Alan

Andrew,
"I was actually thinking of starting with some vergain material, cutting it to size and going from there, but if you have a panel you're willing to donate to the cause... "

I do - I'll pm you later on this...

To your other question: Yes because I have the remote display so far away i cant use the mute button, also the V1 unit is hidden right behind the mirror so I needed a local mute button & volume controls within reach - hence I sprung for the Remote Audio Unit.

As usual I took it apart! (recurring theme!). I have it mounted under the handbrake console. The switch & volume pot is removed and wire tails go to a new **** combination in one of the factory drilled holes (yes they are already there under the carpet). I used to have 2 *****, one for on/off main volume and one for mute volume but when I put the headlamp aimers in I needed to consolidate a bit. The remote audio has a Piezo transducer built in and provision for headphones (?) as well as a mute switch. I removed the peizo and relocated it to the drivers side dash (in a blank below the Pod) because it just wasn't loud enough burried under the carpeted panel. Once you have the whole thing apart its not that hard to do. I can post some pics if you'd like.

I messed around with my V1 for about 18 months before this - I mounted the V1 just about everywhere (dash top, visors, under the mirror, bottom of the sunroof cover, bottom of the rear brake light I also tried the remote display in the pod, on top of the pod, in the ashtray, center windscreen, above the radio...some of these ideas were just wierd)

There really aren't that many realistic options in a 928 for the bulky V1 (especially not stock config).

Note I now have the mute switch hooked up to just the column cancel stalk. (Its perfect!)

As for the sound I pretty quickly got used to where to look - actually you can see the arrows flash even when you are looking at the road - except in very bright sunlight.

I'm fairly adventurous when it comes to electronics so It doesn't scare me at all to take it apart and reverse engineer it a bit. I figure the worst case damage is <$50 - and I haven't paid it yet!

Alan

Nicole

That looks very nice! I've been concerned about covering up my digital display - something I don't want to do. I might not install the remote display right away, since it take s alittle bit of thought.

What kind of rearview mirror is in Alan's car? Looks like that area has a few unusual details...

Alan

Nicole,
Its a Donnelly Electronics electro-chromatic (autodim) mirror with compass & external temp display.

They now make one with map lights as well! Donnelly Store

But note that on ebay you can buy lots of OEM autodim mirrors (presumably from insurance write-offs) all brands dirt cheap ~$30-$50 vs $220+ for the Donnelly. (you usually don't get the connector or windshield mount though)

However I must say the Donnelly is excellent quality and works just perfectly. I think it is quite fitting in the car - I never liked the basic stock mirror one bit.

I had lusted after one of these for a while - but fitting the V1 behind it was my final "over the edge" reason to buy. I had concluded I wanted to mount the V1 there for best utility But it just doesn't fit behind the stock mirror which is too close to the glass. I mounted the V1 to the glass also using the V1 visor mount combined with half of a standard mirror glass mount - rock solid and sits where it is completely invisble to the driver and drivers window. It has an unobstructed view forward and aft (radar & laser) between the mirror and sun visor with no restriction on sun visor movement.

PS I'll just let Andrew post my pictures from now on - its very convenient

PS the other detail there is that I have blackout window film blocking that central area - this is partly to keep out the sun - but is also sits right above the V1 and serves to make it virtually invisible from outside the car

Alan

AO

If you want wicked stealth you could always spend another $200 and get this thing!

Alan

Uh... for me No!

I did see this a long time ago and thought it was great - too expensive but great...
then I started trying out all the locations and getting a feel for it - I think I'd pass on
this location nice as the install is - I'd rather just have the autodim feature (really good!).

Now I do think the mirror is a great place for a rear view camera feed LCD - now there is a thought!
It would have to be autodim still - I've never seen that combination but you can get
LCD mirrors on ebay...

Alan

SharkSkin

Autodim? Is there a way to override that easily? You've got to check six, and not only with the radar detector.

Alan

Dave,
It only partially dims and the degree is dependant on both the ambient light (forward averaged) and the degree of glare to the rear. I have no idea what the algorithm is and I was skeptical too - but it just works "exactly perfectly" - you can't explain it very well - you just have to try it.

Ed Scherer also has one - I believe he loves his too!

BTW it has also a reverse inhibit so for example when reversing out of a dark garage into daylight - it just turns all dimming off. You can manually turn it off at any time also (but I never have!)

Alan

Ed Scherer

Yup.

BTW, I went on a "Fun Drive" our local PCA group held last Saturday. 24 cars total, I think. I was in the middle of the pack somewhere. Speed limits may have been exceeded. Maybe even by a wide margin.

As we were coming down a hill (still at speed), I noticed that a smokey was coming the other way, and (because the guy behind me was way behind), smokey whipped around right behind me. I knew that we were so busted. But then I remembered that I didn't get a radar hit on the V1. Everyone was suddenly on their best behavior, and Mr./Mrs. Officer (never got that good a look) just followed us for about 10 miles, and finally went straight when we turned.

And, to get back on topic, I really like my V1. Saved my butt on numerous occasions. I keep mine in the "L" (logic?) mode so it doesn't false so much on door openers and such. I just can't imagine doing without the arrows.

Alan

Ok some more photo's:

Mounting Box Construction (the missing half):

Remote Display - Slanted Mount:



Alan

SharkSkin

Hmmm... interesting, but I'm still not convinced. I'll have to sniff around and find a local that has one(and will let me try it) before I seriously consider it. Thanks for the info!

SharkSkin

Nice work.... but IMHO there is no better place for the remote display than in the pod. I don't know how that would impact the digital display, as I don't have one.... but I don't like the idea of having to take my eyes too far off the road, nor do I like the idea of cops being able to see a red light come on when he hits me with radar from behind. It's very rare that I am at risk of a radar ticket and at the same time have my wheel turned far enough to obscure the display. It all comes down to personal preference.... I went with the same location as Ron_H used:



I'd like to see the in-mirror setup in the dark... if it can't be seen from behind when lit up I just may consider it.

Nicole

The location in front of the instruments would cover up my center display, which I set for outside temperature (it was nice to know that on my way to Tahoe, I encountered 32 Degrees F), plus it would cover parts or the other displays, which I set to mph on the left, and trip odo on the right. I rarely use the speedo dial - I ALWAYS look at the digital readout instead, as it is faster for me to see how fast I am...

I really like Alan's solution for the display, but ideally it would be directly in front of me, not off to the middle of the car. I'll take a look at that thing when it arrives.

Another question: Does the dark area of the windshield filter out any radar or laser waves? Do I have to mount the detector under the tinted strip?

AO

The tinted strip has little to no affect on radar. Laser could be another issue, but since I don't have the strip, I guess I don't have to worry about it.

jcb928

"Does the dark area of the windshield filter out any radar or laser waves? Do I have to mount the detector under the tinted strip?"

http://www.valentine1.com/lab/Previously6.asp

Alan

Dave,
For the very reasons you cite - I'd rather have it where it is. I tried your location also and considered it inferior - but its a personal preference of course. I'd just suggest to Nicole/anyone - get a nice long RJ11 lead & some double sided tape and try out a bunch of different remote display locations for ~1 week at a time and see which you like best. That's basically what I did... this way whatever you come up with will be the best location for you. Then you can worry about making it look nice.

BTW - since radar detectors are legal I don't care too much that anyone behind me can see it, my other option provides for the case of really wanting a stealth install, but I just didn't like it as much.

Nicole - I'd try to avoid the tinted strip whenever possible - part of my motivation for a lower install.

Alan