V1 Stealth Install in 911

[VaSteve]

When I was on the innaugural V1 test drive I came around a 2 lane ramp I alway use and there was a cop there blasting Ka (first time I'd ever seen him there). I slowed down and this big Mecedes sedan blasted by. I watched the mirrors and had plenty time to pull it down and shove it under the seat before the officer got up to speed and thankfully passed me for the sedan.

I'm sure if stopped I'm dead meat, but if rolling I might be able to avoid further trouble. I'd have to disconnect the wiring anyway of pulled over, the VA State Police leave their guns on when ticket writing.

[thabaer]

I've had a power wire tucked into the outer edge of the window gasket for 20 years, invisible and stays put with no problems.

[usurpah]

Hiding the remote display is so 90's. Check this out for the BMW crowd.

http://www.jaricdesign.com/products.htm

[Jim Richards]

Originally posted by usurpah
Hiding the remote display is so 90's.

Ha! My car is so 70's.

[PDACPA]

Usurpah - I looked at that one, but I wanted it to display in my instrument cluster under the Tach and Speedo in my 330Ci. However, only 5 and 7 series clusters have the ability to do that. In 3 series you have to have it do that on the Radio. To me it seemed confusing to be on the radio and I would have the same look over. I like the BIG RED ARROWS myself. I agree with car and driver, once you have them you cannot live without them.

Just a note to you guys who move your V-1 around, the V-1 travel case ($29 from Valentine) is very nice! I am always worried about it in my bag bouncing around. This has cool slots for all the components with a nice hard outer shell.

[RarlyL8]

Why on earth would you plug your radar detector into your cars computer brain? So you can have a permanent retreavable record of every event?

These cars already have the "black box" download capability for the courts to use against you. Now with GPS they can track every illegal speed move you make as you alert them to it with your radar detector now "on line".

[PDACPA]

RarlyL8-I know what you mean about the black box technology it(its not in my 911 and I am not sure its in my year BMW, but it is not something I want), but if it is, what difference does having a radar detector hardwired to the radio or information computer in the car going to have?

The black box info is most likely going to be used in an accident case to determine if the car was speeding. If you have a radar detector wired in, then they might use that in their case against you saying why do you need a radar detector if you do not speed. Hardwired to the radio or suction cupped to the windshield or remote display mounted is all the same. You own a radar detector. If serious, they could subpoena your credit card records and look for the purchase of one.

On a side note, I am sure auto modifiers will figure out ways around the "black boxes." To me GPS and OnStar and all those things are unnecessary when you have a cell phone. I suppose there are areas that have no cell service so maybe they work for those areas, but I have no use for them.

Until the day the cops plug into our cars computer brain on traffic stops to determine speed and direction of the car to support their traffic stop and ticket, I would not be worried about black boxes or hardwiring to the radio.

The point of this thread was in finding different ways to install your V-1 so that the notification could be located in a steath and probably place in which it could be concealed to prevent other drivers and the police from just knowing you have it. This is very important to those guys in states where radar detectors are not legal. We also threw out some options as to where to locate the main unit too.

I suspect you must use a detector yourself RarlyL8 (translated Rarely Late) based on your nickname!

[RarlyL8]

Actually I don't use detectors. Never have. When driving in a spirited fashion I am total "on". All senses at 10 and eyeballs everywhere. A detector might help me out on occasion, but they need to build one that sees around blind mountain corners to do me the most good.

But, back to the topic, stealth mode is all good. A buddy of mine is all about speeding and has had his cars (for the past 30+ years) outfitted with radar, CB radios, scanners, you name it. His lates gadget was a 4-corner detector built into the bumpers with a readout in the instrument pannel. He's good at this stuff. I can't remember him ever getting a ticket.

So let's think like he would. One of the dash gages would be modified for this use. Probably the oil temp/level. You don't need the level and the temp can be moved down to the console using a round analog unit like any hot rodder would have. Now you mount your V1 remote in that gage.
The main unit is more dificult. He used to put one in a hollow tissue box mounted on the dash with velcro. No good for a 911. How about a rear view mirror mount CD holder modified to accept the detector? Or one of those cheesy JC Whitney overhead garage door opener consoles?

[Randy Webb]

I think that something nicer than a CD box that was cut up would be a small vac. formed production run of black plastic that was molded to fit the rear veiw mirror and extend in front of it. It could extend a bit above the mirror to give the V1 look-back capability.

Or somebody could do a unit complete with a mirror - they are just going to fall off our glass anyway.

[PDACPA]

I agree Rarlyl8 - the detector is one component in helping us enjoy some spirited driving without worrying about a ticket. You have to be paying attention all around and think like a cop as to where they might position themselves and use good judgement. I am sure there are plenty of people who buy a detector, and then just drive with wild abandon (probably yaking on the cellphone, eating, etc) and then when they get pulled over they call the detector useless.

Sounds like your buddy has some neat installs. Get some pics as new ideas are always helpful in coming up with ideas. I like the 993 install and I actually could eliminate the clock in my 89 911, it is redundant with the clock displayed on the radio and on my watch.

As for putting the unit in a cd case (a guy on the BMW boards did this and hung it off the passenger visor) or tissue box; I prefer the built in OEM look. Nowadays so many cars have fairly large headliner/mirror components that I am sure someone could forge something out of plastic to allow forward and rear sensors. One thing though, do not yank the V-1 brains out of its box as the box it is in is part of its stealthness; prevents the detector detectors!

[Jgordon]

Rarly, that's exactly the point of detectors -- they see around corners, over hills, beyond trees, etc. based on the reflected radar (and, we hope, laser) signals. If you see the cop, he sees you and it's too late. Valentine has proven very good at seeing around corners and beyond my line of sight, leaving me able to concentrate on what I CAN see -- the idiot drivers spilling latte on their cell phones. plus raccoons.

[PDACPA]

In FL, most of where I drive is flat and the V-1 gives alot of warning. So many cops just leave the radar on and do not use the trigger so you know they are around. The V-1 also picks up the cop targetting cars ahead of me so I know about it in advance. If there are very few cars, I do take extra caution as I know I am a sitting duck.

Dying to add the Passport Shifter for the Laser but its still too rich for me.

[na2ub]

I have always envisioned installing a V1 or Passport main unit behind the fresh air intake grill. The display, of course, has many options. Is there room behind that grill for a radar?

[Jgordon]

I think the problem with that intake is its susceptibility to the environment. You'd have to fashion some sort of protection for the unit, even if it does fit. Maybe a plexiglass box or something of that nature.

[VaSteve]

Originally posted by na2ub
I have always envisioned installing a V1 or Passport main unit behind the fresh air intake grill. The display, of course, has many options. Is there room behind that grill for a radar?

If it fits behind there you still have 3 problems:

1. The weather.

2. Lose rear protection. I only worry about rear protection because I like to see when I'm past whatever trap there is.

3. I think the grill is metal. Even with the holes, I think the metal will mess up the receiving strength.

4. It's supposed to be high up (like the top of the windshild) so you may lose range.

[RarlyL8]

And there lies the problem with hiding these units. You must mount them high on the windshield for optimum performance.

If the V1 can see around a mountain I'll buy one. Prove it to me.

[Rick Lee]

PDACPA, I have my K40 installed exactly as you do. In my 993 the front sensor is mounted inside the front spoiler grill and the rear is clamped onto my Varioram intake and peeks out the rear decklid grill. I don't like it much, as it gives off too many false alarms to really tolerate. If Valentine made such a conceable set-up, I'd love to get one.

[PDACPA]

Richard - My K40 was installed by the previous owner and I called K40 to see about upgrading the unit. According to them, its just as current as the new model (not sure I believe it, but oh well). It does give off alot of X band and false alarms. That is why I got the V-1 to use in conjunction, but the cig adapter just will not work well and I need to created a good hardwire location.

I do not think Valentine will change its unit for remote installs as the case and front and rear sensors are all contained. I read somewhere about a guy who had the unit pulled apart and remotely mounted and someone else who put the display on a HID unit.

RarlyL8 - get a V-1 on the 30 day money back guarrantee and try it on your mountains. I will not say mine goes around mountains (not many of them in Tampa), but it does give off some great early warnings around curves and small hills in the highways.

Here is a thread of a guy who did some remote location installs on a M3.
http://www.talktax.com/lidatek-V1%20install/

[Jgordon]

Rarly, I offer you this: Radar waves are like light waves. If we're in a dark hallway, and I'm around the corner shining a flashlight toward that corner, you can see the beam reflected off the wall. If you're heading toward a blind corner on the road, and there's a cop around it with his radar on, and there's something to bounce off (cars in the opposite lane, trees, guardrail, mountain) those waves are reflected same as the flashlight beam. Only the V1 can see them the way you can the flashlight. It really works, and it relies on basic physics. The V1 just does it from farther away than most, and with little arrows. It's good stuff, and I can almost guarantee it'll enhance, not take away from, your driving experience.

Now go buy one. I'll wave my "prove it" fee this time.

[RarlyL8]

OK, Sounds like this may be a worthy assistant to have on board. I'll check it out.