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      03-16-2013, 12:35 AM   #1
s4play
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Lightbulb s4play's Valentine 1 solution for E90 m3 ~ No compromises!

It seems with every car we've done, each one is unique and has special attributes that cater for a specific type of Valentine 1 radar mount.

P.S. I never use anything but V1 in all of my cars

After looking at what's out on the market I've decided to create what I believe is the ultimate setup at the most economical cost and still keeping it "stealth". Nothing I did is permanent with no holes drilled so all of it can be reversed.

Currently the methods out there are:

- Everyone's seen those v1 remote displays in the rear view mirror which is ok but those are expensive plus you are still left with the question "where are you going to mount the main unit?".....

- There's a kit out there that conceals the main unit in the middle of the rear headrest but by containing it within the leather confines kills the laser detection ~ BIG NO NO in my book!

-Lastly people mount the main unit under the mirror but unless you tint the upper brow 6", it leaves the unit CLEARLY visible from outside by cop or thief!


So here's my solution, there's 3 parts to it:

a) Mounting of the main unit in a stealth location but maintain full sensor use for Front/Rear bands + laser (keep it removeable since we have only two v1 main units, but 7 cars so we can move it around)

b) Custom mount remote display in upper B-pillar hidden by roof/pillar angled for driver

c) Mount remote volume control unit in a concealed but easy to reach location near shifter console


some teaser pictures for now....
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      03-16-2013, 07:53 AM   #2
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      03-16-2013, 08:01 AM   #3
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      03-16-2013, 11:41 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by s4play
b) Custom mount remote display in upper B-pillar hidden by roof/pillar angled for driver
If you mount the display on the B-pillar, that puts it behind the driver! I think you may mean the A-pillar which separates the windshield from side glass, no?
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      03-16-2013, 11:53 AM   #5
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      03-16-2013, 01:47 PM   #6
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Need installed pics. Cool idea.
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      03-16-2013, 03:36 PM   #7
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V1 is great but no defense to laser. You either get a third party system or go integrated like Escort.
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      03-16-2013, 04:18 PM   #8
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Please, sir. Might I have some more?
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      03-16-2013, 10:49 PM   #9
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I think the integrated systems from Radar-Mirror.com are the best if you want a stealth install but this looks pretty creative if you're on a budget. Nice job.
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      03-17-2013, 02:48 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RaceMX-M3 View Post
I think the integrated systems from Radar-Mirror.com are the best if you want a stealth install but this looks pretty creative if you're on a budget. Nice job.
Like I said in my post those integrated systems is only for the display, NOT for the main unit, where are you going to put that? My mount is still needed or some other method.


Quote:
Originally Posted by mjposner View Post
V1 is great but no defense to laser. You either get a third party system or go integrated like Escort.
Laser in most cases is generally too quick to save you regardless what you have unless you have a jammer which is ILLEGAL. Any radar detector won't save you but I'd rather have the V1 Laser enabled vs sticking it in a leather headrest and totally killing that ability.


Quote:
Originally Posted by MineralWeiss View Post
If you mount the display on the B-pillar, that puts it behind the driver! I think you may mean the A-pillar which separates the windshield from side glass, no?
Yes apologies, I meant A-pillar!
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      03-17-2013, 02:55 PM   #11
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Laser jammer legality is state dependent, with only about 10 states outlawing it. Unfortunately for you, the Democratic People's Republic of California is one of the few.

If I was primarily interested in stealthiness then I wouldn't care about blocking the V1 laser receiver. Laser "detection" is essentially worthless and a false sense of security. I have my V1 mounted on my rear deck as well, but only to a) improve my rear detection and b) to use the arrows to backup the incredible range of my STi-R Plus. Compared to mounting it up front you lose a LOT of sensitivity, ie range! Good luck, not the best of ideas. I've done a lot of radar detector research, installation, and testing - go with a tried and true front mount.

To learn more about RD and LJ performance and installation, check out radardetectorforum.org. You can also see my LI quad/V1/STi-R Plus/ZR4 install on my E92.
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      03-17-2013, 03:09 PM   #12
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^I appreciate your comments

However I've installed both the fancy Escort and Bel "integrated" systems and used to have a K-40 as well. They are ok systems that are expensive to say the least and 100% married to the car. By the time the car gets a few years old this stuff becomes antique and worth little to no money as technology has changed again. I put the Escort in my friends S550 and took me just under 12 hours (at normal labor rates that's easily $1k+)

I don't know your background in these things or just believe in what you read but I've used this similar setup in over a dozen cars and on the highway, there is NO decrease in range and has worked flawlessly in my many drives down the interstate. None of what I said above in my first post is from reading other mfr' claims but from my real life usage. There is no loss in detection ability by moving the V1 main unit to the rear.

*The only time you CANNOT move the main unit to the rear is when your vehicle employs a touchscreen display such as the Lexus units because that trips the V1 sensors like crazy.

Back on topic, this is my rear mount all finished - just needs to be wired and then finish my front end installation.

A nice bonus fact to my setup is that you can still move the V1 main unit with the coil cord to any rental car while on vacation, etc.

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Last edited by s4play; 03-19-2013 at 03:44 PM..
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      03-17-2013, 03:18 PM   #13
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As far as real world experience goes, I've personally tried my V1 (3.891) on my rear deck AND on my front windshield. Big difference against my Bushnell K band gun and a fixed Ka 34.7 speed sign. I guess you've seen different, to each their own.

I am confused about your concern for stealthiness and no compromises though. It looks pretty darn visible mounted that way - one only has to look in your rear window. A front windshield mount will allow you to remove it easily if in a high-threat area. Also, if you're concerned about LEO's spotting your V1, remember they approach vehicles from the rear, looking inside. That thing will stick out like a sore thumb!

If you do intend to go this route using the V1 remote audio adapter, ensure you buy high quality cables. In order to run my V1 power from the glovebox fuse block to the audio adapter and back to the V1, if I didn't use high quality cables the power loss was significant enough to inhibit a startup.

Installing a 9500ci or STi-R Plus doesn't have to be a permanent affair. I easily swapped my 9500ci for a Bel in my Audi S4, moved the Bel out of the Audi and into the M3, and moved the 9500ci into my wife's X5. Piece of cake, no permanent changes. And I completely disagree with your "antique" comments - the 9500ci and STi-R plus has been around for quite a while. The M3 antenna is unstoppable, and continuous software updates keep it relevant - read some of the latest independant tests and you'll see they significantly outperform competitors, including the V1.
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      03-17-2013, 03:22 PM   #14
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The mount looks ok but is there a stealth aspect to it?

The setup I made for my E46M3 was amazing:Here

Not only was it completely hidden below the BMW alarm cover piece, it read out directly in the radio using the StealthOne (that was a GREAT device that didn't last long) and the controller was hidden in the ash tray next to the Escort Laser Shifter controller. I know that nobody is going to believe me and even I doubted myself at first but on at least 3 occasions I had the V1 trigger for laser on the radio matching my Escort Laser Shifter and it was completely covered. I did have the cover rotated 90 degrees from the picture so the "vents" were front/rear facing but it definitely triggered.

Now I have 2 kids and no time and I haven't even hardwired the V1 or mounted my Laser Interceptor in 2 years.
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      03-17-2013, 03:22 PM   #15
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      03-17-2013, 04:52 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WayneM3 View Post
The mount looks ok but is there a stealth aspect to it?

The setup I made for my E46M3 was amazing:Here

Not only was it completely hidden below the BMW alarm cover piece, it read out directly in the radio using the StealthOne (that was a GREAT device that didn't last long) and the controller was hidden in the ash tray next to the Escort Laser Shifter controller. I know that nobody is going to believe me and even I doubted myself at first but on at least 3 occasions I had the V1 trigger for laser on the radio matching my Escort Laser Shifter and it was completely covered. I did have the cover rotated 90 degrees from the picture so the "vents" were front/rear facing but it definitely triggered.

Now I have 2 kids and no time and I haven't even hardwired the V1 or mounted my Laser Interceptor in 2 years.
Your setup looks very strangely familiar to this - I'm a long time e46fanatics/m3forum member and built this concealed housing for quite a few members. My design has openings for both sensors but uses the exact same alarm cover from the e46 m3. In fact I still have a dozen or so sitting here so I could easily design a cap for it but because my rear window is tinted it's really not visible so I consider this a stealth mount (unless they look into the cabin)



This also works for the front dash:


However on the e90 m3, I wanted to do something different since we do not have a touchscreen display luckily.

The A-pillar mount will look like this:



jimf15e: Appreciate your insight it seems we have similar experience and even cars (had an B5 s4 as well ) Thanks for sharing your ideas, I will take what you said into account as I develop this. This is what makes the internet a great resource as we all have various backgrounds! You are absolutely right on using quality wire as that affects the v1 power, I had problems in the past in one of our SUV installs. I've read a few independent tests in it always seems to me they favor the ones that require a full install with independent sensors in the bumpers. Those may be great for some people but I never liked to rip the car apart to put those things in. I am in the industry and at SEMA / CES each year, these companies always try to introduce new technology such as GPS which I find a novelty but not useful in real life. Same as the community GPS app called WAZE that tries to locate LE locations in real life. Great ideas but in day to day use it gets more annoying than useful.

IMO, radar detectors are just a tool to help the driver make safe decisions and not to encourage speeding but rather be more aware of your surroundings. Useless in most urban city traffic but great on the open highway where a little speeding can't hurt anyone if done responsibly. Plus if you are relying a radar detector in city driving, you are probably driving too fast anyways.
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      03-19-2013, 01:00 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jimf15e View Post
If you do intend to go this route using the V1 remote audio adapter, ensure you buy high quality cables. In order to run my V1 power from the glovebox fuse block to the audio adapter and back to the V1, if I didn't use high quality cables the power loss was significant enough to inhibit a startup.
Just one thing to add here: that goes for the ground connection too. A cheap connection to ground is just as bad as a cheap power connection. It's best to put the V1 direct-wire power adapter near where the ground is and use a short wire to ground. I've helped friends (actually done) on a few installations and bad grounds lead to the V1 continually turning itself on and off.


Cheers.
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      03-19-2013, 03:47 PM   #18
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Here is the main V1 mount all finished up and back in the car! I'm still 50/50 on making a shroud cover for it since you can't really see it with the tinted windows.

Planning on finishing the wiring this weekend up front and the system should be ready to go. I have a few other neat ideas I hope to implement. I still have a Lamborghini Aventador "Start" button sitting on my work bench from another project that I might use in the M3 space permitting so we'll see.

It's naturally height adjustable and I have it adjusted for a clear front/rear view of the car with no direct obstructions. Will do some road testing once it's completed too

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      03-21-2013, 04:18 PM   #19
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Wow, that's the last place I'd put it, since it's going to block your rear view quite a bit.
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      03-21-2013, 05:13 PM   #20
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Quote:
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Wow, that's the last place I'd put it, since it's going to block your rear view quite a bit.
LOL, don't assume!

In that case I am guessing you have NO REAR HEADRESTS in your car?

I'll take some better pictures when I finish the wiring this weekend.
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      03-25-2013, 05:40 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by s4play View Post
LOL, don't assume!

In that case I am guessing you have NO REAR HEADRESTS in your car?

I'll take some better pictures when I finish the wiring this weekend.
Typical Rick.
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      03-26-2013, 12:20 AM   #22
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here's the view I see now:



(*on my way home tonight at around 9pm in pitch black darkness, radar starts going of with arrow pointing rear "K" band) I see nothing but slow to 65 and wait it out as the signal gets stronger. This guy flies by me in his new GS thinking he just blew by me.....not 10 seconds later I see lights and game over for the GS. Whew, another win for the V1 and proves my setup works flawlessly!)
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