I may be in danger of repeating a previous post, but I searched and didn’t find anything.

The best approach by far for a radar detector is doing a hidden install e.g. of the Valentine One. Until now BMWs were really lucky, as they can get radar warnings on the engine control display. But wait - not any longer.

BMW – Mini, see some similarities? A little while ago I put a bug into the ear of Eric Jaric at StealthOne. But guess what. They now have an install for the Mini. Basically, you buy a Valentine One radar detector and the StealthOne kit, install it hidden, do the wiring and the radar warnings will show up on your Navigation screen. How cool is that?

For more details check: http://www.jaricdesign.com/ and http://www.jaricdesign.com/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=20

I just hope he will have a kit for non navi systems. Keep bugging him!

 

I have it and all I can say is it rocks!

My favourite features:
1) The unused middle left button is used to mute the warnings
2) No need to acknowledge the Nav lawyer nag screen!

 

Awesome! And it's only $239?? Hmmm, I want it. Now how are you mounting the V1? Most people mount it up behind the rear view mirror or I've seen mounted on the rear storage lid covered by a baseball cap.

I'm still looking for the ideal place. To me, it seems like a modification to the alarm sensor box--like a bracket or clear box that gives a direct forward and rear view would be cool.

Hmm do you still get alerts and warning if you switch the nav to map display?

 

This is the best most effective i've seen. It has front and rear detectors. Front goes under bumper rear attaches to licence plate. small screen in car 5"x1"x.5" deep. It has a add on to shift(jam) radar. It works great. But its expensive.

http://www.escortstore.com/sr7.htm

 

I haven't really had time to play with the perfect V1 mounting location yet. Mine is still on the pax side visor.

I tried the alarm sensor box location, but the nav screen drove V1's laser detection crazy. You will be fine if you turn off laser detection though, but you do loser laser detection capability. If you do go with the alarm sensor box location, you can tap into the i-bus at CD changer wiring.

My Nav is always on the split map display. When a warning is received, the map is replaced by the warning screen. It returns to the map screen after a few seconds. The right side still displays your location or guidance instruction.

 

Thanks for the info on that. I no longer have my V1, but I've constantly thought about buying one again. Since I've got the nav too, I can see how I'd have the same problem as you. My fantasy location is hidden inside a roof scoop (locked from the inside and attached via suction or magnet) that allowed free passage forward and rearward--with the power cord dropping in from the sun roof. Might look a little hokey, but it was something I envisioned long ago.

 

I have been usingthe K-40 system for 33,000 radar or laser ticket free speeding miles so far and hope to continue doing so.They actuallyoffer to pay anyofthose type oftickets the first yearbut I never had to take them up on it tho i tried many times The lights and built in spekers were installed below and in the toggle switch area. The lower red on the left is the front detector, the red to the right is teh rear and the green led in the middle shows if the system is on. There is one red one not lit in this photo over the green middle one which shows when the laser diffuser ( jammer ) is in operation. when you turn it on it does a self test that is really something to see and hear, i call it my" threat warning system " .

Randy
Team M7

www.M7tuning.com

 

Has anybody else done this? I'm looking for more feedback on doing this. I have a late build 05 and want to make sure there isn't any issues before I spend the money.

 

Since you just dropped a bundle on parts, in the 2 weeks you've had the car, plus all that money to fix the damage...

 

Well I got another V1, and I've been working on doing a permanent install. Criteria is that is must not be visible, and shouldn't cut down too much on range, needs to be mounted high.

I've considered:

1.) Alarm Motion Sensor box (disabling radar on V1).
With some Dremeling, it should be feeasible. There is enough room there to get it mounted.

2.) In front of Sunroof--above the controls. There is room, and I'm considering cutting a hole out so that my V1 will stick out for easy access to controls. Again, laser detection will have to be disabled, and there would be less metal to travel through than the alarm box. However, there is a large motor, maybe for the sun roof that would be directly in front of it--which could be a potential problem.

3.) Making a box/housing that is roof colored and mounting to my ceiling. Fortunately the roof material loves Velcro. Not sure if it would support the weight though.

4.) Mount it externally in a roof scoop--gets it outside, high above, and laser detection wouldn't be disabled, but it does have the potential to getting exposed to the elements. Wiring would come down through the sunroof so no drilling would be necessary.

Just some thoughts.

Richard

 

Oooh Slick!


Does the audio still come out of the V1 or does it revert to the Audio system?

 

Why is everyone hiding the V1? Is it illegal where you live?

 

I don't quite get why you'd hide it where it wasn't illegal either - I understand if you don't want the lights showing through the windows but then you just buy the concealed display for $50 and it works great. You can wire it so the concealed display can be anywhere on the dash or console and the V1 stays in the optimal position in the front window. I haven't hard wired the V1 into the Mini yet, but in the other cars I find the concealed display works well at the base of the a-pillar - the Mini might have some other nooks or crannies that would work well too though.

 

I believe that in many states, radar detectors are illegal. They are illegal in most states in Australia.

 

Sorry to hear about Australia, however in the US it looks like they are legal in passenger vehicles (non-commercial) in all states but Viginia and D.C.:

"The use of a radar detector in a passenger vehicle is legal in all states with the exception of Virginia, Washington DC. and on military bases.
Radar detectors are illegal in all commercial vehicles weighing over 10,000 pounds"

From - http://www.radarbusters.com/support/...ector-laws.asp. All radar detecter companies seem to have info on their site too (from Google search).

 

Radar detectors are illegal in Canada too i think.

There are ways around the radar detector laws in DC/Virginia, if you're an ameteur radio op.

 

Thank you for the correction. I might just get myself one then.

 

I live in Va so I must hide my V1 or otherwise run the risk of getting a $40 non-moving violation ticket.

But the real reason everyone else tries to hide the V1 is very simple. If and when you get pulled over... Will a cop let you off if you have no radar detector and never speed??? Or give you a ticket cause you have a detector and are always speeding.. That is the logic they will use! Thus you must hide it!!

So please help the cause and email them asking them to making a unit the works thru our radio !!!