Can you remove that piece without removing the radio? If so, how.

Yes, very easy,
Get a flat screwdriver and wrap it with electrical tape
(just a small piece of tape will do)

Stick the screwdriver between button 2 and 5 of the radio presets,
it will pop of....

good to know but if he is installing the remote display he will have to run the cables somewhere...and that would be behind the radio

I am not 100% sure but I think when you remove the glove box you can get the wire
sneaked true the opening.... without removing the radio....

I hope I can run the wires without removing the radio but I might need to do it to install my amp anyway. Thanks for the pics, great job!

yes you can i have done just that.. !!

Awesome, that will work perfecrt them, I was going to try for something fabricated to replace the asshtray but I think I will just put my Bass knob there and my switches in that blacnk spot. And like someone said earlier it right there at the shifter where your hand is already.

Sweet I didit. I also put up a DIY:

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-do-yourself-forum-73/diy-custom-switches-53281/

question here, and i don't know if it's in the right thread. what is a lidar? is it laser? cause i got tagged by one.

Please don't give me the usual STFU and SEARCH newb, as I have. I am trying to find if Valentine offers any sort of concealed unit. All that has been mentioned on here is the concealed display, you still have to mount the detector in the windshield somewhere. I know detectors exist that you can put say under your hood behind the front grille, I just can't find anything from valentine along those lines. I really like the Valentines display and I know they have the best detectors out there, however I see nothing about a truly concealed unit. I would go to the valentines website, but it's blocked out here in Iraq for some crazy reason (we have the weirdest internet filters) thanks guys.

No, Valentine one doesn't offer a concealed unit. From the website:


" I want a hidden detector, with the receiver remote-mounted down in the grille, but you don't make one. Why not?
- B.L., Florida

Mike Valentine: I want a remote too, but I don't want to give up any protection. For the same reason you see high radio towers, the detector antenna needs to be high in the car; it sees over hills better, increasing range.

Mounting down in the grille amounts to a low tower. You also have the problem of traffic ahead blocking the signal. The only time I've seen a grille mount outperform a windshield mount was a case where the detector could look under the truck just ahead. Normally, a high mount has an advantage because it's up where it can see through the windows of other traffic.

Another thing; the really sophisticated direction finding and bogey counting that V1 has requires perfectly synchronized information from the front and rear antenna. It's possible to maintain that synchronization when the system in broken apart into units at the front and rear of the car, but you pay F-15 prices. My best compromise between maintaining performance on the one hand, and hiding the detector on the other, is the Concealed Display. This keeps V1 in the window where it works great, but operates "dark;" all the light-up warnings are transferred to a small Display that you can locate where only you will see it."

Awesome thanks. I decided I'll be going with a K40 calibre for my concealed unit then

This answer has been bothering the hell out of me. I think I finally came up with a quality "raise the BS flag" response.


"it sees over hills better, increasing range." - This one I kindof agree with, with our cars being as small as they are the difference between high up on the windshield and the grille is only a few feet, I don't see how this can make much of a difference. Hills that are only a few feet high aren't normally a problem. A large steep hill however, the grille would be pointing up anyway... just a thought.


"You also have the problem of traffic ahead blocking the signal." This really shouldn't be an issue. The only time I'm speeding is on open road. No traffic. If I was a wreckless driver and swerving in and out of traffic, sure it would be a concern, but then speeding isn't really your problem now is it?

"The only time I've seen a grille mount outperform a windshield mount was a case where the detector could look under the truck just ahead." If there is a truck just ahead of me, I probably am not speeding

"Normally, a high mount has an advantage because it's up where it can see through the windows of other traffic." My car can't see over a Honda Accord. Nuff said.

"the really sophisticated direction finding and bogey counting that V1 has requires perfectly synchronized information from the front and rear antenna." - Bluetooth.

I think that justifies my decision in going with the K-40 Calibre. So many of us talk about kits and knock people who get off brand for "getting something cheap" for the high end cars. i don't think this should be an exception. Sorry for the unintended thread Hijack, just I felt that guys answer was an easy way out of doing something. Like when people try and use bs complex words to give a fake answer, but the person they are answering believes them because he hears all these high tech terms.