Hi folks,

Sorry if this is an old topic.... Tried the "Search" function and it was useless. No hits on "Valentine", "Valentine Radar Detector" or "V1". Perhaps I'm not using it correctly.....

Anyway, does anyone have a pic of a V1 installation in a MINI? Having just rec'd my first MINI speeding ticket yesterday courtesy of the Ohio State Police..... my purchase of a V1 is overdue.

Thanks,

Satchmo

 

There is an old post out there somewhere, but IMO the easiest install is to use the visor clip, but attach it to the front edge of the headliner, inboard of the visor. Mine is on the passenger side, but that's up to you. I ran the power cord (just a telephone cord from Radio Shack) over to the driver's A-pillar and down - there's a recent thread for this. It is necessary to loosen the headliner for all of the install: Twist the clock off (I think counterclockwise, but don't remember); then you'll find a largea large pot metal fastener, this can be removed with a large phillips head driver. The headliner is now loose enough to install the visor clip and route the wire. Be careful not to crimp or crease the headliner, it is thin and brittle. After reassembling everything, I cut out some foam from the V1 packaging to shim the detector assembly level. During use, it does slide around a bit - especially on roads like the Dragon, but has generally worked fine. Just watch out for Laser, IMO that warning just tells you to pull over for your ticket !

 

Another option is to mount it to the rear drop-down shelf (in the hatch) adapting the visor clip. I then mounted the V1 remote on the steering column (in front of the tach). You can still easily move it from car to car and no one can see it in the car (assuming tinted windows).

 

Unfortunately, the Ohio troopers use almost exclusively lasers. The only thing an expensive laser detector is going to tell you is that you just got caught.

 

I prefer removing my V1 from view (of theives) when I park, therefore I just use the suction cup holder, mounted below the rear view mirror, and plug into the lighter. Narry a ticket in four years of use, and I drive where the Ohio State Highway Patrol is on the look out too.

 

I hardwired mine to the clock and suction cupped it near the rear view mirror (looks neat and clean and it is the strongest suction cup mount Ive ever seen) Unfortunatley it is useless against instant on as I found out to the tune of $300.