Hey folks. I'm looking to install a radar detector in the truck, but I'm curious about one thing: - Will the detector be able to 'see' through the "polka-dot screening" that's on the windshield just above the rear view mirror mount? Vision is limited enough in the truck, and I'd like to get the RD up and out of the way. That location seemed perfect, but I'm not sure if the RD will work through that 'screening'. Any info is appreciated. TIA
Window tint etc. is generally not good. The polka dot coating is probably worse. It will still function fine but you will probably lose sensitivity/range. Very important with short range (K, Ka, etc.) radar. You want the best chance of picking it up when they clock the guy 1/2 mile in front of you with instant on. Right under the mirror isn't too bad. Invisicord and CountryJoyCraft mirror mount.
I run mine just to the left of the rear-view mirror...and use the included suction-cup bracket with my V1, just below the polka-dotted strip.
Never ever heard of anyone being busted for it but that's technically illegal in most states. I think in CA (outside of factory attachments to the windshield like the rear view mirror) they only allow things in the extreme lower corners of the windshield. If it's not attached to the windshield (like suction cups) it seems to be ok. Just a nit. but one of those things that if they're looking for a reason to pull you over or hassle you...
Thanks, guys. I'm trying to avoid "under the mirror" mounts though. I use my Uconnect more than I use 4th gear. :grin: I'd be bonkin' into the detector all the time. Also, the one I've picked out is not a Valentine/Escort/Bel, so while the CountryJoy mounts are slick, they don't work with the one I'm looking at. That could change though....reviews are so....subjective.
i have 35% tint on my windshield and do not have any issues picking up short wave signals like k and ka from over a 1/2 mile away!!! matter of fact, just last week i was coming up to a bend in the road near my house and picked up a speed trap that was AROUND the corner!!!! was shocked to say the least that i worked around the corner!!!!! hahahaahhahaha now, i do know that i does compromise the effectiveness of the radar unit in the perfect world by having my windshield tinted, but mine still seems to be able to pick up signals far before i can see the source!!
I can fix that last part for you (and touch off the religious war). Escort. The Valentine has too many falses (and no way to block them) that will drive you nuts. NOBODY RESPOND TO THIS PART -- there are threads with that. hahaha. I know you basically don't want the under mirror location but... if you give in to that you can see in the front shot that the billet mirror clamp has 2 bolts at the bottom which attaches the unit specific bracket for the unit. You could fabricate your own adaptor to bolt up there. I don't use the uconnect heavily but the phone button sticks out to the side of the radar detector and I haven't had a problem with the other ones. I was surprised that the GPS in the unit doesn't have any problem getting a signal with it being tucked up under/against the mirror and under the roof. One thing that is definitely blocked is the rear facing laser antenna that is on the top front side of the unit. You're mostly toast with laser anyway -- it's just an indicator that "you've just been clocked by laser". Especially from the rear. But short answer is: polka dots are bad.
I've had mine in this location for the last 4 cars I've owned. Never had an issue. It's much less noticable from the front of the car than the rear-view mirror example. Technically, I'm sure my tint's too dark, my exhaust is too loud, and a half a dozen other things are wrong and illegal...it doesn't really prevent most of us from doing these things, though. :whistle:
Sure. I was just pointing out the technicality. Most people don't know that. There's millions of realators and the likes with those HUGE suction cups holding a notepad to take notes on. None of them get busted either. It was more just "an interesting fact" kind of thing. lol.
Definitely is! I just always assumed having one would be cause to get pulled over no matter what, depending on how bad of a day the officer was having. LOL Didn't realize there was even a legal mounting option.
considering the state...... does not surprise me....... ok to marry your sister, but do not back out of the driveway on your way to the church!!!! daahahahahaahha (runs and hides from larry's wrath!!!) lol
i have my ''passport 9500i'' mounted in the middle of my wind shield and i have no problem with mines,picking up bands and laser's. why cant you back out of your drive way in tennesse? your kidding right?
I have had a Passport 8500 for several years.... It worked flawlessly in my BMW, Lightning, F250, and SRT-10. It has always been attached via suction-cup mount, as high on the windshield as possible (meaning the unit is behind the polka-dotted glass and/or factory tint). I have picked up Ka Band signals from approaching cruisers from as far as 2.5 miles away (approx... calculated by the vehicle's trip odo and speed). I have had no problem detecting radar from behind either (I think it's due to the detector being high enough in the cab to have great line-of-sight out the back glass). False-Alarms from X Band (alarm systems) are negligible (except for Walgreen's... :dunno2: they must have a HELLUVA alarm system... every single store sets the damn thing off :mad2.... K Band and Laser detection works great. ...... Oh.... Subjective plug: I haven't had a single speeding ticket (or even a traffic stop) since the unit was purchased/installed. That would be approx 60,000miles of Highway driving. :happy:
One of the Radar Detector forums was talking about spreading a rumor... something along the lines of: "Walgreens uses microwave signals in the door openers that can give you cancer." :zorro::grin: I guess the newer stores use optical triggers to open the front sliding doors.... Not the ones around here, tho. :mad2:
That's why you need a 9500i (they have the blue LED version now too). It has GPS. One of the things it does with the GPS is let you block known false alerts. So lets say they're using X band for the door opener at Walgreens. You hit the button 3 times while the detector is going off and it will block that particular signature at that particular geographic location. Never alert for the door opener again. If a cop parks there with X band you'll still pick that up because of the different signature. Very cool. Also has GPS speed, automatic speed variable sensitivity, yada, yada, ...and one of the display options is a volt meter which is handy now that my battery is 2 years old.
