Radar detector location?
 

I saw a post in an earlier thread here or maybe on a different board about someone's plan to mount his radar detector on top of the rear strut brace. This sound good b/c it would keep in an unobtrusive location and would be right above the 12V power outlet. My question: any thoughts on whether it would function as well there; would being in the center of the car instead of near the front alter its abilty to detect radar or lasar? Anybody else have any comments or concerns about that location? Thanks

radar
 

i think that would not be good....primarily, and this might be a personal quirk, but i listen to loud obnoxious music and i rely on the lights and not the sound of the beeps...plus i've always felt that i respond to the brakes quicker when i see the lights vice an audible noise.. people usually hear the detecter and then look at the lights anyways instead of slowing down right away.. just my opinion

I just purchased the Escort 8500 and I think i will be hardwiring it. I think the cigarette adaptor placement is a bit weird in our cars.

The only concern I have is if their is any wires to connect the radar to in the roof. Most people have installed next to their rear view mirror on the top of the windshield and connect it to the wiring that powers the sunroof.

Any suggestions?

First, mounting the radar detector on the strut bar is not a good idea. This will greatly degrade it's effectiveness. The best location is the center of the front windshield.

You can splice your radar detector into the map light wires that lead to the rear-view mirror. But, the map light wires may or may not be switched with the cars other accessory lights. If they are not, you would need to turn your detector on and off manually each time you start and stop your Z.

But, it's should be a relatively simple to run the wires under the edge of the headliner and down the front pillar to the fuse box. This is the way I currently have my radar detector wired and I plan to do the same in my Z.

-Plucky

Thanks for the thoughts. I have also always wired my radar detectors directly to a circuit in the fuse box that is only hot when the ignition is on. It's easy to find a place to run the wire and I never have to think about it...if car is running, the detector is on.

1) would be my preference, but there is "anti glare" (I think) material right there, I wonder how this would impact readability. The anti glare stuff looks like a bunch of black dots stuck on the window.

I will be going with location 1 also. You usually can't use the visor clip thingy that comes with the detector if you go with that position. I hate those suction cup things too.

What I have done with my Valentine One is a little trick I learned from one of my residents. You take Velcro strips with super sticky adhesive backing on the other side. You cut it to match the top of the detector and stick it to the top. Usually the velcro alone isn't enough to hold the detector to the cloth of the roof or visor, so you then take suture (OK so not EVERYONE is an orthopedic surgeon....so use needle and thread) and sew it through the velcro on the detector and to the cloth of the roof.

You get a really nice looking and secure fixation of the detector, and you can get it up and out of the way. Oh yeah, you have to hard wire the thing into an electrical source (mine goes under the visor, down under the cushion on the A pillar and into the fuse box under the dash.

Huh? It sounds like the detector is permanently sewn to the headliner then. You could not remove it temporarily if you wanted to.

Yes, it is sewn in. I never need to remove it so that's why I do it that way. I guess if you want to take it out, this way wouldn't work. You could try just the velcro but it depends on the "stickiness" of the headliner.

VQ, I think in your pic you'd still be OK with position 1. Remember that there is a lot of glass back there. Where you wrote the word "bad" in your drawing, there should be glass not metal there.

I plan to use suction cups and have the dealer install optional accessory cigarette lighter and ashtray. This replaces the storage tray below the shift lever and is powered only with the key on. The owners manual (2-28) does not recommend using this for other purposes, but I am sure it will work.

It'll be close but I think it'll still be OK Victor. If you look at where the glass ends and use the black line on your drawing and follow it forward it may work. If you put it just above (well, resting on) the top of the mirror it might work.

After viewing the contents of this thread...
 

...I have come to one inescapable conclusion.

You people have no lives.

joe

Ditch all of the detectors and buy a hidden detector
 

All you have do do is buy a detector that has sensors in the front of the car and in the rear of the car(outside) and then you have a litttle control unit put inside the car (wherever you want it). I have seen this type put in a lot of exotics.
Adam

I have always used a remote detector. They work great, are hidden, and you nevver have to worry about them. I'm going to install the Escort Passport SR1.

(Said in your best Ed McMahon voice):


YOU ARE CORRECT SIR!

Directions on the escort 8500 say to mount it on the window. it picks everything up better there

You can 'high-mount' a Valentine One using the most rearward headliner retaining clip. I have used the visor clip modified with the retaining clip installed through it and into the stock position, nicely pinning the Valentine One just behind your head and the passenger's. By using the remote display and remote on/off switch mounted in the center console bay (I do not have the Navi) the unit can be controlled and seen from the dash, not be seen from outside, and easily hidden if you get pulled over. As to reception and detection I have used one for almost three years with no problems. The only pain was the initial installation that required removing several panels and running all the wires under the carpet. It took a few hours but has been trouble-free and works great. Kinda' expensive but you get what you pay for.

Hope that helps.:)

This is how I did mine.

http://www.techstation.com/350Z/P1010820.JPG

http://www.techstation.com/350Z/P1010824.JPG

http://www.techstation.com/350Z/P1010822.JPG

http://www.techstation.com/350Z/P1010825.JPG

http://www.techstation.com/350Z/P1010828.JPG

I did my S2000 and Maxima the same way. Hope these pics help.

Hint: Look at original post date... :eek:

I used the window suction cups and positioned mine right above the Oil PSI guage. There is a smal piece of foam tape on the bottom/front side of the detector to help keep the detctor from moving or vibrating.

It kind of messes with the clean looks of the 3 guage pods a little but looks much much better than if I mounted it up high by the rear view mirror, which would obstruct my view anyway and flop around.