Clean Radar Detector Install DIY

[GotWake]

I agree, my radar detector is a totally effective deterrent from a bs ticket, because I have a time stamped GPS log and if I am getting painted by radar or laser, I have the frequency, direction, strength, etc logged by both time and GPS location with my actual GPS speed. It is all the evidence that I need to fight a ticket.

Valentine V1 and JBV1, it will even alert me to aircraft above flying traffic enforcement patterns.

Yes, I have exceeded the speed limit at times, and this helps a lot. I also drive enough miles that statistically, I am at higher risk of getting a BS ticket (nearly 40k miles on my Bronco in 10 months).

Shhhhhh, the more people that don’t believe in RDs. The more low hanging fruit for LEOs to catch.

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[BroncoAZ]

I just purchased my fourth Radenso DS1. They work well and are inexpensive enough to put one in every rig. I’ll be doing the install on the Bronco soon, just plugged in for now.

 

[bradcd]

Here's my mounting solution, although I have a headstart with a cordless Escort S3. Detector and dashcam held via two magnets each onto two 5" L-bracket plates bolted together into a T.

 

[tourproto]

Here's my mounting solution, although I have a headstart with a cordless Escort S3. Detector and dashcam held via two magnets each onto two 5" L-bracket plates bolted together into a T.

Isn't that a bit low for a radar detector? I was always told to mount it as high as possible on the windshield.

 

[bradcd]

Isn't that a bit low for a radar detector? I was always told to mount it as high as possible on the windshield.

Not necessarily. These radar detectors claim to receive laser and whatever beams from sometimes miles away. There's no way you're always in line-of-sight when you detect a signal while moving on the road. I imagine that the lasers and beams are bouncing and reflecting off of every surface, including the Bronco's massive hood. The Bronco is already high off the ground compared to the highest point in a car's windshield. Hey, maybe my detection distance performance is degraded by 20% where I've placed it. 20% reduction from a mile is still a long enough distance for me to slow down.

 

[Dbraptor]

How’s the performance been behind those black dots? I first looked at that spot and wondered about them blocking the signal.

How did you get that tucked in so tight. I couldn’t get mine that high. I had to reorder the pig tails since the small broke off.

 

[buzpro]

Matrix dots generally don’t hinder performance. But it’s a Mike Valentine product so it definitely isn’t my first choice. This detector constantly gives max bogey counts for single source detections and k band is god awful. Which in Dearborn is truly unfortunate because the next city over uses a lot of low powered K band and you can easily get picked off before this thing alerts. I’ve basically used this detector as an extra because it’s the slimmest arrow model available so it’s great for travel and hopping around in vehicles. But this is a toy not a daily so I don’t mind too much about it’s downfalls especially since this isn’t exactly a speed machine.

So you don't like the V1 Gen2? What would you buy instead? I got a V1 Gen1 and have been thinking of upgrading .....

 

[GotWake]

Not necessarily. These radar detectors claim to receive laser and whatever beams from sometimes miles away. There's no way you're always in line-of-sight when you detect a signal while moving on the road. I imagine that the lasers and beams are bouncing and reflecting off of every surface, including the Bronco's massive hood. The Bronco is already high off the ground compared to the highest point in a car's windshield. Hey, maybe my detection distance performance is degraded by 20% where I've placed it. 20% reduction from a mile is still a long enough distance for me to slow down.

With the Solo, you may want all the range you can get……

I kid, I kid

 

[bradcd]

With the Solo, you may want all the range you can get……

I kid, I kid

Haha I don't mind the jab. I think I purchased it in 2015 and it still works. Don't really see the need to get a modern one until it craps out.

 

[BroncoAZ]

I installed my Radenso DS1 in the Bronco back in October, along with a VIOFO A229 camera. I went to the fuse panel with hardwire kits for both. I used heavy duty velcro on the overhead console and had to make a 1/2” spacer to clear the downward bump with the airbag light. The DS1 has a 1/4-20 screw insert on the top, so the spacer is secured with a screw rather than adhesive. The detector is high and tight and works great. The black dots on the windshield are non magnetic paint that “according to youtube experts” doesn’t affect the signals reaching the detector. The only drawback to this setup is that this hard velcro doesn’t come off without some sort of pry tool, so I keep a plastic trim tool in the console. Quickly removing for a traffic stop might be a challenge.

 

[SafariJeff]

Very nice. I’ve got a V2 in mine. Mounted with a visor clip going behind the plastic header trim along the top of the windshield. Had to shim it with some foam but came out slick. I didn’t do a mirror tap just ran a wire from an add-a-fuse from the box behind the knee board.

3 Day old Bronco after over 1000 waiting (had two use reservation or loose it) so have not accessed the knee board or trim pieces. Also have the V1G2, glad to see that the windsheild black mesh paint didn't affective performance... looking to do the same exact mount, glad to hear it is working well!!!! No problem with the visor mount, were you able to bend the visor mount as opposed to shimming? Also, did you use the V1 hardwire kit or other wiring harness? Was it easy to run the wiring up the side from the knee board, assume you had to remove some plastic panels to go around air bag?

 

[GroovyGeek]

The install is clean but the radar is too far away from the driver to mute, lock out annoyances, etc.

 

[GroovyGeek]

How’s the performance been behind those black dots? I first looked at that spot and wondered about them blocking the signal.

Very nice. Did you have to trim the clip? I am getting a Uniden R4 and will do either this or the velcro glued to black foam.

 

[Ground_zero298]

Very nice. Did you have to trim the clip? I am getting a Uniden R4 and will do either this or the velcro glued to black foam.

First way I did it ended up vibrating to much. I went with the foam and glue to the visor. Been solid with that set up.

 

[TacosTuesday]

here's mine. Blendmount, Dongar mirror adapter, usb to rj11 adapter, and an Escort MaxCam 360c with integrated camera. the above the mirror installations seem like detection would be more negatively impacted. it's easy to pop off and lock up when i got the top off as well.

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