Valentine V1 mirror

[Big Windy]

i don't think that the video posted correctly.

this is totally sick...!!!

EDIT: okay, got the correct link. what an awesome mod. it looks like the first video shows an etched mirror, while yours almost looks like the light is just being projected through the mirror. not sure how possible that is...??? has anyone ever tried to shine a light through the glass of our mirror from the back side? anyway, having the V1 up in the roof/headliner is going to affect detection capability, but the degree of degradation might be negligible.

again, AWESOME!

[gthirtyfizle]

Not working?

BTW, from the other video, this is very impressive.

How much does it cost?

EDIT: seen it. Its nuts. I want it. Should I contact ai or technik?

[Big Windy]

Originally Posted by gthirtyfizle

Not working?



EDIT:. Should I contact ai or technik?

contact info would be great.

it looks like they are placing a "concealed display" behind the mirror. my guess is that it is able to project through the glass without modification (kind of like a two way mirror). i am wondering if somebody has taken their mirror apart before and noticed this? then the original V1 is disassembled so that the sensors can be mounted in the headliner and the switch can be mounted in the car. i'll bet this is not a very hard DIY. i am going to take my V1 apart this weekend to look into what parts and wiring might be required.

[lugnut]

Originally Posted by Big Windy

it looks like the first video shows an etched mirror, while yours almost looks like the light is just being projected through the mirror. not sure how possible that is...???

Exactly. From what I can tell by really looking at it closely it looks as if they very, very, very lightly sandblast the backside of the mirror just enough so the V1 can be seen through it when it is illuminated. In fact when I picked up my car I was expecting the etching to be visible 24/7, and was pleasantly surprised when it wasn't.

As for signal loss, I have noticed some, mostly on false signals (alarms, motion sensors, etc), and like I said it hasn't seemed to be too big a deal in the year plus I have had the V1. Still haven't done a side by side w/ a standard V1 plugged in my car, but maybe Ill get around to it this weekend if someone wants it done.

I deal w/ Matt or Todd @ AI Design. www.aidesign.com

I want to say that it was $1300 total cost. I had them do some other work at the same time so I don't remember off hand exactly how much the V1 was. Again, you do not need to supply them w/ a V1, and I do not know if it would be any cheaper if you do. They also do the 9500ci installs as well, and of course the laser blinders too. I really can't speak well enough of their work. If you ever saw the Audi R8 Blackbird from last years Bull Run they were responsible for that masterpiece.

[Big Windy]

Originally Posted by lugnut

Exactly. From what I can tell by really looking at it closely it looks as if they very, very, very lightly sandblast the backside of the mirror just enough so the V1 can be seen through it when it is illuminated. In fact when I picked up my car I was expecting the etching to be visible 24/7, and was pleasantly surprised when it wasn't.

As for signal loss, I have noticed some, mostly on false signals (alarms, motion sensors, etc), and like I said it hasn't seemed to be too big a deal in the year plus I have had the V1. Still haven't done a side by side w/ a standard V1 plugged in my car, but maybe Ill get around to it this weekend if someone wants it done.

I deal w/ Matt or Todd @ AI Design. www.aidesign.com

I want to say that it was $1300 total cost. I had them do some other work at the same time so I don't remember off hand exactly how much the V1 was. Again, you do not need to supply them w/ a V1, and I do not know if it would be any cheaper if you do. They also do the 9500ci installs as well, and of course the laser blinders too. I really can't speak well enough of their work. If you ever saw the Audi R8 Blackbird from last years Bull Run they were responsible for that masterpiece.

thanks lugnut! i do remember the audi r8 blackbird, and that thing was incredible. that infrasound generator that they had was really amazing.

anyway, i am going to contact AI design today. thanks!

[lugnut]

Thanks PG. That as my first Video post I figured I messed it up. Hell, that was my first youtube upload as well (It surprises me how not many people to "good" before/after vids for their mods. Just bought a sound level meter so I can post accurate vids of before and after exhausts, SSK noise, etc).

That smart mirror is pretty slick, and I can't believe they didn't throw a 9500ci in there either.

[gr8000]

Originally Posted by PencilGeek

Get an Escort 9500ci. Same performance as V1. Completely stealth. Laser jammer included. GPS integrated with photoradar database (to warn you when you're coming up to a photo radar location). But you'll have to give up your arrows. Far more up side than down side.

Click the link in my signature below to see the installation.

The "problem" with all-in-one packages is that you have to believe in all components. Of course they have the advantages of being neater, everything is more compatible with the other component, no need for seperate installation / wiring etc, all of which are good arguements for going that way.

In my case I have Laser Interceptor installed (as I think it is the best laser jammer from what I have read), and V1. I am very happy with this combo but what I am missing is the stealth installation of my V1 (the mirror is perfect - I wish I could get this done in Greece) and the GPS database thing.

On the latter I have found this though:
http://www.1stradardetectors.com/pho...lert/index.php

[doba_s]

Originally Posted by lugnut

OK, just shot this video. Hopefully this clears everything up. Obviously you lose laser detection doing this, but since laser detection is useless anyway (seeing as how it essentially travels at the speed of light, if you are targeted you are caught) that didn't concern me. Most people that do this also install a laser blinder of some kind. I have nothing mounted facing the front or rear of my car. All a radar detector is really is an antenna that receives the radar waves and beeps. Your V1 would still work under your driver's seat, albeit not as well.

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Yes, I know my garage is cluttered, so I don't want to hear from the peanut gallery

Looks great ... so for those who are not local and can't bring the car to the shop can I ship my mirror to them ?

You should get LI jammers ... I think they just made them work with V1 ... It will be something like 9500ci with way better protection level !

[doba_s]

Hey Lugnut,

did they do any modifications to the back part of your mirror ?

[Big Windy]

i am looking into this as a DIY. lugnut, do you have any details about the placement of the radar sensors? the mirror portion is very simple, and can be done with either a laser or acid based backlit etching. i am most concerned about dismantling the v1 and the proper placement of components.

[lugnut]

I didn't actually watch them do the install, I just dropped my car off on a Friday and picked it up after a weekend in VT on Monday morning, so the major details I can't really speak to.

There are no modifications done to the exterior mirror housing that I can see. As for the radar sensor that is somewhere in my headliner behind my map lights I believe. I have also been told by AI that some people have put the sensors under the dash right below the windshield (obviously choice if you drive a Vert). As to weather they simply crack open a standard V1 and hide the guts I can not say, but I think it is more likely they have a stand alone V1 radar board that they hardwire and hide behind the map lights. The headliner option would probably work better w/ cars w/ the Carbon roof than the metal roof.

Give AI a call and see what they say. Maybe they can refer you to a shop local to you that they have a good relationship with with. Can't hurt to ask I suppose.

[doba_s]

Hey Lugnut, would you be willing do us a favor and pull out map light unit and take some pictures to see how it's done ? It would be great ...

[mazda3ndp]

I wish Ai would give me a decent price on a V1 install... they quoted about 3k for v1 and install and for 4k more they would do a 9500 and install in ashtray... I dunno if they thought I was a sucker but for 4k they should at least include the lube...

[lugnut]

Was that for a V1 + laser blinders?

[skierman64]

Originally Posted by lugnut

Yes, I know my garage is cluttered, so I don't want to hear from the peanut gallery

I'm just impressed that someone from NJ actually uses their garage for a car. 98% of NJians do not.

[lugnut]

2 cars, 2 harleys, 1 arcade cabinet, and enough of my parents crap to choke an elephant.

[D-Rock]

lugnut- I really like the poster in front of your car?

[10M3MAN]

Nice work looks great...

[doba_s]

Originally Posted by doba_s

Hey Lugnut, would you be willing do us a favor and pull out map light unit and take some pictures to see how it's done ? It would be great ...

Hey man ... Do you think you can pull out your map lights so we can see what it looks like inside ?

I am asking because I saw some RD tests that showing that if you block your radar antennas, radar detector looses its sensitivity big time ...

You can test is by parking right in front of a store that has automatic door opener ... Your radar must pick up a strong "false" alert ...

Please let us know or pm me if you don't mind ...

Thanks.

[J08M3]

^-- I've heard a bunch of sensitivity is lost with this mod. Although the V1 is pretty strong to begin with so I'm not sure how much of a factor it is?

[doba_s]

Originally Posted by J08M3

^-- I've heard a bunch of sensitivity is lost with this mod. Although the V1 is pretty strong to begin with so I'm not sure how much of a factor it is?

you would be surprised ...

[lugnut]

I've had some sensitivity loss on known falses (very little when I first had the unit installed but more so lately-almost as if the unit needs a software update), but still haven't been pulled over using it so it's not that big a deal to me.

I'll try and get a look at the unit itself sometime this week. I also want to take some side by side tests w/ a standard V1 to see the loss for myself. If I can get this on video I'll post it up.