Install: Radar Detector
3545
10
I have a tendency of being a little heavy on the accelerator pedal and also wanted to know when it was safe to get into it without being snagged by a radar. I found that a radar detector was one of my needs.
My problem is I am kind of picky and I didn't want to see a dangling cord or unsightly suction cups stuck to my windshield which do have a tendency of losing their vacuum. I looked into the heavy duty suction cup radar hangers but found the diameter of the suction cup a little too big for me -- 1 3/4" to 2". Also, I couldn't find a suitable place to mount these suction cup mounts where it would be handy to reach & within my line of sight while driving.
I searched the internet and found sites that had rearview mirror radar detector mounts for Corvettes and Nissan Z's but they would not fit the 2005 Mustang and they were a little pricey -- $50 - $100. I finally found a web site that had a rearview radar mount that claimed to fit virtually every radar detector. Unfortunately it didn't say if it would fit virtually any car's rearview mirror. The mount looked very promsing so for the cost of $16, which included shipping, I felt it was worth the look see. I didn't want to buy a radar detector first and then not be happy on how I would mount it. Not only did the mount fit perfectly on the rearview mirror but it was made nicely -- light weight anodized aluminum, compatible for most radar detectors, portable, and keeps windshield unobstructed. The backside of the mount has a wide opening so not to interfere with the radar antenna and laser lens.
Now for the dangling cord problem. I was thinking that I could hard wire the cord to the map reading light and run the wire down the rearview mirror. I decided against that because I didn't like the idea of seeing that wire and I would always have to unplug when removing the detector when parking for a long period of time -- they do break windows to steal those detectors.
After doing some reading, I decided to go with the Escort Solo S2 cordless radar detector. It came the other day and I was very pleased. It fits perfectly in the rearview mirror mount. A small piece of velcro on the bottom front of the radar detector holds it firmly in place on the rearview mirror mount -- the velcro comes with the hanger. The mount does not interfere with the rear laser port which sights perfectly through the back window. The detector works well as far as distance -- it gave me fair warning yesterday. It's easy to dismount when parking -- just squeeze on the butterfly clip and take the whole thing down -- hanger and all. Best of all it is in your line of sight and very easily reached while driving.
In case anyone is interested here is the web site for the rearview mirror radar detector mount and I attached a couple of pictures.
http://www.buyreliant.com/mrbracket/mrbracket.htm
I feel like an infomercial......Later....Dave
My problem is I am kind of picky and I didn't want to see a dangling cord or unsightly suction cups stuck to my windshield which do have a tendency of losing their vacuum. I looked into the heavy duty suction cup radar hangers but found the diameter of the suction cup a little too big for me -- 1 3/4" to 2". Also, I couldn't find a suitable place to mount these suction cup mounts where it would be handy to reach & within my line of sight while driving.
I searched the internet and found sites that had rearview mirror radar detector mounts for Corvettes and Nissan Z's but they would not fit the 2005 Mustang and they were a little pricey -- $50 - $100. I finally found a web site that had a rearview radar mount that claimed to fit virtually every radar detector. Unfortunately it didn't say if it would fit virtually any car's rearview mirror. The mount looked very promsing so for the cost of $16, which included shipping, I felt it was worth the look see. I didn't want to buy a radar detector first and then not be happy on how I would mount it. Not only did the mount fit perfectly on the rearview mirror but it was made nicely -- light weight anodized aluminum, compatible for most radar detectors, portable, and keeps windshield unobstructed. The backside of the mount has a wide opening so not to interfere with the radar antenna and laser lens.
Now for the dangling cord problem. I was thinking that I could hard wire the cord to the map reading light and run the wire down the rearview mirror. I decided against that because I didn't like the idea of seeing that wire and I would always have to unplug when removing the detector when parking for a long period of time -- they do break windows to steal those detectors.
After doing some reading, I decided to go with the Escort Solo S2 cordless radar detector. It came the other day and I was very pleased. It fits perfectly in the rearview mirror mount. A small piece of velcro on the bottom front of the radar detector holds it firmly in place on the rearview mirror mount -- the velcro comes with the hanger. The mount does not interfere with the rear laser port which sights perfectly through the back window. The detector works well as far as distance -- it gave me fair warning yesterday. It's easy to dismount when parking -- just squeeze on the butterfly clip and take the whole thing down -- hanger and all. Best of all it is in your line of sight and very easily reached while driving.
In case anyone is interested here is the web site for the rearview mirror radar detector mount and I attached a couple of pictures.
http://www.buyreliant.com/mrbracket/mrbracket.htm
I feel like an infomercial......Later....Dave
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Nice write-up. Interesting mount design, too. They bent an aluminum piece for the bracket, and the pivot and clamp assembly is a microphone clamp that mounts to the top of a mic stand.
Attachments
WOW! Pretty clever....
ultraclyde said:
Yeah, I thought so. I always appreciate good, creative um....field engineering. That's what hot rodding is based on. It all started with some guy going "Hey, I wonder if....."
nice! The only thing that concerns me is the added weight to the mirror. Those things tend to fall off after time and sitting in the sun.
If you guys want to see the ultimate in custom install radar detectors check this out. This thing actually fires back a LIDAR guns, ie Laser. Pricey but way cool. http://www.passportsr1.com/
Thanks Dave for all the info. I also have the Solo S2 and this is exactly what I've been looking for!
What I've been thinking for detector is how does the bus between instrument cluster and other pieces work (stereo, EEC, ...). If one could plug into that and get radar detector messages to the instrument cluster. That would be, let's say, ubercool.. 
The radar detector mount clamps on the mirror via a butterfly clamp so there is no problem sitting in the sun. I would not advise leaving the radar dectector on your vehicle while you have it parked for a long period of time since they do break windows to steal dectectors. Not a problem as far as weight is concerned because the mount and the detector are pretty much in the feather weight category. I have not noticed any movement of the radar dectector mount & detector when on the road -- nice firm fit all the way around and I have Ebach sportline springs which provides a much firmer ride when you hit those bumpy roads and no problem what-so-ever.
Stoenr said:
Yeah, that would be the test with that suspension on there. If it hasnt fallen off yet, It probly wont.
Nice install... need to get a bigger monitor though... :winks
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