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If you do get a multimeter and poke around you may mistake a switched power lead for an always-on lead. After engine shutoff my detector doesn't shut off immediately. There's a delay.
Well then, one has to open the drivers door after every engine shut down. If there is a will, there is a way...
Im going to call installers, but off the cuff does anyone know if the remote exterior instals can be done without any drilling or messing with the hard bits of the car, I'm taking a leased 2017...
Hard wired Valentine radar from mirror to fuse box. Turns on when the car starts and turns off when car's turned off. Easier that I thought it would be!!
WOW! looks gorgeous! How do deal with the issue of the IR blocking windshield? Do you just use it for detecting Laser?
It did pick up a laser detection yesterday. Regarding other bands and how much the laser detection may be hindered due to the windshield, time will tell, as I only installed the detector a few days ago.
Laser detection is fine, however you will find that the radar is severely attenuated by the IR/UV blocking layer in the windshield. I find that I only get side and rear detection... nice. I'd be curious to hear how it works for you with the Valentine.
Laser detection is fine, however you will find that the radar is severely attenuated by the IR/UV blocking layer in the windshield. I find that I only get side and rear detection... nice. I'd be curious to hear how it works for you with the Valentine.
I'm hoping it's adequate. If I get a ticket anytime soon I'll let you know!
Laser detection is fine, however you will find that the radar is severely attenuated by the IR/UV blocking layer in the windshield. I find that I only get side and rear detection... nice. I'd be curious to hear how it works for you with the Valentine.
+1 Detection range is severely affected. If you want good protection, a remote detector is the only option IMO. It's a real drawback with these types of windshields. Teslas have the same issue as well as other new car brands. Go to rdforum.org for the best info if your serious about radar and laser detection. I'm using NetRadar front&rear along with ALP (antilaserpriority) for laser.
CRS
It is not even close to adequate. It doesn't work at all. The only signals you get will be from your side windows or the back.
I don't know about the V1 mounted below the mirror. I can say that for my STI Magnum mounted in the cutout, in easy terrain (straight, not hilly) the detection range is good enough. I actually got a good save with close to one mile detection.
On windings roads, the jury is still out but that is where I think the Magnum may lose more range but I will need more detections to figure it out.
Can anyone tell me where to tap for a radar detector? The only 2 spares I see are on the blue plug to the right.
nglaser, i have the same cables, i tired each colored wire ( + Black one ) with contact on and engine on without any success.... Did you find the good ones ?
I too, used MirrorTap to hard wire the detector. My Escort IX fits (just barely) up above the mirror, staying out of sight and allowing me to reach the settings with ease. The visor hits the face of the detector when down, but doesn't cause an issue. I didn't try to access any power leads within the mirror mount (as I have read others have done here), but I would if I tried this again. I used the power located under the dome light assembly, above the mirror. There were a few dozen leads there and it took me quite a while to find a ground and ignition-only 12v lead.
The Escort detector is smaller than many others which might not fit in this location. I didn't want to mount it below the mirror, as it would cause a blind spot in the already poor front visibility, and I don't like others seeing the detector when outside the car (thieves, police).
Side note: I tried doing this same install on our 650i BMW, but the dome light assembly looked like the inside of my laptop and I couldn't see anyplace to draw power.... just computer boards.
nglaser, i have the same cables, i tired each colored wire ( + Black one ) with contact on and engine on without any success.... Did you find the good ones ?
Am sorry to resurrect this thread but I have dutifully done my searches and poked (with multimeter) all around my mirror and I cannot find a proper positive lead. That is, on only when ignition is on, off when ignition is off. I would like my detector to be off when I turn off the car.
I have the same connections as amouch and am wondering if I should go into the top lighting panel and try to find something there rather than the front mirror panel.
If anyone has an idea of what wire I should use please let me know….. here is a picture of what my wiring looks like.
GeorgeIII,
I tapped into the lighting bezel on the roof, as compared to the electrical lines within the mirror mount. Found the right "power when on" line, and a ground that worked.
Don't have a pic of it, but it has worked flawlessly ever since.
Thank you very much, off into the roof panel I go.... I was trying to avoid that route given I was hesitant to peel away at the trim but I'm getting desperate so it's caution to the wind.....
Thank you very much, off into the roof panel I go.... I was trying to avoid that route given I was hesitant to peel away at the trim but I'm getting desperate so it's caution to the wind.....
The bezel for the light just pulls out. It'll take a bit of force then snap free. I think the first time I did it was just with fingertips. Now I have a set of trim tools.