Hi all- 1) Where are you guys putting your radar detectors in your car? 2) I was thinking of clipping mine on the passenger side visor so that it is within easy reach for silencing false alarms while driving and so that it has a reasonably clean line of sight shot out the rear window. When I take the car to the shop for the hard wiring, is there a good place I should tell the guy to splice into for power for the Valentine 1? 3) For you Valentine 1 owners, will a length of good quality phone cord work adequately for the power cord? My original cords were sold with my last car. Thanks! ualdriver
1: Low/center of windshield. High enough to not be blocked by metal, low enough not to bother me. 2: I personally would do a quick search, there's a wealth of wiring stuff that may show you where to attach it. I know there's an article about 'always on 12v plug' that could serve you, I bet. Sorry, I personally don't know (but there are a LOT of experts out here). (for that matter, you could just hit the back of the 12v plug) 3: Nope, got something different. Note there are different types of 'phone cord'. If it's the flat stuff, I recall those wires are a real problem (thin, fragile), unless you connect them using a phone plug (which is designed for the wires). Meself, I'd order the wire assem from V-1 and lower my stress. Hope this is a little helpful.
V1 website says the best location is high and in the center ( http://www.valentine1.com/moreinfo/pdf/mounting_pg17-18.pdf ). I've got mine on the driver visor with a hardwire to the fuse panel with an "add a fuse" kit from autozone ($7.99) to the accessory fuse ( http://www.amazon.com/Littelfuse-FHA200BP-Fuse-Add-Circuit/dp/B0002BGELQ ). I removed the sun visor briefly and ran the wire into the screw hole into the roof lining over to the frame and down the frame to the fuse panel. I like it much better than the using the power cord from the the 12 v lighter.
It is top rated and I would buy it if I were looking. I have even had California Highway Patrol and other law enforcement professionals tell me it is one of, if not the best detector available. Of coarse, it doesn't come cheap. You get what you pay for.
I spliced into the always-on 12V power in the map light cluster, and mounted it to the upper-right corner of the windshield. There's even a notch already cut out from the headliner by the mirror to route the cord out of.
Here's a DIY for hardwiring V1 to switched power. I have a 2005 Prius Package #6. I hardwired to the auto dimming mirror (aka EC Mirror) wires which are accessible through the dome light console. Step One: Remove dome light console Open sunglasses storage door and remove the two screws. Pry out console which is attached by four push clips. The plastic is soft, so be careful. The dome lights are wired via one connector that is on the driver side. Push in clip with fingers to disconnect and set aside the console. Step Two: Tap into wires Locate three mirror wires in center front of headliner. Switched power is Black and ground is White with Black stripe. Tap into wires with V1 wire connectors. V1 comes with only one but you can order extra parts from V1. Step Three: Connect up V1 direct power adapter I couldn’t find a place to screw to ground, so I removed the connector and crimped on a male disconnect (available at most auto parts stores). I then connected the power adapter to the taps noting the proper polarity (V1 Black is ground and V1 Red is power). Step Four: Route V1 power cord and tuck away wires There is a notch already cut out from the headliner so you can route the power cord right next to the mirror wires. There is plenty of room on the passenger side to tuck the adapter and power cord wires out of the way. Step Five: Re-attach console Attach connector, line up the four push clips and press the console in place. Replace screws. Step Six: Finished Product I attached V1 using the hinged BlendMount. Cheers
Smart Lad!! Blend Mount is the way to go...Simple, Sturdy, NEAT!!!, makes for a stealth install. Bought a buddy of mine one for XMAS, BEST MOUNT OUT THERE!!! The wiring tutorial was spot on!!! Great pics. Its what I did!!! I used a Blend Mount myself, here is the URL... BlendMount / Valentine One -- MGT Motorsports Online Store They also make a GREAT mount for the Scan Guage, or a FT-8800 2Way!!!
Just a tip: if you're driving through Virginia, stop before you enter the state and put the detector in your trunk. Having it switched off, or sitting on the seat, or even in the glove compartment can still result in a fine. Radar detectors are illegal in VA, and only have to be "readily available for use" in order to count against you. A little off-topic, but could save you big hassles in the Old Dominion.
Fyi, just did this---connected to the 2 wires in the front area above the mirror. Works great with my Passport.
How do you access the overhead console in the 2010 prius - there aren't any screws in the sun glass holder.
I have a 2010 and I used a BlendMount to hang my Beltronics 955 right under the rear view mirror along with an InvisiCord to tap into the Homelink/Auto-Dimming mirror. I had to drill a small hole into the "wiring sheild" to get the InvisiCord installed but it was an easy install. Took all of 15 minutes to get up and running. I'll post some pics in my profile right now if you want to take a look.
I park my Prius on the street and I am a little worried that suction cups -and even a permanent mount which I am not technical enough to install- will leave a mark on my windshield and attract unwanted attention. So I was wondering if anyone tried to place a mount on top of the enter console information screen in a Gen II Prius. Any ideas?
I don't understand this part. Where did you attach the male disconnect? (I guess I don't understand where you attached the two V1 wires.)
In my Gen2 Prius, I was able to fit the telephone cable that provides power in the HomeLink mirror wiring shield (without drilling) by getting the flat cable out of one of the retractable telephone cables. I tried this mount which is a little less expensive than the BlendMount, but it sticks out too far below the rearview mirror, so I do not recommend it.
Not sure if this thread is still active but I wanted to get your opinion. I have an Escort that I’ve always had hardwired and want to do so in my new 2007 Prius gen II. In the past, I’ve used an add-a-fuse and tapped into a switched fuse in the fuse box. With the side airbag, I’m not sure how much room there is to stuff the phone cable in and am interested in using the map light. My questions are: 1) Do you have to use a fuse between detector and map wire tap or will the map fuse at the box protect your detector? 2) Can I just use my rj11 cables (red/black same as V1) and solder those to a stripped section of the switched and ground wires of the map light? 3) If I must have a fuse between detector and map light wires, can I just solder an in-line 2 amp fuse on the pos/red rj11 wire? I realize they make wire tap kits for this but they seem unnessary. Has anyone tried doing my diy method? Also, the tap kits I see on amazon look like they just have spikes which I assume you shove into the switched power and ground slots in the map light plug. Your version has the crimp pieces. Do you think there is an advantage one way or the other? If I ended up forgoing the diy/solder method and got a tap wire kit, I assume I could get either the V1 version (crimp) or the Escort version (spikes).
