Radar detector wiring
 

Has anyone direct-wired their Valentine 1 into the RX-8 yet? There are a lot of potential power sources up near the sunroof and map light controls, maybe even the homelink wiring would be good to tap into.

Anyone done it yet?

Thanks,
Matt

When I installed my V1 I tapped into the ON circuit in the steering column to try to minimize the racket of my V1 when I start the engine. In theory it was a good idea but when the starter is cranked the voltage seems to drop just enough to cause the V1 to run through its noisey start up again.

With that in mind I'd tell you to save yourself some time and just tap into one of the power wires to either the map lights or Homelink. Oh, be careful when you remove the overhead bin. There are two screws located in the sunglasses compartment and a couple of spring loaded tabs that need to be released while you are removing the bin.

Thanks for the tip! I was planning on wiring my V1 in permanently this weekend, and wasn't looking forward to trying to find some live wires. Your suggestion should help. :)

is Valentine One the best radar out there?

Yes, the V1 is generally regarded as the best one you can get... I think the locator function is invaluable (it points to the direction of the radar and provides a count of radar sources). It's saved me a bunch of times. Not that I speed :)

It's more expensive than the rest, but I bought mine 7 years ago and it has performed like a champ with no problems.

www.valentine1.com

I own two V1s, one is a 1st gen, the other a 2nd gen (a little smaller in height, better display showing what type of radar). I've owned 'normal' detectors before, they just don't provide the 'secure knowledge' that the V1 gives.

You know WHERE radar is (front/back/side), HOW MANY SOURCES and because you know more than 1 or 2 isn't likely a smoky (likely door openers or motion detection systems in buildings) and it easily catches double smoky traps by giving a priority signal where the strongest and most dangerous radar signal is coming from, direction wise.

At night IT IS your eyes, and in the daytime it gives you a period of heads up to be cautious before you can eyeball the source. Even today, many radarguns 'leak' and give themselves away even if 'off', but not all!

So that's why we all need to drive safe and remember Ka INSTANT ON means INSTANT TICKET! Seatbelts and V1s are a must have for any car I drive. :cool:

a quick price check on the Valentines and they go for about $350-$400...that's quite a lot for a radar...i always just went to the local Best Buy and bought a Whistler which served its purpose, and saved me from quite a few tickets...i don't speed nearly as much as i did when i was a teenager which also helps in reducing tickets...

maybe once prices come down on these V1's i'll purchase one...$400 bucks is quite a lot of money for a radar though, i'm not entirely sure it's worth it?

When it comes to radars, if your cheapy one doesn't work one time when it's critical.. that's the money RIGHT THERE (between insurance increase and ticket price) that would have justified the V1. It's why I opted for the best instead of one that will 'just do' because when I'm speeding I don't want to be informed half the time, or too late to matter.

Ask your insurance agent how much, and for how long even a single moving violation raises your rates + your state's ticket cost

Hint: Maybe 10-30% and for 3 yrs minimum depending on your point system in your state. So: %increase x what you pay now x #of yrs + ticket = ALOT... IOW $400 = deal IMHO

Somebody put up a few pictures on how to hardwire their radar so that I also can do it :)