You made several good points, including the radar detector detector. I have my current detector dash mounted. Usually, when in Va., I turn off the detector, but don't necessarily remove the detector from the dash. Sometime, being on the border, my travel wanders in/out of Va. and I forget to turn it off. However, when I do remember to turn it off, I would like to have it in as inconspicuous location as possible, i.e. in the area of the rear view mirror. I'm not saying I don't sometimes push the envelope when it comes to speed limit, but typically my reason for the detector is just a reminder in case the dog barks and back it down if need be and keep the speed at an acceptable level. I usually do well on interstates and primary roads, but I have found most of my citations come in the city/suburbs - its just hard to maintain 20-25 mph. w/o riding the brake. I did find a mount which is small and clips onto the rear view mirror and holds the detector. I'll get into the wiring this w/e - thanks for your help.

 

[LLC5]

Hib,

Thanks for the great feedback. You made several good points, including the radar detector detector. I have my current detector dash mounted. Usually, when in Va., I turn off the detector, but don't necessarily remove the detector from the dash. Sometime, being on the border, my travel wanders in/out of Va. and I forget to turn it off. However, when I do remember to turn it off, I would like to have it in as inconspicuous location as possible, i.e. in the area of the rear view mirror. I'm not saying I don't sometimes push the envelope when it comes to speed limit, but typically my reason for the detector is just a reminder in case the dog barks and back it down if need be and keep the speed at an acceptable level. I usually do well on interstates and primary roads, but I have found most of my citations come in the city/suburbs - its just hard to maintain 20-25 mph. w/o riding the brake. I did find a mount which is small and clips onto the rear view mirror and holds the detector. I'll get into the wiring this w/e - thanks for your help.

I just use my cruise control (mostly on city streets where it is really hard to go THAT slow), it works down to about 24 mph, unfortunately not low enough for school zones.....

 

[BoDuke]

I seen a while back a power cord made specifically for BELL, Valentine, and a couple other detectors that plug right in to the rear view mirror power supply. I think it's called 'Invisicord'. Anyhoo, here is a youtube video of it. It only works with CERTAIN detectors, so be sure you confirm it works with whichever detector you have or want to get.

Good luck!!

Z-Mount & Invisicord Radar Detector Install - Trailblazer SS Escort 8500 - YouTube

nvisicord: 8" ( [url]www.invisicord.com)

Z-Mount: Stationary Z Mount ( [/URL]http://www.countryjoycrafts.com/Conne... )

 

[KOPBET]

The Valentine One is perhaps the best detector on the market, problem is a lot of people don't feel its price is "reasonable".

If they're put off by V1's price, then they will fall out of their chair after seeing the price for Escort's top shelf models.

 

[RonnieH]

Thanks for the responses. Just to clarify - the radar detector for me is just another big boy's toy. I usually don't intentionally set out to see how fast I can go, but we all get a little careless from time to time and forget just how fast we are going.

I found a helpful website - most of you may know about it already - but has great reviews and technical information. For anyone interested, it is a guy -
Radar Roy - Radar Roy's OFFICIAL Radar Detector Review site! He has some really good information and doesn't try to sell you anything.

I found several sites selling the rearview mirror power card, which I ordered. Looking around, you can find one for about $15.

Once again, thanks to all. Don't know what I'd do sometime w/o CAC!!

 

[JrRifleCoach]

I located my V1 over my right shoulder off the halo of my C4 coupe.
Tapped the power from the drivers seat rail and routed the remote display on the dash tray.
Best part is when Smokey lights me up from behind, he doesn't see the display flash.

 

[BoDuke]

“Those who desire to give up freedom in order to gain security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one.”
Benjamin Franklin

...LOVE the quote!!

NRA Endowment Life Member here

 

[JrRifleCoach]

Back to topic; I forgot to mention that with the V1 mounted behind the driver, any activity on an iPhone will trigger a Laser Alert.
Not for the weak hearts...

 

[kpic]

If I lived in Virginia or drove there often. I would look into the BEL STi Magnum or the Escort Redline as their "TotalShield Technology" cannot be detected by radar detector detectors.

I have driven through Virginia, detected radar, and wasn't stopped.

 

[RadarRoy]

In VA police use a device called the Spectre to detect radar detectors, here is a good video explaining and showing how they work:

http://youtu.be/NCzc4-RShaU

If I lived in Virginia or drove there often. I would look into the BEL STi Magnum or the Escort Redline as their "TotalShield Technology" cannot be detected by radar detector detectors.

I have driven through Virginia, detected radar, and wasn't stopped.

 

[kpic]

Escort REDLiNE Radar Detector Review by Radar Roy<cite class="_Rm bc">Radar Roy's OFFICIAL Radar Detector Review site! › Reviews
</cite>
“REDLiNE is the world’s best, hands down, dash mounted Supercharged Extreme Long Range Radar Detector!”- Radar Roy 2012Escort REDLiNE Radar Detector Review: Updated – 06/3/2013

The Escort REDLiNE is the most sensitive long range radar detector on the road today! Its twin antenna design allows it to maximize performance by band and is completely stealth to all the radar detector devices used by law enforcement today.

If you are a professional driver or live in Virginia, Washington DC or other ..... how's the new bel sti magnum compare to the escort redline? Reply · .... The 9500ix can be detected by the Spectre, the Redline, STI, Magnum cannot be detected.

Stealth Design: Escort’s TotalShield Technology makes the REDLiNE completely stealth to all radar detector detectors including the Spectre. If you are a professional driver or live in Virginia, Washington DC or other Countries/Providences where radar detectors are illegal this detector is for you!

If you are the same Radar Roy, "Redline, STI, Magnum cannot be detected" so which is it?

 

[RadarRoy]

There are 4 Stealth detectors, the REDLine, the STI Magnum, the STiR Plus and the 9500ci

Stealth Radar Detectors

The advantage of the REDLiNE over the Magnum is it can be segmented: Radar Detector Band Segmentation Explained

Hope this helps...

If you are the same Radar Roy, "Redline, STI, Magnum cannot be detected" so which is it?