radar detectors

[lx450landcruiser]

i saw a thing some where about how to pull apart a detector and re wire it so 1. it is hidden behind the dash and is wired to the accesory switch and 2. you re wire the little eye sensor to go out side on the roof as to getter a better range with it. does any one know how to this or where i could find the info? i think it would be an intresting mod. im getting a used one maybe tonight or tomarrow i might try it if i can get enough info.

mike

 

[RWD]

Why not get a remote detector? I have a Whistler remote with the antenna in the grille and the display in the dash where the cup holder slot goes. It also has a outside thermometer that is nice.

 

[drenwick]

That's what I was thinking, RWD. Do you have a model # on that? Also, does mounting the antenna on the front grill preclude it from sensing to the rear (according to Whistler)?

Dan

 

[lx450landcruiser]

how much was your whole set up? can the antenna be hooked up to other detectors as well or only that brand? how big is the antenna?

thanks mike

 

[RWD]

Dan,
It's a model #3300 got if off Ebay last december NIB for around $100 I think (can't remember) Around that time a lot of radar detectors could be bought real cheap because of some ruling by the FCC that made SOME detectors illegel because of interfearance issues. I remember Radio Shack selling some detectors half off back then.
Mounting the antenna in the grille does preclude it from sensing the rear non-laser bands BUT you can get another antenna for the rear. The unit will except 2 antennas. The laser antenna mounts in the cab, I have it mounted on the passenger side near the sun visor and positioned so it senses both front and rear (it has a sensor for both front and rear)
Mike,
Don't know if it can be hooked to other brands. The actual antenna id about 4" square and 1" or so thick.
Bob

 

[RWD]

Here's a little more on remote detectors:
http://www.radartest.com/article.asp?articleID=1048

 

[cary]

Skip the radartest article. The guy who owns that page and does the test is an consultant for Whistler and Escort. He badmouths Valentine because they wouldn't pay him to "help" with their product. Check the Car and Driver radar test for an unbiased review.

Cary

 

[bdac]

i have a valentine one hardwired in my s4, occasionally i'll use it in the LX. it can be either plastered onto the glass using suction cups or clipped onto the headvisor. the v1 is rather bulky, but it works very well. i have used all sorts of detectors in the past- beltronics, whistler and the first escort battery operated radar detector.

in ideal situations when a cop is sitting on the highway pointing his gun at you on straight roads i've withnessed the v1 go off 2-3 miles away- of course, results may vary on road conditions. the counter and arrows help quite a bit as well. more info on this at www.valentineone.com.

from experience height plays a small factor on radar reception. my s4 is tinted 35% and much lower than the lx450 yet, it seems to give the same readings whether you're passing my a walmart or a cop.

in addition the v1 can be purchased with a remote so that you can place it in a descrete location. i had a problem once with the v1 about a month after purchase, and it was repaired under warranty. it's about 2yrs old now and still works great.

keep in mind cops have a large advantage when using laser. unless you're using some sort of laser jammer eg: lidatek.com, it is merely impossible to defeat laser.

i have friends that also use the escort 8500 which is also up to par with the v1.

 

[crazy canuck]

The Valentine One is the KING hands down..I love wheeling as much as I love fast sports cars, so I definately have been through the ringer on this one. I have personally tried the Escort, the passport/8500, etc--NOTHING COMES CLOSE TO THE v1!!!. It's kinda like comparing our Landcruisers to a Kia Sorento, or GMC Jimmy.

The V1 has it's downsides, like it's BIG, and ugly looking, and difficult to hide (even with the remote mount, because the main unit still has to be in view for it to work)..(especially in a sports car)..in a landcruiser it's not so bad.

If you want THE BEST protection, get a V1 AND a K40 laser diffuser--THAT will give you time to react when required.. There are also some very trick setups that aftermarket guys have done to relocate the "bogey counter" to places like the rearview mirror (for Porsches /BMW/Mercedes, etc) or headsup display in the dash with mirrors to flip the display right side up and project onto a corner of the windshield.

Take it from someone who has taken his lumps with Garbadge radar detectors--you get what you pay for, and the only thing some crap job uniden/escort is going to give you is a false sense of security (no offense to those that own them--I used to own these also) Once try a V1 you wil NEVER go back.

 

[Brentbba]

V1 here. Ported it over from my 996 when I dumped it. Think it's kind of funny having a radar detector in big beasts like our LC's. I've just got it mounted with the suction cups above and left of the rearview mirror. Ran wire down the molding and conected the power to an old power tap from a cellphone that is hooked into the cig lighter power at the fuse box.

Alot of the Porsche community swears by the V1 also. That and the K40. Best feature of the V1 is absolutely the directional arrows showing not only how many detections but from where.

Obviously, no radar detector is going to save your arse from the instant on that alot of police forces are using now. Once ANY detector goes off in that situation, they have you/

 

[bkgiii]

Yep......After Escorts, BELs, Whistlers...etc etc......V1. nephew-in-law sold me on it on the way back from D.C. to Mis'sippi....remotely installed in the grille of the LX....

.......LOVE IT!