If I remember correctly when I placed the RX65 high to the left of the mirror it was pointing to the left due to windshield curvature. Does this pose a detection problem or is it insignificant?

 

Not to a significant degree if it's mounted right next to the mirror which is close enough to center. True, it will be aimed slightly to the left but that's good...that's where the cops are most of the time anyway. Besides, the large window of reception from the front of a Valentine make this small angle negligible:smile:

 

Another questions is in regards to tinting. I'll be having this done soon and have done some reading on the new ceramic tinting. Are there any pros to going with ceramic over other types?

I'll be having the top 5" of the windshield tinted and wanted to make sure some tints won't affect the detection ability of the unit.

 

My detector instructions (Bel V965) specifically state that the tinting can specifically degrade the laser detection performance. They mention this in reference to tinting at the top of the windshield and say that if you have this to place it below the tint.

 

...degraded from, "Oh *****...too late!" to "Oh *****...too late!"

 

No kidding. I actually have mine above the rear view mirror and I'm not certain that it really has good "sight" out the back as far as laser is concerned.

That said, I can't say that knowing I've already been busted is really that useful.

Otherwise, I'm very happy with the placement and performanve of my radar detector. It may not be a V1 or 8500, but the V965 works really well, in my opinion.

 

Nice job! I was actually thinking of doing the very same thing--although the mount I was thinking about was a bit more involved. How does the V1 intersect the mirror? That is--did you modify the mirror mount in any way?

I considered cutting it up to insert the V1 through---figured I would have to reroute how the mirror was fixed.

Great idea on using the gaugepod for the remote!

I currently have my V1 velcroed to the roof. I found that velcro straps on the V1 stick great to the fuzzy roof liner. Mine is mounted behind and alongside the right of the mirror. It's not noticable outside the car, and its partially blocked from view should an officer peer inside--yet still has good line of sight from and back. I'll take some pix and post them later.

 

But its angled up which "they say" is not desireable. BUT if upon usage it works good for you then who cares "what they say".

 

It is not angled up any more than the typical droop of a windshield mount, in fact less than most I see.

 

OctaneGuy - see my post #16 in this thread. It may answer your questions about how I installed my V1 mount. If you have any questions after that let me know in this thread or send me a PM.

Larry

 

I prefer my V1 to be mounted around 4 inches above the dash with the suction mount. I do not have the auto climate control, so where the sensor normally is located in the top of the dash I have a round plug. I use the lighter socket as the power source, using the plug in adapter. If you remove the glove box, you can route the power cable up through the trim panel below the switch panel to the round plug which I drilled a hole in just large enough to pass the V1 phone connector through. The advantage of this for me is that you have a very short and direct cable run to the V1. When I am not using the V1, the cable can be pushed back flush into the dash. Low tech but effective.

 

Ok, the installation is complete.

I ended up placing the detector just left of the mirror as high on the windshield as I could go. The detector is just about touching the mirror. I'll be getting my MINI tinted soon (35% legal all around) and will be having a 5" strip installed on the windshield. Thought this would sorta hide the unit from the front.

I used the green (switched 12V) wire for the auto-dimming mirror and grounded to the bracket, on the mirror pod, that attaches to the bracket on the roof. I coiled all the wired and placed it in the headliner just in case I wanted to relocate the detector.

Works great! Thanks for all the suggestions.

Now to figure out what the next mod will be.

Mellow

 

That's exactly how I did mine...should work perfect for you

 

If the windhsield header has any metallic content and is in front of the detector, your sensitivity will be greatly reduced.

 

petecrosby,

I've already discussed this with the installer. There is 0% metallic content in the film they use. His company doesn't use metallic film due to GPS and cell phone interferance.

 

 

A couple of people have asked me how I did the "V1 gauge"... I posted a separate new post with that info.....

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=67089

 

This thread seems to have died out.

Does anyone else have some pics of their radar detector placement that they'd like to share? Please!

I live in VA, where they now have that ridiculous $3,5000 speeding ticket fine. I could've cared less about having a detector, especially with them being illegal in VA. I've decided that the $100 fine for having the detector is cheaper if I'm ever enjoying my music just a bite too much and creeping over the speed limit. I really don't speed to speed, but I'll be the one they pull due to the sporty looking car I'm sure.

So what have other's come up with on placement? Show me some pics.

 

Check my gallery. (I don't remember if I posted here already, but I'm too lazy to check). "Relocated V1" and "Relocated V1 Remote" pictures (page 3, I think).

 

Thanks!

Just viewed them. Hope you don't mind, I emailed the pics to my DH's email so that he gets the idea also. We've been round and round about this. He has his detector on the lower center windshield of his GT500. It's in plain view. The wire is tucked in, but the detector just screams for attention. I want something with a lot less... here I'm am effect.

 

I don't mind. The high position, I feel, is particularly important in a MINI. Plus, you can hardly see it looking in the windshield and is unnoticeable from a ticket-writing cop's vantage, either at your side window or in his car. Also, that roof liner holds Velcro like you wouldn't believe!

 

Um...

Stoped in the DH's Shelby GT500 a few weekends back for no front plate. Hubby HAD (notice that past tense HAD) an issue with the front plate until the wifey got the ticket. Front plate installed now. That officer was on horseback and didn't dismount while writing the ticket. She might not have noticed a detector unless it was viewable through the windshield. But I notice most officers giving the hard core, break their neck, eye ball searches most of the time.

I'm looking for something to place like yours, but that I can take down while driving our beach front stripe area. That's just asking for the ticket.

 

My V1 is up over the mirror also, with remote velcro'd to the top of the steering column (with curly cord going to it from the parcel shelf), and the V1 remote audio control stuck to the top of the parcel shelf in front of my right knee. So I can easily pull off the remote and toss it down there on the shelf. And reach in front of my knee and turn it off altogether.

I have my V1 headunit wrapped in a sheet of black felt from the craft store - only the "windows" are exposed front and rear - there are no lights, *****, etc. visible on it. It doesn't "look" like a radar detector.

The only laser alerts I ever get are falses from certain cars with LED taillights, etc... and the odds of it saving your bacon from laser are pretty slim, anyway... so I'm thinking about wrapping the whole thing, windows and all - so it will just be a black felt covered brick stuck up there...

Don't live in VA - but do pass through...

 

Well, it's held up with Velcro, so it can be moved any time.

 

While it's true that when they get you with laser, they get you, I have found from experience that if you slow down (without hitting the brakes) as soon as you are hit, you don't get nabbed. At least, that has been my experience.