Hard-wired Radar Detector

3954 Views 23 Replies 12 Participants Last post by thejcode, Jul 31, 2005

afi292

Discussion Starter · Dec 16, 2003

So, back when i was 16 i decided to hard wire my radar detector in my car (99 GA) because the dumb thing kept falling off the windsheild every time the bass hit from my system (dumb suction cup holder)...

So here is some pics, and instructions of how it all was done

I am considering doing a similar project in my 03 Taurus

This is a picture of the radar detector itself. The off white color wire leads to a button that turns on/off the VG-2 protection. The wire below leads to a LED (Light Emitting Diode) panel.

The picture above displays a button that controls the VG-2 protection and also the speaker. The speaker was strategically placed where the seat belt rolls into the side of my car, for its the closest place to my ear. Loud music frequently covers up the ticket-saving beeps the radar detector emits. (pic of my friends hand holding it -- mine arent that pudgy

)

The LED panel was placed on top of the dash. Note that since it was a leased car, i couldnt mount the LED panel in the dash, or any other better, less conspicuous areas.

The radar dector unit itself was placed in the front grill of my car.

Things id do differently would be of course make it more inconspicuous, hide wires bettter, integrate the LED panel, etc etc

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shoz123

· #11 · Feb 1, 2004

Cost effective? What does a ticket cost and what does it do to your insurance rates? FWIW the arrows are very effective with moving radar. And the VAL1 comes with a power adapter to make permanent installation easy. Only thing needed is a phone cord.

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shoz123

· #14 · Feb 4, 2004

Originally posted by mk7@Feb 3 2004, 06:13 PM
the valentine detector isn't all it's worked up to be really, they're pretty scandalous for allegedly paying magazine editors etc to give them good reviews. go to radartest.com.

Personally I will not have any other detector but the VAL 1. Unless someone else comes out with directional arrows. I will say I use mine in rural situations and there is a big difference between that and city driving. IMHO in the city there are very few detectors that are effective due to all the false signals.

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shoz123

· #16 · Feb 10, 2004

QUOTE

as far as the side arrows go, radar uses the doppler effect and that can't work from the side, only head on, so there is no reason to need side arrows[/b]

True but if at an angle radar will work. And it is always nice to know where the opposition is. Especially at night on an interstate when the bogey is coming from behind. Or if you get an indication that there is more than one coming from different directions.

$100 is chump change compared to a ticket and the insurance premiums you will pay out.

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shoz123

· #18 · Jul 26, 2005

I just sent my Val 1 in to get an exchange. I've had it for over 4 years and it has been giving me a lot of false alarms. With your old one sent in they will give you a new one with all the current updates for half price. Still $200 but worth ever penny IMHO.

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shoz123

· #21 · Jul 26, 2005

If the cops are using laser you don't have much chance. But they have to have a clear line of sight and cannot be moving. I see them on the Interstate sitting up on overpasses. You can usually tell by the chase cars lined up along the road.

Radar detectors are of limited good in the city, I still would like to know when I'm being clocked. And they help alert you to the presence of the police. Out on the highway though they can tell you of radar that is being used miles ahead or behind.

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