Valentine One w. Concealed Display.
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Joined: Apr 2009
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From: NY
08 c350
Valentine One w. Concealed Display.
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.
Last edited by kevinwithdabenz; May 27, 2010 at 04:55 PM.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 588
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From: NY
08 c350
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.
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From: Phoenix, AZ
2014 Ghibli S Q4 & 2008 C350
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.
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.
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Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 588
Likes: 0
From: NY
08 c350
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.
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.
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Super Member
Joined: Sep 2007
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2008 C350
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.
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From: MA
'24 Porsche Macan
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.
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S65
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?
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?
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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
Here's a video
Last edited by Peabody; May 28, 2010 at 11:55 AM.
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Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Phoenix, AZ
2014 Ghibli S Q4 & 2008 C350
I like their stealth setup but they told me I'd loose the rear detection... Not sure how critical that really is but...
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