Anybody hardwired a radar detector? Where did you hide the components?

J

Justins311

Member
Car
2009 FX35
I'm in an area where they are "frowned upon" lol. But have read that many run them regardless and are just prepared to pay the penalty. At 40k miles a year I have to have one.

Im hoping that if a cop uses a detector-detector, and I have everything extremely well hidden, I can blame my radar cruise control (which I use 24/7).

Im leaning towards buying a radar cruise lens (the box on the lower left grille) and mounting an identical one on the lower right grille. Then concealing the display somewhere in my dash. Maybe remove the CF slot.

Thoughts or experience ?
 
I don't now how radar detector detectors work since the radar detector doesn't send anything out that I know of. The cruise is a laser operated system though, and it's on all the time. I've set off a friends laser setting on his detector once while driving behind him.

You should be able to mount one nearly invisibly though.
 
Well from what I've read there are multiple issues. Blind spot monitoring is the biggest culprit. I don't know if our lane monitoring uses the same technology.

Our cruise uses Laser which has mixed feedback on radar forums. It can set off some (even high end) laser detectors. Luckily you can disable laser monitoring ( which is apparently useless anyways due to instant on).

So my biggest concern is the lane monitor, and how best to mount the detector portion in the grille. Really liking the iPhone integration w the escorts. Expensive...but no monitor for a cop to find ;)
 
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Yes they can detect them! Don't ask how but they are illegal in VA and they have means of telling if your running a detector or not. On the other hand if you want to go stealth, get a Beltronics RX65 and their wired remote. Get about a 6 inch strip of limo tint installed on the top part of the windshield and mount your detector there. Then run the wired remote down to the fuse box and mount it where you can see it and access it, turn the lights out on the detector and nobody knows. I have pictures of mine on here somewhere I will see if I can find them.

---------- Post Merged at 06:39 PM ---------- Previous Post was at 06:35 PM ----------

Here you go

http://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/x342/renhalt1/phonemount004.jpg

http://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/x342/renhalt1/phonemount005.jpg

---------- Post Merged at 06:42 PM ---------- Previous Post was at 06:35 PM ----------

I'm not sure how to link the pics so here is a link to the thread.

http://www.InfinitiScene.com/forum/threads/15160-Where-do-you-put-your-cell/page2?highlight=Wired+remote
 
The pros state they cannot detect them. Have you checked out the latest and greatest?

And by stealth I mean it is mounted and wired behind the grille. Anything on your windshield is the opposite of stealth, especially when a cop is standing next to your window....
 
Mine is sitting on my windshield, but up near the top. I was pulled over, just got a warning. I did get a compliment on my seats however.

I don't know that he didn't see it, but I would guess not. The FX is low enough that you can't really look in and up.
 
Unless I point it out, nobody will ever notice. In regards to behind the grill etc, get ready to shell out some $ and in my opinion they don't work as well. Latest and greatest, I have used them all and the beltronics RX is the latest and greatest! Good luck!
 
I'm sure your Rx works great for you....but I guess nobody outside of DC/VA is going to understand. Yes, absolutely, any VA officer who pulls you over will see that detector "without you pointing it out". You really think a peice of electronics that retails for $280 (Rx65) is the latest or greatest? The fully shielded detectors like the Redline and the 9500 *start* around $500. They are undetectable by LEO, and that mfg claim is backed up by thousands of enthusiasts on radar detector.net and other sites. Trust me, they exist. The decision I'm trying to make is between a base $500 concealed install one like the 8500ci and the upper end ones ($800 and $1600) that add the GPs and Laser blockers. If anybody with an FX has experience installing and hiding those types please do respond to this thread. But rest assured if you have anything on your windshield or dash this is not the type of concealed install I'm referring to.

---------- Post Merged at 10:02 AM ---------- Previous Post was at 09:51 AM ----------

This board won't let me edit the post, but Bell makes the gx65 which is above yours, and the UNDETECTABLE STi which is $500. Those like the STi are housed in magnesium and are undetectable.
 
I go back and forth between buying an RD all the time. My commute has changed and I'd just like to know I'm not going to get picked out of the traffic flow. Personally I' like a hardwired unseen unit as well.
 
I think your best bet is to purchase a high end 3 piece radar unit where you can mount the receiver somewhere in between the grill where it still remains effective picking up police radar / laser and the display unit sitting hidden low on your cluster unit. Similar unit like below. There are a number of more capable 3 piece unit available in the market now.

31CMBp6WhHL.jpg
This site sells a wide variety of radar units and useful write ups on state to state application. http://www.1stradardetectors.com/radar-detector-laws.php

I like the mod this guy did on his ride. Not exactly your idea of having the unit altogether kept away from the windshield but sufficient enough to cover the detector by concealing it under the sun screen tint on the vehicle.

http://www.slkworld.com/diy-section/12710-escort-9500ix-radar-detector-hardwire-install.html
 

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jcasanova said:
I think this would be awesome to have and also be your best bet.

http://m.g35driver.com/forums/showthread.php?t=279529&styleid=50

Sent from my HTC 2
Click to expand...

Absolutely. That mirror display install is amazing - probably a bit beyond my skill level with circuitry. That also happens to be the MOST EXPENSIVE model I was referring to above that is $1,800 lol.

I'm actually leaning towards the Beltronics STiR Plus:

http://www.amazon.com/Beltronics-STiR-Plus-Radar-Detector/dp/B004TBI0RQ

Its $1k and has the magnesium body like the 9500ci but is a bit more reasonable since it does not require you to purchase the Laser Shifter kit ($450 add on later).

Now that we're all on the same page of what a component radar detector is...

Anybody mount one in an FX35 (especially 2nd gen)? Would love to see some installs. I found one thread on www.radardetector.net but the hosted pictures were gone so it was useless.
 
In case anybody is interested I went with the STiR Plus. Found a vendor for under $900. I'll take pics of install if anybody will benefit.
 
If you buy a 10 foot piece of telephone wire and a male to male connector (Lowes or Home Depot) you can use the plug-in that goes in the lighter hole, run the wire through the glove box up the a pillar and across above the headliner, you can just kind of push it in there then mount the radar detector up high, next to your mirror and it should be out of sight for anybody but the most curious of cops.

Costco had last year's passport on sale for $199 at Christmas time
 
I'm pretty sure jbaker had a full stealth radar system on his FX... Not sure if it was on his 1st Gen or 2nd Gen though...
 
$1800 stealth? How often do you get pulled over? That's going to have to save you from a lot of speeding tickets!

My escort passport is darn good technology, reads forward and backward from top of windshield, (Try that from behind your front grill) and unless the cop is 4' tall, pretty darn stealthy.

OCD much?
 
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