I used Mr. Attacks 'V1' posting as a guide to install my Bel up by (and powered from) the mirror....

The screws where tough, and the lights/glasses unit needed a LOT of force to come out. Then a foot of straight cord, (from an old 'passport' detector) used one of the bracket bolts inside as a ground (M8 mm) and the black switched wire to the Homelink as power.

The mount was just the glass suction cups as high as they could go - I had intended to fab a U shaped metal bracket to hold the unit snug against the roof, but no need, the stock suction mount fits really well up behind that little sunshade above the mirror. There is no way it can be seen from the front! Bonus!
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doc

Originally posted by Doctorr
...There is no way it can be seen from the front! Bonus!...

Hmm.... I can see it from the front in your picture...

---jps

Am I seeing wrong or is your RD aimed directly through the black shading material on the top of the windows behind the RV mirror? Won't that drastically reduce sensitivity?

O.K. Sputguy, lets just say that compared to the previous visibility, with the whole thing hanging from the centre windscreen by two big suction cups - it is now VIRTUALLY invisible!

No the shade doesn't block radar, most glass and plastics are transparent to the signals.
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doc

I really liked that idea. I didnt get a homelink mirror, but do you know if the wiring will be up there anyways? if so I will be able to do the same and get the BEL nice and invisible :D

Radar dectectors are illegal here in California. Regardless, I will, of course, be getting one (almost definitely the Valentine). Anybody have any creative ideas for mounting it a little more discreetly? I was considering the storage in the center console, but that would render the directional arrows useless... :(

Hi - you may want to check your facts - I'm no expert on the subject, but a quick google turned up multiple references that radar jammers are illegal in Calif but that Radar Detectors are just fine in Calif.

Dave

Originally posted by RotorMotor
Radar dectectors are illegal here in California. Regardless, I will, of course, be getting one (almost definitely the Valentine). Anybody have any creative ideas for mounting it a little more discreetly? I was considering the storage in the center console, but that would render the directional arrows useless... :(

radar detectors ARE NOT ILLEGAL in california.

Well slap me and call me Susan! :p Thanks fellas. Guess I had misread....

Welp, without the homelink option the only wiring up there is for the lights. Hopefully they are 12 volt, if not it's going to take some rigging.

Anyway, I wanted to ask, what did you use as a bracket for mounting the detector? Also, isnt it a bit hard to get to the buttons now? I know you probably wont be using them too often, but I was just wondering.

You are correct, the buttons are now hard up against the roof.

As I said, I planned on building a 'U' shaped bracket to mount between the glasses holder and the Bel, with the Bel unit upside down, (buttons down), but I have the buttons set as I want them now and it fits just SO nice on the original glass suckers, to the space above the mirror....

To get the laser detection (for what its worth!) working, you should probably go for the upside down option. The sensor is on top, now also eating head-liner.
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doc

Originally posted by tribal azn2


radar detectors ARE NOT ILLEGAL in california.

But they are ILLEGAL in Virginia and Washington D.C.

This may not matter to left coast folks, but it does matter to those of us in less wacky parts of the world!:D

have you guys think of using the power from the sunroof? or dome light?

wouldn't the wire be more consealed that way?

I all my cars I like having the detector on the dash - less people see it, less people want to break into the car and steal it. Alos, with it on the dash - it is easy to run the wires along the base of the windshield directly to the fuse box.

Sunroof would probably be a better idea since it has "switched" power. Meaning with the ignition switch off, the power is off. The lights would have a constant power supply, so you can turn them on and off whenever you want to. If you tap onto this power, then you always have to manually turn your detector off when you get out of the car. The best option is to run your hardwire down the A pillar to the fuse box instead of cutting and pasting other wires.

Originally posted by TybeeRX-8
This may not matter to left coast folks, but it does matter to those of us in less wacky parts of the world!:D
Yer just envious :D

Here's some pics of the Solo2:
.....and BTW, how do you post multiple pics?

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Originally posted by RotorMotor
Radar dectectors are illegal here in California. Regardless, I will, of course, be getting one (almost definitely the Valentine). Anybody have any creative ideas for mounting it a little more discreetly? I was considering the storage in the center console, but that would render the directional arrows useless... :(

I believe Valentine sells a remote display accessory, which would give you additional mounting configurations.

I have been reading up on the wireless / cordless radars using 2 AA batteries. Some of the stats on useage seem reasonable. Why not look at those. They say battery power for four months.

I am thinking about radars for the first time and thought I would just get a cordless and place it just over the mirrior like these pix.

mmjames:
My sentiments exactly. I've put one pair of Duracell batteries (replacing the factory shelf - delivered ones) since I purchased it the first week of August; They haven't worn out yet.

The thing definately works. There have been times it went off and I saw nothing - slowed down, and finally saw the radar equiped police car go past me.

...I believe in the "kis" principal: "keep it simple".

Time to revive this thread.

I tried to get my detector (Escort Solo2 cordless) mounted up above the rear view mirror, but found that there was no way I could get the suction cups to stick to the painted-on sunshade up by the mirror. Eventually got it mounted using the visor clip, hooked to the headliner.

Problem was, I found, that I couldn't clearly see the display when it went off in that location. Also, it partially blocks the sunglass holder. And finally, it was hard to get to the MUTE button, which is on top of the detector, and was pressed into the "headliner" in this location.

Determining that I wanted to move it, I tried several things. First was to fabricate a bracket that hung off the mirror's windshield mount, and put the detector directly under the mirror. Problem with this location was that (a) the mirror mount was lose and would rattle going over bumps, and no matter how many different lengths of screws I tried, I couldn't get it snugged up. Second problem was that my wife didn't like it there - said it blocked some visibility, and I tended to agree.

So I spent some time pondering where to put the detector. Above mirror was out, unless I could make some sort of a bracket to permanently mount it to the headliner/sunglass holder console. I may still do this. Sun visors were out, as cliping the detector there eliminates their use. Stuck somewhere on the windshield was out, as I hate the way suction cups look, and I've found they don't hold over time. They're also not very stealthy. So this means it needs to go somewhere on the dash. Hmmm.

Best location I could find was the lower left corner of the windshield and dash. I therefore made up a bracket, and along with the help of a little bit of velcro, the detector now rides very securely there. This location also puts the detector right in my field of view, and yet does not block anything. Finally, because of the state-mandated emissions sticker, it's pretty durn stealthy too. Perfect!

Pics follow... but I'd love to hear about any other ideas people have come up with. I'm always open to ideas!

Outside view 1

Detector outside view 2

I'd love to see some kind of bracket that made it easy to install and remove. I've got an Escort/Passport 8500 that need the power outlet. The suction cups, as noted, aren't too stealthy plus I can't get them or the bracket adjusted to where the detector doesn't rest in the dash or is up so high as to be really annoying. Simply putting it on the dash with velcro won't sit it up high enough to function properly. If anybody has any good ideas, I'd love to hear them. Think Escort could come up with a better bracket?????

I had to make one. PIA, but worth it ultimately.

Well, I've lived with my detector for about a week now in it's new lower-left-dash location, and have decided (a) I love the location, and (b) I needed a more attractive bracket. So I got to creating today, and made a nicer one. Pics follow.

from the side...

... and the view from the driver's seat.

I keep my radar detector in my pocket (PBA cards, and soon my badge) Whats wrong with you people wanting to speed, dont you know that breaking the law :p

I think the radar looks fine in the middle of the windshield, kind of offsets the homelink mirror. IDK my .02

There is a direct wire smart cord available for the 8500. That, and the jammer, are on my list of must haves for this car.

To add this little bit of info about the radar detector; when I went to mount mine, (Passport 8500), I looked into the possibility of mounting it in the same place that Omicron has his currently mounted, (as seen in this thread: http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=17520&perpage=15&pagenumber=1). In doing my little bit of testing, (as anyone who read my post concerning grounding kits should know...:D ). I broke out a laser level, and held it in place where the detector was to go, and pointed the lighted end out BOTH the front and the rear. I found that there is no obstruction in either direction. I am also working on a different mount for the detector, and will post it along with pix when I get it done. I'll include pix of the laser tests as well. With any luck, that will be sometime this weekend. Yes - I know, this is a double post, sorry!:)
-Doc

Hi folks, I have been reading the posts regarding the problems with power supply. I remember last time (few years ago) I had a device with battery supply, it worked fine. If there was a threat of being caught by police for using it, I just took it off from the provided magnet and slipped below the seat.
Does anyone have experience with similar thingy? Is any newer model of this kind available now?
thx

Originally posted by euroRX
Hi folks, I have been reading the posts regarding the problems with power supply. I remember last time (few years ago) I had a device with battery supply, it worked fine. If there was a threat of being caught by police for using it, I just took it off from the provided magnet and slipped below the seat.
Does anyone have experience with similar thingy? Is any newer model of this kind available now?
thx The Passport Solo 2 that I use is actually cordless. But if you mount your detector up by the rear view mirror and are willing to pull down the overhead console so you can get at the wiring, it's a simple matter to run power to a detector in this location.

I should probably point out that I no longer have my detector mounted in the lower left corner of the windshield as pictured in this thread... I have fabricated a bracket just like Doctorr did at the beginning of this thread.

I also have the bel. I didnt like to have the detector above the mirror since it caused 2 problems.

1. The rearview mirror has to sit low (in the original position) so that it blocks up most of the center of the windshield.
2. Since the bel unit comes with the laser detector front and back, it should sit lower if possible.. (probably not a big deal)

So, I mounted mine upside down right snug under the rearview mirror, with the mirror positioned as high as possible. Also, when I had it mounted high, I had to use a custom fabricated bracket, and it had too much play. THe one that comes with the radar detector works perfectly behind the mirror with a little creative use of extra strength velcro and a tie wrap.

The laser sensors are low, and has a clear view out front and back , and the radar detector uses less space than the mirror.. AND i can easily read it and reach the buttons, and it is closer to my ear and easier for me to hear when the radio is up.

Good solution, Guy. But personally, it would drive me NUTS having it upside down. I'm just like that. ;)

The words are right side up.. just the buttons are on the boddom.

I'll take a pic and post it tommorrow. not as "Stealth" as the top install but it doesnt really stand out either.

Originally posted by Omicron
Good solution, Guy. But personally, it would drive me NUTS having it upside down. I'm just like that. ;)

I tried my detector hanging under the rear view mirror for a short while - had to make a bracket and everything. Then Mrs. Omi took the car for a short trip and hated the location, said it blocked her view. So it came down - both to keep the peace, and because I kind of agreed. :)

Still, nice version. Love to see pics.

I have the Solo S2 and ran into the same problem mentioned earlier in this thread with the standard suction cups not sticking to the painted surface on the top center of the windshield.

My 2 cent solution: put a little rectangular peice of clear 3M packing tape over the spot where you want to attach the suction cups. Perfect.

Jeff