Hidden Radar detectors
 

Looking to add a radar detector to my 964, but really do not want to have something hanging on my windshield. What have others done to add a more "hidden" radar detector? Anyone in the US know of any types that can replace the inside mirror perhaps? Thanks!
Bart

Do a search, this has been covered in depth. There are even some very nice pictures somewhere here in the archives of a guy that placed is Valentine arrows actually INTO the rearview mirror of his BMW, impressive and very stealthy.

I used to have a "remote" detector on my motorcycle made by Liberty. Do a google search under "remote radar detector" to see what's currently available.....

what are others using now?

I have a K40 installed like you want. It was sweet back in the day. Now it's outdated and only covers the radar bands, no laser. If I was to do it all over again I would make sure it's upgradeable before installing. I think I'm going to remove it and put in a windshield type. The technology on these things are like computers. It seems like every few years you gotta get a new one.

http://k40.com/home_main.html

I think this is what Bill is talking about.

Yup! That's what I'm talking about.....

I don't have to search for the latest dated thread on this subject, is a Caliber K40 - a current one, or a Valentine considered the best?...or another?

It depends on what you are really wanting Dan. The thing is Valentine is not the top of the line anymore. They are very good but the Bel-tronics/Escort Rx65/8500 x50 are the new kids on the block. www.radarbusters.com does comparisons and www.radardetector.net are good places to look at the conventional dectors.

Somebody should make a mirror with an extended black box on it so we could put a detector in there.


Nothing else lets you count the radar sources or locate their direction except the V-1...

BTSave,

My uncle had his k-40 custom installed on his 996 Turbo... they installed the detectors in the front/rear light assemblies and the "undetectable remote" led light display was very oem looking in the speedo cluster... easy to program- silent mode, city mode, audio only etc.
This shop is in LA, not sure if current, but sure you can get this kind of quality hidden install in Florida...
Company was called Paris Audio Mobilsound
11159 Mississippi Avenue - Los Angeles, CA

310-477-0047

I think Escort is making a remote unit these days, down side is they want it professionally hacked, excuse me, installed into your car and won't sell it to just anyone. I've always thought that someone should make a plastic replacement fresh air grille so that a remote front antenna could be located up there. I guess a rear antenna could be installed in the third brake light housing.

I've got two Escort 8500's (one for each car). They really work excellent - never been nailed by radar and ticketed. The V1 is also nice, but expensive.

In all honesty, all of the top detectors will "save" you if you know how to use them (it does take time to understand how they interpret and display).

Nothing will save you from Laser. Nothing.

Remember, it is much better for the detector to be mounted high on the vehicle (the higher the better) as it will "see" further down the road (think of your eyes at bumper level vs. up by your rear-vew mirror...). I stay away from bumper-mounts for this reason.

Actually, my Escort Solo II picks up laser scatter in time to slow down, provided that there are cars ahead of me that are being targeted.

Laser does not "scatter". It's just a cop with a jerky hand. If you are in traffic and he is waving the gun at a bunch of cars, great, but otherwise it is pretty much a beep letting you know it is time to pull over.

there ares tests on the net purporting to show that the Blinder works to jam lidar (?) agree?

Laser is scary stuff for us enthusiasts.

I am "saved" at least once a week from radar hits while driving my car on roads known for law enforcement on "hidden" motorcycle - pretty cool to pick up the signal 1/2 mile away, slow down, then putt by at 35 mph as they just glare at you.

Laser, on the other hand... approach the same law officer on "hidden" motorcyle with a laser gun and you get nothing... until he hits you directly 100 yards away. The only alert you get is notice to pull over. Very effective - impressive even. The officer can cherry pick from a mass of cars until he finds a target!

What about the Lidatek?
http://www.lidatek.com/

OK, some things will save you from laser:

* 100% absorbing the laser beam (special paint coating).
* Emitting laser back to the source at a different frequency.

The first one is nearly impossible for civilian budgets. The second method, preferred by Lidatek apparently, is to flood the laser device with false hits. It is hard to do with laser as you can't just "blanket" the beams back like you can with traditional radar - you have to be much more precise (more transmitters = more complexity).

In terms of technology: Laser is the GPS-guided smart bomb while traditional radar is the gravity bomb - much more sophisticated to defeat.

V1 question: Recently I have been getting hits on it which are neither K, Ka, or X, but it is a high-low pitched fast series of tones. What is it? Laser, an error?

A sudden, full strenght, fast "de-doo-de-doo" is Laser.

The first time I got a laser hit on my Escort, I started to reach for my cell phone. I'd never heard the laser alert before!

Fortunately, he was shooting the car immediately in front of me, and after I realized it wasn't my cell phone, I was able to hit the brakes before it went off the second, and final time. Lucky...very lucky.

I guess the three "sure" things in live are death, taxes, and the fact that you're going to get tagged sooner or later...

I get a few false laser alerts on my V1. Here's what Valentine1 says:
http://www.valentine1.com/lab/Previously7.asp

Thanks guys. It has occured several times recently. Once while driving past a wreck, with cop cars all around - no visible laser gun being used (but maybe its like an inboard radar device) and the other while being passed going the opposite direction of an Infinity SUV. The othe times, there were just ordinary cars around (no unmarked or hidden cops) so they must be FAs.

I wonder if newer SUV's have some sort of laser rangefinders (used for help in backing up & parking?). I seem to get them occasionally when in stop-and-go traffic. Obviously there is no LEO around. But maybe there is some laser rangefinder emitting from the SUV in front of or behind me (happens mostly when they're braking to a stop)? My experience seems to fit what the Valentine website posted above says.

the gmc trailblazer line and some bmws use leds in their tail lights that set off the v1. Infinity's range finder (so you don't hit the car in front of you once you've set the cruise control so you can focus on your latte) also sets them off. likewise some neon signs. Not sure what else, but there will definitely be more in the future. Basically, if your laser goes off and you are not in front of or behind one of these cars, either pull over to the side or run, because you're done. the "he was shooting the car in front of me" scenario is a rare and lucky occurance.