Yep - I was expecting that deserved response.... It went from being about 80% useless to about 90% useless.......... .. I rode in an 06 JCW a few weeks ago & I noticed it has 2 drivers side visors - now there's a little one above the side window that can be dropped down.. and I think that the visor was a different shape... but I was too busy hanging on to pay that much attention to it. Anyway, we're about to hijack this thread.......

 

Isnt that pointing UPWARD? Or is the angle of the pic bad?

 

It's at the same angle of the dash, yes very slightly upward - it's exagurated because I'm also parked on a hill.

 

(This is in response to the original post/photo from kaelaria.)
Two things about mounting the 8500 on the dash left of the steering wheel--how does the rear-pointing detector work? You need an unobstructed view through the rear window to detect the cop painting you from behind. Secondly, it pretty hard to get a good side reading from the left being so close to the A-pillar. Central location, a little forward allows for good 180deg. exposure ahead of the detector. I've detected radar from the side, even though the cop is not going to get a good reading that way. (The Valentine actually uses arrows to show the direction of the radar source.)

To mellow bernie: I simply carved a piece of softwood (being a woodworker that's my preferred material) to match the contours of the dash above the speedo, and flat on the top. I used heavy duty velcro from Walmart. The dash has enough texture that the velcro will stick, but is removable with patience, and left no residual. I can remove the detector from the mount to use in another car, and the mount from the dash if ever needed as both interfaces are velcro'd. I could even remove the velcro from the dash if needed (I used the loop part on that surface so that it would't catch any stray hairs if left exposed for long.)

To AZLarryB: My 05 has the side sun visor which you noticed on the 06 model--It is good for early morning and late afternoon side blasts, and merges with the front window visor when it is rotated 90deg. to the side. The passenger has a OMG handle instead of the side visor!

Hope that helps,
cheers,

 

99% of my use of the detector is on the highway, and rearward laser/side anything is unimportant. There are only a few speed traps a couple times a month at most where I drive during the week, and all that matters is forward vision. It detects cops on side streets for example sitting at an intersection, watching it go up in strength as he crosses in front of me, just fine. The value of detecting side radar is very minimal in the first place. When a trap is setup, or a cruiser is running active, they are in front of you or coming up behind you, not sitting to your sides.


It also picks up cruisers to my rear just FINE with radar. I've watched it for over a minute as he slowly cought up and passed me, way before I could even pick him out as a cop.

 

I have a Bel 965 and mounted it above the right half of the rearview mirror. It sits right between the ceiling and the top edge of the rearview. I used the suction cup mount, but took off the cups and used heavy-duty double-sided foam tape to sick the metal mounting bracket directly to the windshield. The 965 slides on and off the stock bracket with the push of a button, so the bracket (and hardwired power cord) stay there and the detector can go in the glove box when not in use.

The only problem I have is that the bracket isn't heavy duty enough and can tend to sag a little in time and the detector vibrates. Since the fit is pretty tight up there it's tough to get it sitting just right.

 

I currently have my V1 mounted to the middle of the windshield a few inches below the mirror for the best possible vision in all directions. I also currently have it running from the power port which of course has that beautiful cable hanging down. I have to figure out the best way to hardwire it so that i can still remove it whenever i park (theives and will get damaged if left in the sun) and without compromising its view in all directions.

Remember you also don't want it too high (i.e. above mirror) as then it will be slightly obstructed by the roof.

 

Thanks to all who have posted so far, many good suggestions. I agree I'll need to do some experimentation but am leaning towards mounting right under the mirror. I had a 3 hour trip this weekend and noticed that the detector did vibrate at times over rough pavement. This was a little annoying.

So, I think with an install right under the mirror I can try to figure out a way to somehow use the mirror to stabilize it. Thoughts here would be very helpful. I haven't even placed it there yet so I'm not sure how far the detector will extend past the mirror. I'm hoping it's far enough to be able to get to the detector's switches. If not, that could be a bit of a problem though to be honest I really didn't use the switches at all while on the trip this weekend.

I will definately be hardwiring it to the auto-dimming mirror. A cord hanging from there would drive me crazy. A quarter turn of the mirror pod reveals a switched powere source with ground. The wire could actually just protrude between the pod and headliner.

Again, thanks for the posts and if anyone has suggestions on using the mirror to stabilize they will be appreciated.

Mellow (Bernie)

 

Well, it doesn't look as if I'll be able to use the mirror to stabilize the detector. Placing the unit above the mirror doesn't exactly work since the detector isn't level (facing out the unit points downward slightly). With the slant of the windshield the unit is far from the mirror when placing it underneath to use the mirror as a stabilizer. In addition it will take some getting used to having the unit so much within field of vision.

Is there a benefit of having the unit smack up against the windshield versus having it mounted on the dash? I read the recommended installation instructions which says to have the unit touching the windshield but wasn't sure if this provided increased sensitivity.

Decisions, decisions.....! Could still use input on how you solved this dilemma.

Thanks,
Mellow

 

I listened to all of the intructions included with my passport. I have mine high on the windshield, in the middle, under the rearview. It bounces and occasionally falls off (big bumps), I have the cord running down to the lighter thing, I'm completely used to it, and the detector is free to detect as per its manufacturer's specs.

I would love to have the electrical know-how to hardwire it myself, but I don't. When struggling with this realization, I asked myself, "Why did I buy a radar detector?" I answered, "To detect radar." So I proceeded to place it in the best possible place according to the people I trust to know such things.

mb

 

I have an 8500 and have been OK with the suction cup mount below the center of the rear view mirror. I've grown tired of the hanging cord to the cigarette lighter so now ready to do the hardwire installation. I want to mount the remote just below the toggle bank w/ velcro.

Question is, where is the best place to wire in the 12v power that the relatively short leads can reach - aux wire color etc. in the area of the center console (hot only with key)? Should be easy enough to route wires up through the compartment under the toggle bank but I don't think the leads are long enough to reach the fuse block. I believe the actual lead to the 8500 can be routed easily along the A-pillar and above the headliner to get over to the rearview mirror mount.

 

I gave some thought about using the remote display direct wire but after reading the manual and saw that the unit will still provide audible warnings while in dark mode I decided to go with just the direct wire ($20 less as well). This way I can use the auto-dimming mirror wires for connection.

I saw mbcoops post about following the instructions, which I tend to agree with, but still would like to understand if mounting on the dash would cause the unit to be less sensitive.

 

Not that you'll find an actual test of it, but in real-world use, I say no, I have not seen any degredation to sesativity window to dash mount.

 

don't you think it is sitting too low?

 

Not at all. It works perfectly.

 

We're just trying to tell you it can work better if you would put it in the correct positioning.

But hey if thats what you want and think works go with it.....

 

Define 'better'. I had it up high, no noticeable difference whatsoever. I had it high in my other car for over a year. No noticeable differenece whatsoever.

I have driven the same roads to and from work for the past 6 years. I know the traps and routine signals backwards and blindfolded. Nothing has changed. I also get exceptional range on the freeway, as always.

I believe what is proven, not what people 'think'.

 

 

And just because you think its doing you better its proven????

There are many tests out there to PROVE that placement matters. Like i said if you are fine with that setup and don't want better range then fine.... :impatient

 

Because I use it every day, and have used my detecors every day for the past 10 years...yes it's proven - to ME. If you think moving it up makes an improvement, good for you, enjoy your detector near your roof.


I'm not saying anyone else has to do it this way - do whatever you like - I know what works and do as *I* like.

 

Oh and BTW - here's a neat little excerpt from radarbusters.com:


"Page 4 - Mount detector properly
The Number 1 Question Radar Roy receives from clients is how to properly mount their radar detector in their vehicle. Their are basically two types of electronic transmitting devices police can use to capture the speed of your vehicle, radar guns and laser guns.

Radar is the most common. Radar is basically a microwave radio signal. At 1000 feet, a radar beam shot from a police radar gun is approximately 85 feet wide. This radar beam can normally penetrate glass, plastic, cardboard and even your body. What radar has a problem penetrating are metals, including some window tints that have meatlized layers.

Laser is a light beam and is only 18" wide at 500 feet. Because the beam is so narrow, and because it light, the beam can be effected by virtually anything you put between the laser gun and the detector.

Don’t mount it high!
During the testing of the products reviewed on RadarBusters by Radar Roy and Speed Measurement Laboratories, the radar detector is always mounted in the manner the manufacture recommends in their manual, in the center of the windshield.

However you will see on this page, that mounting it in this manner will not allow it to receive laser alerts. A laser beam shot at 500 feet is only 18” wide when it hits your vehicle. Police target either the front license plate or the headlamps. If the radar detector is mounted in the center of the windshield, it will be too high to receive any of the “splatter” that may indicate you are being targeted by a police laser gun.

There are also several other problems with this method:

1.In most cases, mounting the radar detector in this position will place it in the center of the windshield. This can cause a visual obstruction while you are driving. In Minnesota, it is illegal to mount anything to your windshield that may obstruct your vision (169.71: No person shall drive or operate any motor vehicle with objects suspended between the driver and windshield)

2. Mounting a radar detector too high will cause you to take your eyes off the road when it is activated.

3. If left in your car while parked, you will be exposing it to thieves.

4. This position is also a dead give away for law enforcement that you have a countermeasure device. While Radar Roy was a traffic officer, it was common to pull behind a motorist who was speeding and see their radar detector mounted directly in the center of the windshield. Even though the use of a radar detector is legal in all states, with the exception of Virginia and Washington D.C., some officers don't appreciate their use. You will have a better chance of getting a break, if you make it less noticeable.

5. You will have other motorists following behind making you their trailblazer. If you then encounter an emergency situation and slam on your brakes, the vehicles following may slam into you.


Mount it Low!

Consider using Velcro to mount your detector on the dash or using the supplied windshield mounting brackets and mounting it low on the windshield. By mounting it this way, making sure that the windshield wipers are not blocking the front, you will draw the least amount of attention and obtain the best laser and radar detection.

Ensure that the controls are accessible

Make sure that you can easily reach the volume and mode controls (highway, city and mute) on your detector. For models that have “Smart Cords”, such as the Beltronics RX65 and the Escort 8500, get in the habit of muting your system with the button on the cord, rather than the detector, if it is easier to reach. For those models without automute, you MUST have easy access to the controls if you want to keep the detector from screaming at you for an extended period of time. "

 

Valentine One, mounted high to the left of rear view mirror. It has unobstructed front and rear view and wired to the clock with a 10" phone cable. I can still reach it while strapped down in the Schroth. It is protected from the sun by a 50% 8" windshield tint strip. This strip also hides it from outside view and cops can't see it when they walk up either...that's my theory and I'm sticking to it :smile:

 

mount it where i mount it. that is the most ideal location for a radar
detector.

 

I just want a detector that uses the whole body as a receiver, and then uses the windshield HUD to show me an overlay image of the cop

 

this is exactly where I mounted my P-port 8500. velcro , which enables me to get it off the dash and into a pocket if bagged. someone already pointed out that the presence of a radar detecter is viewed by most cops as a reason NOT to cut you some slack.When I was lasered to death, and the statie had just issued me a $305 ticket , he started walking away but at the last moment noticed my detector down in the passenger seat footwell where I had thrown it. "so, did that thing go off?" "no as a matter of fact it didn't" " Have a NICE day" :impatient


the stupid white thing is my easy pass.invisible from the driver's perspective.