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At risk of completely derailing this thread, I would challenge that one source you cited and say that mounting it as high as possible on the windshield is ideal. Picking up a laser signal is essentially useless, because if you pick it up, they've already tagged you. That may be the one and only advantage of having it close to your license plate. Having it higher up is better for picking up signals when cresting a hill, and will also give your detector better visibility out of the rear end of the car. Additionally, it's more visible to police and people who may want to smash your windshield to steal it, if it's mounted low where you have it. When it's tucked against the rear view mirror, it's actually not very visible from the outside.
Having it higher up is better for picking up signals when cresting a hill, and will also give your detector better visibility out of the rear end of the car.
Absolutely not true.
Please reference the first link I provided above to read my explanations why.
Originally Posted by TrillyPop
Additionally, it's more visible to police and people who may want to smash your windshield to steal it, if it's mounted low where you have it. When it's tucked against the rear view mirror, it's actually not very visible from the outside.
I never leave my V1 in my car when I'm going to be parking my car away from home.
I don't care what law enforcement thinks about my V1. I only use it in states where it is legal to do so.
I read your explanations about the "over the hill" scenario and they just don't make sense. I understand the scatter concept. The higher the detector is mounted, the sooner it will see any signal because that's the first part of the car that will crest. At the end of the day, it's probably moot because we're talking a 1ft difference. In terms of rear view visibility, if you have it mounted low, there's a chance the seat, driver/passenger, the dashboard itself, or something in the back could block signal from getting to the rear detector. Again, does it make any measurable difference? Probably not. I still much prefer the hidden wiring, having the mute button mounted next to my finger on the shifter, and that the detector is firmly mounted and doesn't bounce around on the suction cup mount, and that it's tucked against the mirror so barely visible. All big advantages for me. Ok, enough for me on that topic.
I read your explanations about the "over the hill" scenario and they just don't make sense.
I didn't invent the physics, I'm just explaining them.
Originally Posted by TrillyPop
The higher the detector is mounted, the sooner it will see any signal because that's the first part of the car that will crest.
Did you read all my posts in that thread? The radar detector does not need direct line of sight to the radar transmitter to receive the radar energy. This is fundamentally important to understand.
Originally Posted by TrillyPop
At the end of the day, it's probably moot because we're talking a 1ft difference.
It's actually 9 inches or less.
And it's moot because there is normally enough radar energy bouncing around inside the car to trigger an alarm even if the detector is sitting in the passenger's seat.
Originally Posted by TrillyPop
In terms of rear view visibility, if you have it mounted low, there's a chance the seat, driver/passenger, the dashboard itself, or something in the back could block signal from getting to the rear detector.
Not a chance. Once again, the radar detector does not need to have a direct look at the radar transmitter before receiving enough energy to alarm. The radar energy in and around the car from a radar transmitting from behind you is more than enough to trigger an alarm even if you had the detector pointed forward and strapped to the middle of the passenger's headrest.
Originally Posted by TrillyPop
I still much prefer the hidden wiring, having the mute button mounted next to my finger on the shifter, and that the detector is firmly mounted and doesn't bounce around on the suction cup mount, and that it's tucked against the mirror so barely visible.
All good, but the discussion was about whether or not the low mount reduces detection range, and the answer to that is absolutely not. Plus the low mount improves the chances you will get an alert from laser in time to make a speed reduction.
BTW, my V1 doesn't bounce around at all when mounted to my windshield. But it has to be mounted correctly for this to be the case.
Good discussion. At this point it is a matter of preference. Dock's links were educational and TrillyPop had logical arguments. The fact is, I have had it installed in multiple locations and the variances are not that significant. Based on my driving habits and preferences, I will mount it under the mirror (split the difference), hard wire it (because I am OCD) and call it a day.
I assume that you never did because you show the coiled wire going down...
Where do you see a coiled wire?
The only wire is the straight wire with spade ends that can be inserted into the blue plug I showed you.....no cutting. You can also purchase this wire from blendmount
03-15-2020, 11:43 PM
