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      06-30-2016, 07:18 AM   #1
speeddeacon
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Radar detector hardwire techniques?

I'm curious how/if owners are hardwiring their radar detectors in their cars. I haven't gotten around to it yet but will typically snake a wire from the front fusebox then push it between the dash and the windshield and use a low window mount. I haven't even looked to see if it is possible on our car.

What is everyone else doing?
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      07-27-2016, 07:45 AM   #2
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Just to close the loop, I never found a place to connect the hard wire kit for the V1. I'll have to ask a technician when we get the car serviced where the fuse box is located up front and how to get to it. For now, I simply tucked the wire inside the dash, around the edge and through the glove box and then to the center console cigarette lighter adapter. I really want to not use the cigarette lighter adapter because it is large and is in the way of the cupholders, etc., but for now it will have to do. The only cord that shows is from the V1 to the windshield and a few inches that connect to the adapter.
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      07-27-2016, 03:39 PM   #3
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The absolute "optimum location/placement" for ANY radar detector is min way in the center of the windshield. It provides optimum detection from distance in both front and rear detection. Mine is wired into the rear view mirror.
I have been running detectors since I could drive back in the late 80s on a plethora of vehicles. I have saved tens of thousands of dollars I'm certain in potential tickets!
My preferred detector is BEL/Escort. I have used them for as many years. Currently I use BEL pro 500 (GPS enabled) in both of my vehicles with tremendous success.
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      07-28-2016, 07:43 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TXSTYLE View Post
The absolute "optimum location/placement" for ANY radar detector is min way in the center of the windshield. It provides optimum detection from distance in both front and rear detection. Mine is wired into the rear view mirror.
I have been running detectors since I could drive back in the late 80s on a plethora of vehicles. I have saved tens of thousands of dollars I'm certain in potential tickets!
My preferred detector is BEL/Escort. I have used them for as many years. Currently I use BEL pro 500 (GPS enabled) in both of my vehicles with tremendous success.
Yep, same here. My first detector was the original Passport in my '83 Toyota Supra. After a couple of newer Passports died what I considered premature deaths, I switched to Valentine and haven't been disappointed at all. My original V1, which is probably 15+ years old is still working perfectly. I've just updated in periodically along the way.

I've had four speeding tickets in my 30+ years and hundreds of thousands miles of driving some amount over the speed limit. One was on a motorcycle (no detector), one in my father-in-law's car (no detector) and two via instant on when traveling on lonely stretches of highway, i.e. no warning. Depending on the car and where the power source is located, I either mount in the middle or driver's side. Rear detection ability is fine in theory, but in the real world it's all about warning from front in my experience.

Do you use the Blendmount for your rearview wired setup?
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      07-28-2016, 12:07 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by speeddeacon View Post
Yep, same here. My first detector was the original Passport in my '83 Toyota Supra. After a couple of newer Passports died what I considered premature deaths, I switched to Valentine and haven't been disappointed at all. My original V1, which is probably 15+ years old is still working perfectly. I've just updated in periodically along the way.

I've had four speeding tickets in my 30+ years and hundreds of thousands miles of driving some amount over the speed limit. One was on a motorcycle (no detector), one in my father-in-law's car (no detector) and two via instant on when traveling on lonely stretches of highway, i.e. no warning. Depending on the car and where the power source is located, I either mount in the middle or driver's side. Rear detection ability is fine in theory, but in the real world it's all about warning from front in my experience.

Do you use the Blendmount for your rearview wired setup?
Nice!

I have seriously considered the Blend Mount as it has great reviews! But honestly, the stock suction cups have worked very well for me. I also keep new spares on hand just in case.
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      06-05-2019, 11:54 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TXSTYLE View Post
The absolute "optimum location/placement" for ANY radar detector is min way in the center of the windshield. It provides optimum detection from distance in both front and rear detection. Mine is wired into the rear view mirror.
I have been running detectors since I could drive back in the late 80s on a plethora of vehicles. I have saved tens of thousands of dollars I'm certain in potential tickets!
My preferred detector is BEL/Escort. I have used them for as many years. Currently I use BEL pro 500 (GPS enabled) in both of my vehicles with tremendous success.
Old thread but how did you wire it to the rear view, do you have pics or any instructions? I dont want to tap the wrong wires.
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      06-06-2019, 12:22 AM   #7
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Originally Posted by Staszek View Post
Old thread but how did you wire it to the rear view, do you have pics or any instructions? I dont want to tap the wrong wires.
I didn't personally install it. Tech from Best Buy.

Ironically, I need my new X5 done this way now. Gonna try to have one installed this week.
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      06-06-2019, 05:03 AM   #8
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I have installed dash cams (same Anker ROAV as pictured in this forum link below) in my 2012 528i (also in a 2017 Explorer Platinum) by tapping into power in the rearview mirror harness. I'm going to install another one into my 2016 G12 soon, just haven't got around to it. Here's a discussion showing the harness to wiretap, along with a wire tap link (phone/ethernet style connector typical for radar detectors) from amazon:

https://g30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1440445

Here is a link to show the process to remove the mirror harness cover:

https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/g...les/1VnYPIzTKZ

And for what it's worth, here is the Dash Cam and wire harness I have used (I realize you're asking about a radar detector, just throwing this out there):

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...=kinjadeals-20

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...83RV6W5M&psc=1

The wire tap in my link converts from 12V to 5V (USB power) in case any radar detector is similar.

Just use a volt meter to test your wire harness connection for voltage and polarity before hooking anything up just to be safe.
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      06-06-2019, 10:39 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pcrispy View Post
I have installed dash cams (same Anker ROAV as pictured in this forum link below) in my 2012 528i (also in a 2017 Explorer Platinum) by tapping into power in the rearview mirror harness. I'm going to install another one into my 2016 G12 soon, just haven't got around to it. Here's a discussion showing the harness to wiretap, along with a wire tap link (phone/ethernet style connector typical for radar detectors) from amazon:

https://g30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1440445

Here is a link to show the process to remove the mirror harness cover:

https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/g...les/1VnYPIzTKZ

And for what it's worth, here is the Dash Cam and wire harness I have used (I realize you're asking about a radar detector, just throwing this out there):

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...=kinjadeals-20

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...83RV6W5M&psc=1

The wire tap in my link converts from 12V to 5V (USB power) in case any radar detector is similar.

Just use a volt meter to test your wire harness connection for voltage and polarity before hooking anything up just to be safe.
This is very helpful thank you!
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      06-06-2019, 02:05 PM   #10
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Take a look at the following, as this is how BMW installed the Car Eye 2.0 in mine

https://www.motor-talk.de/forum/akti...hmentId=762959
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      06-07-2019, 11:37 AM   #11
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Good stuff!
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