radar in an s63
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From: CA
2010 CL65
Wouldn't surprise me...the high-tech glass also only has small cutouts where toll transponders can work.....and the various DistronicPlus/BrakeAssist/BlindSpotAssist radars prob won't seamlessly synch w/aftermkt radars either....
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From: Dallas, Texas
MB S550 Designo, BMW F10 535i, BMW X5, RRS
NYC you are correct. Also if you have distronic plus, the distronic plus will create interference on the radar and you will keep getting false K band signals.
If you are going to mount your radar, there are two patches near the rearview mirror where you can mount it - they are marked in the instruction book. Also, I believe there is a patch at the bottom of the windshield, but don't hold me to that. You can also figure out where the patches are when you look at the windshield in the sun.
The windshields have a metallic coating (hence the shiny, nonshiny parts) which prevents UV rays and all from heating up the car, but it also prevents radar bands from getting in which is why your radar won't work as well when it is mounted inside the car.
If you are going to mount your radar, there are two patches near the rearview mirror where you can mount it - they are marked in the instruction book. Also, I believe there is a patch at the bottom of the windshield, but don't hold me to that. You can also figure out where the patches are when you look at the windshield in the sun.
The windshields have a metallic coating (hence the shiny, nonshiny parts) which prevents UV rays and all from heating up the car, but it also prevents radar bands from getting in which is why your radar won't work as well when it is mounted inside the car.
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From: CA
2010 CL65
Interesting....
Real question is whether one needs radar detector at all....
Personally, have found radar detectors fairly worthless (and uncommon/archaic) in any place w/high traffic flow speeds and reasonable speed enfcmt...esp if one knows one's usual routes well....and, if one is in a region w/aggressive speed enfcmt w/slow flow speeds, prob have larger issues anyway....my condolences....
Real question is whether one needs radar detector at all....
Personally, have found radar detectors fairly worthless (and uncommon/archaic) in any place w/high traffic flow speeds and reasonable speed enfcmt...esp if one knows one's usual routes well....and, if one is in a region w/aggressive speed enfcmt w/slow flow speeds, prob have larger issues anyway....my condolences....
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radar
Yes I am aware of the 2 spots on the glass that have the pass thrus. Rather than use my valentine that I love I will probably try a passport model that is built in as the radar unit is mounted outside the car under the bumpers. Regarding the distronic I was told this would interfere with the radar but I assume only if I turn on and use the distronic function and not all the time correct ?
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1953 Fiat Topolino
Valentine advice...
nyc123: Re:"I was told this would interfere with the radar but I assume only if I turn on and use the distronic function and not all the time correct ?" I am not so sure. I am planning to install a Valentine on my '07 CL with Distronics Plus and will be talking to these folks (MidCityEngineering) regarding their special 'interface devices' for the Valentine. I would go with local installation via my car audio/alarm specialist here in the Monterey peninsula. Z356
http://www.midcityengineering.com/InterfaceDevices.htm
http://www.midcityengineering.com/InterfaceDevices.htm
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From: NorCal
2008 S63, 2007 Escalade, 2007 Avalanche, 2003 745LI, 2002 Escalade, 2004 Wrangler
I had the Passport laser/radar jammer installed on my 63 and love it and have been saved big a few times now.
Even when your looking for the sensors in the front and rear bumpers you can barely see them. As for a conventional on dash detector it will still work through the windshield but will be less effective.
Even when your looking for the sensors in the front and rear bumpers you can barely see them. As for a conventional on dash detector it will still work through the windshield but will be less effective.
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From: South Orange County, CA
4 wheels
Yes I am aware of the 2 spots on the glass that have the pass thrus. Rather than use my valentine that I love I will probably try a passport model that is built in as the radar unit is mounted outside the car under the bumpers. Regarding the distronic I was told this would interfere with the radar but I assume only if I turn on and use the distronic function and not all the time correct ?
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1953 Fiat Topolino
Bsmooth65: Re your "I had the Passport laser/radar jammer installed on my 63", do you have Distronics Plus or not on your S63? I would guess the answer is 'no'. The real problem here is for those whose new '07/'08 vehicles came with this latest version of Distronics. Z356
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04' S600L
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcyakjTCLps
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ez417R-hWCI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Nz3UfagsEg
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1953 Fiat Topolino
handyguy: Your youtube footage might be of the MidCityEngineering interface I talked about. What I really don't know yet is the price for the kit (from them) and the cost of installation locally. In this application, the radar detector (e.g. Valentine) is installed in the front grille section of your S or CL, not inside your car. They will sell you a waterproof container for the Valentine that has been developed for just this application. My bet is that this will be an expensive installation altogether, yet necessary if you wan to use a radar detector with your new Distronics Plus Mercedes. Z356.
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From: NorCal
2008 S63, 2007 Escalade, 2007 Avalanche, 2003 745LI, 2002 Escalade, 2004 Wrangler
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: L.A., CA
'08 M5, '10 Land Cruiser
Interesting....
Real question is whether one needs radar detector at all....
Personally, have found radar detectors fairly worthless (and uncommon/archaic) in any place w/high traffic flow speeds and reasonable speed enfcmt...esp if one knows one's usual routes well....and, if one is in a region w/aggressive speed enfcmt w/slow flow speeds, prob have larger issues anyway....my condolences....
Real question is whether one needs radar detector at all....
Personally, have found radar detectors fairly worthless (and uncommon/archaic) in any place w/high traffic flow speeds and reasonable speed enfcmt...esp if one knows one's usual routes well....and, if one is in a region w/aggressive speed enfcmt w/slow flow speeds, prob have larger issues anyway....my condolences....
For the city I leave mine off, but trips to Vegas, SF, Palm Springs or San Diego etc, it makes all the difference.
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From: Dallas, Texas
MB S550 Designo, BMW F10 535i, BMW X5, RRS
right, in Texas our radars are priceless when driving intercity (dallas houston, dallas austin, etc.)...around town they are pretty worthless, especially with all the grocery store door interference.
long distance you need the radar in the w221 since you can't really feel how fast you're going...even more so with the distronic on, and the straight flat sunny roads of the great state of Texas =)
long distance you need the radar in the w221 since you can't really feel how fast you're going...even more so with the distronic on, and the straight flat sunny roads of the great state of Texas =)
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From: Westchester County, NY
2013 E 350, 2012 GLK 350, 2012 C300 4matic
Here in the NYC area it's essential - both detection and Laser jamming - I've been saved mult times from both NYC highway patrol and NYS troopers
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1953 Fiat Topolino
zteb: Do you mind sharing with us how much it cost you for the interface and how much for the installation? Did you do install with them or did another business do the actual installation? You could PM if you prefer. I am thinking of doing a Valentine but will need remote installation in Monterey area. Thanks. Z356
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1953 Fiat Topolino
Not yet...
I live in Carmel. I have not done anything yet regarding the installation of a Valentine in my '07 CL600. My only hesitation is, of course, the costs involved. The interface is around $500 and you need a dedicated Valentine installed permanently in your car (since it is mounted front bumper area in a waterproof container, which cost additional $$$) and, finally, you have the labor to install these three items (interface, wires & front Valentine). So the dollars add up quickly. In addition, you don't have much protection now in the rear, other than if the front unit picks up reflection from a rear radar unit wave that is coming 'back' after hitting something (e.g. a road sign). My CL600 has Distronics Plus as standard. And I love it. It would be interesting to hear from other owners of Distronic Plus S or CL equipped cars on how they are coping with the issue of not being able to use a radar detector as they 'normally' would. Has anyone found a way around the Distronics Plus interference without the trouble and expense of the 'interface' in question? Z356
Last edited by Z356; Apr 26, 2008 at 01:58 AM.
2011, amg, bumper, dade, distronic, install, installers, installing, interface, k40, midcityengineering, problem, radar, s63, transponder, valentine, waterproof
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