Hardwire a radar detector

[Vtolds]

I live in a legal state to have it, and I still dont get it. And lots of people dont own a Escort Radar Detector I dont think most do, I have a Whistler.

[mike2002]

http://www.whistler-radar.com/acc/acc_store.html

not trying to be a smart-ass..lol, all the radar detector companies have hardwire kits

[Wildman]

A Simple solution:
I apologize for the very fuzzy pics, but the camera doesnt do close up shots very well at all. Here is what I did, put the detector right above the rearview mirror, run the wires (purchased at radioshack, not a radar install kit or anything, just a simple wire with the proper size plug on the end that fits in the detector), run those wires along the headliner, tucked in nicely, and down behind the A pillar, and into the fusebox. Then, (as I attempted to show in the lower pic) ground the negative wire onto one of the black screws just above the fuse panel (crimped on an eye connector) and slide the positive wire under a fuse while plugging in the fuse. And there you have it. When you shut the car off, it turns off, when you start the car, it comes on. I just leave the volume all the way down until I need it, then I turn it up. No need to mess with unplugging it or having it look tacky hanging over the dash and stuff. And besides, I believe they recommend having your detector mounted as high as possible for optimal detection anyways, so this is also a benefit. Good Luck!

[Wildman]

Fusebox (drivers side)

[Vtolds]

Anyone ever read the owners manual on there Radar detector,it says in mine to mount it as LOW as you can on the windshield. Mounting above your mirrow like that may be less affective since they arent aiming a the top of your car they are aiming at the middle of it.

[Wildman]

That may be true for laser, but not radar. Odds are that when your detector goes off via laser, your already screwed because they already know your speed.
http://pages.quicksilver.net.nz/geof...r/Radarfaq.htm
About 3/4th the way down it says where to mount it. Not just on that site, but I could have swore that my manual said mount it high also, but i'm no expert

[Vtolds]

I'm not to worried about mine not working, mine detects the standard X band, and laser, but K band Ka band and it also has VG2 which when it detects a radar detector detector it hides itself so if they happen to be looking for cars with radar detectors mine stealths itself.

Originally posted by VTOLDS@Dec 12 2004, 03:29 PM
Anyone ever read the owners manual on there Radar detector,it says in mine to mount it as LOW as you can on the windshield. Mounting above your mirrow like that may be less affective since they arent aiming a the top of your car they are aiming at the middle of it.

Wildman is right on this one. It doesn't matter where you mount the detector as long as it's on/behind the glass. X and K bands use radio waves. These waves get larger the further they get from the transmitter. So with these types of radar units there is no aiming involved other than pointing it at the vehicle. Hell it doesn't even have to be point at the vehicle depending on the distance. X and K bands are pretty much always on unless the operator switches it off. Ka is instant on/off, user selectible by switch or trigger.

Laser (lidar) on the other hand does have to be aimed and it's usually aimed at the front plate or bumper/grill area of the vehicle. Not many departments use Lidar as it's costly, needs specific training and has to be held very still/steady when in use. Not many use X band either. It's become to common for other consumer goods and has interference problems.

If you get tagged with Lidar or Ka band it's usually too late, your nailed. I don't use any form of radar anymore. I have an unmarked vehilce with hidden lights. I just pace people. Tagged one guy in a GASE with a radar detector for 105. Don't rely on the radar, look in your mirrors for that car following you! Watch the cars in front of you cresting the hill and slamming on their brakes. Might be something hidden on the other side that they can see and you can't.

A few other myths:
-officers don't calibrate radar guns. They verify the calibration with tuning forks. The gun only has to be verified once before shift, not before each use.
-there is NO requirement that an officer has to show you your speed on his radar. This may vary in a few states, but I don't know of any that it is required.

it also has VG2 which when it detects a radar detector detector it hides itself so if they happen to be looking for cars with radar detectors mine stealths itself.

Not stealth mounted on your windshield in view of that cop rolling up behind you without radar when your not watching your mirrors. :P

[mike2002]

wildman, thats where mine was in my last car, really good spot for it. i agree, the only thing it hurts is laser. laser is so specific, once your nailed, your done anyways. k,ka,x they could be going for the cars in front of you. ka is pretty specific but if they're nailing cars in front of you, or around the corner, mine still picks it up. ive only had my laser go off once, i think only highway cops have them. i was speeding like 15-20 over, and he never came after me, it was pretty congested, maybe he didn't know who was speeding, i hit the brakes but i know it was to late. who knows why i didn't get pulled over

btw, wildman, what year is your car? i have a 2001 gls, and i dont have a temp thing in my rearview, wish i did, that and i miss my autodimming rearview...

[Wildman]

Mines a 99, (best year IMO, heh) and thats not factory
Only thing I miss is no map lights now , but the autodim is pretty nice, along with the temp and compass