[Paul330d]

Radar detectors are illegal in most European countries and even carrying one switched off in your glovebox can result in a hefty fine (several thousand dollars in France). The Inforad (approx. $125) uses GPS technology linked to a regularly updated database to advise you when you are in a high-risk zone.

Unlike detectors this is 100% legal

Many aftermarket satnav systems, such as TomTom, provide the same information, but the iDrive (despite costing about 10x as much as a TomTom) doesn't

Working from this excellent post, I hardwired mine upside down under the dash almost out of sight, but in such a way that I can still see the LED warning lights. I used Velcro pads to attach the unit, so that I can easily take it in & out for the updates via my PC.

The first picture shows the standard 'install', where you basically just stick the unit on the dash and plug it into the cigarette lighter. This looks a total mess, IMO, and I was not happy with it. To achieve the 'invisible' install, I needed the optional external antenna with magnetic base, which I chose to mount on the rear speaker grill. I ran the wires along the sills and up the back seat, using a plastic kitchen spatula to feed the wire into place. I have the folding seat option, so this was made a little easier.

The 12V power supply was the most awkward, because I had to run the wire (optional hardwire power supply to replace the cigarette lighter plug) across and under the dash to the fusebox in the glovebox and then use a fusetap, as suggested by the kind gentlemen in the original post. This basically involves unscrewing 4 torx screws on either side (driver & passenger) and feeding the wire in under the soundproofing material, before screwing everything back in place. It's a bit fiddly working under the dash, but it can be done. I used the large torx screw in the fuse box as the negative earth and a mini fusetap on the PDC fuse for the positive.

It's basically the same install as the Valentine 1 used in the US, but I thought pictures of the Inforad we use in Europe might be of use.


P.S. Navtech, if you're reading this, please incorporate this simple technology into future satnav updates, so we don't have to bother installing a second GPS device

[marshyboy]

where did you get you get your fuse tap from? the only place mentioned is an american company and have a minimum order of ten units with cost of shipping about 144 dollars for a tiny fuse tap! do you know of any in uk done a search but came up blank.