Mounting / Wiring Radar Detector

[peterk9]

I got stopped the other day at 15 seconds past the 5pm deadline for slowing down in a designated Wildlife area. I was doing 8mph over when I had my cruise control set at over 3 over. That's a $360 fine here in Colorado. The officeer let me off though and when 5/8ths was rumaging through the glove box for our registration, she brought out our radar detector and placed it in her lap. He went livid then and told us to throw it out, cause even if stopped for a tail light out, we would be fined for sure. The detectors detect habitual speeders and are treated without mercy he said. I offered it to him to dispose of, but he told me to through it in the trash after we got home!! I did.

In Canada radar detectors are legal only 2 provinces (Alberta & BC). If caught in Ontario, the detector is seized on the spot and the fine can range from $100 to $1000 on a first offense and up to $5000 on a second.

Peter

 

[s1000rr]

I got stopped the other day at 15 seconds past the 5pm deadline for slowing down in a designated Wildlife area. I was doing 8mph over when I had my cruise control set at over 3 over. That's a $360 fine here in Colorado. The officeer let me off though and when 5/8ths was rumaging through the glove box for our registration, she brought out our radar detector and placed it in her lap. He went livid then and told us to throw it out, cause even if stopped for a tail light out, we would be fined for sure. The detectors detect habitual speeders and are treated without mercy he said. I offered it to him to dispose of, but he told me to through it in the trash after we got home!! I did.

you tossed it!! should have given it to me. Need one for my motorcycle. Sounds like a ##### cop if you ask me if he went livid over something like that.

 

[RadAuto]

Radar Detector wiring using Mirror Tap

I thought that I should do a review on this thing, it was just too easy. I did my research online and found that some people were having a tough time stuffing the connector ends into the harness, so I found a website that was selling the Mirror Tap with an option for "nano" sized ends. This was perfect, they slip right into the factory harness and make contact with the terminals. It is just enough that it fits snugly but easily.
This is where I found it:
http://store.blendmount.com/mirrortap-power-cord-with-inline-fuse-p1769.aspx

I chose these options: 12" length, Nano size

This was on a 2014 Explorer Sport, but I imagine that any Explorers in this generation will be using the same Molex connector for the rear view mirror so it should fit all of them perfectly.

For reference, this is how to wire it:
When you pull the cable out of the back of the mirror you will see 3 wires. One black and two blue/white. Black is ground. The bottom blue/white wire is the 12v. Just slip the bare ends of the Mirror Tap into each and you're all wired up!

I know that you could build this same wire for probably $2 worth of parts, but you will spend a lot of time shopping for the parts, cutting, soldering, crimping, etc. For $30 all I had to do is plug it up so it was a good value for me. The cable seems to be of a very good quality as well.

 

[Ajar]

I second this review. I've been using this product since I got it January without issue. It was a couple minute install and looks factory clean...

 

[s1000rr]

Ebay search the wire tap for your radar detector!
I spent only $7 bucks for my escort wire tap, $30 is absurd.

Works just as well what they offer.

 

[Kfoss1]

I second this review. I've been using this product since I got it January without issue. It was a couple minute install and looks factory clean...

Love mine too! I get comments all the time, and how can they get one.

 

[rfs2005]

Radar Mount in Base Model

Anyone have an experience with hardwiring a radar detector in a base model? I have seen posts about hardwiring to the mirror wiring, but I do not have the auto-dimming mirror.

Any thoughts? Is all of the wiring for the mirror in place, even though I do not have the mirror. I did notice that there is still a cutout for the wiring in the headliner.

Thanks.

 

[peterk9]

Welcome to the Forum rfs2005. :wavey:
As per my PM, I have merged your thread with this existing one.
Good luck.

Peter

 

[13Sport]

Anyone have an experience with hardwiring a radar detector in a base model? I have seen posts about hardwiring to the mirror wiring, but I do not have the auto-dimming mirror.

Any thoughts? Is all of the wiring for the mirror in place, even though I do not have the mirror. I did notice that there is still a cutout for the wiring in the headliner.

Thanks.

I spliced mine into the accessory wiring going to the map lights.. it was the same wires for both my XLT and my Sport (I found them using a multimeter and some patience). I'll try to take a picture this afternoon so you can see if your wiring looks the same. The upper console just snaps in and out of place, so it's very easy to access.

 

[santagary]

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

I was pulled over recently by a Colorado trooper and whilst rumaging through the glove box for our insurance and registration, my wife pulled out our radar detector and placed it in her lap. The trooper then commenced to tongue lash us about detectors..."any time we see a radar detector, we assume that the driver is a habitual speeder (which fits me in this 2014 Explorer sport) and we give tickets instead of warnings." He further said, "throw the damn thing away as soon as you get home!"

 

[peterk9]

No warnings here in Ontario. You get your speeding fine, possible loss of points on your license, the likelihood of your insurance going up, the loss (seizure) of your detector and a fine for having it, which is around $400 I believe.

Peter

 

[jschilberg]

I traveled from the USA to Canada via the Blue Water Bridge to Sarnia, Ontario, on 6-22-14. I noted a sign not far from the Canada Customs checkpoint stating something to the effect that "Use of speed determination detection equipment is forbidden". I carefully removed my radar detector and placed it out of view.

 

[peterk9]

I traveled from the USA to Canada via the Blue Water Bridge to Sarnia, Ontario, on 6-22-14. I noted a sign not far from the Canada Customs checkpoint stating something to the effect that "Use of speed determination detection equipment is forbidden". I carefully removed my radar detector and placed it out of view.

Welcome to the Forum jschilberg.:wavey:
Just as a bit of info, the detector doesn't have to be functioning or in use to be fined and have the unit seized. Just having it in the vehicle is enough for that to happen.

Peter

 

[13Sport]

Why every time this thread gets bumped does it get off topic? Legality of radar detectors in your specific area has nothing to do with this thread (mounting locations and wiring).

 

[jschilberg]

13Sport, could it perhaps be the original question has been asked and answered numerous times, and folks have no further information to add to that specific area, but an "aside" occurs as an almost natural, conversational flow?

Or, should we just stop adding anything to any post if we should happen to deviate just slightly off original topic?

Being relatively new here, I appreciate your perspective, given your 1,021 "strictly-on-topic" posts.

 

[13Sport]

13Sport, could it perhaps be the original question has been asked and answered numerous times, and folks have no further information to add to that specific area, but an "aside" occurs as an almost natural, conversational flow?

Or, should we just stop adding anything to any post if we should happen to deviate just slightly off original topic?

Being relatively new here, I appreciate your perspective, given your 1,021 "strictly-on-topic" posts.

If this was the first set of posts regarding legality within this thread (or numerous others) it might not be so irritating. But has also been discussed and weighed in on numerous times. Read the whole thread, this isn't the first "warning, they are illegal in some areas" that has been posted

 

[Project X]

I'm still waiting for a dash-interior cam/GPS/radar detector combo device to be invented. With all the tech that's out there, I can't imagine how cluttered our dashboard or windshield area will be by 2020.

 

[Steve's02]

How to hook a radar detector to the fuse panel

How do you hook up a radar detector to the fuse panel. I did it on my older Explorers but these fuses are different and the connector does not go in.

 

[twodogs603]

The mini fuses like were being used in the years past will fit in place of those stupid low profile mini fuses they use now. They just stick out a bit farther as they are taller. Use a mini fuse and fuse tap.

 

[DeepBlueSC]

Just to get under everyone's skin a bit...

In the U.S. it is actually illegal to make radar detectors illegal! The police 'rent' the bands used for radar speed enforcement from the FCC. That is the ONLY way anyone can legally broadcast a signal. In accordance with Article 34 of the FCC Constitution, Any signal that is rented from and authorized for broadcast by the FCC is authorized for any citizen to receive. While I'm going from memory so the exact wording may be slightly different, that's what it says.
Therefore it is a violation of your rights to attempt to prevent you from receiving broadcast radar signals.

Notice that the police don't actually confiscate the unit from your vehicle, but they ask you to relinquish it...