nyc123

I was told the glass on the windshield of my new s63 will prevent a radar from working well if mounted in the car. Anybidy know this for sure ?

WSH

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....

dadesidon

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.

WSH

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....

nyc123

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 ?

Z356

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

Bsmooth65

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.

MB Fanatic

Not quite my friend. Distronic is also used for the parktronic now and for Pre-Safe. Dont want to mess or interefere with the safety systems on the S/CL as they are the most techincally advanced in the world right now.

Z356

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

hAnDyGUY

looks like some has managed to get it work with Distronic plus:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcyakjTCLps
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ez417R-hWCI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Nz3UfagsEg

Z356

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.

Bsmooth65

Z356 You are correct I don't have distronic, my comments were mainly about having a reliable radar defense system that works without losing its effectiveness because of the windshield.

Carl Lassiter

You can't drive down to SoCal much. I was up in the Bay two weeks ago and my Valentine One saved my *** on the 5 on three occasions. Deserted, desert highways are more fun than flying, that's for sure.

For the city I leave mine off, but trips to Vegas, SF, Palm Springs or San Diego etc, it makes all the difference.

dadesidon

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 =)

Eddie Knopp

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

zteb

I have a K40 Calibre utilizing the MidCityEngineering module. So Far, So Good.

Z356

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

rhart

I too live in Monterey and am looking to install a detector in an S63. May I ask what you wound up doing and who did it?

Z356

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