Mounting / Wiring Radar Detector

[hondagal]

Here's where I mounted mine. I tapped a line in the map lights. /QUOTE]

Looks nice and neat. I'm looking to install mine too but not certain which wires to use from the overhead lights. If you happen to recall which ones to use for 1) switched hot and 2) ground) that would be awesome and most helpful.

I'm trying to figure out a way to mount above the rear view rather than below. I have an Escort 9500ix.

I had stealthy mounting locations in my Z and Mazda but this Explorer is a bit more challenging.

Any guidance is welcomed, Thanks!

 

[drumguru1]

Silly question here... Aren't speed detectors illegal? If you get pulled over with one do you tnink you are more apt to get a heftier fine?

Not in Texas but it's generally a good idea to hide your radar detector if you get pulled over. I have talked to cops before that said that they would have just given a warning numerous times if it wasn't for the presence of a radar detector

 

[drober30]

Not in Texas but it's generally a good idea to hide your radar detector if you get pulled over. I have talked to cops before that said that they would have just given a warning numerous times if it wasn't for the presence of a radar detector

This makes sense but the odds that I get pulled over in the first place without a radar detector are much greater than with one.

I don't use a radar detector to get away with speeding, I use it to make sure I'm not speeding when there is a cop around with radar. Especially in the reduced speed zones like mentioned earlier.

 

[tijean]

Why would you tap into a power wire when you can buy the power lead that just plugs into the auto dimming mirror? One end goes to the detector like normal and the other ends just push into the auto dimming mirror. No splicing or tapping involved.

Now if you don't have an auto dimming mirror, then I understand.

I bought one of the MirrorTap wires, but I don't know how to hook it up. There are two blue/white wires on the right side of the plug, and one black wire. Can anyone advise which is 12 volt and which is ground?

 

[drober30]

I bought one of the MirrorTap wires, but I don't know how to hook it up. There are two blue/white wires on the right side of the plug, and one black wire. Can anyone advise which is 12 volt and which is ground?

I'm pretty sure it would be Black to Black and Blue/White to Red.

Black is ground.

 

[vig1116]

People still use radar detectors??? Holy sh!% i thought that went out in the 90's..... lol no need for them if you just speed smartly and know when the road is ideal for a hidden car to park.... just remember, it's not how good YOU drive going 90, it's the grandma or 17yr old changing into your lane that doesnt see you that kills you....... the time saved going 80 or 85 over 90 is minimal.

 

[drober30]

People still use radar detectors??? Holy sh!% i thought that went out in the 90's..... lol no need for them if you just speed smartly and know when the road is ideal for a hidden car to park.... just remember, it's not how good YOU drive going 90, it's the grandma or 17yr old changing into your lane that doesnt see you that kills you....... the time saved going 80 or 85 over 90 is minimal.

I love my radar detector. This is not your dads detector, today's top of the line detectors are accurate and issue a warning plenty in advance.

Police often park in "speed traps" where the speed limit suddenly changes down to 35mph and they can easily write tickets. In situations like this, they leave their radar on and just wait, fishing, for their next ticket. I love how my radar.

I love how my radar detectors tells me their is a cop on the other side of the hill or around the corner fishing!

I don't use my radar detector so I can "intentionally" get away with speeding.

 

[BrianDye]

I really like that mirror mount, but wouldnt that affect the radars with 360 degree protection? (The little gem that sticks up on the top towards one of the back corners?)

People still use radar detectors??? Holy sh!% i thought that went out in the 90's..... lol no need for them if you just speed smartly and know when the road is ideal for a hidden car to park.... just remember, it's not how good YOU drive going 90, it's the grandma or 17yr old changing into your lane that doesnt see you that kills you....... the time saved going 80 or 85 over 90 is minimal.

Its not the point of having confidence to speed when you have one, its more the fact of when those stupid little speed traps pop up, you wont get a ticket not even knowing you were speeding.

 

[w1kedz]

Bad picture, but this is mine mounted. I wired to 12v switched lead that I found while probing in the harness for the moon roof. The radar detector is a Cobra iRadar. Works with an iPhone app for configuration, as well as gps warnings for speed trap areas and red light cameras. The iPhone mount is to the left of the MFT screen in the picture, it's a TomTom mount.

 

[drober30]

Nice but it looks like your using suction cups which I don't care for. I post a picture of mine when I get a chance.

 

[w1kedz]

Nice but it looks like your using suction cups which I don't care for. I post a picture of mine when I get a chance.

I like it high and concealable by lowering the visor, there was no other way to mount it than with cups. They are solid and I haven't had to restick or adjust them at all. The mount is also relatively stiff and has no bounce when driving like a lot of others I have seen.

 

[Tilley72]

Bad picture, but this is mine mounted. I wired to 12v switched lead that I found while probing in the harness for the moon roof. The radar detector is a Cobra iRadar. Works with an iPhone app for configuration, as well as gps warnings for speed trap areas and red light cameras. The iPhone mount is to the left of the MFT screen in the picture, it's a TomTom mount.

Sorry a little off topic, but what TomTom Mount is that and what version iPhone do you have?

 

[w1kedz]

Sorry a little off topic, but what TomTom Mount is that and what version iPhone do you have?

http://www.tomtom.com/en_gb/products/mobile-navigation/tomtom-car-kit-for-iPhone/

I think they only have one kit for the iphone. It works with both the 3GS or the iPhone 4 (I'm using the iPhone 4). I made my own adapter to make the iphone 4 work, but now they ship it w/ an adapter to do so.

 

[IamJAd]

Is tapping into the mirror a plug n' play sort of thing, or are we talking soldering or something? I don't mind pulling a cover off and clipping things, but anything more than that, and I might be looking at an install job.

 

[w1kedz]

Is tapping into the mirror a plug n' play sort of thing, or are we talking soldering or something? I don't mind pulling a cover off and clipping things, but anything more than that, and I might be looking at an install job.

If u have a sunroof then tapping the accessory from in the top console is simple (2.50 cent splice connectors from radio shack, no cutting). I'm not sure if there is a switched 12v in the map lights or mirror however.

 

[hondagal]

There is switched power but it's tied to the auto map lights, at least it's that way on my Limited. I tapped into that line for mine. Now my detector boots up when I open a door. Not a ptoblem for me since it doesn't draw much plwer for the short time the interior lights stay alive after the door closes.

 

[charliez]

I also have the Valentine One radar, and the auto-dimming mirror.

Which slots in the cable harness do I insert the power cable into?

Are they switched on or continuous on?

Thanks!

 

[w1kedz]

I also have the Valentine One radar, and the auto-dimming mirror.

Which slots in the cable harness do I insert the power cable into?

Are they switched on or continuous on?

Thanks!

If you have the moon roof option I can take a picture of my setup for you tonight. If you don't I haven't done any probing on the auto mirror wires, hopefully hondagal can tell you which wires to splice into.

 

[charliez]

I don't have a moonroof, the dimming mirror is the only power source.

 

[drober30]

I don't have a moonroof, the dimming mirror is the only power source.

There is no need to splice wires! Just purchase the power cord for the mirror. It works great! You will need the MICRO one for the 2011 Ford Explorer.

http://store.blendmount.com/mirrort...rd-with-inline-fuse-p361c117.aspx?Thread=True