[bobbydigital]

There have been several threads for people's installation of radar detectors and/or laser jammers in their E90 and older. So wanted to start a new thread for F generation (F30, F32, etc).

Post up:

- what make and model
- details of where you installed it and what you used
- if custom installed, state the price
- most importantly, photos!

Personally I'm considering either a windshield mounted Valentine1 with the Savvy module and concealed display or going all out and getting the Beltronics Stir+.

Either way, I'll eventually add in the AntiLaser Protector (ALP) laser jammer since its legal in WA.

Would love to see your setups!

[rolltidef32]

The only detector worth the money is Valentine 1. I've had mine for almost 4 years now; works perfectly.

Even recently sent it in for an upgrade for only about $50. Best investment I've made.

I mount it on my visor. Buy the case and run a long wire to the cigarette outlet around the visor and down the passenger side door.

No pics. No one needs to know, particularly not the cops.

[bobbydigital]

Originally Posted by rolltidef32

The only detector worth the money is Valentine 1. I've had mine for almost 4 years now; works perfectly.

Even recently sent it in for an upgrade for only about $50. Best investment I've made.

I mount it on my visor. Buy the case and run a long wire to the cigarette outlet around the visor and down the passenger side door.

No pics. No one needs to know, particularly not the cops.

Valentine 1 is no doubt a great detector but it's definitely not the only one to consider. Has a lot to do with what the cops use in your area as well as the terrain.

If you do research on rdforum.org, you'll see these come to the top of the list:

Windshield mount:
- valentine 1
- escort redline
- escort 9500ix

Installed:
- beltronics STi-R plus

[obriennathaniel]

Originally Posted by bobbydigital

Valentine 1 is no doubt a great detector but it's definitely not the only one to consider. Has a lot to do with what the cops use in your area as well as the terrain.

If you do research on rdforum.org, you'll see these come to the top of the list:

Windshield mount:
- valentine 1
- escort redline
- escort 9500ix

Installed:
- beltronics STi-R plus

9500ix has yet to fail me! I love it!

[Piggieback]

Originally Posted by rolltidef32

The only detector worth the money is Valentine 1. I've had mine for almost 4 years now; works perfectly.

Even recently sent it in for an upgrade for only about $50. Best investment I've made.

I mount it on my visor. Buy the case and run a long wire to the cigarette outlet around the visor and down the passenger side door.

No pics. No one needs to know, particularly not the cops.

I have a valentine1, what did the upgrade give you?, I'm contemplating sending mine in.

[captainaudio]

I installed a V1 in my F83 recently with the Remote Display, Brown out Blocker, Savvy and V1 Connect modules.

I would assume that the procedure would be the same for any F Series 3/4.

This is a PDF detailing the procedure.

[Mike_L]

I used to have a V1, but sold it. It falses way too much with the blind spot monitoring. I'm told that runs on the X-band too, so its like a big constant weak false rear.

[bobbydigital]

Originally Posted by Mike_L

I used to have a V1, but sold it. It falses way too much with the blind spot monitoring. I'm told that runs on the X-band too, so its like a big constant weak false rear.

Did you have the Savvy module? (It's an addon that allows you to set a minimum speed below which all alerts are muted)

I've heard that people using it reduces false alerts a lot when you set the threshold at say 45mph.

Also, added advantage is that provides an easier power source for the V1

[Mike_L]

Nah, no Savvy.

[hajisugeng]

nice information
thanks

[rolltidef32]

Originally Posted by Piggieback

I have a valentine1, what did the upgrade give you?, I'm contemplating sending mine in.

The update took away most of the false alerts from traffic sensing radar. If you notice, most are on the K band. I only use the detector on the highway during travel.

Was worth the money. Not sure if there will ever be an early warning for laser, it's line of sight. Good thing is, I see them too!

[bahasad]

Currently have an 8500 X50, been running it for like 3 years. Overall it's okay, but lately a lot of false notifications. I actually have temporarily removed it, it was getting annoying.

A lot of the times, when there were cops doing speed tracking, the radar would not beep at all. Only my Waze app would give me a notification. Luckily, I don't speed all the time and usually not coming/going to work.

Looking for good alternatives, the V1 is nice but I just don't trust its technology being so old now. Wondering if there are better, more modern radar detectors (i.e. Escort Redline, 9500CI, Max)

[rolltidef32]

Originally Posted by bahasad

Currently have an 8500 X50, been running it for like 3 years. Overall it's okay, but lately a lot of false notifications. I actually have temporarily removed it, it was getting annoying.

A lot of the times, when there were cops doing speed tracking, the radar would not beep at all. Only my Waze app would give me a notification. Luckily, I don't speed all the time and usually not coming/going to work.

Looking for good alternatives, the V1 is nice but I just don't trust its technology being so old now. Wondering if there are better, more modern radar detectors (i.e. Escort Redline, 9500CI, Max)

You've lost your mind if you think V1 tech is old. Just had mine updated.

V1 never gets old, but hey, use what you like.

[Heel328]

Bought a BEL 995 about 7 years ago, used on eBay locally for $150. Use it on trips and it mounts on the windshield just to the right of the GPS screen. It's always worked really well for me.

Here's an old article with a 995 review. In another it tested 98% as good/quick as the V1 and Passports.

http://radartest.com/article.asp?articleID=10030

Got pulled last month averaging 104 by an airplane in Missouri, an hour after I bought the car. They use highway markings and a stopwatch. Radar didn't help much, but I had it with. I'm used to looking behind trees, bridges and stuff, not clouds.

[F32Fleet]

Joking

[RoundelM3]

BEL 995, mounted to the left of the rearview mirror at top of windshield, wired directly into the power port on the bottom of the dash under the glove compartment near the center console. Bought the "direct wire" cord and ran it around the top of the windshield, down the A-pillar, and over to the power port, then attached it to the wires connected to the power port. Port is still operational for other devices (such as phone charger).

[Damon44]

I have the Escort Max with custom wiring to trunk fuse box. Turns itself on/ off with ignition.
It has not given me many false alarms a at all since installation. Plus the detector allows me to mark any false signals for memory.
Every few weeks Escort send me updates of speed traps and red light cameras. I hate wires hanging and use my outlets for new Sony High def walkman so power source remains untouched. Mounted three inches above dash for Max visibility without blocking my view.
The cost was only $75 and took about 45 minutes.
There is a set up with smartphones that allows live warnings of LE traps through navigation system but I don't have that.
Highly configurable and as sensitive as previous 8500 escort detector.

[GONFLYN]

Valentine One with PerformancePackage Mount.

Didnt want to hard wire into the car and cant handle having a cord dangling down in front of my console, so tucked the wire under the headliner, behind the A pillar trim, under the glove box and under the center console trim to plug into the rear lighter. Keeps my front console tidy and dont have to mess around trying to hard wire into a switched circuit somewhere. Gray cord is temporary, will be installing black which is a little less obvious.

[bobbydigital]

Originally Posted by GONFLYN

Valentine One with PerformancePackage Mount.

Didnt want to hard wire into the car and cant handle having a cord dangling down in front of my console, so tucked the wire under the headliner, behind the A pillar trim, under the glove box and under the center console trim to plug into the rear lighter. Keeps my front console tidy and dont have to mess around trying to hard wire into a switched circuit somewhere. Gray cord is temporary, will be installing black which is a little less obvious.

Have you considered buying th savvy module which will plug into your ODB connector and provide a power source? You can then run the wire along the headliner and just down the A pillar.

[captainaudio]

Originally Posted by bobbydigital

Have you considered buying th savvy module which will plug into your ODB connector and provide a power source? You can then run the wire along the headliner and just down the A pillar.

I used the Savvy unit. It is a very easy way to provide power. I also mounted an RJ11 coupler at the top of the windshield and then ran a short cable from the V1 to the coupler. By doing this when the V1 is removed there is no cord left dangling.

I mounted the V1 Remote display in the ash tray. All of the wires are hidden and if I remove the V1, the short cable and the suction cup mount there is no indication that there is a radar detector installed on the car, I keep moist wipes in the console to remove the telltale suction cup marks.

I posted as PDF of the installation procedure earlier in this thread but here it is again.



CA

[jinnrice]

Escort max. Wired to the rear view mirror. Mounted high and left of the rear view. Can't use my visor... I got sunglass haha.

[GONFLYN]

Originally Posted by bobbydigital

Have you considered buying th savvy module which will plug into your ODB connector and provide a power source? You can then run the wire along the headliner and just down the A pillar.

Yeah, that looks pretty slick, but dunno if its 70 bucks better than the current set up. Also, I notice it draws some juice even when the ignition is off.
One thing I like about the lighter outlet is that it shuts down shortly after turning off the ignition and then fires up again when I open the door.