Has anyone done anything interesting to mount your radar detector? (Don't tell me you're running around "naked".) I greatly dislike just using a suction cup to the windshield - they're too obvious and often fall in direct sunlight.

I have found better ways to mount in my last two cars and hardwired so the cable was hidden. So far I can't seem to find a place or way to install were it is effective yet unobtrusive.

Any ideas?

A tough question it appears! No other responses yet either. I do not know the 2006 M35/45 interior so I am not sure what to recommend exactly.

Personally, I use the Valentine 1 with suction cups and the Valentine remote display. I do not mount the suction cups at the recommended height (near the top) because of the cable that I use (the coiled retractable one.) It has served me well to have it just above the dash, in the middle of the car (with visibility to the back, between the seats, for the rear radar/laser detectors.)

At night, the unit is still "invisible" because of the remote display containing the LED's, etc., which I use at the cigarette lighter power jack. I wanted to mount it above the steering column, with more hidden wiring, but since I move it from car to car, that was impractical.

The dual suction cups work well for me because the Valentine has a simple release bar that is easy to use. It just disengages the two cups in an instant and makes it easy to put it away when I park the car. Yes, it gets direct sunlight when driving, but it does not get too hot, but it never sits on the dash in a parked car in my case!

Hope this helps, although it does not directly answer your question.

Z

ok- how about people just post if they own a radar detector?? My last two cars had detectors hardwired - once I figure something out I'll post it.

I have a Valentine One that I use in two vehicles. Both vehicles are hard wired and have a suction cup mount on the windshield. This means that when I transfer the V-1 between vehicles, I just unplug the power connector from the V1 and slide it from the mount, then slide it into the mount in the other vehicle and plug the power cord in. The cost of the extra hard wire kit and suction cup mount is miniscule when compared to the cost of a second V1.

I have the suction mount on the M45 centered left to right and mounted low, just above the dash and yet able to get a look out the back window between the front seats. The power cord runs along the base of the windshield, in the gap between the glass and the dash, then down the left side of the dash below the A-pillar then under the dash to the power source and ground. There is enough of a gap at the left edge of the dash assembly to stuff the power wire and get it out of sight.

On my truck, I have the V1 mountred high, just below the rear view mirror. I have the power cord attached to the rear view mirror mont with a black zip tie, and then it gets tucked under the edge of the headliner where it travels over to the driver's A-Pillar. It then runs down the A-Pillar behind the trim piece then down the side of the dash as in the M45.

Both wiring jobs are convenient and sanitary, and took little effort to accomplish. The V1 comes on when the key is turned to the on position. I've never had any trouble with either suction mount coming loose - ever. And this is with the V1 behind slid in and out of each mount on a regular basis. Also, the truck is outside and exposed to the sun. The only problem is when removing the V1 from the truck when it's been in the hot sun for a while. Hot Potato!

BTW, my Valentine is one of the origninal models, over 10 years old. If it was stolen or otherwise took a dump, I'd be on the phone to Valentine in an instant and have a replacement overnighted. I'm a very satisfied V1 customer. Wouldn't own anything else.

bb-m35 wrote:ok- how about people just post if they own a radar detector?? My last two cars had detectors hardwired - once I figure something out I'll post it.

Z's just trying to help.

Ive owned them, but not yet in this car. Im heading out this weekend to take a look. Let us know if you find/install one.

One thing is for sure...I need one.... I keep looking down and im doing 80!
Modified by TXSJaybird at 12:50 PM 8/15/2005

I'm sure he just wanted more replies. I've done what Russ did on both my Q and my truck. Hardwired with the wire running out from the headliner. The detector is above the mirror, almost too high up. I've had my V1 for 6 years now. About time I buy a newer one, and then I can keep 1 in both cars.

yeah, Z's response was good - just figured with all this horsepower flying around more poeple would have them.

I have a Beltronics - model 965 (I think). In my Bimmer I made a bracket that fit up underneath material lining the top of the interior near the windshield. And then ran a wire from there. You could take it out but it was basically permanent. It was high and hidden behind the rearview mirror. Hard to see but good line of site front and back.

The bracket won't work in M.

Use an Escort 8500x50 (blue). Mount above driver's side of mirror on all cars, which isn't so good for laser from the rear, but great for view ahead. Haven't done the hard wire thing yet. Down on the to do list for now as it works superlatively in stock portable form, just has the cord going to the ashtray, of which I am not too fond.

russg wrote:BTW, my Valentine is one of the origninal models, over 10 years old. If it was stolen or otherwise took a dump, I'd be on the phone to Valentine in an instant and have a replacement overnighted. I'm a very satisfied V1 customer. Wouldn't own anything else.

Russ, you may want to consider upgrading it! One of the nice things about Valentine (unlike other vendors) is that they offer an upgrade/replacement program that gets you some nice new features. Less cost than a whole unit, of course.

Basically, it is now a smaller unit (in height), with upgraded software and a new laser sensor. I did this some years ago and it made a bit of a difference in the laser performance - much less falsing since the new laser sensor is much improved.

Also, the latest gen model (which I do not have ... did not want to upgrade yet again so quickly) includes the ability to detect 2-band POP.

Z

Z:

I had to disable the laser detection on my V1 due to it giving false positives triggered by the laser-based cruise control on my M. Does your M have the laser-based cruise, and if so, are you saying that you can have the laser detection enabled on your updraded unit without false positives? I got nailed earlier this year by a motorcycle unit with a hand-held laser. I don't really think the V1 would have saved me though, even if I had the laser detection enabled. Laser is just plain wicked. No spillover or stray beams from the cop shooting the other guy like radar. By the time the V1 barks from a laser hit, the cop has already got a fix on you.

I had the firmware in my V1 upgraded some years ago when I sent it in to have one of the directional indicator bulbs replaced (at no charge!). It's still a long way from current, and still has still has the larger case. Let me know about your V1 experience with the laser cruise control if you have it.Russ

Interesting. Only thing I false on for no known reason is POP. Never false on laser.

maxnix wrote:Interesting. Only thing I false on for no known reason is POP. Never false on laser.

Was never a problem for me either until I installed it in the M45 with the laser-based cruise. The laser from the cruise would constantly bounce back off the vehicle in front of me (exactly as it's supposed to do) and the V1 would read it as a laser speed sensing device. I called it in to Valentine and they were aware of the problem, and said the only solution was to turn off the laser detection feature in the unit, which is done with software commands using the button on the front of the unit. This was two years ago. Maybe they've come up with a better solution since then.

I'm unfamiliar with the POP term. Could you explain it to me?

It's the instant on burst radar, not meant to be used for true speed measurement. Most radars don't see it. V1 just upgraded to it in version 9(?) or so of their upgrades. The interesting thing is while Escort had it first and made a big deal about it, they ship with it turned off.

Don't have the laser cruise control, but I could see how reflection off the rear license plate could trigger it if too close (100ft., maybe?). They should have used a different frequency, but that would have cost more money, and lower near infra red frequencies penetrate the atmosphere better.

maxnix wrote:Don't have the laser cruise control, but I could see how reflection off the rear license plate could trigger it if too close (100ft., maybe?). They should have used a different frequency, but that would have cost more money, and lower near infra red frequencies penetrate the atmosphere better.

Interesting comment about the infra red. I would also occasionaly get false positives from the laser detector when close to a red neon sign and when close behind certain brake lights (GM Trailblazer/Equinox would almost always do it).

russg wrote:Interesting comment about the infra red. I would also occasionaly get false positives from the laser detector when close to a red neon sign and when close behind certain brake lights (GM Trailblazer/Equinox would almost always do it).

Yup! I have that happen too. Much reduced with the new laser sensor in the model I have now, but not totally eliminated.

Here in the Bay Area, a common falsing is on 101North on the way to SFO airport - they have one of those large neon, Far-Eastern style, electronic billboards. It falses, but is much better with the new laser sensor.

Z

Hi, Russ.

russg wrote:I got nailed earlier this year by a motorcycle unit with a hand-held laser. I don't really think the V1 would have saved me though, even if I had the laser detection enabled. Laser is just plain wicked. No spillover or stray beams from the cop shooting the other guy like radar. By the time the V1 barks from a laser hit, the cop has already got a fix on you.

My own experience with such a ticket was my own dang fault. I did get the laser warning when they triggered it on a car ahead of me, but I didn't think it through - too sleepy in the morning. I stopped at a red light and got excited about racing a BMW 6 series next to me. I beat him, but lost to the cop just down the road!

russg wrote:I had the firmware in my V1 upgraded some years ago when I sent it in to have one of the directional indicator bulbs replaced (at no charge!). It's still a long way from current, and still has still has the larger case. Let me know about your V1 experience with the laser cruise control if you have it.Russ

Unfortunately, I do not have the laser cruise control on my M, so cannot answer whether it would work well with that!

Z

This thread looks old but just in case.....

Try a cordless model for a cleaner look. I've been using cordless for 10 years and it's been great. My unit uses 4 AA batteries and I use rechargables that need recharging after around 10-20 hours of use.

Check out these at Crutchfield. http://www.crutchfield.com/S-E...g=700

I can't debate the quality of these newer cordless units but they're the way to go for a clean look inside.

A good suggestion ... for certain conditions, though!

I used to have an early Passport cordless and it was very nice indeed. I used it on business trip rentals a lot - very convenient and also easy to remove in a hurry (if you needed to ).

The only problem was that it had reduced radar sensitivity compared to the corded ones. I believe that this is still true today (have seen test results that imply this too.)

So, if you do get a cordless, the use should be in reasonably urban areas or dense enough traffic that you get early warnings and/or the cop can't pick you out.

Z

I was thinking about getting a Valentine One and mounting it high on the windshield slightly to the left of the rearview mirror, hard wiring it into the overhead console where the map lights are located, attaching the concealed display unit and putting that someplace else in the car. I thought about putting the concealed display unit inside the sunglasses holder and modifying the sunglass holder so that it only drops down enough to reveal the unit but having it up that high kind of defeats the purpose of it. I need to find someplace else that makes sense. In case anyone hasn't seen the concealed display unit for the Valentine, here is a link to it on Valentine's website.

https://store.valentine1.com/s...0.htm

Have just bought car and like all others I have done I plan to clip detector to visor and run wire under front left roof column cover down to fuse box on left where I hard wire to 15 amp fuse. Seems obvious, am I missing something?

Sam K wrote:I was thinking about getting a Valentine One and mounting it high on the windshield slightly to the left of the rearview mirror, hard wiring it into the overhead console where the map lights are located, attaching the concealed display unit and putting that someplace else in the car. I thought about putting the concealed display unit inside the sunglasses holder and modifying the sunglass holder so that it only drops down enough to reveal the unit but having it up that high kind of defeats the purpose of it. I need to find someplace else that makes sense. In case anyone hasn't seen the concealed display unit for the Valentine, here is a link to it on Valentine's website.

https://store.valentine1.com/s...0.htm

I have the remote display on mine, and it is wonderful!

I use it at the cigarette lighter location (detector is not hard-wired in, so I can transfer the detector from car to car) with the rubber mounts on the display. The Valentine glass mount is the best of its kind - easily mounted and easily removed!

At night, the lack of lights at the windshield level is much nicer and safer.

Z

NYCm35xblack wrote:Have just bought car and like all others I have done I plan to clip detector to visor and run wire under front left roof column cover down to fuse box on left where I hard wire to 15 amp fuse. Seems obvious, am I missing something?

Welcome to NICO!

What are going to do should work out fine, I would think!

Please post pictures of your car when you get a chance. And vote in our car type poll: zerothread?id=145379 if you have not already done so!

Thanks,

Z

Hi,

I've mounted my radar detector more towards the lower half of my M35x's window. My only complaint is that the cigarette lighter socket is more distant than my sold G35x and is stretching the coil cord a bit more. The wire slighlty touches to the right of the the manual board buttons a bit.

Alan Russell

Can you guys post some pics of your setup??? That would be much appreciated for everyone here.

Also, how happy is everyone with their V1? I'm thinking of getting one.

ttsupra26 wrote:Also, how happy is everyone with their V1? I'm thinking of getting one.

I absolutely love mine! It is the among the best, if not the best, radar detector on the market, although there are people who like the high-end Escort and Bel units. The remote display is useful and the direction of the threat arrows is indispensible (you have to try it to appreciate what it does!)

My V1 has saved me on many occasions and has easily paid for itself many times over. I also like their upgrade program (to get the latest technology updates) at reduced cost, etc. I have been considering getting the latest POP radar update, but have not done so yet.

Z

Here are the results of an interesting test:

http://www.guysoflidar.com/sho....html

Z

NYCm35xblack wrote:Have just bought car and like all others I have done I plan to clip detector to visor and run wire under front left roof column cover down to fuse box on left where I hard wire to 15 amp fuse. Seems obvious, am I missing something?

What happens when you want to use the visor?

I run the power cord from the fuseblock, immediately to the left of the dash asembly, then forward to the junction of the bottom edge of the winshield and the forward edge of the dash. From there, I run the wire half way across the dash, shoving the wire into the crevice at the windshield/dash junction. Then the wires comes out and is visible going to the V1, which is mounted dead center, just above the dash. Pics in my gallery.