Hidden radar detector options?

[epj3]

I was wondering if anyone knows of a radar detector with physical sensors that you can mount anywhere, and will connect to the main unit. I'm getting a job that'll require me to drive on a road known as the Pennsylvania Dutch Autobahn - PA Rt. 222 (kirby knows this road well I'm sure!! My exit will be at the PA Turnpike, and I'll be traveling north to get there, so there are PLENTY of wide open spaces).

I don't want a radar detector on my window - it's legal here (radar detectors), and I don't condone or partake in excessive speeding, but I don't want that stupid thing hanging on my windshield...and it's simply difficult to not speed on that road, traffic is usually going about 75 - 80 on average.

I Thought I saw a system with a licenseplate frame for the rear that had a sensor built in - and a front sensor that mounted in the grille somewhere. I know or don't think it was a V1 either.

Any idea's? Thanks

 

[///M SPEED]

The reason they mount them on the window up high is to be able to detect the radar microwave early. The V1 site talks all about it. You should always mount is as high as you can for early detection. The lower the antenna is mounted the lower the detection rate is for the unit….

Here is a link to Valentine 1 (V1). There is a lot more to this if you read through their site. I have heard of ones integrated in the BMW rearview mirrors, but I am not sure how good the detection is from that spot. The V1 has a front and rear mounted antennas and needs to be able to look out the rear of the glass. I am sure there are some really high-end radar detectors that they install a various places on the car, but you would probably pay a butt load for. Hope it helps some....

 

[cagle77]

Beltronics makes one that actually installs in the dash or according area and has remote radar and laser sensors. From what Ive found its quite expensive. http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=4749085/search=beltronics

 

[epj3]

Beltronics makes one that actually installs in the dash or according area and has remote radar and laser sensors. From what Ive found its quite expensive. http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=4749085/search=beltronics

For that amount I could get 2 tickets doing 80 over the speed limit, and still have enough left over for bail.

 

[Big Daddy]

Or better yet buy two Valentines and have double detection! Hehe....

 

[Stitch]

Opps!

Opps! Here we go! It is so hard to resist the temptation!

Saw a 330cic got caught 2 morning ago on my way to work on RT 202.

 

[vrgruver]

One problem with 2 Valentines. They reduce the quality of reception. I think Valentines website has this info. THis is the case with multiple detectors.

I recommend the high mounting solution. With a little care, you can fabricate a mount in the upper portion of the windshield that is enclosed and less noticeable. I recommend a fiberglass wrapped in upholstery matching leather. Then, you can put the remote readout in a hidden place, or even better, take it apart, and get the Dremel. Cut the holes required in the guage cluster to rear mount the digital readouts. Put a mute button pressure switch on your gear shift or a the back of the steering wheel. This would be theft resistant enough for a convertible and sexy enough for any custom techy.
Sidenote. I think the detector should be a dealer installed option. That would be hot!

John

 

[epj3]

One problem with 2 Valentines. They reduce the quality of reception. I think Valentines website has this info. THis is the case with multiple detectors.

I recommend the high mounting solution. With a little care, you can fabricate a mount in the upper portion of the windshield that is enclosed and less noticeable. I recommend a fiberglass wrapped in upholstery matching leather. Then, you can put the remote readout in a hidden place, or even better, take it apart, and get the Dremel. Cut the holes required in the guage cluster to rear mount the digital readouts. Put a mute button pressure switch on your gear shift or a the back of the steering wheel. This would be theft resistant enough for a convertible and sexy enough for any custom techy.
Sidenote. I think the detector should be a dealer installed option. That would be hot!

John

He wasn't being serious I'll probably end up installing it up where everyone else does - at the head liner above the rear view mirror, and then do the remote display stuff.

 

[jrt67ss350]

Eric, one of my good friends had a system very similar to the Beltronics system that was linked above (I think it actually might have been a Beltronics system). He installed it in his 1994 GrandAm Quad4 and had a sensor mounted behind the gigantic front grille and one built into the rear license plate frame. Some idiot broke into the car and stole the display unit mounted under the dash and destroyed some of the wiring in the process. I know that my friend paid a buttload for that thing and for some stupid reason his insurance company refused to pay him for the damage. After the system was partially destroyed, he bought a V1. He said the V1 when mounted stealthily up behind the rearview mirror worked worlds better than the Beltronics system with front and rear mounted sensors.

Just some food for thought. I'd probably go with a V1 (even though it's huge) and try to mount it attractively up above/behind the rearview mirror.

 

[epj3]

Eric, one of my good friends had a system very similar to the Beltronics system that was linked above (I think it actually might have been a Beltronics system). He installed it in his 1994 GrandAm Quad4 and had a sensor mounted behind the gigantic front grille and one built into the rear license plate frame. Some idiot broke into the car and stole the display unit mounted under the dash and destroyed some of the wiring in the process. I know that my friend paid a buttload for that thing and for some stupid reason his insurance company refused to pay him for the damage. After the system was partially destroyed, he bought a V1. He said the V1 when mounted stealthily up behind the rearview mirror worked worlds better than the Beltronics system with front and rear mounted sensors.

Just some food for thought. I'd probably go with a V1 (even though it's huge) and try to mount it attractively up above/behind the rearview mirror.

My only concern is that the NEW valentine 1 is known to throw a TON of false readings now, and that the new passport 8500 x50 is much less easy to detect using the RDD's. This was on that radar site that the guy runs (he's a former cop who's a certified instructor).

 

[RaDaRkInG]

My only concern is that the NEW valentine 1 is known to throw a TON of false readings now, and that the new passport 8500 x50 is much less easy to detect using the RDD's. This was on that radar site that the guy runs (he's a former cop who's a certified instructor).

The V1 does not false more, it picks up more signals because it is the only detector with 2 antennas because it has a patent on this. Think of the antennas like eyes, somebody with one eye is going to see a lot less than somebody with two eyes.

As far as RDD's, the only place where they are illegal in the U.S. is Virginia and D.C. and they are illegal in every state if you are a truck driver.

http://www.radarbusters.com/support/spectre/4.asp

Spectre I Testing:

Radar Detector Detected Ft.
Attowave * Not Detected
Beltronics RX-65 230.5
Cobra 9700 1087
Cobra PT 1287
Cobra 9400 1751
Cobra 9870 989
Escort 8500 X50 2185
PNI 7500 2185
PNI 7600 1382
Valentine 1 295.4
Whistler 3450 649
Whistler Pro 73 547

Spectre II Testing:

Radar Detector Detected Ft.
Attowave * Not Detected
Beltronics RX-65 1096
Beltronics RX-75 927
Beltronics 985 1360
Beltronics 990 1410
Beltronics 960 1400
Cobra 9870 989
Cobra 9700 286.6
Cobra PT 1339
Cobra 9400 1355
Early Warning 5001 1434
Escort 8500 1382
Escort Solo 2 1567
Escort SR-7 910
PNI 7500 1382
PNI 7600 1096
PNI Traveller 2 1310
PNI Zodiac 1570
RMR Mini D 1580
Valentine 1 100
Whistler 1783 1027
Whistler 1793 1417
Whistler 3300 514
Whistler 3450 324
Whistler Pro 73 463


Spectre III Testing (Proto type Version):

The Spectre III is under evaluation by several North American police departments at this time, but is used in Australia. This unit is scheduled to be released to the North American market in August of 2004. The Spectre III is identical to the Spectre II except for the addition of a gain control and other auxiliary functions.

Radar Roy learned from sources that the following test maybe inaccurate. The Spectre is designed with a heat sensor set at 70 degrees to disable the unit, to prevent damage to the sensitive electronics. Once the unit cools to degrees the unit will resume operation. As this test was performed in during the day at temperatures above 90, the results of this Spectre III may have been compromised.

Radar Detector Detected Ft.
Attowave * 442.8
Beltronics RX-65 955
Cobra 9700 1014
Cobra PT 1721
Cobra 9400 492.2
Escort 8500 X50 Not Detected
PNI 7500 Not Detected
PNI 7600 Not Detected
Valentine 1 1860
Whistler 3450 746.1
Whistler Pro 73 447.9
Whistler Pro 58 447

Notice how the V! kills the X50 in the Spectre I and Spectre II testing and how the X50 is almost the worst when it comes to RDD's. The Spectre III was compromised as Radar Roy stated in his test so that test should be thrown out.

 

[epj3]

I don't know if you didn't see this or what... this is what my concern is. I'm not concerned about the radar detector detectors... if I'm in virginia, i'll turn it off anyways. It's not illegal to posses, but it's illegal to use.

"Autoweek magazine November 2004 reviewed the new 1.8 version of the Valentine 1 radar detector and referred to it as the "Chicken Little" of radar detectors because of all its false alarms and commented that the average user would end up tuning out all alerts. "

"*** Just after Autoweek's report, Radar Roy had received four of the new Valentine 1 units directly from Valentine with the new POP software. He tested these new units and agreed with the Autoweek review and reduced the filtering rating from a nine, to the seven."

from http://www.radarbusters.com/support/product-tests/3.asp

The only way I would buy the passport is if they sold a comperable remote display.

 

[///M SPEED]

This thread is ironic. I just purchased a V1 and it should arrive today or next. Update to be posted later....

 

[Big Daddy]

Scott I have one, had it for years and love the thing. I admit I have not used it much lately but it saved me numerous times. Just remember the detector alone is worthless you must be attentative as well. (I am sure you knew that)

 

[///M SPEED]

Oh yes Dan, there are many different beeps/blabs and light warnings for different types of radar being used. The Pulse Radar is the one that can get you the most. You have to be very attentive to catch this type. Cool thing is my car is already hard wired for it. Just plug-and-play. I did buy the Concealed Display unit as well. I am not sure were I am going to mount this though....

 

[jszar]

I bought my mother a Cobra a few years back. She kept getting tickets and she rarely even sped. I stole it before I left for college last August. I drilled a tiny hole in the console that holds the button and motor for the sun roof. I put a fuse and switch right next to the sun roof switch, it looks bad ass for a $15 fix at Radio Shack. I also hard wired it to the cars electrical system so I dont have to worry about the plug in my cigarette lighter. I always had to unplug it too, because the cigarette lighter was a constant source off the battery. Now the radar dectector only turns off when I turn the car off and open the door. It has enough features for me, and has saved me numorous times.

edit - I took pictures really quick. BTW (off topic) that last pic is of my car after it got fixed after that accident in April.

 

[epj3]

Scott I have one, had it for years and love the thing. I admit I have not used it much lately but it saved me numerous times. Just remember the detector alone is worthless you must be attentative as well. (I am sure you knew that)

My concern was that cops don't keep a radar detector on constantly (unless it's the turnpike or another major major road). I've found they just tend to use the trigger on the gun itself. Does the valentine 1 pick these signals up? Or does it regard them as junk? I know the V1 is expensive but it's not the kind of thing I'll have to replace every 2 or 3 years...

 

[Big Daddy]

Your talking about "instant on" radar guns and I do not believe any detector will catch them as they are not sending out a signal until triggered. They do not have instant on with Lidar, which is what most agencies are using today. Therefore I would not be too concerned about instant on.

 

[jszar]

I got tagged by a lazer once. I think thats what your talking about. It is 'instant on' so it only transmits when you are aiming at someting and pull the trigger...so there is no warning, its impossible to detect.

 

[MyHarley]

I love my Valentine 1 and the more I use the more I learn.......just got back from Shreveport.........Mapquest stated 5 hours 26 minutes......well I got there from Houston in 3 hours and 28 minutes and stopped twice........you are right there is nothing for instant laser but you should learn how to speed wisely, [slap] not to speed excessively without pointers (other cars) in the front and at least one pointer in the back......this is what protects you from instant radar......it will pick up the radar if someone in front of you has been subjected to instant radar.......also my back radar was a lot more receptive than the notice I was getting from the front,,,,,,,,so I mounted a little higher and now its receptive on front and back at a much quicker notice.......I felt totally wiped out after my trip from all the concentration and excessive speed for this trip, being on alert the whole time was wearing me out.........it became a game and luckily this trip, I hit the bonus round with no tickets either way, but passed least 10 round trip getting tickets, such a shame..........