Radar detectors

lars_cockswell · May 27, 2003

I can't believe that there's not already a discussion on radar detectors in this forum! (or did I miss it?)

I, of course, would never speed in my STi being an honest and lawfully abiding citizen. But I would like to know when my civil liberties are being ... umm ... measured.

Being a Canuk and living in the communist regime land area called Ontario, radar detectors are illegal to even posess here (hey, but the cops will look the other way if you've got small amounts of dope - go figure). So, I'm looking for a concealed unit that does it's best to escape detection. So far the best I've seen is the BEL 975 but I find it difficult to believe I could conceal the laser-detector portions of the unit. Also, I wish there was a concealable unit that operated like the V-1 from Valentine.

Anyone got any ideas?

Lars

YBnormal07 · May 27, 2003

Lars,
The Valentine 1 can be ordered with the remote front and rear sensors, and a small head unit about 1.5" x 1" that can be mounted down low so no-one else can see the display.

I haven't used mine as the lower you position your sensors, the closer you are to the radar source before it is detected. I believe V1 describes this on their site.

Scott

CloNeGTS · May 27, 2003

I believe you have your systems confused. I just purchased the V1 a few weeks ago along with the concealed display. I don't believe there is an option for remote sensors...just those on the unit. And trust me, those are plenty sensitive enough.

I think you are thinking of that high-end, ultra pricy Escort unit that they advertise with the little unit mounted on an M3 dash.

There was a nice discussion of detectors in this forum.....named 8500 vs V1 I believe....and being a past Escort owner, I am LOVING the V1.

SFRinNJ · May 27, 2003

The Valentine 1 has the main unit and the concealed display unit that CloNeGTS talks about. But it does not have any remote sensors. I have had one for a couple of years on one of the cars in my family, and they are great. I will be ordering one for the STI. But they have no other add ons. SFRinNJ

amdmaxx · Jun 7, 2003

Get V1, have auto shop mount the kit into the rearview mirror and put the radar somewhere on the top, inside the hidden little box, where sunroof would normally be..

OFFLINE · Jun 19, 2003

amdmaxx said:
Get V1, have auto shop mount the kit into the rearview mirror and put the radar somewhere on the top, inside the hidden little box, where sunroof would normally be..

OK I own a V1, please describe what you are saying above. I have been trying to figure out how to mount this thing without using the windshield bracket (illegal in MN). Right now I have it visor clipped to the mini visor above the rear view mirror. I have to keep the mirror tilted at 45 degrees. That blows. I was envisioning a bracket that suspended the V1 under the mirror, but so far I have nothing.

CloNeGTS · Jun 19, 2003

I haven't a clue what he said either.....

I just have mine tucked way up beside my rear view mirror. The only way someone could see it is to duck all the way in the car and look up under the mirror.

MKIVSupra · Jun 19, 2003

I understand ther reaview mirror part but not the part about the hidden little box where the sunroof would be. :-? I just do what Rob does.

RDiamond · Jun 19, 2003

I might be full of it, but I seem to recall that Valentine does sell a remote mount -- they just don't advertise it. It's extremely expensive, too. Give 'em a call. I might do so myself.

I don't understand the MN problem. What's wrong with clipping it to the sunvisor? Surely that's not illegal, or is it illegal to put garage door openers up there too? By the way, it's much better to have the unit mounted up high like that.

MKIVSupra · Jun 19, 2003

All the remote mount is, is a samll part that attaches to the back of the lighter plug that has the indicators on it so you can black out the main display. You will still need to mount the main unit somewhere on the windshield.

CloNeGTS · Jun 19, 2003

Yup.....Concealed Display is the name.....got it installed.

There are no other connections to the V1 for there to be a remote sensor if that's what you are questioning.

RDiamond · Jun 20, 2003

Actually, I meant a sensor in the back and a sensor in the front of the car just like Escort sells. It's not the stock unit. It's so easy to do that I'd be surprised they wouldn't want to offer one. Anyhow, maybe this website of the remote display will be helpful:

http://www.kindel.com/Porsche/valone.htm

CloNeGTS · Jun 20, 2003

https://store.valentine1.com/store/

Here is there store. If they sell a product that they don't offer to sell, that would be some seriously bad marketing. As I said before, there is not another connection point to the unit, which makes me doubt any additional connection.

As for the remote display....I can tell ya and show you anything about it. I use mine 10 times a day.

Valentine 1 has always been a unit that tramples everything else in any tests. Why would they need remote sensors?

RDiamond · Jun 20, 2003

for those of us who live in "radar detectors are illegal" states!

Goose · Jun 20, 2003

lars_cockswell said:
.

Being a Canuk and living in the communist regime land area called Ontario, radar detectors are illegal to even posess here

Welcome to Canada... :lol:

vince04sti · Jul 17, 2003

My Valentine has saved me so many times it isn't funny. Any ideas on where/how to hardwire it into the STi so it is only on when the ignition is on? I thought about going into the map lights wiring, but they are always on.
Thanks

mx270a · Jul 17, 2003

Vince:

Check out JJ's thread a while back about the 8500 vs. the V1.
http://www.imprezawrxsti.com/postnu...d&name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=952&start=30

On page 3 I explained how I mounted my V1 above the rear view mirror. Power comes from the remote output on the radio as if it were going to an amp. This is switched with the ignition.

-Lance

vince04sti · Jul 18, 2003

Thanks for the mounting suggestion. I took your cable tie/zip tie and mounting location idea a step further. I left the mini visor attached, and simply zip tied the Valentine bracket (without the visor clip, which is easily removed from the bracket) to the mini visor in its normal up position. The detector then mounts just slightly above the mirror with the mirror adjusted in its normal position. I placed some black rubber (cut from a garage door rubber seal) between the top of the front of the detector and the visor to provide some support, to better angle the detector, and to hide the zip tie. The black rubber blends right in with the Valentine, and it looks great and is very stable.
For now, I'm still wired into the cig lighter, with the cord running hidden down the door inside the trim piece. But I am thinking of tapping into the auto dimming mirror, since that has a power souce which is switched and is right next to the detector.
Thanks for the suggestion. Never would have thought it could be so simple and work so well. For years, my girlfriends (and now wife) have complained about not being able to use the passenger visor/mirror, as I always used that for mounting. This solves that problem too.

Radar detectors

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