mrdci

I was wondering if anyone had there V1 custom installed I found this youtube video of an E-class with one in the rear view mirror.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7AGq...eature=related

Here is the second with the V1 showing through the dash

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89vo1...eature=related

Just wondering how much this costs.

Karlson

first one is really cool and rear view camera is hot too.. You can call them and ask.

http://www.technicar.com/

Rock

The problem with the set-up is were they mount the receiver (in the rear deck). You loose sensitivity and have absolutely no LASER protection.

Cost is $1500-2000 (for the V1) depending on dealer/install cost.

RacerX0911

i believe its called stealth one.

suicidal4life

Rock has/had? this setup so he knows what hes talking about. Unfortunately V1 and laser is almost a lost cause anyway. Most likely by the time you get a laser alert you are already dead. You need laser jammers even if your V1 is not hidden.

I have a similar mirror setup on my W210. I had it done for a lot less then Technicar was charging at the time. I believe it was the same people who did Rocks setup originally.

Heres a link to my setup.

https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...-pictures.html

220S

I know laser is pretty much a lost cause, but how much sensitivity is actually lost being in the rear headrest?

In CA more than three jammers is a misdemeanor. Less than three is still just a fix-it ticket.

Rock

Yeah, I still have the set-up and love the etched display in the mirror........very cool. You are very correct about the Laser. As a matter of fact, I know I have been hit directly several times and my detector has never even gone off......... fortunately I was not speeding. If I had to do it again, I would have gone with the Passport 9500ci. It gives you a stealth install and will deal with all threats, including laser.

mrdci

That looks awesome I'll have to check around locally and see if any shops in the DC area do this. It sucks having to drive through the Communist of Virginia and their Radar Detector Ban. Oops I mean Commonwealth I've seen to many VA cops lie in court there just so the Judge won't drop the fine or points.

So your saying Lazer won't work with this set up or its not as good. Cause I know in VA they like sqeezing the trigger alot cause they think no one knows what they are doing. So with my V1 I can still pick them up as long as they aren't pulling it on me.

suicidal4life

Buy a laser interceptor and call it a day. Best jammer out there and combined with the V1 its an awesome combination.

tuonor

I have this setup (prior owner had it done and he used Technicar). I don't think losing the laser detection is a concern (its useless anyway in most circumstances) and it has laser blinders installed as a separate system.

They did a great job, the controls are hidden down in the ashtray and you basically have the full functionality of the V1. They also seem to be good guys as I talked with them after I purchased the car to get a run-down of how everything worked. I'll take some pics to post...

Haven't had a laser encounter with the blinders yet, curious how well they work.

RACE_MX

I build these mirrors and my setup looks 10x better, imo. Rather than etching the back of the mirror, I use a special piece of custom fabricated one way glass - the V1 display is only visible when the lights are illuminated. If you turn the unit off it is completely invisible! I stumbled into this over the last year as I was desperately searching for an alternate location for the wideband and boost gauges in my HPF M3. HPF puts them on the steering column and I always hated the look. I tried etching the mirror for the gauges and it just never looked right - big patterns permanently missing from the mirror. A friend owns a glass company and after weeding through about 10 different shades of glass we finally got it to look perfect. I was never planning to do anything except my own mirror - I now build these for HPF and have done multiple V1 installs in BMW's. I just picked up my first Merc tonight, a black E55 for a DD and will be doing the V1 in it asap. I'll be happy to post pics when it's finished. Here's a couple of pics and vids if you want to see the difference vs the etched mirrors.

Etched V1 install (not mine)


My etched mirror attempt for gauges


Current setup - V1 display off


Current setup - V1 display on




Vidoes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Deb8_mNzc0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7G9nAXa48Ig

garybc230

Can't wait to see your posted pictures. With your setup, will you be able to still use the Home Link function? In reading the other links, it looks like he lost his Home Link function. Thx....

RACE_MX

I haven't taken the MB mirror apart yet, but I doubt this will affect Homelink or any of the other functionality of the mirror - except auto dimming. The factory glass is replaced so we're unable to retain auto dim function, however so far no one has noticed it. The glass we're using is just slightly less reflective than a traditional mirror plus if your windows are tinted you'll never notice it.

I've done this in current gen M5/M6's, which have more circuits than I've seen in a mirror - including high beam assist, homelink, etc.. and losing functions has never been a problem. I'll be happy to post more info after I get the mirror in my E55 built. BTW, here's pic.

suicidal4life

I was just going to ask if your version could retain the auto dimming but then I saw your post. That is a feature I'd be hard pressed to live without.

As for my homelink the installer could have kept it but it would have been more work and I never use the homelink anyway. the installer said the W211's actually have more room inside them then the W210's so retaining homelink is easier on that model.

Fantasm

Yeah, sucks about the auto-dimming, but otherwise VERY stealth! Could use that in Virginia since no cop would see any evidence really!

RACE_MX

I was really concerned initially about losing auto dimming - this was one of the major factors that went into the final selection of glass and coating we're using on the back of the mirror. The glass is made for high rise commercial buildings and designed to reject heat transfer and reduce glare, while allowing a large amount of visible light to pass through the glass. Unlike a traditional mirror that has an impenetrable coating of silvering and paint on the back and will reflect 100% of the light that hits it, this glass allows a fair amount of light to pass through and will never have the blinding amount of glare you see from a normal mirror. Think about it this way.. if you've ever been inside a building that has this type of glass installed during the day you can see out fine and the light from the sun still passes through and lights the room, at night however the effect is reversed - with little light outside and lights turned on inside the building it's now hard to see out and the glass becomes a mirror to the inside of the room. By itself the glass was actually allowing too much light to pass through and the components inside the mirror were partially visible - we had to apply additional coatings of translucent film to achieve the right balance. While not as efficient as an electrochromatic mirror, this setup will adjust the amount of light reflected based on how much light is hitting it so a portion of an "auto dimming" function is retained. So far I've installed the mirror in about a dozen cars and no one has had an issue with glare from headlights.

motorkas

Very sick set up - just a curious question - how come the etching/replacing of display is only available with the V1 and not the 9500? I bet you can guess why I'm asking the question (being in the DC area - the red light/ speed camera GPS function is essential) - plus I really like how it tells you the speed you're going when you're hit with any band (miss the arrows though).

BT

RACE_MX

Doing this with the 9500 is a lot more challenging because Escort doesn't make a remote display, unless you want to fork out the $1500 for the 9500ci. I also own a 9500i and am working on that project next.

qship5

I've seen Race MX's work on the mirrors and it is top notch!

I'm thinking of having him do my C63.

DFW01E55

I've seen this set up in person and it looks factory. I know people who have it and they love it.
Plus, it's a showstopper when you have a bunch of car guys together, everyone "ooh aahs" in unison.

motorkas

Was seriously considering the ci and then just junking the laser diffusers and installing the laser interceptor but I just couldn't justify throwing away the extra g. Ended up with the 9500 and the laser interceptor quad for the same price.

You don't happen to have an approx time table on your new project - I only ask because I was going to hard wire the 9500 under my mirror but if you're working on this - I'd be more than willing to wait. Either way - please keep me posted.

BT

Jen_Kenne

Do you have a remote mute as well? I have one on the stalk.

blk07bruins63

+1

I have an 8500 and have been looking to the next step. I've considered the ci but the Laser Intercepter is the way to go. The ci doesn't give you rear radar detection either. I'm trying to figure out the best solution to hard wiring the 9500ix. I think the area above the mirror might work. Not too sure.

prodigymb

i would def want to try this with my v1...

RACE_MX

I have begun working on the 9500 - it's hard to say exactly how long it will be until the mirror integration will be completed. The 9500's circuits are quite a bit more advanced than the V1 - plus the lack of a plug and play concealed display will require more work. If you just want the display inside the mirror that should be fairly easy - however hiding the main radar unit, retaining the GPS and access to the control buttons will probably take a few weeks at best. I will definitely post any updates on progress for the 9500 - I personally prefer this radar detector, tuning out the false alerts is priceless.