Well I've read a few threads in the archives regarding this... I don't want the detector inside the passanger compartment so I started tearing the front of the car apart looking for a suitable mounting position (it's in winter storage anyway...)
I thought perhaps inside the foglamp assembly, not deep enough. Then behind the turn indicator, bumper's in the way (you could cut a hole in the bumper if you wanted).
Then I removed the nose pannel (guess I'll clean out the I/C now), there appears to be enough room either right next to the headlight assembly or next to the I/C. I'm favoring the former rather than the latter mainly because I thought there may be too much heat next to the hotside of the I/C. So my question is how much will the thin metal of the nose pannel deter the performance of the detector, obviously the Laser will be nullified but the radar will still be detected right? If the unit is just sitting on the passenger seat it still picks up a signal.

Has anyone done this, how much was the range affected?

BTW the unit is an Escort 8500, great detector.

Jason.

 

i found that if u lodge it between the rear seats it is pretty stealthy and keeps it above the windshield line.

 

What about rear detection if you mount it in front? Does it have a remote rear sensor? The clearer the path to the antenna, the greater warning and time you will receive. They suggest not even mounting them behind the windshield wipers because it affects performance. I put my V1 front and center in the windshield so it is in the best possilble location for front and rear detection.

 

The Escort model doesn't have a rear detection module. I'm not so concerned with that either because I don't speed anywhere other than highways where the police would sit on the shoulder or be comming head on anyway. I've come up with a mounting solution behind the nose pannel, I took some photos if anyone was interested. I'll also be doing a remote speaker and mute button/alarm LED install in the center console.

 

Police never follow you? I found that my Valentine would detect a rear approaching patrol car with amble warning. Why are you set on getting it off the windshield? If you mount it just below the tinted portion near the mirror. Run the power lines in the headliner and pillar cover to the underdash power source and it is not easily visible from the outside when parked or moving. At night you can lower the sun visor a bit and the detector's blinking lights will not be visible. I have never been hassled by police or anyone else with my detector mounted on the windshield. You are compromising the dectector performance by mounting it that low on a low riding car. You'll find out how much the first time you get nailed. Doesn't seem like it is worth the effort.

 

My friend has the senor on the back of the rear view mirror. And the other has it installed on the sunvisor. when its on he just flips its down.

 

I just keep mine on the dash and take it off when I get a signal. I don't think many of these things are spotted visually.

 

Most of them aren't spotted visually, but in Ontario Peckster the OPP has Scepter (I think that's what they're called) detectors that can sniff out almost any brand right now. It's usually the unmarked cars that carry them so watch out. VG-2 undetectability is pretty worthless with the Scepter. Beltronics has a new detector on their web site that claims complete undetectability.

 

I've read that the original Sceptre would not detect the V1, even at very close range, but they have a new model in beta that can sniff it out at a few hundred feet. Can't remember where I read that, but seems like it was some place in Texas that made the unit and was out testing it with one of those radar detector testing companies (marketing ******).

 

Is this the test you're referring to?

http://www.speedzones.com/smlTests.html

 

Yes, but I think that's even a newer evaluation than the one I read, as it only included the Sceptre II. The "new" unit that I was recalling was actually that VG-4 (it's the one made by a Texas company), that was the one that, even as a new model, could not see the V1. Looks like that Bel Sti Driver is the quietest one out there... if it only had front and rear radar like the V1, I might consider looking at one :-)

My biggest problem with that company (SML) and their tests is that even their own statistics don't jive. On the page you refer to, they say that the Spectre III picked up the V1 at 544 ft, while on a different page of the same test, the Spectre III only picked it up at 166 ft. You'd think they would pick one number and stick with it... and this isnt the only example of funky numbers I've seen there over the years.

 

EdC: There aren't enough police around my parts on the highway (where I require protectection) to worry about rear detection. The unit doesn't physically fit above the rear view mirror without interfering with the sunvisors. Besides I don't want prying eyes to spot it, I attract enough attention (I'm the only 944 turbo in town!). There are probably 20 crusers in my area so if I'm to encounter one it will most certainly be by chance and in my 8 years here I've only seen one speed trap, DUI is where the police focus efforts, not speeders, as it should be IMO.

Since the detector is not legal where I live police tend to leave the radar "on" all the time and I don't have to worry about instant on so much, so then would the sniffers function in the presence of always on radar guns?

I just rewired the control unit this morning, It will sit in the righthand most switch location infront of the shifter, going to look pretty good.

Back to one of my original q's, How much will the placement behind the nose pannel impare performance. As for the lower mounting points the K40 system mounts the sensors even lower than the nose pannel position.

 

Youze pays ya money and yous taks ya chances. Good luck, but seems to me too much effort involved for no performance gain. But who says we have to be reasonable with our toys. Good luck and have fun.

 

You could try something like this.
http://www.abesofmaine.com/viewproduct.asp?id=be975r

It looks a little pricy but you get better laser detection and the display is already remoted for you.