Hooking up a radar detector

[sroyj]

A little thing, but I was pretty happy with it and thought I'd share. After getting the M37, I was quick to just plug in the radar detector with the wire hanging down across the dash. I really didn't like that. I tried some searching around for options but didn't find anything I liked. Yesterday I had some time to dig into what's located at the rearview mirror. I found accessory power there and in a matter of minutes was able to tap into that and mounted the detector right under the mirror. This is a great spot for the detector and hookup couldn't have been easier.

[Ilya]

Nice! I have to get a detector one of these days (I'm thinking the V1, although I hear it has some stiff competition these days).

That being said, you mind providing some information in this thread such as:

1) What wire did you tap?
2) Any other installation information

I'll add this to the FAQ if you can add the necessary info for someone searching Google to do this.

[wideopn11]

Nicely done, VA sucks. I need super stealth installation.

[Ilya]

VA? Or did you mean V1? I thought it was hands down the best detector money could buy for like 15 years straight?

BTW, speaking of VA, it does suck. They banned detectors, if you get caught with one they take it. Hate driving through that state.

[sroyj]

There are 2 plastic covers. The first one is closest to the headliner. It simply pulls straight down. The second one is behind the mirror and pulls straight away from the windshield. With those off you'll see a plug going to the mirror with 3 wires. Black is ground, red is accessory 12V and green is constant 12V. With an Escort it was red to red and black to the green on the Escort cable. That's it. I tapped into the wires, popped the covers back on. Done.

[DoN_BLaZe34]

VA? Or did you mean V1? I thought it was hands down the best detector money could buy for like 15 years straight?

BTW, speaking of VA, it does suck. They banned detectors, if you get caught with one they take it. Hate driving through that state.

Think he meant VA

OP welcome to the forum and job well done!

[Ilya]

There are 2 plastic covers. The first one is closest to the headliner. It simply pulls straight down. The second one is behind the mirror and pulls straight away from the windshield. With those off you'll see a plug going to the mirror with 3 wires. Black is ground, red is accessory 12V and green is constant 12V. With an Escort it was red to red and black to the green on the Escort cable. That's it. I tapped into the wires, popped the covers back on. Done.

I wonder if it'll be the same for cars with LDW, etc.

[sroyj]

VA? Or did you mean V1? I thought it was hands down the best detector money could buy for like 15 years straight?

BTW, speaking of VA, it does suck. They banned detectors, if you get caught with one they take it. Hate driving through that state.

Think he meant VA

OP welcome to the forum and job well done!

Thanks Don.

[sroyj]

There are 2 plastic covers. The first one is closest to the headliner. It simply pulls straight down. The second one is behind the mirror and pulls straight away from the windshield. With those off you'll see a plug going to the mirror with 3 wires. Black is ground, red is accessory 12V and green is constant 12V. With an Escort it was red to red and black to the green on the Escort cable. That's it. I tapped into the wires, popped the covers back on. Done.

I wonder if it'll be the same for cars with LDW, etc.

Good question. I don't know though. Maybe someone else will chime in with an answer.

[DoN_BLaZe34]

I highly doubt it's any different, but don't know for sure.

[Mjkkb2]

There are 2 plastic covers. The first one is closest to the headliner. It simply pulls straight down. The second one is behind the mirror and pulls straight away from the windshield. With those off you'll see a plug going to the mirror with 3 wires. Black is ground, red is accessory 12V and green is constant 12V. With an Escort it was red to red and black to the green on the Escort cable. That's it. I tapped into the wires, popped the covers back on. Done.

you sure you don't have the black and green backwards ( in your description)? Seems like a more common set up.

[sroyj]

Yes, I'm sure. That said, I would still encourage anyone doing this to confirm it for themselves.

[Mjkkb2]

Ok, thanks for confirming. I may look into hooking up my dvr there.

[sroyj]

Ok, thanks for confirming. I may look into hooking up my dvr there.

Good luck. Keep an eye on the current. There may not be a lot to spare there.

[wideopn11]

VA? Or did you mean V1? I thought it was hands down the best detector money could buy for like 15 years straight?

BTW, speaking of VA, it does suck. They banned detectors, if you get caught with one they take it. Hate driving through that state.

Yeah I meant VA=Virginia sucks. I used to have a stealth install on my RX7, front and rear sensors hidden in the taillight covers and and under the front bumper. The read out in the cabin was behind the ashtray door. Saved me several times.

[SmoovC]

There is also an easily accessible "IGN only" wire under the driver's dash at the firewall. It is a 12 gauge wire, and is blue in color.

[securityguy]

You cannot take RED to RED and BLACK to GREEN as described above. RED to RED and BLACK to BLACK is the only way this will work. You stated RED was ACC Power and GREEN was constant 12VDC. Two POSITIVE connections will not work. I honestly think he meant to say what I just stated and got his colors mixed up.

[sroyj]

You cannot take RED to RED and BLACK to GREEN as described above. RED to RED and BLACK to BLACK is the only way this will work. You stated RED was ACC Power and GREEN was constant 12VDC. Two POSITIVE connections will not work. I honestly think he meant to say what I just stated and got his colors mixed up.

What I was trying to say, maybe it wasn't clear, was the red on the car to the red on the escort cable, and black on the car to the green on the escort cable. Does that clarify?

[RadarRoy]

The V1 has long lost it's glory of being the best detector, today Escort's line is much superior with GPS, stealth, internal bluetooth.

BTW, VA banned detectors a long time ago, and they use a device called the Spectre to detect them and it's why you need a stealth detector like the Redline to defeat them.

If you have any questions about detectors or jammers let me know, be glad to help

I have a video here on how the Spectre works: http://youtu.be/NCzc4-RShaU

VA? Or did you mean V1? I thought it was hands down the best detector money could buy for like 15 years straight?

BTW, speaking of VA, it does suck. They banned detectors, if you get caught with one they take it. Hate driving through that state.

Think he meant VA

OP welcome to the forum and job well done!

[Ilya]

The V1 has long lost it's glory of being the best detector, today Escort's line is much superior with GPS, stealth, internal bluetooth.

BTW, VA banned detectors a long time ago, and they use a device called the Spectre to detect them and it's why you need a stealth detector like the Redline to defeat them.

If you have any questions about detectors or jammers let me know, be glad to help

I have a video here on how the Spectre works: http://youtu.be/NCzc4-RShaU

Thanks Roy. I've been reading more and more about the Escorts (I think the newest best one is called the Max?) and have been conflicted.

[sroyj]

The V1 has long lost it's glory of being the best detector, today Escort's line is much superior with GPS, stealth, internal bluetooth.

BTW, VA banned detectors a long time ago, and they use a device called the Spectre to detect them and it's why you need a stealth detector like the Redline to defeat them.

If you have any questions about detectors or jammers let me know, be glad to help

I have a video here on how the Spectre works: http://youtu.be/NCzc4-RShaU

Thanks Roy. I've been reading more and more about the Escorts (I think the newest best one is called the Max?) and have been conflicted.

I've had the Max for about 6 months now. I love it. My PASSPORT 8500 X50 served me very well for about 12 years, so I didn't hesitate to get another Escort. I don't know the Valentines, so I can't compare them. I do love the GPS functionality of the Max; sensitivity automatically does up and down with your speed. It will automatically learn where all the false signals are and learn to ignore them. Pretty cool.

[Ilya]

Yeah it does seem quite nice. The new Max 2 is likely the one I'll get.

[NoTalentLoser]

There are plans on the internet detailing build instructions and parts needed, but has anyone here ever been brave/bold/stupid (?) enough to use an active radar jammer (e.g., the old Scorpion)? The "renegade" half of my brain wants to buy the circuitry components and follow one of the plans available online to build one... ya know, just to see if it works.

[RadarRoy]

Escort stopped production of the Max 2 months ago and replaced it with the http://www.radarbusters.com/Passport-Ma ... t-max2.htm

The main difference is that the Max2 has an internal bluetooth chip set that enables you to get real time alerts from other Escort detectors in your area. Real neat feature.

The V1 has long lost it's glory of being the best detector, today Escort's line is much superior with GPS, stealth, internal bluetooth.

BTW, VA banned detectors a long time ago, and they use a device called the Spectre to detect them and it's why you need a stealth detector like the Redline to defeat them.

If you have any questions about detectors or jammers let me know, be glad to help

I have a video here on how the Spectre works: http://youtu.be/NCzc4-RShaU

Thanks Roy. I've been reading more and more about the Escorts (I think the newest best one is called the Max?) and have been conflicted.

[RadarRoy]

The biggest problem with the old Scorpion is that it jammed only X and K band, not Ka band

Then there was also the problem of having to send it back every couple months to be re-calibrated.

They ended up getting shut down by the FCC think it was around 1996

There are plans on the internet detailing build instructions and parts needed, but has anyone here ever been brave/bold/stupid (?) enough to use an active radar jammer (e.g., the old Scorpion)? The "renegade" half of my brain wants to buy the circuitry components and follow one of the plans available online to build one... ya know, just to see if it works.

[Ilya]

You meant to say they stopped production on the Max for the Max 2, not stopped production on the Max 2 for the Max 2...right?

[Larz]

I think we read that wrong, Ilya. He meant: They stopped production of the Max .... 2 months ago .... to replace it with the new Max 2 model.

[Ilya]

Even funnier . Thanks.

[NoTalentLoser]

That's interesting to hear, RadarRoy. From what I've read, the online "blueprints" for the newer jammer (I.e., the one you have to build yourself in a DIY fashion) indicate that the device should jam not only X and K band radar, but Ka band radar as well. The only issue seems to be that the transmission, which have to be purchased separately and are required for the jammer to work, apparently cost $300 - $400 each.

The biggest problem with the old Scorpion is that it jammed only X and K band, not Ka band

Then there was also the problem of having to send it back every couple months to be re-calibrated.

They ended up getting shut down by the FCC think it was around 1996

There are plans on the internet detailing build instructions and parts needed, but has anyone here ever been brave/bold/stupid (?) enough to use an active radar jammer (e.g., the old Scorpion)? The "renegade" half of my brain wants to buy the circuitry components and follow one of the plans available online to build one... ya know, just to see if it works.

[spoons22]

Has anyone direct wired their radar detector to their fuse box using an add-a-circuit? Thinking this is the route I'm going to go and was just wondering what others people experience was like doing it. Looking at the fuse box Im either tapping into the cigar lighter or audio/mirror fuse.