Interesting... I wouldn't've thought to stick the main unit up inside the header; I'm sure the radar doesn't have a problem penetrating the plastic, but you lose the laser protection, I think. (I doubt a police laser can penetrate the plastic or the black silkscreening on the windshield.)
It gives me some ideas to mull over, though... Thanks for the photos.
Unless we are extremely lucky (as in two or three cars back) there is no protection offered by the laser warning feature of any detector. If the officer has a clear line of sight on our car the laser warning tone simply means pull over and wait to receive your ticket.
All that said, I agree putting the detector in the overhead eliminates any hope of picking up a laser signal.
Unless we are extremely lucky (as in two or three cars back) there is no protection offered by the laser warning feature of any detector.
Very true, as far as it goes.
But FWIW, I was just that "lucky" quite a few times on the road trip so far, both on the way down from the house in Michigan to Dallas, and on the jaunt last week from Dallas over to the house in Bradenton. And I have no doubt I'll see a laser or two on the way back from Florida to Michigan tomorrow, even though I'm going to ignore the SuperSlab for the most part and follow US-27/US-127 (it's an old habit from motorcycle touring; follow the twisty roads).
The best protection against laser, of course, is to not be the first car in line; get yourself behind a "rabbit" and let them run interference. But I do like knowing what sort of police survellience I'm up against.
sometimes I get stray signals when the Officer hits the car or cars in front. that is some help, then get off the go pedal quickly. I have an Escort Solo and I have no complaints. it is the best one I have ever owned.
But FWIW, I was just that "lucky" quite a few times on the road trip so far, both on the way down from the house in Michigan to Dallas, and on the jaunt last week from Dallas over to the house in Bradenton. And I have no doubt I'll see a laser or two on the way back from Florida to Michigan tomorrow, even though I'm going to ignore the SuperSlab for the most part and follow US-27/US-127 (it's an old habit from motorcycle touring; follow the twisty roads).
The best protection against laser, of course, is to not be the first car in line; get yourself behind a "rabbit" and let them run interference. But I do like knowing what sort of police survellience I'm up against.
Rigger, Are you implying that the back roads (non Interstate system) will be eisier to avoid Tickets?
I find that's where the speed traps are. They can catch you comming around the corner, Not slowing down quick enough comming in to town, Speeding up to quick leaving town, You look funny and our town needs more money...
Interesting... I wouldn't've thought to stick the main unit up inside the header; I'm sure the radar doesn't have a problem penetrating the plastic, but you lose the laser protection, I think. (I doubt a police laser can penetrate the plastic or the black silkscreening on the windshield.)
It gives me some ideas to mull over, though... Thanks for the photos.
I just put in the Valentine 1 and drove it around last weekend. I have Valentine 1 detectors in my 3 other cars. So far it seems just as sensitive as when the detector is out in the open and stuck to the windshield I will compare and report back when I go through the usual speed traps. But as you know we are not safe against the laser guns and I like to go fast.
Rigger, Are you implying that the back roads (non Interstate system) will be eisier to avoid Tickets?
Nope. I'm implying that on the back roads you'll be less likely to go up against a speed laser.
I will readily acknowledge from lots of years' experience that you do need to be quicker on the brake pedal on the back roads than you might be on the SuperSlab. But speeding is illegal, and we wouldn't break the law, would we?
I just put in the Valentine 1 and drove it around last weekend. I have Valentine 1 detectors in my 3 other cars. So far it seems just as sensitive as when the detector is out in the open and stuck to the windshield I will compare and report back when I go through the usual speed traps.
I'll be interested to hear your results. I'm pretty pleased with mine mounted just to the left of the dome light housing, right above the driver's visor. With the RDU, I don't have to worry about anyone reading my V1 display "over my shoulder," as it were, and the Cabrio's back window is small enough and tinted dark enough that it's not easily seen from the rear anyway...
I did get enough readings from laser cars shooting traffic in front of me earlier in this road trip to make me glad I had the system in place. Like you, I've had V1s in my other vehicles and really like how the system works.
I did this install in my convertible. It's not too cool when you get pulled over and the Highway Patrol sees your radar detector. Any chance of getting off with a warning is much harder. The dome light pod comes off real fast after taking off the sunvisors and is about a 20 minute job to run the wires. You might give it a try in your Smart.
Here are some pictures how I put the detector in the dome light pod in my spyder.
Last edited by tjspyder; 07-29-2009 at 03:53 PM.
Reason: edit
I did this install in my convertible. It's not too cool when you get pulled over and the Highway Patrol sees your radar detector. Any chance of getting off with a warning is much harder. The dome light pod comes off real fast after taking off the sunvisors and is about a 20 minute job to run the wires. You might give it a try in your Smart.
That's pretty trick. Only trouble I can think ofin my particular case is that the pod is kinda reserved for a ScanGauge. I'll have to look underneath there and see if the cavity is large enough for both the ScanGauge and the V1's innards. I also kinda wanted to keep the V1 intact, in case it has to go back to Valentine Labs for warranty work or an upgrade or something.
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My Two Blue Beauties
The Cabrio That Will Not Tell Me Its Name
1976 Rover Mini
2003 Chevrolet Corvette Z06
2007 Mercedes-Benz E320 Bluetec (SOLD)
2009 smart Passion (Gone)
2011 smart Passion
1 - LT N FLFY
2 - Forests ride
3 - Little Blue
4 - Big Red
and I like to go fast.
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