kevinwithdabenz

Well yesterday i received my valentine one radar detector. Along with the radar i bought the concealed display. I situated the radar so it is right behind the rear view mirror. Ran the wiring through the Top (youll see in the pics) down the pillar, and into the glovebox. i Used the straight wire so there wasnt any problem closing the glovebox. From the glovebox i ran another wire going down under the glovebox, putting the wire behind the floormat, and tucking it up so you cant even see it. I ran it all the way to where the ashtry it. From there i put the concealed display in but it was really small. So i took the foam that came in the box, and pretty much used it as a filling for the concealed the display. I only have two problems. The wire from the ashtray running out is out and its too obvious, i was wondering if anyone has any idea for what i can do with that. My second thing i need an opinion is: i want to put something over the foam, i was thinking maybe a small sheet of carbon fiber? or maybe something of the sort? But it has to be something i can cut a rectangle for the display. so any ideas? and thanks in advance of course.

got_thang?

Looks good but I don't see why you need the concealed display

kevinwithdabenz

just to be a bit more discrete i guess once the sliding cover is over you wont know its there. Plus the way i situated it ones the visor is down you dont even notice the radar. i wanna get that upper part tinted a bit so you cant see it from outside.

ldtCapitan

Looks pretty nice, how much did it end up costing you?

Spec_Davis

i did the wiring the same way, but i did not need the concealed display. I mount my V1 on the passenger side.

kevinwithdabenz

why on the passenger?

Krytech

With the V1 positioned where it is, is the rear laser detection going to work?

I would think there has to be a way to access the rear of the ashtray from either behind the headunit or behind those side panels somehow. Have you tried removing the ashtray and looking at what's behind it?

Regarding the foam, I could probably find a piece of black plastic that you could cut with a dremel and get it shaped perfectly to fit in there and hide the padding while exposed the unit. Sounds like fun!

BTW, sort of off topic but, have you seen Mid City Engineering's V1 module? Almost as slick as the "rear view mirror V1" at a fraction of the cost. Obviously still have to have your V1 showing somewhere so it's not a completely concealed option but it's fully integrated in to the dashboard display and audio system.

kevinwithdabenz

Ive only had the unit for one whole day technically. But driving from where im staying to jones beach, to south ozone park and back, the radar definetly works great, the rear sensor works fine, it picks up the slightest things it gets kind of annoying to constantly hearing the beeps but i prefer being on my guard. and yeah i was thinking bout the plastic but idk where to get one, i was thinking about carbon fiber but i dont think it would match up to the trimming. well i took out the ashhtray unit and where that sits, i only noticed one hole on the side where the Gear Shifter is but i think its too thin to fit the wire head through. and even if it wasnt i would still have ONE tiny peice of wire hanging out. Of course i would much more rather that then the loose wire i currently have. Thanks for the advice!!

Spec_Davis

it was closer to the glove box idk haha

kevinwithdabenz

lmao i had more than enough wiring to reach to the drivers side.

got_thang?

Is the use of radars banned from where you live at? I have mine mounted on the driver window. I just look up for the arrow and continue driving.

kevinwithdabenz

no im in nyc they arent banned. i guess its just something i wanted. lol

noka

I've had my V1 for 10 years. It was $399 back then and the same price today. It looks almost identical (...new model a hair thinner). I use the concealed display at night for two reasons: a) I don't want other drivers following me because they know I have a dectector, (some do), and b) I don't want a cop easily seeing I have a detector. Even though it's legal where I live, if you get stopped, you're more likely to get lenient treatment if it is not apparent you have a detector. The few times I've been stopped over the years, while I'm slowing down, the suction cup mount comes off in a second and the whole thing gets tossed in the glove box. The bright red arrows mounted high are really visible to others at night... just MO.

Niti24

better to conceal it. You don't want someone to break your window for that! I learn the hard way lol

Sathinas

You could have saved yourself the 400 bucks if you prefer being on your guard at all times.

Also, does your windshield have the IR filter built into it? Not sure if all MB products do. If it does, is that where the non IR filter "hole" is? Behind the mirror?

got_thang?

No. It's better to put it up.

Niti24

Ok I'll let you have it, since your post number is 666 lol

Peabody

I'm probably going to get a V1, but I'm way more interested in Mid-city engineering's stealth install that puts the unit in your grille, and outputs to your dash display rather than trying to fit them into the cockpit somewhere.

Here's a video

Krytech

I like their stealth setup but they told me I'd loose the rear detection... Not sure how critical that really is but...

Peabody

Yeah, most places don't use rear detection. I'm planning on picking up a laser interceptor after seeing these tests to go along with the Valentine 1. I was thinking about the Passport 9500ci which also has an integrated module for the Mercedes dash but it really didn't test that great in comparison.