Radar Windshield mount problem
 

I have my bel rx65 hardwired and I use the windshield mount. I placed it right above the rear view mirror where the black bump things are. My problem is every 2 weeks the suction cup keeps going bad, that the cups weren't stay on the windshield. I really like this spot for the radar, what do you guys suggest?

I used a piece of clear packing tape on the black part and this created a smooth surface for the suction cups to mount. You can't even see the tape since it's clear. Maybe this will work for you too.

What he said^^^^^ I also used the clear packing tape and haven't replaced any suction cups since.

I found if you clean the suckers with glass cleaner it holds fine. 3M make a double sided foam tape that you could attach to the suckers. I also found never lick the suckers lol

2 solutions....
 

I used the clear tape for about a year, but my ultimate solution was to slide a thin piece of stainless up into the headliner, and secure it with one of the bolts for the maplight mount.
Then rivetted the metal part of the suction mount to it, pretty damn solid.


S

Isn't it kind of pointless to mount a radar detector above the mirror?
I'm asking this because I don't know.

I just looked-up the manual for the Bel RX65 and it says,

"Where to mount RX65
For optimum detection performance, we
recommend the following:
• Using the Windshield QuickMount, mount
your RX65 level, and high enough on your
front windshield to provide a clear view of
the road from the front and rear.
• Mount RX65 away from windshield
wipers, other solid objects, and heavily
tinted areas that might obstruct the radar
antenna or laser lens."
My radar detector manual says the same thing, and so does the Valentine1.

It seems that placing it on top of the rear-view mirror goes against both of these suggestions.

- Cesar -

I would have to concur with cesar. Not only for the reasons he has listed, but also because if your like me at all, you got your music cranked as you drive fast lol. Making it somewhat of a challenge to hear it go off. Not to mention that it helps to be able to readily see the lights and how many bars you have; meaning I want my Radar Detector in clear visual range. Perhaps mine is merely of pure preference, but it just seems like the smart thing to do.

Are you sure about the V1 manual?
All your quotes from the manual are pointing exactly above the mirror just below the black windshield thingy.

I am going try the tape idea, hopefully it works. Thanks for the help

It's still falling down, I am guessing the replacment suction cup aren't strong enough. Where did you guys get the suction cup from?

just mount it below the rear view mirror. away from the black dot matrix.

in our car, there is no room between the black dots and rear view mirror.

My V1 fits perfect. It's not the HomeLink mirror if that makes any difference.

https://home.comcast.net/~nijel/V1_In.jpg

Oh, BTW the big suction cups included with the V1 holds it just fine on the black dots. Over 14 months without a single fall.

Try this no-tech simple solution (literally)! Lick the suction cups. Gross, yuk I know....but it works...best adhesive you'll find that doesn't leave a permanent residue... even on those pesky black dots there above the mirror.

ps. actually you can lick the top of your hand and rub 'it' on the cups :cwm27: Also I bought some extra large suction cups at a craft store.

I'm wondering where would be the best place to mount the radar detector?

I've heard different stories...

1. Its better to mount it high, right behind the black part, because there is no tint there. This is based on the point of view that the RX-8 tint will cut down on signal range, but the holes in the black part at the top of the window shield is free of tint.

2. Its better to mount mid window, just above the gps navigator (if you have one).

3. Its better to mount low on the dash, because signals will bounce off the hood and help with detection.

Which is really the better location?

Radar Mount
 

Try this mount. Goes just UNDER the mirror and works great!

http://www.countryjoycrafts.com/Conn...arDetector.htm

i had the same problem with my bel falling down. then i found those sticky velcro tabs (made by 3m) that they give out free if you get an iPass here in chicago. i got a bunch of them.

i took the suction cups off the mounting bracket and applied two of the velcro sticky tabs. that lasted for about a year until the stickiness wore off. so i decided no sticky would get the best of me. i actually took a needle and thread and sewed through the plastic sticky tab backing to permanently attach the mounting bracket to the velcro tab. it has held for almost a year now and shows no sign of coming undone.

took me about 10 minutes and has saved me that ridiculous fright of when the radar detector decides to fall off the window and hangs from the hardwired cable in front of you.

I just got some new suction cups from Ace Hardware. They have them now for hanging things on windows. I just removed the wire hook. They don't fit as tightly in the Bel mount. But, they stick better than the originals.

i actually have mine mounted on the lower left portion of the window, slanted slightly so i can see it from the left side of the drivers seat....

Thanks, Phiend!! This thing looks like the answer to all my needs. At $40 it's pretty pricey, but what's a quality mod going for these days anyhow??

The best solution for me is gel-type crazy glue on the original suction cups. The will never fall down and you can not see the glue once they are on. To remove simply use a glass scrapper and scrape off just like you would a window sticker.

Having the bracket permenantly mounted on the windshield is an anouncement to thieves and the police that you have a unit somewhere in the car. This was an option I didn't favor.

I got it!!

This was originally designed for a Valentine1 on a 350Z, so you need to put up with some Z'ed-o-phile crap on her website, but it is a nice unit. It mounts the V1 about 3/4 inch below the Homelink mirror. Installation involves several turns of a hex wrench up against the windshield where you can't see, so you want to leave the bracket on there most of the time. Yeah, that announces that you have a detector somewhere in the car, but who cares? It's legal.

This location is ideal for observing and manipulating the unit.

I think they have a model for the Bel clones.

the location of the detector using the countryjoycraft mounts is visible, but it's less visible than seeing a set of suction mounts on the windshield. imo, much better. haha. you guys all know how irritating those suction cups are

and the thing about putting the Z lettering on the mount on the website is because they are somewhat active on the Z forum and sell this for a bargain on there.

The standard mount has a big, ugly "Z" engraved on the front-facing side, where a reasonable person would place a nicely-engraved rotor logo. Fortunately, they do offer it plain.

I was referring to the vendor's cutesy humor sprinkled around the website and the instructions brochure.

This mount is attractive and well-engineered, unlike the suction-cup dealey that Valentine provides.

Mirror mount
 

Just a note:

I have a BEL RX-65 and it came with the "smart plug" on the lighter plug adapter. I went back to BEL and bought the hard-wired version (along with another windshield suction cup mount, $4, hard to beat). Now I can use my RD in my other cars, and the smart plug is mounted with double-sided tape just under my guages (next to the steering wheel). The benefit is that at night, I put the RD in "dark" mode and just use the "smart plug". The friendly officers behind me can't see the RD easily this way.