loki wrote:
[QUOTE]Yup... in CA on the main highways like 101, 280, etc CHP isn't allowed to use radar to gauge your speed and it can't be used against you in a court of law. Technically they have to pace you for "x" amount of distance, I seem to remember it may of been 1/2-1mile. However that doesn't mean they can't use it to know who's doing what before they pace.

 

Mack and I got together the other night to install his V1. First let me say that after seeing and handling the V1 my mind is made up -- I'm going for the V1. The kit has everything you need and the install was a breeze. We found that the telephone like power cord slipped easily between the glass and the interior plastic surround on the inside of the window just under the black border of the window glass. All you see of the cord is the last couple of inches that go to the detector itself. We started just to the right of the mirror and ran the cord all the way to the dash on the drivers side. If you look carefully at the dash, there is a seam where the dash meets the window strut. All you have to do is press down lightly on the back corner of the seam and you can feed the power cord through connector and all. From there your only 10 to 12 inches away from the fuse box. It helps to have a friend here. To get the cord down to where it needs to go we made a hook out of a coat hanger. All its really used for is to guide the end of the power cord past other wiring as the cord is fed through. The power connector you receive with the V1 already has an in-line fuse installed, so, you don't have to provide one of your own. The black wire goes to the ground terminal near the fuse box and the red wire goes to one of the spare sockets in the fuse box. Be sure to select the one that is switched. If you buy the remote unit with the V1 it can sit on the dash where loki's is shown earlier in this thread. The cord for the remote can go through the same seam as the power cord, however, Mack is going to try mounting his on the steering column. It looks Ok there, but, it may hide some of the start up lights and mileage display for shorter drivers. One benefit of this placement is that it keeps the dash looking clean.

Hey Mack how about some Pixs!



[Edited by Hoser on 02-03-2001 at 05:52 AM]

 

Hey!

Thanks for the post Chuck! I've been to busy gettin ready to leave town to post. Here are a couple of shots of the install in my car.

I went with the V1 mounted directly under the rear view. In my opinion it maximizes the detectors rear visibility and having driven the car around town I don't find that it compromises my feld of view all that much.

I also mounted the concealed dispay on the steering column to keep it out of the view of prying eyes and as Chuck said to keep the dash clean.



Here's a shot of Chuck with our new installation tool. Hey maybe we need to market this thing!



Here's a shot from the rear with the detector suspended below the mirror.



So far I'm very happy with the install. I picked up a female spade connector to better attach the hot lead to the fuse boxs and some thinner velcor than what ships with the unit to allow it to side closer to the dash.

I'm headed out for an 800 miler this aftenoon will post a review when I return!

 

Thanks everyone for all the great feedback! I've made my decision and the V1 is on the way

 

Hi Mack, your call.......but I am not too sure about mounting the V1 remote mount where it is. IMHO, not the smartest move in the world to have to keep putting your hand THROUGH the steering wheel to press the mute button!

Just my $0.02, and no offense meant! Just doesn't seem like the safest way to go! I don't care how 'clean' it looks, sometimes you have to err on the side of function over form when it comes to these types of things! I personally wouldn't even consider putting the remote mount where you put it!

Hoser - good move...you'll be very happy! Just rememeber to ALWAYS remove your detector when you park the car! They have a habit of being stolen frequently.

Cheers,

 

Sime-

Your points are well taken and here are my 2 cents.

I don't find the concealed dispay to be a poblem in that location. Honestly I don't think I'd consider any other. I've just returned from an 800 mile trip and found that in its current position when I do hear the alert for a bogey my first reaction is to check my speed. With the dispay positioned directly under the speedo I only have to glance down at that point to check the diection indicator and band. With it on the dash or elsewere I'd have to look at the speedo and then look up and over to check the dispay. This might be the split second I need to save my ass. In my opinion this position "functions" rather well.

As for having to reach though the steering wheel to hit the mute. I run primarily in little "l" or big "L" and rarely feel the need to "reach though" and mute it. The unit auto mutes in these modes umless it's an impending threat. I'd guess I muted 3-4 times on an 800 mile trip and didn't find it at all problematic. I also don't feel the need to break the law and speed in urban settings so I'm not trying to reach through and mute while i'm cruisen around town. I guess if we follow the safety train of thought then we need to relocate the trip set/reset buttons and the dash dimmer to a "safer" location to.

Just my opinion!

Chuck you'll be very happy with your purchase! And I'd highly recommend my mounting locations!