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Old 01-19-2005, 11:02 PM   #1
Hanyoung
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Default Radar detector location

Hi,

I just bought a Bel 925 and am going to install it in the WRX. The bets two options I see for install are on the windshield or on the dash. If I put it on the dash above the clock, are there any issues with the hood scoop obstructing the view? If on the windshield, where have people been mounting them (midway, or higher or lower?) Pictures would be great. I've searched on this but seems like everyone has a V1 hardwired! Lucky!

Thanks!
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Old 01-19-2005, 11:04 PM   #2
Mulder
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The higher the better. If you can, secure it up by the rearview mirror. You will get the best range on both radar and laser with no obstructions.
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Old 01-19-2005, 11:06 PM   #3
Apex Rex
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Have my V1 hardwired up above the rear-view mirror, and the remote display set-up in the pocket above my aftermarket head unit.

Works like a dream.
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Old 01-19-2005, 11:22 PM   #4
aznatama
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hardwier your detector above the rear view mirror.

I have a passport X50 myself, and it's just as good as the V1, we did a side by side comparison from SoCal to NorCal and back this past xmas... =)

use the compass mirror switched 12v to hardwire your detector.
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Old 01-19-2005, 11:42 PM   #5
sssp
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i put mine a little above the hoodscoop. I notice that my metal tint blocks any detection from the rear, so i would watch out if your windows r tinted.
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Old 01-20-2005, 12:31 AM   #6
brunetmj
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I try for a bit more stealth than the rear view mirror.
Not that it's illegal but i dont want to make the police mad either. This cannot really be seen from outside the car.
It may not be mazimized but it has yet to fail me either.
remote on/off switch and display are in my din pocket.

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Old 01-20-2005, 07:53 AM   #7
iguanamafia
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I believe that most manufacturers recommend lower is better.

passport just for example

I mount mine just to the right of the round console for the sdeedo cluster and and to the left of the clock. not noticeable from behind, and very hard to see from the front if I am moving. It even picks up rear radar, not sure about laser.

IGGY
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Old 01-20-2005, 08:32 AM   #8
RandomDj
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Quote:
Originally Posted by iguanamafia
I believe that most manufacturers recommend lower is better.

passport just for example

I mount mine just to the right of the round console for the sdeedo cluster and and to the left of the clock. not noticeable from behind, and very hard to see from the front if I am moving. It even picks up rear radar, not sure about laser.

IGGY
that may be true with the escort or the bell... in which case follow those instructions... the v1 says to mount it high and as close to the center as possible...
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Old 01-20-2005, 12:07 PM   #9
rjtigger
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The reason they tell you the lower the better is because they include laser detection. The spread on the LIDAR beam may not be wide enough to reach the top of your windshield if the cop has it pointed at your license plate. Escort and Bel want your detector to go off when you get hit with LIDAR, so they tell you to put it lower.

Keeping in mind the fact that LIDAR detection is almost completely worthless (your radar detector is basically laughing at you if it detects LIDAR, because you've already been clocked), I'd recommend you mount the radar detector as high as possible so that you get the best range on radar detection.

I've put my Passport 8500 both above the rearview and "as low as possible while maintaining a clear view" (or whatever they recommend) and it works MUCH better when it's higher up.

It also worked better in my truck than in my STi because it was even higher when it was in the truck...

Try it both ways before hardwiring it and see for yourself. The best way to test it is to find one of those big yellow or orange digital highway signs that's emitting K band and drive by a couple of times, making note of where it first goes off in each position. (Make sure that the traffic around you isn't in the way - best time would be when there is no traffic.)

-rj
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Old 01-20-2005, 12:12 PM   #10
geshtolt
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I used a level to mount my Whistler DE-1770 as high-left as possible.

Mounted high, it can "see" over hills before I can...
Mounted left, I can "peek" out from behind semis
Also... I can validate alerts easier as well.

Plus... it's not as obvious as a dash or middle-low mount.
Middle mounts just don't make sense.. .you spend most of the time obstructing the radar with cars in front/behind of you.
And it's within easy reach for controls and to check the display when on silent.

Last edited by geshtolt; 01-20-2005 at 01:32 PM. Reason: i think too fast for typing
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Old 01-20-2005, 01:14 PM   #11
srf
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I mount mine above the rear view mirror. One benefit is that if you get pulled over, it's less likely that a cop will see the detector, they can get even more of an attitude if they detect a detector.
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Old 01-20-2005, 02:40 PM   #12
Hanyoung
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So...

Consensus seems that if I don't want to hardwire it..., I should put it up as high as possible on the windshield? Seems like the dash is sub-optimal, maybe because the block from the hood scoop?
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Old 01-20-2005, 02:53 PM   #13
geshtolt
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I actually want to take mine apart and mount the front sensor right where the headliner meets the windshield and do the same for the rear sensor except in the back obviously...

kinda like turning it into a V1, as far as install goes...

but yes.. that seems to be the consensus.
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Old 01-20-2005, 04:54 PM   #14
fuzzymemory
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rjtigger
I've put my Passport 8500 both above the rearview and "as low as possible while maintaining a clear view" (or whatever they recommend) and it works MUCH better when it's higher up.
I'm thinking that they suggest lower because many cars use tints on the top of the windshied. Since Subaru doesn't, we don't have to worry about an extra layer blocking the signals from being detected.
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Old 01-20-2005, 05:15 PM   #15
Quack
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i put mine up high
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Old 01-20-2005, 05:17 PM   #16
DJ_STI
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I have my escort 8500 X50 mounted a little bit above and just a inch of two to the right of the rear view mirror.
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Old 01-20-2005, 06:53 PM   #17
gerbs
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mulder
The higher the better.

Couldn't possibly agree more. That's really all you need to know...

Stick it above your rear view
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Old 01-20-2005, 07:06 PM   #18
Jakezor
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Tall antennas are better, so I agree with above the rearview.
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Old 01-20-2005, 09:59 PM   #19
Mulder
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Quote:
Originally Posted by geshtolt
I actually want to take mine apart and mount the front sensor right where the headliner meets the windshield and do the same for the rear sensor except in the back obviously...

kinda like turning it into a V1, as far as install goes...

but yes.. that seems to be the consensus.
You'll ruin your detector if you try to do this. Remoting the antennas is not a DIY project.
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Old 01-20-2005, 11:08 PM   #20
gerbs
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mulder
You'll ruin your detector if you try to do this.
also, the v1's magnesium case is there for a reason -- to keep out interference from other unwanted signals.
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Old 01-21-2005, 02:42 AM   #21
geshtolt
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I was afraid of that... and that's what's been keeping me from doing so far...
I love the whistler... good radar.. adequate laser.. .weather radio.. and highway safety radio...

I'm thinking of getting another one to mount the back and somehow tie them into a carputer...

I have some friends that are heavy into the electronics scene.. and I was going to rely upon them to help me out.. but I don't think it is going to be possible realisticly.
god i can't spell past 1am.
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Old 01-21-2005, 02:42 AM   #22
geshtolt
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long live jager bombs!
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Old 01-24-2005, 08:51 PM   #23
eightants
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All you guys that hardwired you detectors, aren't you afraid of theft?
Especially if it's something pricey like V1?
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Old 01-24-2005, 08:55 PM   #24
srf
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A hardwired one is just as easy to remove, you can unplug the wire from the unit. =)
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Old 01-24-2005, 08:57 PM   #25
Jakezor
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^ Yup, hardwired just means the power comes from a wire under/in the dash rather than the cigarette lighter socket.
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