ValentineOne Mirror Mount?? - No Suction Cups!!!

[GregLCA]

Hey All,

I've seen a few threads about radar detector mounts here, but most seem to be either remote mount setups, or suction cup mounts tucked way up near the rearview mirror. Neither interests me.

I was hoping that someone had some direct personal experience with a bolt-on style mounting clamp that goes onto the rearview mirror (like Blendmount.com)

Link:

http://www.blendmount.com/toyota-mirror.html

I'm not sure which of these would be most appropriate since the rear post is more oval than round, and space does seem to be limited.

I've seen a few "generic" mounts offered on eBay as well, but that can be a bit of a crapshoot on both quality and/or fitment.

If anyone has a setup like this, I'd appreciate hearing what you used and seeing a photo of the final product.

Thanks!

-G

 

[Skiingnerd]

I don't have a radar detector....but I'm going to buy one of their GoPro mounts now that you introduced me to it....... I'll have the bill sent to you since its your fault I'm getting one!

 

[GregLCA]

I don't have a radar detector....but I'm going to buy one of their GoPro mounts now that you introduced me to it....... I'll have the bill sent to you since its your fault I'm getting one!

Keep it......

I've spent close to $5000 in parts/labor over the last few months, the wallet is empty.

-G

 

[bdac]

Hey All,

I've seen a few threads about radar detector mounts here, but most seem to be either remote mount setups, or suction cup mounts tucked way up near the rearview mirror. Neither interests me.

I was hoping that someone had some direct personal experience with a bolt-on style mounting clamp that goes onto the rearview mirror (like Blendmount.com)

Link:

http://www.blendmount.com/toyota-mirror.html


-G

I haven't looked into it yet, but here's a poor mans version:

http://acurazine.com/forums/fourth-...ror-radar-detector-mount-stealth-cord-856090/

On my Audi, I have it on the inner side of the sunvisor to limit visibility from the outside and it has a remote display on the dashboard. I can post that later tonight.

 

[dubitup]

I also did the visor mount with remote display in my previous Audi's and now current GTI. My LC is far too slow to get caught speeding.

 

[GregLCA]

I haven't looked into it yet, but here's a poor mans version:

http://acurazine.com/forums/fourth-...ror-radar-detector-mount-stealth-cord-856090/

On my Audi, I have it on the inner side of the sunvisor to limit visibility from the outside and it has a remote display on the dashboard. I can post that later tonight.

Nice!

The more I look at the "post" on the back of the mirror it looks like it's not a consistent shape.... it's almost triangular, and tapers down as it gets closer to the mirror head itself.... I have a feeling that most of the mounts with a simple round clamp will just slide down that taper and constantly work loose.

The mirror has a single screw that attaches the mirror head to a glued-on piece that's bonded to the windshield itself. If I could somehow incorporate that screw into the mounting scheme it should keep it from flopping around.

Anyway, I was hoping to just buy something off-the-shelf and be done with it. I have enough "projects" to work on already!!!


-G

 

[TexasCrane]

I've always had radar detectors in my corvettes, but I'm with dubitup: My LX470 is too slow to need a radar detector. I have an extra one that I originally planned to install, but have just never gotten around to it.

 

[GregLCA]

I've always had radar detectors in my corvettes, but I'm with dubitup: My LX470 is too slow to need a radar detector. I have an extra one that I originally planned to install, but have just never gotten around to it.

Respectfully disagree...

I've used radar detectors in all of my vehicles since the early 90's and not having one feels as weird as driving without a seatbelt....

The LC may not accelerate quickly, but it is certainly capable of extra-legal highway speeds like any other car. Last weekend, with my new front wheel bearings and "road force" tire balance (x 4) I was cruising (pun intended) down the road at 80-85MPH in glorious smoothness and comfort.

In a 55MPH zone, that's a hefty ticket.

I don't want this thread to devolve into a religious argument about speeding or radar detectors.... thanks.


-G

 

[spressomon]

Somebody etched the V1 symbols and remote kit guts IIRC into the rear view mirror a bunch of years ago.

Loud posted up about a shop he knew of that did a sano job of it!

#7

 

[GregLCA]

Somebody etched the V1 symbols and remote kit guts IIRC into the rear view mirror a bunch of years ago. Will try to find it...

Yep. I've seen those as well. It's very cool & custom, but the retrofit work is around $1000 IIRC.

Something in the $50-or-less range is what I'm looking for!


-G

 

[spressomon]

Ouch...hence the Porsche. I've had my V1 stuck to each of the windshields in my spressoWAGON and it works good enough

 

[GregLCA]

Ouch...hence the Porsche. I've had my V1 stuck to each of the windshields in my spressoWAGON and it works good enough

I had one in my Porsche 911 (for 17 years) and more recently in my Mercedes AMG (E55)... two cars that definitely needed all the LEO protection they could get!!!

For the LCA, it's really more because I'm sick of looking at the wires drooping across the top of the dash, the suction cups falling off the windshield... and the fact that I can't throw my large sunshade across the windshield on hot days without hitting and knocking the V1 around.

Installing it with a new set of suction cups between the mirror and the visor would work, but then it would block the visor from folding down properly.

1st World problems, I know!



-G

 

[spressomon]

I just ran my V1 wires up the A pillar...across under the headliner...over to the mirror...down where the V1 is tucked right under the mirror...remote kit sits atop steering wheel base. No visor interference. Buy new suction cups every 3-4 years and no problem. Works.

 

[Traskew3]

Agreed the suction cups r best as I take the V1 from my co car to the LX when needed. But I don't go over 80 as she gets real thirsty then

 

[HFDPNL]

I have had the Blendmount and V1 in my Duramax for 5-6 years now. Both were money well spent. It's a very clean install, which, in my opinion, lowers the chance for theft. In fact, I had someone break into the truck and steal a number of things from the console, including a pistol, and they never noticed the Valentine.
The downside, is that you need another bracket in order to mount it in another car, because the cradle bolts to the Blendmount.
My wife got me an Escort for the LC, and it came with a "StickyCup" clamping style suction cup windshield mount, that has worked great so far,...so I haven't had a need for the Blendmount for it yet.

 

[oftpiste]

I have a different V1 mount that attaches to the mirror post with a screw-down jaw. Wish I could remember who makes it. It has two small ball joints for positioning. Only problem has been that the jaws slip on the taper of the post and the only spot where they grip tightly is so close to the mirror it can't be adjusted for other drivers. I've learned to live with it but it's not ideal. Never liked the suction cups much so better than those for me. Lot's cheaper than blend mount which was a deciding factor.

I also move the V1 between two cars and just have a V1 cradle for each.

found it: http://www.amazon.com/PerformancePackage-Mirror-Mount-Detector-Bracket/dp/B0063N7UGA?SubscriptionId=AKIAILSHYYTFIVPWUY6Q&tag=duckduckgo-osx-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B0063N7UGA

 

[tractorpole]

I have a different V1 mount that attaches to the mirror post with a screw-down jaw. Wish I could remember who makes it. It has two small ball joints for positioning. Only problem has been that the jaws slip on the taper of the post and the only spot where they grip tightly is so close to the mirror it can't be adjusted for other drivers. I've learned to live with it but it's not ideal. Never liked the suction cups much so better than those for me. Lot's cheaper than blend mount which was a deciding factor.

I also move the V1 between two cars and just have a V1 cradle for each.

found it: http://www.amazon.com/PerformancePackage-Mirror-Mount-Detector-Bracket/dp/B0063N7UGA?SubscriptionId=AKIAILSHYYTFIVPWUY6Q&tag=duckduckgo-osx-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B0063N7UGA

I have a similar mount for my Escort Passport 8500 x50 in my pickup, it works great! Unfortunately I only have the suction cup mount installed in the 80.

 

[bdac]

On my Audi, I have it on the inner side of the sunvisor to limit visibility from the outside and it has a remote display on the dashboard. I can post that later tonight.

Follow up of the setup in my other car. I just use the suction cups on the 100. With the hard wired sunvisor method, the device is hidden from the front and side view. Also pictured is the integrated display below the speedometer and above the steering wheel.

 

[lrowe_csp]

I am using a blend mount on my 80 series to hold a scan gauge above my mirror. It's a quality piece of gear, and I would not hesitate to get one to mount my V1 on my 100 series (except that the 100 series is in VA, one of the few states where radar detectors are illegal).

 

[GregLCA]

View attachment 1106594

Unfortunately, the clip on the visor technique won't work either. My lovely bride insists on flipping her visor down EVERY time she gets in the car, so the best case scenario is that the V1 is pointing at the roof..... worst case is it crashes down onto the console.

I can't get the V1 in between the mirror and the visors (not enough room) so the only solution is going to be building a standoff from the existing mirror post downward and then repurposing the suction cup mount as the base.

I took the mirror head off last night, it was surprisingly complicated. The large screw gets the mirror off the metal pad, but there's a small clip with a threaded PEM insert, that clips on the intermediate piece. The black piece is secured to another metal plate with two tiny metric screws and that final plate is the one that is glued to the actual windshield. I was hoping that there was enough room to sneak in a thin sheetmetal plate so that I could use the OEM parts to clamp it securely, but the threads are so short I'd have to locate longer ones to make a go of it. Ultimately, a mounting plate like that (even if I could get it to work) would be so far away from the V1 that the leverage would likely cause it to bounce and flex uncontrollably while driving.

The best solution seems to be a system where I replace the longer main bolt into the mirror post with a threaded post, maybe 3" long. This will allow me to clamp the mirror to the windshield just like factory, but will give me a new spot directly above the V1 where I can fabricate a small adjustable bracket to hang it.

I was hoping to avoid a "project" but if I can get it done tonight in only an hour or two, it will at least allow me to shut up about it once and for all!!!

I will post pics as I go if anyone is interested.


-G