Great post! Thank you!

 

yes great post. Thank you. Now a question for you guys (and gals) with hard wire mounts. What do you do when you actually get pulled over?

Can you disconnect quickly and stash the detector?

I'm a firm believer that when the fuzz pulls you over and they see the detector, you are nailed for sure. Any solutions, or stories?

thanks
Chris

 

CadV,
what length Invisicord did you use? Is the standard 8" enough?

Thanks

 

CadV,
what length Invisicord did you use? Is the standard 8" enough?

Thanks

Yep, that was more than enough.

 

The last two tickets I've gotten were in the Audi. First one, driving the car home after buying it, I had the Garmin plugged into the lighter to get out of the LA rathole and I figured I'd stop and plug in the V1 somewhere around the Grapevine. Waited one exit too long. A V1 in your briefcase does you no good. Adding insult to injury, half an hour after I get home I find the rear-seat lighter socket in the back of the console, nicely located for the GPS.

The next one, driving the three-year-old home from Legoland, taking the avoiding-LA-at-any-cost route east up 210 to 58. Babygirl was asleep so I had the thing turned down a bit. A bit too far. A V1 with the volume cranked down does you no good.

My only concern with the mounting arrangement pictured here would be the extra weight of the V1 on the mirror-mounting puck. I have a hard enough time getting the glued-on mirrors to stay glued-on in some of my cars. I've got just about all our cars wired for V1 power above the mirror, but use the suction-cup mounts.

Would the V1 Remote Display gadget be compact enough to mount above/next to the mirror?

 

I came up with a little Invisicord tweak to be able to put the back plate on. The exposed wires looked a little tacky for a Caddy .

Take the flat part of the Invisicords and bend them in a 90 degree angle. I will let the pictures do the rest of the talking.

 

I will let the pictures do the rest of the talking.

Focus? *blink* Hello? Did we learn how to focus our camera?

I think you're too close to the object of interest in this case, and the camera's auto-focus can't deal with the range. Back of a couple of inches and see if you can get better focus.

jas

 

I recently finished my V1 installation with the radar body mounted almost invisible (behind the right side of the mirror yet not abstructed by the right side sun visor), remoted volume knob (for convenience) and piezo (for maximum volume) and the display behind the rear view mirror glass. I don't know how to post the pics there are some in my profile I'll add some more. Later.

 

Most digital cameras have a maco mode just for closeups. Normal mode will usually not focus as closely as needed. Using the LCD to frame the picture will show an out-of-focus conditon. Using the optical viewfinder usually doesn't.

 

I have a question. CadV stated

Detector powers on when the car starts and powers off immediately when the engine is turned off.

Does this mean that the choice of connection (solid yellow wire) does not provide +12 V when the ignition switch is in the Run position, but only becomes active AFTER the engine is running? Or does it mean that the connection provides +12 V when the ignition switch is in the Run position?

 

I have a question. CadV stated
Does this mean that the choice of connection (solid yellow wire) does not provide +12 V when the ignition switch is in the Run position, but only becomes active AFTER the engine is running? Or does it mean that the connection provides +12 V when the ignition switch is in the Run position?

It turns on when you turn the key to run.

 

A few observations on this thread:

If you are using a detector in a state (VA) or country (Canada) where they are illegal, be advised it's just not the visual that will get you busted. Police use a RDDs ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radar_detector_detector ) to detect your radar detector. Be careful.

The Valentine remote system (I own one) only provides a method to relocate the bright red visual alarm. You hardwire the apporximately 1"x1" unit to a lower area of your dash so when the detector goes off, it doesn't light up the main unit, which can be seen due to it's windshield area mount. The best concept is the remote system. the detector receiver is mounted in the grill of your car and the control panel is mounted low in the dash area. Escort is selling this unit for about $1500.00, and testing indicates it works well. Pretty pricey though...

One concept to remember about speeding: If they are using an instant on (manually triggered) radar unit and you are the only car on the road, they'll nail you. They have to see you to shoot you. If there are other cars on the road your detector will pick up the police illuminating cars ahead of you and you'll have time to slow down. If they leave their unit on all the time, my V1 will pick them up 1-2 miles away depending on the terrain.

Drive safe and smart. Be aware of your surroundings and areas on the horizon that might conceal a speed trap.

 

If you are using a detector in a state (VA) or country (Canada) where they are illegal, be advised it's just not the visual that will get you busted. Police use a RDDs

The VG2 that most police organizations are using that detects detectors is useless against the Valentine-1. That is unless the police officer is almost right on top of you while you're using your V1.

Dr. Valentine is ever vigilant about keeping up with the various technologies. So if a better VG2 becomes available for cops, Mike'll beat it.

jas

 

what is ironic is BEL is (or was) a Canadian company. Detectors are illegal in Canada, but they'll sell them to other countries!

 

I was looking for information on the BlendMounts and I saw the comments about detectors being illegal in Canada so I thought I'd clear that up.

Detectors are only illegal in half of the provinces in Canada. They are completely AOK in BC, Alberta, Sask, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia and most electronics stores here will sell Bel/Escort detectors in the auto GPS/stereo sections.

 

Ok Ok, total Noobie here to the detectors here. V1 is the weapon of choice? I like the invisicord mount (sans the blurry pics :hide and since the CHP have been multiplying like rats out here in CA to raise funds for the state - I think a detector is a MUST for me when I get the CTS-V.

 

I've used a Valentine for many, many years and it's saved me a lot of unintentional cash transfer to the state treasury... :thumbsup:

 

I finished wiring up my homemade invisicord. Be careful when hooking it up. Mine didn't work the first time because I used some phone cord out of the junk drawer. Apparently I managed to pick up a crossover cord and my red and green were backwards on the end I cut off. Of my 3 black phone cords, two were crossover cables, and only 1 was a regular phone cord. I think the two crossover cables came out of my UPS for serial communication. I had no idea such a crossover cable existed.

Also, the connector cover is very easy to get off if you know what you are doing.

1) Unsnap the top tabs. You can see one but there is another on the other side. There is a hinge on the back side (towards the center of the car), so the part you just unhooked isn't going anywhere.

2) The main part of the connector is held in by 3 tabs, 1 long vertical one on the passenger side and 1 each on the top and bottom of the driver side. First, pull down slightly on the bottom driver side corner. That corner should pop loose. Next, lift up on the top driver side corner and that corner should pop loose. Next, rotate the whole cover towards the long tab on the passenger side and it will come off. If you couldn't get the first two tabs off, you can use a small screwdriver to poke in the slots on the back of the cover to lift on the top and push down on the bottom to pop the tabs loose instead.

 

OldDrummer, you have some very good insights. Completely agree with you about instant-on RADAR. But it's kind of a redundant term. All police RADAR units are "instant on", it's just whether or not the particular officer decides to drive around all day with the beam active ALL the time, or if they only activate it when they see a speeding car. And just for everyone's information, technically, officers are supposed to be prompted by their visual observation of a speeding car FIRST, and then they validate that observation with a RADAR reading. It should NOT be the other way around.

And also for thought, for those of you that hide their detectors when getting pulled over, keep in mind that many officers will know before they even walk up to your car if you're using one. So if you're going to hide it and he either sees it anyway or finds out about it during the traffic stop, be aware that this will likely earn you a ticket even more so than just having one to begin with. And no, trying to hide one behind a visor is just plain silly in my opinion. Most cops usually scrutinize everything within the driver's reach anyway, so if you're going to hide it you might as well do a good job.

13 years full-time patrol experience speaking. I've written my fair share of speeding tickets.

A quick comment about the Valentine 1. It's an awersome detector as far as detectors go. Escort however has already been neck-and-neck with the V1 (endless debates about this topic) and with their introduction of GPS into their newer detectors, Escort certainly appears to have the upper hand for the moment. It's only time until Valentine does the same.

Tony


Tony

 

^^^^^^
Thank you for the insight from the other side of the window. I have been pulled over only once (not in the V) with my V1 on. I didn't even bother to hide the V1--he caught me fair and square and I said so when he asked how fast I was going--and I was pulled over going exactly 9 over the limit on the freeway. I was polite as I always am and was let go with a warning.

Honesty is generally the best policy when dealing with a LEO.

 

A quick comment about the Valentine 1. It's an awersome detector as far as detectors go. Escort however has already been neck-and-neck with the V1 (endless debates about this topic) and with their introduction of GPS into their newer detectors, Escort certainly appears to have the upper hand for the moment. It's only time until Valentine does the same.

Tony


Tony[/QUOTE]


I chose to go with the Escort Passport 9500 ix instead of the V1 primarily because of the internal GPS. I appreciate the reminder of red light camera intersections ahead and speed traps... It also identifies false alarms along your usual routes and blocks them out keeping it quieter on my daily commute. So far I'm pleased with its performance.

I have not had experience with V1 but understand it is a great detector. It was my second choice. I wish the Escort could communicate the direction of detection like the V1 does.

I installed the detector using an Invisicord & Blend Mount. It is a nice clean setup and the detector is easily removed when I park the car publicly leaving no suction cup marks on the glass for the would-be-thief to easily identify my car as a target.

 

FYI for those of you with a 2010.

Instead of a solid yellow wire you will have a pink wire.

 

As for the comparisons I could not live without the arrows on a V1. If someone else came out with something similar I would look into it.

 

^^^^

Not to add fuel to the fire unnecessarily, but I have to agree. That said, one of my partners now swears by the Passport 9500ix after years of being a V1 fanboy.

Back on topic, some sort of detector hardwire install is absolutely going to be my first "mod" on this car!

 

Just finished my Blendmount/Invisicord hard wire. Looks and works great. CadV is correct; the positive contact on the Invisicord hooks to the solid pink wire on 2010 Vs. Ground is the same as in the original DIY. Thanks to all for getting the word out on this, it's brilliant.

 

Just got home from work and found my Blendmount/Invisicord, will be installing tonight. A well-deserved reward after working over 70 hours this week.

 

This is a must do mod for V1 owners. Glad you like it because I couldn't live without mine.

 

I ended up chucking my invisicord, the metal prongs are just too large and dont allow the wire cover to be re-installed properly.

I also couldn't live without the arrows on the V1.

 

^^^^

Caddyscat, check CadV's trick earlier in this thread of bending the contact prongs on the Invisicord 90 degrees before inserting them into the mirror wiring harness. Works perfectly and the cover absolutely goes back on properly making the whole thing look OEM clean! For me anyway, that was the easiest part of the whole deal.

 

CadV, YOU ARE DA MAN! I'm sitting in the car RIGHT NOW with a complete install.

Getting that plastic box off was HARD, but your words inspired me, and before I knew it the thing was off. Now my Invisicord is in, the Blendmount is on, the V1 is fully operational without sucky suction cups, and I'm ready for my trip to Toronto next weekend (*ahum, turning the V1 off, of course, as soon as I hit the Peace Bridge crossing, ahum*).

:woot:

 

Sweetness. It's nice and clean which is fitting for a 70k caddy.

 

I just completed the install with the Passport 8500 on my 2010 and as CadV stated the 12v wire is red/pink vs. yellow (It's still the 3rd wire). Without this forum I would have never discovered this mount/cord. Thanks to all.

 

Ok, I seem to be dumb!

I cannot figure out how to install this invisicord thing -- are people plugging it directly into the mirror and how so? I can't find a plug on the back of the mirror.

I took off the 2 piece plastic cover covering the cord that goes into the headliner and down to the mirror. I figured out how to unplug it from the harness....but I don't see where people are plugging it in!

It looks like people are somehow plugging it directly into the back of the mirror but I just don't see how that is possible...

Can someone post some closeup pics with some VERY detail step-by-step instructions?

 

Ok, I seem to be dumb!

I cannot figure out how to install this invisicord thing -- are people plugging it directly into the mirror and how so? I can't find a plug on the back of the mirror.

I took off the 2 piece plastic cover covering the cord that goes into the headliner and down to the mirror. I figured out how to unplug it from the harness....but I don't see where people are plugging it in!

It looks like people are somehow plugging it directly into the back of the mirror but I just don't see how that is possible...

Can someone post some closeup pics with some VERY detail step-by-step instructions?

If you take the cover off that plug, you should see like 10 wires running into a white plastic block. You simply JAM the little invisicord metal prongs down next to the correct wires. It's shown at the top of the thread.

Then bend em 90 degrees, slap the cover back on, and it's good.