valentine-1 radar detector wired into dash
 

Anybody try this yet with the valentine one?
http://www.valentine1.com/

they provide the wiring kit with the radar detector
and here is the instructions:
http://www.valentine1.com/moreinfo/mount.asp#directwire

the panels on the rx8 are so tightly fitted that it im afraid to start taking it apart..
I would love to also get my ipod wired in while im at it..

I also got the valentine-1 concealed display - so i can keep the data console right in front of my stearing wheel.

i figure the $450 kit is worth it - the first ticket i get will pay for this.

this is a fast little car! :)

let me know if you guys have done this yet!

oops! I found my answer :)
https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...ight=valentine

hehe, i love the V-1...Saves me all the time when i steal it from my friend..my POS escort one on the other hand...well yea..just get the V-1

The only thing i haven't found on this forum is somebody who hard wired in the remote display
http://www.valentine1.com/moreinfo/Display.asp

i would love to have that right next to my spedometer.. its a great addition.

any ideas for a clean hard wired install?

i am thinking of mounting it in the center blank under the radio. Right now my I/R recevier is there but i can make room for the remote display.

Ill let you know when it arrivves.

last night i checked it out.. it will fit perfectly. theres enough room for it and my 2 I/R recivers that are in there now.
I will cut a square hole out and mount it flush right there under the radio. I have 2 blanks comming form Trussvill mazda. I also discoverd that 5% tint sticks and looks great ontop of the knock out. This way i can hid the I/R wholes :)

Ill post pics next week ..

IF all goes well.

Check Audio and Electronics for display wirering.

huh ? why?
what are you looking for ?

Ok i cut my hole in the mp3 blank today ! came out great. I also drilled 2 holes for the i/r recevers. Now i will mount the V1 concealed display in the hole.. I ll take pics of the finished job tommorw after the ups man brings it .

I wonder if yours is going to come out looking like mine? ;)

http://images.cardomain.com/member_i...15_11_full.jpg

yep :) it should same bat place.. but i have to I/R recevers on either side of it :)

how do u like the unit ?

abd how did you mount it there? velcro tape ?

I tried a few things but I ended up using epoxy to hold the face plate and PCB in place. I think it came out better this way because it is rock solid and the face plate is flush against the dash. It just looks like it belongs there. :D

why did you take it out and just mount the pc board there? you can fit the entier box in the whole...\


UPS just brought it..

I couldn't think of another way to hold it in place securely and still have a perfect fit with no gaps.

So what are thinking about doing?

well the same but without removeing it from its box..

i will if i have to but my hole is cut for the outer dim of the box..
But i have 2 more virgin mp3 blanks so i can do this 2 more times :)


i already ran the power wires to the spot and a 4 wire phone cable to my rearview mirror so this should be a snap.. I thought about velcroing the box to the bottem of the Head unit . i think i have just enough space.. but i am concerd about the finished edge from box to Blank.. I may have to follow your lead and use the pc board and the interor dim of that face plate..


Got any ideas .. since youve been there ?

[list=1][*]Take apart remote display.[*]Cut a hole 0.025" smaller than the remote display to give a secure fit and flush look.[*]Insert face plate/PCB into hole and secure with two plastic pins. Note: the posts on the remote display housing work perfectly.[*]Use expoxy to hold the plastic posts in place.[*]Snap the whole deal into the dash and your done. :D[/list=1]

aye.. done. looks great.. i had to recut on a new blank but thats ok.. I used jb weld to glue the pc board down..

Looks awsome. an i love the placment.. its better there than by the spedo i think.. You really only need to hear it anyway. :)

Too bad there wasn't a way to mount the sensors in each of the bumpers instead of the unit dangling in your face. I checked out the original install thread, and I'm a tall guy(6'5) so having the unit placed where it would need to be would become disruptive to my view. Are there any alternatives?

BTW, the face plate install looks NICE!

its not in my face at all i am 6 ' 1 i have it just above the review mirror but under the darktint on the front windshield.. All my visors work and the mirror .. no view obstructions at all..

I even got to test it out today with a stationary radar speed limit sign. the V1 can see it in all directions.. just as it should..

What happens if you get pulled over and the cop notices either the unit or your in-dash display?

in Ca nothing. there only illeagel if they jam radar.. Ca does not ban Radar units that just listen :) .. so nothing. other than write me up for faster than i was doing..

Where do you have the main unit itself mounted?

The main unit is mounted above the rear view mirror, just like Thew described. It works great and it is relatively hidden from view.

Nice! You'll have to post a pic so I can check out how you installed your IR LEDs too.

It takes a little while to get used to the placement because it is so low on the dash. After a few days it becomes second nature and I think you'll really like it.

yes... Ill take a pic of the back andfront of the mp3 blank..

I have to use velcor tape on the I/R recevers becasue that will alowy the blank and HEad unit to come out again.. THe I.R. dont have blugs on them there one long as run to the trunk.. but thats ok.. Velcro works in space :)

backside with I/R

next

3

n

b

power block placement

guts

put it in

finished

ok thats all i got

Pic of the v1 on the window

close up

with sunvisor down :)

im confused, and not meaning to come off in a rude way or anything.....but where you have your v1 mounted above the mirror, is where i have my 8500 mounted....why the need for the other display in the dash? because surley youd just ook up to the mirror to see what the warning is.....or is there some other motive to having a remote display?


andrew

Thew,

Nice job on the install and the detailed photos.


Andrew,

I installed my remote display because I don't like to announce the presence of a radar detector (flashing lights) to all of the cars behind me. When the remote display is connected the main unit stays dark. Also I find it a little easier to operate the detector from the remote display because I can typically reach the button with my hand still on the shifter.

So why mount the box above the rearview? Is that for the detectors?

Sorry im a radar newb.

When you mount the detector at the top of the windshield it has the best view of the road helps to increase range.

It also has the added benefit of placing it out of sight of most people that may glance inside your car.

the other is just a remote screen.. not the whole detector

the main unit still needs to sit on the top of the windshield..

I did ask V1 if it would be ok to mount the main unit in the back window facing foward.. they said it sould work just as well in a car like the 8..

How did you get such a nice cut?
 

How did you cut that perfect rectangle? Doesnt that plastic want to chip when it gets cut out? What tools did you use?

-RX8J

i used a small scroll saw. but you can use just about anything to cut it. I coverd the finished side with blue painters tape. then drew out my pattern and cut with the good side up ! this makes the saw blade carry the ruff edge to the back side.

you can use a jig saw with a fine toothe metal or scroll blade. Drill a hole in it first to get the blade started.

One of the radar test site say the lower you the better high up on the visor is a no no for radars

I've always heard that higher is better, only you can't put it behind metal...and this includes any metallic tint, like many cars have across the top of the front windshield.

jds

I like the mounting that speed racer did on the face plate, nice job! I'm thinking about upgrading to the valentine. Question, how loud is it? In my old car my cobra worked just fine, plenty loud.

But now with my better sound system (and higher speed), I can't hear the darned thing. Also, has anyone thought of wiring it into the speakers? So it overrides/plays on top of what ever is coming out of the car's stereo no matter what the volume you will hear it.

the mount that me and speed have done is for the remote display. the radar unit needs to be mounted as high as possible and needs to see the back window as well.. so just below the dark tint over the rearview. This works very very well!.

Just got back from my Grand Canyon trip and Vegas, most of the drive was at 95- 115 mph !. The V1 was the best tool out there. And boy did i piss off those Mustangs and Z's that I blew the doors off :)


God I love this car ! .......

P.S. I did not see 1 8 all the way there back or even in Vegas ! :)