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-   -   Mounting a Radar Detector (https://www.miataturbo.net/insert-bs-here-4/mounting-radar-detector-45903/)

skidude 04-07-2010 05:56 AM

Mounting a Radar Detector
 
I ordered a radar detector last night, and I want to make it relatively stealthy. Any suggestions?

I wanted to buy a remote unit, but those were out of my price range, so for now I am going to have to make the Escort 8500 work. I'm thinking about rigging some kind of special visor holder, but I eventually want to take the visors out of my '02 and replace them with the folding ones from the early NA.

I don't really want the cops to know I have it, but more importantly, I don't want to have to deal with it every time I leave the car for 10 minutes with the top down.

turotufas 04-07-2010 06:06 AM


Originally Posted by skidude (Post 551816)
I don't want to have to deal with it every time I leave the car for 10 minutes with the top down.

This is why I don't own one. A buddy let me barrow his and I hated removing it then sticking it back on the window.

Shit someone actually busted his window to steal his detector.

Only thing I can think of is mounting it on the dash like you would a gauge. Screw it in?

jbresee 04-07-2010 07:02 AM

Which detector did you buy?

Some offer remote mount options (like the V1, my personal fav).

You could always do something like this regardless of the model:

http://www.radarbusters.com/motorcyc...hardsystem.cfm

icantthink4155 04-07-2010 07:43 AM


Originally Posted by skidude (Post 551816)
I'm thinking about rigging some kind of special visor holder, but I eventually want to take the visors out of my '02 and replace them with the folding ones from the early NA.

Pay for shipping and you can have my 90's visors.

kotomile 04-07-2010 07:56 AM

My V1 is above my mirror and is hard-wired in, with the cord run under the dash and up around the windshield, tucked into the rubber. Plenty stealthy for me.

I don't know how you would put it in the dash, torutufas, since that would kill its functionality. Even a remote-mounted V1 still needs LOS out of the glass.

turotufas 04-07-2010 09:20 AM

I was thinking something fixed like this. If someone wants to steal it they gots to rip it out.

http://www.eastcoastmiata.com/pod1.jpg

hustler 04-07-2010 09:35 AM

middle of the window.

magnamx-5 04-07-2010 09:47 AM

i velcroed mine to the dash problem solved. It is stable accesable stealthy and removeable for when i wanna take it out of sight etc.

ZX-Tex 04-07-2010 09:54 AM

If you have an eyebrow window tint strip, mount it up high just below the top edge of the windshield and tap into the dome light (if you have one) for power. It cannot be seen from the outside. This is where mine is mounted.

KPLAFIN 04-07-2010 10:01 AM

I've seen people crack them open and add a good length of wire between the unit and the actual sensor and mount the sensor in the mouth of the front bumper, that way you can put the unit wherever you want and permanently mount it.

skidude 04-07-2010 10:42 AM

I guess I will just mount it at the very top of the windshield for now then until I can find a better place for it. I still have dreams of owning a remote unit when I have a little more cash. I don't suppose there is any wire in the dome light that only has power when the key is on, is there? That would be way too handy.

pdexta 04-07-2010 10:56 AM


Originally Posted by hustler (Post 551858)
middle of the window.

+1, that's where mine is. Cops don't care whether you have a detector or not. I mount mine where it will get the best range so it can do it's job.

ZX-Tex 04-07-2010 11:07 AM


Originally Posted by skidude (Post 551912)
I guess I will just mount it at the very top of the windshield for now then until I can find a better place for it. I still have dreams of owning a remote unit when I have a little more cash. I don't suppose there is any wire in the dome light that only has power when the key is on, is there? That would be way too handy.

No the power at the dome light is on all of the time. But my detector's power draw is so low (Bel 965) that if I forget to turn it off and it stays on overnight it does not drain the battery.

You can always run a new, ignition triggered wire up through the a-pillar. You only need one small gauge one for power since you can ground to the frame at the dome light mounts.

fooger03 04-07-2010 02:52 PM


Originally Posted by pdexta (Post 551923)
Cops don't care whether you have a detector or not.

I wouldn't bet on that...

When the cop is sitting in his car with your license and insurance card in his hands, and trying to decide whether or not to write you a ticket or give you a warning, how apathetic is he going to be at that very moment regarding the radar detector mounted plainly in your front window?

chicksdigmiatas 04-07-2010 04:25 PM

Plus one on the velcro, i did that with my V1 and just unhook it when i leave. Everyone wants to steal your 400 dollar radar detector, so dont leave it in your car.

bojanglincraig 04-07-2010 04:52 PM

I've got one radar detector ticket

illegal in VA and I think only VA??

jedduh01 04-07-2010 05:09 PM

If you have a radar detector why would you be getting pulled over??? Isn't it an automatic reason to speed, cauz they cant catcha.

skidude 04-07-2010 05:39 PM


Originally Posted by jedduh01 (Post 552196)
If you have a radar detector why would you be getting pulled over??? Isn't it an automatic reason to speed, cauz they cant catcha.

Oh, they can still catch you. If it was an instant reason to speed, I would have bought the best many years ago.

The problem with radar detectors is that by the time they go off, the police have caught somebody. The trick is to make sure that somebody isn't you.

chicksdigmiatas 04-07-2010 05:43 PM


Originally Posted by bojanglincraig (Post 552189)
I've got one radar detector ticket

illegal in VA and I think only VA??

Virginia and DC. Cops think you must be a speeder if they pull you over and you have a detector, they know its not your first time. The V1 has such a long range, when they are doing instant on you hear it beep in short boosts before you get there. If you the only car for miles on the road at night, you might as well just do the speed limit.

NastyNate 04-07-2010 09:34 PM

http://www.radarbusters.com/motorcyc...ardetector.cfm

Scroll down a bit and look on the left side. It's a hard wire kit and also a direct wire fuse kit.


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