Radar Detector Question -- again!!
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E55
Radar Detector Question -- again!!
My next project is a radar detector. I have lived dangerously for ten years but with the E55 that would be too dangerous.
I am looking at the escort. Any advice?
Any convenient alternatives to using the cigar lighter? I don't like the idea of wires dangling.
Any place in the Chicago area where they install detectors -- that you would recommend? I am a bit nervous of splicing inot hte electircal system givne how finniccky the car is (the dealer says I should not evne change hte horn).
I am looking at the escort. Any advice?
Any convenient alternatives to using the cigar lighter? I don't like the idea of wires dangling.
Any place in the Chicago area where they install detectors -- that you would recommend? I am a bit nervous of splicing inot hte electircal system givne how finniccky the car is (the dealer says I should not evne change hte horn).
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'07 Porsche 997TT
I have done so much reading on this very same topic it's unreal! I was the same as you. Have been lucky for quite some time. Traded in my E500 a month ago, and knew I needed to do something. My car is going in Wed. for the install. Stealth was a big consideration for me. I did not want wires hanging around either. I didn't ever want to see the unit. So, here's what i'm doing. I'm getting the Valentine V1 radar detector and having the display laser etched into my rear view mirror. They will be building a "pod" somehwere in the car (deck lid, headliner) wrapped in the matching fabric. The on-off knob of the V1 will be mounted up into the map light underneath the mirror! Very slick. Now, that's only half of it. You also need a laser JAMMER (not a detector, because once you DETECT laser, you're toast). i'm getting the lidatek LE-30 which is also stealth and controlled by the V1 knob in my map light. This unit jams for 5 seconds and goes into a stand by mode for 30-60 secs. I forget exactly how long. What this does is give you 5 seconds to slow down, trying not to aler the cop he's been jammed. This project is not cheap, running around 3K. The other option I considered is the escort SRX radar/laser combo. The BEL unit is identical to the escort and very good. It will also be half the price of what i'm doing, around $1,500. There is still a display that needs to get mounted somewhere with the escort/bel. do a search here, there's lots of info. Pablo has a pic. of his BEL in his CL 55 here so you can see it. also lots of info. on the M5 board. If you would like, I can e-mail you the picture of the V1 in the mirror of an E55. The shop doing my car just sent me a pic of another E55 that they did. Of course, you can buy the 8500 or V1 and have it hard-wired to your car. You would still have the unit hanging, most likely high, and to the right of your rear view mirror. That is certainly the least expensive way to go. Between the 8500 and the V1, they each have their fans and detractors. Again, just be aware of laser. You need a jammer for that.
Last edited by cte430; 06-14-2004 at 09:03 AM.
#4
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No question about getting the Valentine...get the remote display too, all for less than $500.
No question about a laser jammer either. The lidatek list is about $350.
Go to a car stereo installer and let them hardwire the system with the displays and switches in the ash tray. Its a lot easier for them to take off the trim pieces and find the right wires to connect.
No question about a laser jammer either. The lidatek list is about $350.
Go to a car stereo installer and let them hardwire the system with the displays and switches in the ash tray. Its a lot easier for them to take off the trim pieces and find the right wires to connect.
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2000 W210 E55->2003 R230 SL500->2004 W211 E55->2007 997TT+2007 E63->2010 GLK350->2012 E550 4matic
V1 mounting
V1 and LE30 are the best equipment. However, would the V1 display at the rear view mirror be too visable to cars (especially cops) outside when it goes off?
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E55
Thank you all for the detailed information.
My problem now is to find someone who would not mess up the car. It has been trouble free so far! Touch wood!
Anyone in Chicago had something like this done?
My problem now is to find someone who would not mess up the car. It has been trouble free so far! Touch wood!
Anyone in Chicago had something like this done?
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only amg
radar again
just send me a pm and i will give you the name of the guy we use, just had him put a dvd nav system in a 05 clk, and it works great. if you live in the city you are close.
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'07 Porsche 997TT
Re: V1 mounting
Originally posted by W210
V1 and LE30 are the best equipment. However, would the V1 display at the rear view mirror be too visable to cars (especially cops) outside when it goes off?
V1 and LE30 are the best equipment. However, would the V1 display at the rear view mirror be too visable to cars (especially cops) outside when it goes off?
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Porcelain Bus
I go BEL all the way. BEL 985 and BEL Laserpro 904- roughly $200 each plus $150 for the install. 90+% as good as the V1 for radar and superior to any laser jammer possibly except for the Escort.
Best bang for the buck!
Best bang for the buck!
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'05 A4 1.8TQM6
I go with the Escort Passport 8500 x50!!! Awsome radar detector for range and sensitivity...especially around curves and hills. I upgraded from my first generation 8500 (which I put the two 8500's I have in the ML and the S).
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2000 W210 E55->2003 R230 SL500->2004 W211 E55->2007 997TT+2007 E63->2010 GLK350->2012 E550 4matic
Re: Re: V1 mounting
Originally posted by cte430
yeah, I was wondering the same thing. I guess we'll see how that goes.
yeah, I was wondering the same thing. I guess we'll see how that goes.
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Originally posted by Dr Chill
I go BEL all the way. BEL 985 and BEL Laserpro 904- roughly $200 each plus $150 for the install. 90+% as good as the V1 for radar and superior to any laser jammer possibly except for the Escort.
Best bang for the buck!
I go BEL all the way. BEL 985 and BEL Laserpro 904- roughly $200 each plus $150 for the install. 90+% as good as the V1 for radar and superior to any laser jammer possibly except for the Escort.
Best bang for the buck!
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Originally posted by GDawgC220
I go with the Escort Passport 8500 x50!!! Awsome radar detector for range and sensitivity...especially around curves and hills. I upgraded from my first generation 8500 (which I put the two 8500's I have in the ML and the S).
I go with the Escort Passport 8500 x50!!! Awsome radar detector for range and sensitivity...especially around curves and hills. I upgraded from my first generation 8500 (which I put the two 8500's I have in the ML and the S).
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'07 Porsche 997TT
Originally posted by Pbglas
That is hte one I had been htinking of when I posted. Of course hte wires bother me.
That is hte one I had been htinking of when I posted. Of course hte wires bother me.
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Re: Re: Re: V1 mounting
Originally posted by W210
You know, another option would be to install the concealed display unit and mount it lower (in your center console storage area for example).
You know, another option would be to install the concealed display unit and mount it lower (in your center console storage area for example).
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Porcelain Bus
Originally posted by Pbglas
Is this a remote detector? Can you tell me what the display is like and where it is located? Thanks for hte advice.
Is this a remote detector? Can you tell me what the display is like and where it is located? Thanks for hte advice.
It is unlikely any more expensive combo than these two BEL units will save you in a situation where the BEL fails (ie instant on radar, laser from close range, aircraft, pacing, etc). What the V1 gives you is upgrade ability, but at a significant cost.
If money was not tight I would go with the Escort radar det/laser shifter system.
Avoid K40 radar det and diffuser as it is very old technology with inferior capabilities.
Last edited by Dr Chill; 06-14-2004 at 11:34 PM.
#21
...........has anyone seen or had the passpoport SRX installed with the display etched inside the rear view mirror? It is indeed a thing of beauty. I have had it done to two cars that I own so far. I was just wondering what was the big deal with the stealth installation of the Valentine..........Do people just not know about the stealth installation of the Passport SRX?
Ted
Ted
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Originally posted by Ted Baldwin
...........has anyone seen or had the passpoport SRX installed with the display etched inside the rear view mirror? It is indeed a thing of beauty. I have had it done to two cars that I own so far. I was just wondering what was the big deal with the stealth installation of the Valentine..........Do people just not know about the stealth installation of the Passport SRX?
Ted
...........has anyone seen or had the passpoport SRX installed with the display etched inside the rear view mirror? It is indeed a thing of beauty. I have had it done to two cars that I own so far. I was just wondering what was the big deal with the stealth installation of the Valentine..........Do people just not know about the stealth installation of the Passport SRX?
Ted
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W215 CL600
Escort Passport 8500 or Solo 2 (which is cordless) are the best choices. The V1 is overpriced IMO and I have the 8500 in my C32 and havn't gotten a ticket since. The Solo 2 is in my Viper GTS -- no real problems besides replacing the batteries every few months.
Go Escort!
Go Escort!
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2002 E55
Opinions are like . . . well, you know -- everybody's got one.
I know lots of folks who've switched from Escort to V1, but don't know anyone who has switched the other way and stayed.
I know lots of folks who've switched from Escort to V1, but don't know anyone who has switched the other way and stayed.