Stealth Radar Install

shreddr · shreddr's Garage

Let's face it, the R12S was designed with triple digits in mind, and I am only so happy to oblige

After a recent exchange of numbers with a local LEO I realized I had tempted fate long enough, and it was time for a little "protection"

after looking over the radarbusters.com site and surveying some local users i decided on the Escort Passport 8500 X50. I picked up a blow out unit on eBay for $120 (must have been a VA repo, because they had a dozen of em) the unit came with nothing, which was OK, because the manuals are available online, and I needed a hard wire, so I found a cool hardwire/remote alert at the Passport site for $30.

the radarbusters site is pretty comprehensive and they talk about the different systems the LEO's use. The X50 detects everything including laser, BUT unless the laser beam hits the unit itself (or picks up some scatter from the windshield) it wont go off. Also given that once the laser beam is detected in the event the LEO did target your detector unit, you are popped already. the speed of light is pretty fast, and unless you have a laser JAMMER (another $700) then detecting it is worthless. so with that in mind, and knowing that radar signals are radio waves so they will penetrate plastic with ease, I decided on a remote location. I was going to try and put it in the pillion cover, which it would have fit in because it's hollow, but it isn't open, and access would have been problematic, so I decided on the inboard left tupperwear, with the remote alert mounted on the windscreen. I think it looks awesome. I can actually see the unit from the saddle, so I will get a double warning, one from the unit and one from the remote. I velcroed the unit in place so if i need to pull it off and adjust it, no problem. I know these units have more than one setting but I will be using the POP mode all the time (most sensitive, for those quick light ups). I havent figured out how i want to run the power yet. there is a power outlet on the left side that i guess is for the GPS? I am going to try and get the right fitting and just have a plug and play setup (any sources?)

I am not sure how loud or bright the alert is so I will have to troll around a bit and check it out in action. if it is less than audible, or visible I will go for the Screamer, which is a piezo horn that plugs into the earplug output and you mount it remotely as well. with the screamer, even your buddies get the warning which is pretty cool. whadda ya think?

cageyar · cageyar's Garage

I'm riding behind you from now so you better learn the routes!

BTW, I almost didn't get to participate in the Mitsubishi company car program-my 5 year driving record is........a little long.
Thankfully, I had the documentation from court last time that showed I got the court to agree to a "civil reservation" which meant limited guilt and no points.
That got them to let me into the CC program.
Dodged another bullet-I hope I can keep dancing.

martincito · 02:52 PM

The only problem with the alert remote is that you don't know if you are getting K band or X band (in NJ you need both, I saw a guy in front of me getting pulled over by a cop using X band).
I also like not just to see which band is lighting but also the signal levels. I used to have a H.A.R.D system and I sold it for these reasons. If you use an Autocom or Starcom at least you can identify the different sounds of every signal.

shreddr · shreddr's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by martincito

The only problem with the alert remote is that you don't know if you are getting K band or X band (in NJ you need both, I saw a guy in front of me getting pulled over by a cop using X band).
.

what is the importance of this? the escort unit will detect both at the same time.

martincito · 11-24-2009, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shreddr

what is the importance of this? the escort unit will detect both at the same time.

From the remote unit your are just seeing a red light turning on and off. I like to see if the signal is X band or K band. When is X band there is 90% of chances that is not a radar signal and when you have K band usually is a cop. I don't think getting just a red light turning on and off is enough.

shreddr · shreddr's Garage

good to know, thanks!

Guest24 · 03:40 PM

Does anyone know whether Virginia has a radar detector Detector. I usually only get X band warnings around airports since the WX radar in aircraft normally operate in that band. The NJ cops must be using hand-me-down radars. I go with the tones in the headset.

celticus · 11-24-2009, 03:48 PM

"Does anyone know whether Virginia has a radar detector Detector?"
I am pretty sure they do. Just turn it off and put the detector in your tankbag and hold your breath untill you get back to the USA.

Mark

celticus · 11-24-2009, 03:53 PM

"what is the importance of this? the escort unit will detect both at the same time.?"
In Tn. X band is used for door openers at grocery stores so I give it no heed. K band on the other hand is worth paying attention to. I have an Escort 8500 and like it. I also have a Valentine 1. They both have their good and less good points.

Mark

shreddr · shreddr's Garage

the places where i am "running it" probably don't have a lot of auto door openers. so if i am getting an alert it will most likely be a bogey. if i think its not working as well as it could i will put it on the triple clamps

AndrewA · 11-24-2009, 05:22 PM

As a long time, hardcore, V1 user, I've used both the remote audio alert module and the remote visual alert module on different bikes. They just don't work really well for me.

Hearing is impaired because of helmet noise, ear plugs, or an mp3 player, and visuals don't always work because bright sunshine or intense concentration wont always allow it.

I've been very happy with the HARD system so far.

shreddr · shreddr's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndrewA

I've been very happy with the HARD system so far.

i will probably either go with the HARD or the Screamer, I am guessing the sound i get out of the remote location won't be enough

blkduc1 · 12-03-2009, 08:32 AM

shreddr,

I do not believe you can rely on hearing the unit or seeing it when heavy into hard running. My experience is that in-helmet speakers are required to give me the quickest alert from the Valentine. Of course, the units audio, or screamer, or any visual might also help give you the alert in some cases.

I use ear plugs and have to add an in -line boosta-roo amp powered with double AA batts. That ups the volume some from the Autocom it runs through.

There are also systems where you can adapt the customized earplugs that have built-in speakers (like Big Ear). Those are probably the ultimate for audio quality for music if you use an i-pod, and for radar alerts. BUt they are pretty expensive to add to the system.

Good luck figuring it all out. This is one of the hardest and most frustrating things to get right for a bike I believe. I still don't think anyone has made the ultimate, smallest, easiest installing, wireless system for bikes yet. Maybe one day someone will use all the available technology and design one from ground up just for bikes.

dp

EZ-RIDER · 12-03-2009, 08:41 AM

What about moisture, it could get wet if it starts to rain!

Bob Hancock · 12-03-2009, 09:12 AM

WX proof and wireless sound is why I got the TPX. I wish I could find a place to put it out of sight but I don't think you'd get the laser warning. Radar waves go through plastic really easy, but laser doesn't.....I think. Anyone know for sure?

EZ-RIDER · 12-03-2009, 09:39 AM

I was referring to the Escort Passport 8500 X50. not being waterproof!

2wheelmike · 12-03-2009, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Hancock

WX proof and wireless sound is why I got the TPX. I wish I could find a place to put it out of sight but I don't think you'd get the laser warning. Radar waves go through plastic really easy, but laser doesn't.....I think. Anyone know for sure?

Correct, unless it's a cutting laser, in which case you'd have bigger problems to worry about.

BTW, the detector will do no good against radar that is pulsed on manually at short range. You'll likely see the roof lights before you see the alarm light.

GotRoad? · 12-03-2009, 10:29 AM

This is worth checking out: VizAlert RADAR - Wireless Helmet Display :: VizAlert Wireless :: Direct MotorSport International, LLC

It's what I replaced my HARD system with.

flatbutt · 12-03-2009, 11:14 AM

I have a V1 but have always run without it on the bike. In the truck I can tuck it away easily should it fail me and I need to hide it from LEO. But on the bike I can't hide it fast enough to avoid having it spotted by an officer. Don't you guys worry about that?

Bob Hancock · 12-03-2009, 11:20 AM

It's a trade-off flattie and certainly a consideration. I hope that with the detector, and keeping a sharp lookout I can slow quickly enough to not be stopped. And I do think you are more likely to get a break if you don't have it showing. I have personal experience to think this but hard to be sure of course.