Radar Detector Stealth Install?

[Espresso]

Has anyone done or seen a stealth installation for the V1 radar detector? I'm looking to see where's a good place to hide the V1 but still have it function properly. I was thinking somewhere on the rear dash in an enclosure. The reason I ask is in the surrounding state VA/DC it's illegal to use one. In VA, it's illegal to use one but you can possess one in your car, while in DC it's illegal to even have one. I rather have it hidden and have an on/off switch to avoid problems or theft.

[Speedoholic]

I have the escort 8500, but the concept is the same...

I mounted mine high on the windshield, behind the blue tint strip - totally invisible from the outside.

[Espresso]

I was thinking of installing it were if the vehicle was searched, it wouldn't be noticeable unless someone pointed it out. On my Accord, I installed the unit itself in the 3rd brake light since I had a spoiler with brake lights. It worked really well and I had the remote display up front with a kill switch.

[mimmitt]

V1 is too big to fit here though....

[Beowulf]

There's alot of posts with pics with almost every install; The favorite location is above the tinit strip next to the rear view mirror. There is also a big post about a v1 mounted in an enclouse on the rear deck, but I personally think a black box in that location looks kind of odd..

[Gman2004]

Originally Posted by Speedoholic

I have the escort 8500, but the concept is the same...

I mounted mine high on the windshield, behind the blue tint strip - totally invisible from the outside.

Link to radar info


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.

[Espresso]

Originally Posted by Beowulf

There's alot of posts with pics with almost every install; The favorite location is above the tinit strip next to the rear view mirror. There is also a big post about a v1 mounted in an enclouse on the rear deck, but I personally think a black box in that location looks kind of odd..

I did a search and saw several installed on the windshield but nothing that hides the detector as you say. Can you post a link to that thread/pic?

And Gman, with laser, you're a sitting duck if it's pointed towards you. Detecting radar is my main concern on highways. There's only 2 places in the states where radar detectors are illegal and I just happen to live next to both of them. I see idiots drive around with radar detectors mounted right in the center of their windshield all the time in a state where it's already illegal. Whether it's on or not, it's in plain sight and a state trooper has good reason to pull you over and take it. I just want some ideas of where to place it out of sight just in case I forget to turn it off while crossing state lines and have some trooper come to my window asking about it cause it's on my windshield.

[SaltiDawg]

Originally Posted by Espresso

I was thinking of installing it were if the vehicle was searched, it wouldn't be noticeable unless someone pointed it out. On my Accord, I installed the unit itself in the 3rd brake light since I had a spoiler with brake lights. It worked really well and I had the remote display up front with a kill switch.

Hi Espresso,

I suspect that you are already aware, but some VA police cars are equipped so as to be able to detect emissions from your hidden but operating Radar detector. I don't know about DC.

[Beowulf]

They can't detect the v1 or the escort.... Both are shielded and have countermeasures. I will try to find that post for you for the box. If they search your car the box would be suspect and your screwed; you would have to get a professional radar install if you want that type of security... These guys are used to looking for much more than radar, a plastic box on the rear deck won’t stop them from finding it… If they search your car you better have the sucker unplugged and way under the seat and you better be able to convince them you don’t use it. IE don't let them search your car

As far as mounting.. high on the windshield is fine for radar, not good for laser but you're basically screwed anyway by the time the alarm goes off; if you want real laser protection you have to get that Escort laser shifter...

Cops and robbers still see the radar when its low on the dash, so I don't see it as an feasable spot.

Anyway that post is here:
HOW-TO: V1 Hardwire, w/ pics

[BangBoogie]

Originally Posted by Speedoholic

I have the escort 8500, but the concept is the same...

I mounted mine high on the windshield, behind the blue tint strip - totally invisible from the outside.

1. Your not supposed to put it behind tint.
2. Your supposed the mount it smack in the middle/middle for best coverage to include rear detection.
3. Who cares about hiding the radar, unless you live in VA. It's the only state where they're illegal right?
4. When I get pulled over for misc. reasons I leave my x50 proudly on my windshield, not like they can say **** about it. Just leaves with proof that they werent using radar.

[Speedoholic]

Originally Posted by BangBoogie

1. Your not supposed to put it behind tint.
2. Your supposed the mount it smack in the middle/middle for best coverage to include rear detection.
3. Who cares about hiding the radar, unless you live in VA. It's the only state where they're illegal right?
4. When I get pulled over for misc. reasons I leave my x50 proudly on my windshield, not like they can say **** about it. Just leaves with proof that they werent using radar.

1. Not sure if that blue stripe is indeed "tint" in the sense where it's metallic based and as such will degrade the reception. I've tested my detector in various areas on the windshield and did not notice any difference when mounted behind the strip.
2. It's a cosmetic thing for me, I just can't drive around with this thing right in front of my face - it's a distraction for me.
3. I care. Sometime I'm forced to park my car in shady areas and don't want to draw more attention than what my car already draws...
4. Never thought of it from that aspect, and I too, don't give a damn about what the cops think.

I was just answering the guy who posted the thread. His question was where to mount the detector in order to hide it while still maintaining optimal performance.

My decision to put it high was for cosmetic and safety reasons. Other than that, didn't notice any change in performance. The above is my personal option, feel free to take it with a grain of salt...

[SaltiDawg]

Originally Posted by Gman2004

..

Don’t mount it high! ...

Mount it Low! ...

This is contrary to the instructions that came with the Valentine V1 that we received last week for my wife's new coupe. Valentine says that if you mount it low it is too close to the highly (light) reflective horizontal plane of the hood or bonnet. Mount it high, says Valentine.

[Meatshackle]

The reasons they give for not mounting high don't apply to the V1 mounted next to the rearview mirror with a remote display.

It's not in the center of the windshield so there's no visual obstruction. If you have the remote it won't make you take your eyes off the road to look "up" at the detector.
It's not exposed to thieves, other drivers behind you, or police officers. And as stated above the laster detector just tells you to pull over because if you get a signal they already have you.

Here's my setup.

[GoSooners]

I just got my V1 last week along with a mount Mike from my350z.com made for our cars. With it hardwired to my rearview mirror power/ground, it's as stealth as can be. I'll post pics later this week.

[EricIsKlumzyee]

Where can i find the hardware to mount an escort passport on the rear view mirror and have the power go down the pillar?