Radar Detector Install

[jonboy108]

I recently got two, count 'em, two speeding tickets in my other ride, a Honda Fit, which I thought was pretty near invisible on radar... and I don't want to repeat the performance in my 987. So, I ponied up the $$ for a new radar detector, and am thinking about elegant wiring solutions for it. I know there has to be 12v somewhere around the rearview mirror, what with the homelink, courtesy lightes, etc, up there, but I'm curious to know if there's enough to juice up the detector? or do I have to run a power cord all around the windshield like the Pelican article says?

[bar10dah]

Why would you think the Fit is invisible to radar? A person walking down the sidewalk can be "clocked." Heck, a kid on a tricycle can be clocked too.

You can try the "mirror tap" that Blend Mount makes. I think it's $20-25. Or, you can make your own with Radio Shack parts.

But, keep in mind, a radar detector only works as good as the cop is lazy. Most smart cops keep their radars off until they need to check speed. And, when your detector goes off, your speed has already been measured.

[Super 90]

I have to say... "however"... your detector is going to pick up reflected signals when that lazy cop is radiating towards vehicles ahead of you... Just sayin'

[jonboy108]

The invisible to radar comment was a joke... but a grey Honda is a pretty low profile vehicle and in the 3 years I've owned it, had flown under the radar so to speak until just lately. I know detectors don't make you invincible, but I think it'll be a good addition to the arsenal. I drove a bright red camaro years ago and it was a cop magnet. But I'm older now, if not much wiser..... thanks for the tip on the mirror wiring mount.

[bar10dah]

Yes, Super 90, but don't rely on that practice.

[Alphaboy1]

I have painted my Boxster S with the same paint that is used on the F/117 jet. This works very well for me.

[jonboy108]

I'm thinking of digital camo. But, here's another serious question. I don't have the auto dimming mirror... but I do have the home link, lights, etc., on the windshield header. Is there a way to tap into the 12 volt power there? I'm handy with most tools, especially hammers and torches....

[Steve986]

Porsche needs to offer a cloaking device.

[Super 90]

You don't have a cloaking device? Mine came standard.

[Steve986]

The only thing I don't like about having a sports car is that we must still obey the rules of the road. This annoyance seems to be proportionally linked to horse power... the more HP my car has the more annoyed I become.

[randy_k]

I just do the speed limit in town for the most part. It's stop light to stop light. The stop light will always win. I drive many of the same roads here on a daily basis and pretty much know where they hide. I agree with the sports car part. All the more more bland the body color is. Silver, vs Red. The less likely, they're going to target you with anything other than radar. In my expereince. That does not change from one vehicle to another. My wife's SRT8 would smoke my 986 in a straight line. But hey. It's an SUV. Stealthy grocery getter. Sorry, Don't believe in radar detectors. It's false security.
Randy

[thompsondrew]

My wife has received only one speeding ticket in 50 years of driving and that was when she borrowed her brother's radar detector.

[Steve986]

Don't believe in radar detectors. It's false security.

I agree.

Although, I must say when I see kids speeding through my neighborhood... I have a young son who plays outside near the street... it really pisses me off! I even followed a high school age boy to his house one time to talk to his dad about his speeding on my street.

I think about that stuff when I'm driving my Porsche and it makes me slow down. I also don't do any "fancy" moves on the highway, that is, no darting between cars or "shooting the gap".

Steve

[jonboy108]

Generated a boatload of philosophical replies. I'm ticked off that I let myself drift over the 35 mph limit (up to 42 mph) on a boulevard that had no pedestrians, cyclists, other vehicles, on a clear, sunny morning on my daily commute and got hammered by radar... and a $150 ticket.

Like many of you, I'm VERY conscious of the Porsche driver stereotype (Whats the difference between a Porsche and a horse? What's the difference between a Porsche and a porcupine? I'm sure you've heard the expletive filled punch lines) I don't drive like a jerk, I can leave that up to the 20-somethings on widow maker crotch rockets or driving American muscle cars.

Having said that, does anyone have any advice about disassembling the dome light/home link module to access 12 volt power?

Thanks!

[Super 90]

In times past and with different cars, I have tapped 12V in the overhead. I would suggest pulling it apart and looking at what's in there. There's certainly 12V up there somewhere, for the map lights and all that. That's what I'd do. A radar detector isn't going to draw much amperage, so I (personally) wouldn't worry about tapping in somewhere, adding an in-line fuse to tuck in there somewhere and you're done. In the past, I've drilled a tiny hole in the front, to run the wire through.

[2003S]

Originally Posted by jonboy108

Having said that, does anyone have any advice about disassembling the dome light/home link module to access 12 volt power?
Thanks!

Not specifically there, but in my 2003S, there was a "cell phone prep" package in the center console. I believe they all have it, and it has an easily tapped 12v line already wired into the fuse panel. Piece of cake to tap into, and route through the passenger side A pillar. Check out the 986 FAQ for details.

(for some reason anytime I post a link it requires moderator approval, so no link, if you delete the spaces, this is the URL: www . 986faq.com / 7-0 / v1.asp)

[850dunstall]

i installed a radar detector and its mounted ahead of the right side sun shade. the wiring in the center console is to small to get power and it also depends on how you want it to work.

pop the homelink switchs out to find a couple of torx screws, pull those and the center console will drop down, then pull the drive side sun visor by removing the few screws, you can fish the wire down the left a pillar , and i did the connection to the wiring on the back of the light switch, brown is ground, black is switch power, so my detector shuts off when i turn the ign off