LionelB

With the new GT3T I know that I need one of these, never used one before.... Been reading a few threads and have some basic questions:

- Is a hard wired one much better than in dash ? Some of the high end installs certainly look great but it seems like a lot of work with quite a lot of disassembly of the car. What happens when a new generation comes out and makes the one you have obsolete ? Brand new install ?
- Is there a way to have a clean install of an in dash one without ugly wires ?
- Being certain that there is 0 battery drain when the car is turned off is critical for me as I commute back and forth and the car is left in the garage 2 weeks in a row every month on average. Could this be an issue with any install ?

Is there a recommendation of where to go to get some advice and install in the bay area ?

Finally the most basic question which one is the state of the art right now ?

Thank you !

FLGT

I have Valentine One radar detector. Nice unit
i have twice bought their hardwire kit off their website and had my local P dealer do a simple install where they leave the plug dangling by the rear view mirror. Have done it on two prior RSs. Dealer charged me maybe one hr labor.

I Plan to do on my touring, provided no unique issues per dealer.
I just Turn it off when not in use.

Also you prob should use trickle charger to help, if not driving for while

nimprojects

You can go really deep on this stuff… but here's my 2¢:

I won't get into full-on installed systems (Escort MAX Ci 360 seems to the current leader), but if you're going to take the car apart I would go all in and get laser jammers as well. Radar detectors won't save you from a laser hit, but Waze + radar is a good combo if you don't want to install, as cops can't be moving to use a laser, so the ones using laser are more likely to be stationary.

As for the portable units, the two best (from what I gather spending way too much time on this) are the Escort MAX 360 C and the new Uniden R7. The Escort is more user friendly, and has Wi-Fi so it can update itself etc. The Uniden has the best range and can detect things like MRCD (which I don't think you need in California but is useful in say NYC). I also prefer the look of the Uniden but that's subjective. Downside of the Uniden is it's much more geeky, you have to install firmware updates using a janky Mac/PC app, and it has a million settings (Vortex Radar's guides on what to pick are super helpful). I have the R7 in my GT3T and am happy with it, it suits the look of the car and has amazing range, but I'm also fine with dealing with the configuration which might drive some crazy. Short answer: either are great.

For a "clean" install of a portable unit I'd use the BlendMount, and consider a mirror tap (as alternative to running to the fuse box). BlendMount is really well made, and the mirror tap will mean you have to remove a lot less interior bits to wire it up. Pretty sure mirror tap requires you to have the optional auto-dimming mirrors, I don't think the standard mirror has any power running to it.

PS: If wired up properly the power to the detector in a GT3 will shut off after like 10 min or so (in case you forget to turn it off) when the ignition is off. Additionally, not sure about the Escort but the R7 has a setting (off by default) that automatically turns of the detector after an hour if no movement (via GPS) is detected. If often leave my car for a week with the detector plugged in (to the passenger 12V outlet, but smoking package one also shuts off) and haven't had any battery issues.

Augdog1964

Current testing online has shown for non-remote installs (aka dash / windshield mount) the Uniden R7 is the best available today, rivaling many remote setups.
Escort Max 360 wins most remote install competitions.

NCheok

+1 | Whatever portable unit you decide to go with, BlendMount is a must, and yes I can confirm that you need the optional auto-dimming mirror if you want to make use of BlendMount mirror tap setup to make it clean and OEM looking.

Wouldn't do it any other way.

LionelB

Thanks all, I am going to dig into this stuff more. It turns out I do not have the auto dimming mirrors, maybe this can be upgraded ? As for the trickle charger there is no electric plug in my apartment underground parking...... Hence the importance of making sure there is no leak.

NCheok

Unfortunately, you cannot "easily" retrofit auto dimming mirrors post production. (Otherwise Suncoast would sell it)

That said, the BlendMount setup with or without the mirror tap is still the cleanest way to go.

You just need to run your power cable instead to the BlendMount.

Nine Nine One

I have a 360 Max CI which my local dealer installed. It took several iterations for them to get it right but now works flawlessly. No appreciable battery drain and this is a 3rd car and often sits for weeks, even months in the winter. No trickle device and it always starts right up.

lnirenberg

For what it’s worth, on my 13 911s I had a state of the art escort installed—front and rear lidar and radar detection jammers the works. 1st time out thinking I’m impervious I get pulled over by an unmarked car that had been following me. Waze is free and I’ve had no tickets since I started using it and now that the Mass staties pretty much use Explorers exclusively they are much easier to spot.

Mussl Kar

I have built in K40 with Laser shifters in front too. Only thing visible inside is a tiny blue LED on top of steering column housing. Half a grain of rice. Lights blue and warnings come over sound system. Saved my butt more than once.

Dalema

Check our Rdforum.org (online forum) and Vortex Radar (good YouTube videos) to get good up to date info. A lot of what you get on here is now dated.

agree radar is no longer sufficient - with laser protection needed

im not fully up to date myself, but seems for radar windshield mount the new Uniden R7 (with arrows) is the best, with the R3 (without arrows) being the same (I have this one).

installed units - best laser jammer seems to be AL Priority (ALP), unless you want to spend uber dollars on the Stinger. A lot of the other ones, some of which are mentioned above, don’t protect you against newer guns and the manufacturer doesn’t give you updates often ((or ever).

you can integrate the ALP with an installed radar unit too - like radenso or netradar.

Oh - and Waze!

advise doing a little research on the those websites I noted above

Bxstr

Max 360 with Blendmount is going to be your best bet. Have your dealer or shop run it into your Fuse Box so no wires running into your power outlets. When the new radar detector comes out from Escort you can use the same wire and just change out the detector and sell the old one. In a sports car that you are changing out every couple of years, I would not do a permanent install into the car, these cost thousands and just aren't worth it to me. I have one in my everyday car though.

kyrocks

I use escort 360 max and bought the direct wire cord. I ran it by the a pillar down to the fuse box on the passenger side myself.
There are some RL posts on how to do this.

TT Chris

Uniden R7. Everything else is old news.

phefner

Waze + Escort 360C + Escort Live App + Common Sense. The Escort Live app gives you shared info from other 360C units and it can run in the background.

Call it Triple Protection. The Common Sense thing is less common so safe to go with the 3 reliable ones.