Dutchie in NC

Has anybody posted a DYI to hardwire the Passport or V1... I have done it on my 996 and 997, but am wondering where to tap into for a 958

gnat

There are a few around if you search for valentine.

I put the power unit in the right fuse area and used a fuse tap on the xenon headlight for that side. Then I ran the feed cable up the A-pillar between it and the windshield (so it doesn't cross the airbag). Finally its tucked into the headliner until it gets to the V1.

I also posted a thread on 6spd about putting the remote display in the center console pocket.

Others tap into the roof console, but when you find those threads you'll see I'm no fan if that idea

aCayenneFan

One more positive vote for the V1. As others have commented, the strength of the V1 is the arrows. Next is the display of band and signal strength. Those data points tell you where to look and whether you should really worry. After the detector, the best thing you can do to minimize your exposure to tickets is to practice good situational awareness. There are places (blind spots for approaching traffic until it is too late) where the CHP loves to wait on I-280 on the S.F. peninsula to zap speeders. When I am approaching these locations, I peg the car I am driving to the speed limit. Another tactic I use is to let some adventurous driver blaze a trail out in front of me while I hang back about 3/4 of a mile. The trailblazer rousts the radar traps (which I then pick up with my V1) and I motor along at the speed limit.

Slow Guy

+1. Was a little irate when I got caught with a group of Audi's w/ the Lane Change Assist (?) coming back from Fla but got that setting modified when I got home. Other than that I wouldn't want to go back to a detector w/out the arrows. I've had my own experience with the PoPo doubling up in the weeds, it surprised the hell out of a pickup truck that had been keeping up with me on the hiway and he decided to punch it when we went by the first one and I didn't speed back up because my V1 was telling me I now had one in front and one behind me.

Needsdecaf

I just upgraded my 1999 model (really) to a brand new one. The increase in sensitivity is insane.

Taipanic

I have the Escort 9500IX. Benefits - GPS allows false alarms to be locked out, also built in (updatable) database with traffic cameras & speed cameras. I also use the Escort Live App, which automatically uploads KA & Laser alerts to the map for all users to see & shows all traffic & speed cameras. You can also mark where police are sitting. The app is fairly new, but it has been getting better as more people are using it. It's nice to see on the screen that a cop was spotted just ahead 14 minutes ago. FYI, without quality "shifters", laser detection from a detector will just let you know that you've been tagged, it is instant. Quality shifters can jam or deflect the laser long enough to make a speed adjustment.

Cole

Fwiw, I was a Police officer in a past life.

Most cops take TWO laser readings. It makes a MUCH stronger case to show you were keeping your speed or accelerating.

If they can't get TWO then they typically let you go. So there is real value in laser detection. Pound the brakes at the first sign of detection and you'll probably get a pass!

mjr24

I swear by the V1. I've had one installed for probably the last 6-7 years in various cars (SL55, M6, new 750li TT) so you know I like to get the most out of the cars performance-wise.

Even on laser readings...it seems like if you hit the brakes fast enough once you hear the warning, you will skate.

As for radar....here in Illinois, a lot of the cops keep their radars on all the time in certain cities....so I know they are coming from literally a mile away.

I do get the occasional warning with Audis, Infinitis, other people with V1's....but rarely.

philg3

Just got an email from BlendMount, announcing they now have a Valentine rearview mirror mount for the Cayenne with auto dimming mirror. Since I live in California, and direct windshield mounts (suction cups) are illegal, I've been using the visor clip, but this BlendMount looks like a better solution.

My plan is to directly wire from the fuse box (left of dash) to near the rear view mirror. Checked out the fuse box, and #51 is unused, and is switched when the car is on. Better yet, Valentine included plenty of useful stuff for this purpose -- including color coded fused wiring to connect to the fuse box with an RJ11 jack, along with a flat power cord (just the right length) with the RJ11 plugs -- to go from RJ11 jack to the V1. Looks like a very easy installation taking < 1 hour, as it appears that the flat wire can be easily tucked in next to the edge of the windshield going up and across to the mirror.

This plan is for a 2013CD, and should be much more user friendly than the Visor mount without the coiled cord moving around. Also, I was always concerned that the visor mount was not the ideal location for detecting laser. No wire taps in this plan, that I know some of you dislike.

Here's the BlendMount URL:

http://store.blendmount.com/blendmou...nne-p1774.aspx

Any comments regarding this plan are appreciated, since it's only a plan at this point.

porschefan931

I just wanted to make peeps aware that if you are mounting the detector near the rear view mirror, it is possible to tap the power from the mirror, if it's powered.

Not sure if a compass is sufficient power, but a homelink definitely is.

A quick search of Radar Detector and Mirror Tap will find the cables on ebay, may save you having to run the cable down the pillars.

Cole

I've done it both ways and running it down the pillar into the fuse box is literally a 3.5 minute job. The mirror tap takes at least half and hour or more.

I did my last "down the pillar" install in a restaurant parking lot before heading in to get lunch.

philg3

Initially, I considered a mirror tap (Blendmount sells one), but there are no visible wires from the mirror, and removing the upper console to tap wires up there opens a new can of worms. As Cole points out, the "down the pillar" method is easy, is hidden, and it just so happens the fuse box on the left of dash is very accessible -- in a user friendly location for the job. As Cole says, it's a very simple quick job, as the cables slide right in -- no need to remove any trim other than the fuse box cover for the power.

The fact that I have all the color coded wiring from Valentine is a big plus. Will order the mirror mount this week.

Art Caputo

I have owned two Valentines, one since 1989, the other since 2000. Safe to say that neither has ever let me down.

iTradeShips

You might consider the new Escort Max. It hands down smoked the V1 in every radar class.

V1 owners will cry it isn't true, but if you read the different reviews available, they all confirm that the Max is the new king of the hill.

Cole

Links?

95% of the reviews and comparisons I've ever seen are put on by companies that sell radar detectors. None if which carry the V1 since its only distribution is through Valentine. So these reviews end up tainted.