TMans

I'd like to get a radar detector custom installed, but I have no clue of where to go. Either in rearview mirror or ash tray. Can someone recommend a shop in So Cal that can do this? Thanks.

XtacyOD

If you have the money go with the top of the line Escort SRX which is an awesome Radar/Laser detector with Laser "jamming" worth the money considering the fact that if you get hit with laser just pull the hell over cause yer caught..

jimmydagreek

Call Galaxy Auto Sound in Northridge and speak to Ofer. He's the owner and a friend of mine and does really great work. His number is (818) 700-0440. Tell Ofer that Jimmy the Greek sent you and he will hook you up...

TMans

Thanks Jimmy, I will call him tomorrow. I got one quote already and it seemed really high, but I will talk to him.

XtacyOD

Quote for which radar detector dont buy anything other than the Passport, Valentine 1, or the bel 900 series the other will give you soo many damn false alarms you will begin to ignore the radar detector then it will just be useless to you.. and never under any circumstances buy a k40 product..

jimmydagreek

How would you rank them in terms of which is the best, second best and then third? Thanks...

XtacyOD

Well theres alot of controversy about that the passport and the bel are both g about the same tech now since they are owned by the same company but the bel has 1 or 2 features the passport doesnt and the passport has 1 or 2 features that the bel doesnt..

the passport has a auto setting which deals with alot of false alarms real well and multi radar pickup with # of signals being picked up and what band though..

i personally have the valentine 1 though because nothing matches its x band pickup and alot of troopers in NJ still use x band for whatever reason i dont know but i do alot of NJ driving


out of NJ i would probably go with the passport and if you have the money get the passport SRX which has a laser jamming feature which is well worth the money you pay for it..
or you can get the passport 8500 and buy there laser jamming thingy to leave in the caand take the 8500 with you from car tyo car and they have a cable to link them together..

sorry if this post wasnt completely coherent im at work and rudshing this post so i can get some **** done

TMans

Xstacy - The quote I got was for installation.....they wanted $90/hour, which I thought was high. Thanks for that explanation on radars. Can you please explain to me why I shouldn't get a K40 and the difference between that and others. Thanks.

Jimmy - I went to Galaxy today and talked to Ofer. Very nice guy but unfortunately they didn't know much about the rearview mirror display.

Richard Galing

Since you live in the West Valley area...Have you tried contacting Mobile Fantasy in Northridge: 772-2000...Mike (the owner) is the person to contact and from my previous experiences with this establishment I highly recommend their services.

Good Luck
Richard

jimmydagreek

XtacyOD, that was a pretty good explanation. Now, that I have a couple of models to work with, I need to figure out which would be the best in So. Cali.

TMans, sorry it didn't work out at Galaxy but it was worth a shot. Ofer is a cool guy and does some nice work. I have also heard of Mobile Fantasy in Northridge, right up the street from Galaxy on Reseda but have never dealt with them. Give them a try and let us know what happens.

Now, anyone else in So. Cal. have any opinions from the models that XtacyOD listed that would better suit us here? Thanks!

TMans

So here's the update.......I drove by mobile fantasy and decided to check it out. I spoke to the guy, but wasn't too helpful. From what I saw around the shop, they look like they do a good job, but he gave me a quote of $1400 for "something" like I wanted. He didn't really know what I wanted, but said it would cost something around there. I then went to a place called "sounds good" off DeSoto and they were very helpful. This is the place that wanted $90/hour on labor, but is the only place I have been to that actually knows what I am talking about. He showed me a Tahoe with the radar inside the air vents, and a finished porsche turbo with the lights inside the gauges. They were also working on a Vette when I was there, but did not see inside. He pretty much walked me through every option and said anything can be done. So this is what I am going to do, buy a radar detector (he only carries K40) and go back to him and see what he can do.

by the way, can someone give me details on rear view mirror radar detectors? just a quick overview of what was done and how do you get that image on the mirror, specifically, is it something that comes with it or custom made. thanks for any info.

Richard Galing

Funny you mention Sounds Good...I was about to suggest them, but since you were shopping in the Northridge area I thought Mobile Fantasy would best serve you.

Issac Goren & the guys at Sounds Good are top notch and very meticulious installers...they did a Mcintosh amp install on one of cars a few years back, kept the car for two days...Good Guys across the street were willing to do it in a few hours. However, like you said they do take the time to discuss their install/program procedures.

Since your in that area, you might want to visit Safe & Sound on Canoga Ave if you haven't already.

Are you referring to the "Adviser" by VideoLA...seems to be more of a showpiece gimmic rather than providing you the proper security...I'd go with the V1.

Good Luck
Richard

XtacyOD

90 an hour for installation is expensive but then again it shouldnt take them much more than an hour or 2 but the wires arent that hard to figure out yourself..

As for why the k40 sucks they havent updated their technology in such a long time.. and when you have 2 huge radar detector manufactures like escort and bel cominbing you get a great pruduct..

with the k40 you will get more flase alarms then you will know what to do with and eventually you wont even pay attention to it during the real alarms

XtacyOD

What i would personally suggest you do is you buy the passport 8500
and the ZR3 http://www.escortradar.com/zr3.htm
laser detector / Shifter if you have the money and you have
multiple cars that you drive and would want to take the radar detector with you in.. so you could have the ZR3 and the 8500 hardwired into the car so the wires arent visable and you can mount it by your rearview mirror but also be able to take the 8500 with you in another car in you chose and just plug it into the cigarette lighter as normal..

TMans

Thanks for the info again. I'm not sure if I want to fork out too much for a radar right now, but that could change. As of right now, I think I will go with the Valentine 1. I will do some more research into this before I make a purchase. Yes, $90 is alot and I figure its gonna take awhile for them, at least 3-4 hours. But I have the piece of mind that I will get what I want from them.

Richard - How did you like the work done by Issac? Worth the time and money? By the way, are you in that area? I will try Safe and Sound as soon as I get the time. What is the "adviser"? Never heard of that before.

One question about radars real quick, they don't tell you if a cop is in the area...correct? only if radar or laser is used? I was on the freeway the other night with my friend's 8500 and right when I was about to step on it a bit, this CHP zooms right past me with nothing on the detector. Luckily, I hesitated.

Richard Galing

I was very satisfied with Sounds Good's install...I did take the liberty of sourcing around the valley for the McIntosh unit a few years back...however they seem to be one of the very few authorized dealers in SFV...cost & time wasn't too much a concern.

Yes, I'm in the Woodland Hills area...How about yourself?

The "adviser" is a radar detector built into a panoramic rear view mirror...I only brought it up, because you had mentioned something of the sort...Plz do a engine search for more info.

I suggested Safe & Sound because the owner gets his MBZ C- Class detailed at the same place I do "Steve's Detailing".


Richard

TMans

Richard- good to hear about the job well done. I am also in Woodland Hills, towards Calabasas area. I am still trying to find some time to go in and see what can be done. I will give an update as soon as it happens.