Anyone who can't figure out the best location for themselves, without your advice, is probably too stupid to be safely driving a car, especially over the speed limit.
Police do not like radar detectors, and they also don't like seeing them on cars passing by. IMO a radar detector should be mounted so it cannot be easily seen from outside that car, and can also be quickly removed and hidden when parking or, God forbid, pulled over by Smokey.
Put mine just to the driverside of the rearview, peeking just under my tint brow. From the outside you can't tell it's there, if pulled over really easy to unplug and take it off and they can't see the circles from the outside from suction cups. It's not illegal to have them here, but they really frown on you knowing where they are before they can get a lock on you, much less a history of your speed for a ticket.
Great video! Do you have a video that shows which mounts are interchangeable with other detectors? Can the R7 be installed on the R3 mount? Same with dash cams. Can the DR-900s be installed with the DR-750s's mount and power? Thank you!
Hey, I hardwired my V1 and mounted it up high on both my cars. I use a double sided tape mount I found on Amazon that i screw the suction cup base directly to. The fritz on one of my cars wouldn't allow the suction cup to stay on the windshield. I started using this setup when my first V1 was stolen since it was easy to see from outside my car. I also added an additional strip of solid black tint strip on the top of the windshield, right above the radar and blackvue, that goes on the outside of the windshield. This helps keep things stealth and keep my devices cooler (temp, not style). I had a friend ask me for help with his auto lights not working and I quickly figured out that he covered the dash mounted light sensor on his car when he mounted his radar down low on his windshield. Keep up the great work with these videos.
Valentine one will lose rearward coverage if mounted too high. It needs clear line of sight to the rear window. Under the rear view mirror (mid-mount) is optimum for V1 - the only 360° detector on the market. Other front aspect only detectors work best higher up.
This will vary based on the design of your vehicle. Many vehicles let you do a high mount with clear rearward visibility. Additionally VR’s patent on arrows expired years ago which is why multiple manufacturers produce detectors with a second rear antenna now. Valentine is not the only “360 degree detector” (which is also a bit of a misnomer, but I understand what you’re trying to say).
A dab of Velcro on the dash and on the bottom of the detector and that's it for me. Suction cup mounts haven't worked for me. If I had a dollar for every time my suction cup mounts have fallen...I'm talking multiple cars and detectors.
Quick compliment and a question for you. Great work thru the years, you are now the internet’s most trusted expert on the subject. My question is how much range do you lose or gain with the different mounting positions? My preferred mounting location is Velcro on the dash. The new detectors are so sensitive, I think they work well enough just sitting on the seat. At some point, too much sensitivity is bad for your speed as the detector is picking up a signal in the next county that is no threat to you. IMO there is a Goldilocks zone and diminishing returns from increased sensitivity.
I just recently picked up an R7 and I'm testing it out in my area to see how useful it really is. As of right now I have it low on the windshield (Ford F150 so its still higher than a lot of cars highest point) using the 12v cable that was provided with it. I am however, looking to do a mirror tap setup in the future for a clean look and then it will be upper left side or just below the rear view mirror. P.s. Thanks so much for the amazing videos. You helped me chose what detector to buy and helped in the setup process immensely as this is the first detector I've ever owned and they are certainly way more complicated than the old ones my grandpa used to throw on his dashboard.
@@jaystarr6571 pretty cool concept I don't know about the styling though. Electric is amazing but the range just can't compete with the 600+ miles I can get on a tank of fuel. Especially when you throw towing into that mix I'm sure the range is going to drop like a rock.
@@Addingman96 Yeah, good point. But pre-order numbers. Oh, the numbers... carbuzz.com/news/ford-f-150-lightning-pre-orders-hit-100000#:~:text=At%20the%20start%20of%20June,the%20rate%20it%20was%20going.
My R1 is mounted up high over the rear view mirror. I'm using a permanent mount attached with double sided tape. Been quite happy with the performace, maximum detecting range has been around four kilometers or 2.5 miles on normal highway driving. edit: It has the added benefit of being much harder to see from outside, as using a radar detector in a motor vehicle is illegal over here.
Have you looked in from drivers side to see how it looks from the outside? So you have any amount of tint? Im in a similar situation and wondering how much id need to worry or how far I'd have to go to hide it😅
i would love to see a road test to show the difference in performance of a high mounted vs low mounted radar detector. i want to mount mine up high, but it doesn’t fit well in my small car, i’d like to see what i’m missing out on haha
Due to the intense Arizona sun I have found the best place for the various V1s is the visor mount on the passenger side. This backs them off somewhat from sun, allows the headliner run for the power cord, and I still have the driver's sun visor operational. Range does not seem to be an issue as the V1 and V1Gen2 give plenty of warning. Depending on the vehicle either the remote display or an app was used making the reach to the passenger side a moot point.
Cut a sock and put it around your detector--it will keep the heat off and reduce wear and tear.I even totally covered mine with a sock to test it on a known camera--photo radr and it had no affect on the range--picked up the signal at the same spot--and this was with the radar completely encased.in normal use I have the back cut out so the lense are open and the rest of the detector is covered.I have put this around both a 9500 IX and a Uniden with no problems in detection range.
Wow! That is just about the exact location where I mount my V1G2 via my home made CB mic holder for quick mount/dismount and capable of swivel left/right just that little bit.. . Another thorough video, exactly what I have been wondering with those "DOTs"/frits... Thank You!! Edit: I mount it high so it is totally off sight while driving and to sorta hide/block it with my sun visor without having to remove it from windshield.
Back in the 80's, I worked a job where I was on the road almost daily. I had the detector in a Ford Taurus, velcroed on the dash as low as possible, in the bottom left corner drivers side, as far left as possible, angled slightly to the other side of the freeway. Then I covered it with a wash rag same color as the dash. Hard wired into fuse box two feet away. No wires were visible. It went off and on when I started the car. No one could tell what was under the rag. Seemed to work fine. These days, I rarely hit 50mph on the freeway and 30mph or less around town. LOL!
Both of my vehicles have it mounted with a BlendMount, it's like you say a pretty good balance of location. Though I have been wanting to experiment with high mounting above the mirror in one of them as the R7 is a chunky boy and does block a good bit of my already small view.
I like the basic cigarette lighter cable and lever suction cup mount so that I can remove all evidence that I have a radar detector when I park. I center mount just under that the rear view mirror where I can see the display and operate the front buttons. This also minimizes sight obstruction and gets balanced detection as stated in the video. Tapping the rear view isn't an option in my 2005 Chevy...lol. Using R4.
I really would like to know how performance is affected when the detector is e.g. between the front passenger seat and headrest or on the rear deck (between rear passenger headrests). Any possibility of testing that? 🙂
No plans, but if you wanna see how it performs in your vehicle (results will likely be different than me testing in mine), you can test it and share your results with us!
Doesn’t matter where you put it because the sensitivity is so good that you can put it on the passenger seat and they will still pick up radar and laser.
Great information. In my C8, I currently have my Redline 360 just to the right of my rearview mirror. I use the suction cup. The Blendmount for the C8 is supposed to come out this month. I may consider that, but at $189, I'm not sure it's worth it.
My radar detectors, in all my cars/trucks, are mounted: high, on the driver's side of the rear view mirror and hard-wired to the ignition off/on system.
mount is just above my rearview mirror dashcam's front camera that sticks out from the left of the mirror, with a rearview mirror adhesive square securing the bracket. I gave up on everything else because the heat in the summer or the cold in the winter would result in my radar just falling off of the glass.
A friend of mine got a secondary ticket for his dashcam mounted to the windshield and included was the fuzzy dice on the mirror.. Here in Florida if you get stopped. .better have doughnuts and coffee for the bribe ..
Does a laminated windshield block the radar detector? I have a climate comfort windshield which blocks uv rays and im wondering if it’ll make the uniden r3 wothless
I’m a bit OCD and I already have a dash cam and toll pass mounted behind my rear view mirror and out of my sight. Having a hard time with placement for mounting my detector
I’ve used various Escort brands over the years, and also the V1 G2. I mount as low as possible. I do a lot of highway driving and have not had any performance issues, even with my windshield wipers in the way. Range on the Escorts is 1.3 miles (except for the 360c which I have recorded to detect ~2 miles) whether I mount low or mid windshield. The problem with my low mounting location is that the cords can get messy, but more importantly, LEO in VA can easily see that I have a RD. But, I’ve been stopped for that only twice in over 30 years of using RDs. For cigarette lighter use, I think that low mounting is cleanest and stealthiest.
I got a ticket in Emporia, VA for using an RD but prevailed in court by bringing a copy of the Federal CFR (I believe it was in Part 15) and showing the judge that it's codified, only the FCC has jurisdiction on FCC Type Accepted emitting and radio devices. Hence, the VA law is Federally pre-empted and has no standing. He agreed, found me not guilty but did not enter the record into case law so it still stands. I need to research this again and have the document handy. I do carry copied of the judges "not guilty verdict." The cop was really pissed! Too bad...
I like my R3 high and center like yours. Good performance, clean install, and it hides it well since I live in a not so friendly RD state that starts with a V.
@@MrKevinritsema I have seen that too, but it's when they are very very close. I've had troopers drive next to me and no issues. I don't really thing RDDs are that common in NOVA
The best location is behind the driver vanity mirror. Two reasons: 1) up high to see first over hills and 2) concealable by a simple mirror flip if you're being tailed. Blendmounting does anything but blend
Blendmount install with power cord going to rear view mirror. Cleanest install for me. I have Blendmounts in both cars and move my V1G2 back and forth when needed. Very easy.
Australia: Mount where no one can see it nor can see display light up from the rear. Creativity is a must. Thus our disappointment with the lack of, and hard to justify price of, truly stealth remote systems. (and living with the embarrassment of making the Spectre/Stalcar)
dont currently have one in my car, but i had read or heard somewhere that to get your speed they aim for something like a headlight, which you mentioned, so i would think low would be better.
So to be clear your favorite location is wherever people choose to put it. Got it. Jk thanks for the video. I get it there are upsides/downsides to any location.
Mount and location varies by vehicle. In my 2021 Subaru Outback there isn't room above the mirror due to the top-mounted release on the R7 I'm using. So here's how I'm set up in that vehicle: 2021 Subaru Outback Location: under mirror Mount: BlendMount (works *really* well in the Outback) Wiring: BlendMount mirror wiring kit I ran it for a while with good luck just above the dash using an aftermarket sticker mount that was basically an R7-compatible prong on a GoPro foot. That worked great and had great range but in theory I like the better range mounted higher. I've also read at least one comment about poor range that I think resulted from mounting it really low on the dash and picking up interference from the windshield wiper heaters in the windshield.
I use a permanent stick-on mount to my windshield as high up and close to the center as possible. Although due to my interior design, no matter what, if I want it as high as possible, I will have my sun visor blocking the back. So I can't really use my sun visor, and always have to rely on sunglasses.
@@VortexRadar It is a Cobra 450 Is typically resting on top of a folded toque or hat, pointing ahead. The angle of the sloping hood of my dodge Ram along that side gives good forward “line of sight” clearance. So hope it is working best it can there. I realize the rear detection there is poor at best, blocked a bit by the dash, by my body, but the truck also has a canopy on the box so I have no expectations in rear detection anyways. Only forward and sides is what I hope for. PS: 90% hiway driving.
Very curious about mounting positions with detectors that have front and rear antennas. I have mine installed just under my rear view mirror for 'optimal' front and rear detecting as I have an Escort 360, with the provided cable and easily accessible mute button via cigarette plugin. I would be very curious to see some actual on the road tests as it will all be compromised, not only by terrain, tint, vehicle and detector. Although, it is good to know that it can be fenagled and maybe slightly increase/decrease performance of the myriad of options that are out today.
I bought a Rodenso Visor mount for My Uniden R7. Works Great. Wired in the molding for a clean install and look. Performance is best for me up high like that. I did get a Lazer hit once on it up that high, which was surprising. It would have been too late anyway and Waze had him marked way before the detector went off.
My R3 went off for laser and I dropped 3mph before being pulled over. Sure I still got the ticket but it would have been a 10 over instead of 5, and it would have had 2 points instead of 0. This was a few years ago before waze was as popular and before the r7 was released
Just got a R7 for my Tesla Model 3 and it’s amazing. I still just have it temporary hooked up suction cup to the bottom of my windshield using cigarette lighter and Bungie power cable. Looking to find a permanent home to clean install it this weekend. Need those “other videos” you kept mentioning throughout this video to hurry up lol. Amazing videos tho. I’m new to this Channel but I found it when we searching radars so thanks, and keep making these great vids, I really enjoy them.
I mount my R3 low and center. I had 1 laser detection where I was able to drop 3mph before the LEO got my speed. Still a ticket but 0 points instead of 2. The radar range of the R3 is good enough even mounted low. I consistently get 1mile+ detections on radar mounted low.
My R3 is mounted bottom left of the windshield with the large single suction cup and hard wired. Super clean install. Plus, I live in VA, so I need it as stealthy as possible.
What sort of longevity have you had with command strips? Are they intentionally temporary for you? I haven't had much luck with command strips holding in direct sunlight.
I use 3M VHB tape. "Very High Bond" and it is very strong, and leaves no room for error, make sure you get it right the first time you place it. It's very time consuming to remove. Have had it on my windshield for seven years and still going strong.
Hey...first off thank you greatly for the videos. I picked up a R7 yesterday for my Q7. I see you're driving the same. I was wondering how well it picks up rear detection with how our rear windshield is set up and with the rear shade in use. Do you notice any degradation in use or is this another reason to high mount with our vehicles? Thanks for any input provided. Your videos helped me decide on which detector to get as well.
When I had my Valentine one Gen 2 mounted low on my windshield of my 21’ bmw 5 series sedan when I first got it and was using the 12v plug I had to disable rear laser because it was falsing rear laser off the idrive computer screen. But then once I hardwired my Valentine 1 Gen 2 up high suction cuped just to the left of the rear view mirror high mounted I had to disable front laser detection because it would false alarm laser but only at night time. But I was able to turn rear laser back on. Now on my F150 I can have my Valentine 1 Gen 2 with laser on for front and back detection and it gets zero false alarms whether high mounted or low mounted. So it must be just the shape of the bmw glass and also the big idrive screen.
They say that because it comes with a cig. lighter power cable and to try and balance radar and laser detection. Personally I find laser detection on a RD to be of very limited value (Waze and laser jammers are much better) so I prefer to optimize for radar by mounting high and hardwiring. This makes a cleaner and more hidden install too, and the detector is physically closer to you so it’s easier to press the buttons.
I’m also surprised that you didn’t mention two other factors in placement selection, namely outward vision obstruction and rear antenna reception. In my Alfa Giulia, a small sedan, I mount my Max360 above and to the right (pass. side) of the rearview mirror, hardwired into a powersource at the mirror mount. It’s easy for me to reach in my small car, optimizes forward radar reception, has a clear view out the back window along the centerline of the car, and does not interfere at all with my outward vision or driver’s sunvisor use. It does limit the passenger visor from folding all the way to the windscreen, but it’s rare that I have a passenger needing the visor at all, and when they do, it drops forward far enough to reach its lowest point and maximum blockage, so it’s a terrific compromise.
Nice I’m actually going to buy god willing an Alfa if you have any advice or recommendations or just let me know how long you’ve had it and what’s your experience
One thing you don’t mention that is a negative to running the detector up high above the rear view mirror is that many vehicles rear glass starts lower than the windscreen. This will limit the optimal ability to pick up radar from the rear as it is partially being blocked. I found the optimum to be the highest possible point on the windscreen where it still has direct visibility out the back.
Mounting it higher like in this video would cause me to bump into the rear-view mirror occasionally. If you choose to hard wire it and place the wire between windshield and liner, keep in mind that each time the suction cups fail and the detector falls (which will happen with 100% certainty) will pull the wire out and will be a chore to put it back, particularly if you're moving... been there done that with a dash cam. Never again for me.
Personally I've had that save me many times from a dashcam falling and getting damaged when hitting the dash. I recently was running some non-hardwired detectors off a cig. lighter cable. Both detectors are now off for repairs. If you hardwire the cable and tuck it in securely so it can hold the weight, it can wind up being a lifesaver.
Some state prohibits "things" to be mounted on the windshield. Where would a person mount their radar detector? It's kind of stupid how they allow you to have things on the dash which is more of an obstruction than mounting it high and out of drivers view.
I run the R1 with an aftermarket single suction mount (charger city branded) due to my car (03 Crysler Sebring Convertable) having a slope that doesn't allow for a straight angle, just under the rearview mirror because I run my dashcam (some AQP one that is 3m adhesive mounted that I got for free) on the upper left and my E-ZPass on the upper right above the windshield, and I only use my detector when I go on the highway so I use the cig adapter
Not sure what you mean. High mounts are just as easy to remove, if not more given that they’re physically closer to you. The high mounts closer to the tint strip is also more hidden to thieves and less likely to encourage a break in in the first place.
I would like to put mine above the rearview mirror but I have a tinted brow on my windshield will that affect the radar detectors performance being behind the tint
I’ve done videos on this multiple times you can search for. In short metallic tint blocks a ton of the signal so avoid that. Get a non-metallic tint like ceramic and that’s fine.
Back when the Passport (9V battery vs wired) was all the rage, I mounted it *on* the visor and had it angled horizontally. Expanded that to other RDs as long as lightweight enough. But with my last Cobra, I took to mounting it on the dash right in front of the IP for a few important reasons. First is that a cop who's got something against people using RDs could also cite you for a blocked windshield. If it's on the dash, it's *not* on the windshield. And looking past the RD from the driver's position, all you see is top-of-hood, ie, nowhere that you'd be looking for pedestrians or cars. It's also easier to grab vs leaving in the car as a thief-magnet. And it's incredibly easy to bap the buttons stealthily vs reaching way up onto the windshield, whether high or low.
Hello Thank you very much for amazing video I love your all video very helpful, I have impotent question ,the Porsche taycan windshield block the radar signal? or no? Thank you
I have my Valentine 1 Gen 2 mounted on driver side visor, 1" from rear view mirror and I have concealment display located above shifter in slot opening. I don't want anyone seeing my detector, especially when I drive by Law Enforcement using radar.
does windshield "frit" interfere with radar detectors? sorry should have finished watching the video, you just answered the question picking up the R4 on Amazon right now great deal! I am going to try to direct wire into the mirror power!
![Best Radar Detector [Of 2024] - Top 5 Best Radar Detectors You Should Consider!](/img/1.gif)
I like the pole mount through the sunroof for peak range! lol
If cars have airbags in the A pillar, that's another reason not to mount the RD there. Great video, thanks!
Great video, personally I always mount my R3 up high next to rear view mirror too, it does detect a lot better with city traffic and highways.
You seem to have a low rear view mirror. I don't have enough room above my mirror.
Get a new car then duh
As you said it depends on what were looking to accomplish. I'm trying to accomplish hiding my damn radar detector from police in Virginia. 😆
I've been using a blend mount in va for months, haven't been pulled over yet.
They like the valentine right
Anyone who can't figure out the best location for themselves, without your advice, is probably too stupid to be safely driving a car, especially over the speed limit.
Police do not like radar detectors, and they also don't like seeing them on cars passing by. IMO a radar detector should be mounted so it cannot be easily seen from outside that car, and can also be quickly removed and hidden when parking or, God forbid, pulled over by Smokey.
Put mine just to the driverside of the rearview, peeking just under my tint brow. From the outside you can't tell it's there, if pulled over really easy to unplug and take it off and they can't see the circles from the outside from suction cups. It's not illegal to have them here, but they really frown on you knowing where they are before they can get a lock on you, much less a history of your speed for a ticket.
Great video!
Do you have a video that shows which mounts are interchangeable with other detectors?
Can the R7 be installed on the R3 mount?
Same with dash cams. Can the DR-900s be installed with the DR-750s's mount and power?
Thank you!
Hey, I hardwired my V1 and mounted it up high on both my cars. I use a double sided tape mount I found on Amazon that i screw the suction cup base directly to. The fritz on one of my cars wouldn't allow the suction cup to stay on the windshield. I started using this setup when my first V1 was stolen since it was easy to see from outside my car. I also added an additional strip of solid black tint strip on the top of the windshield, right above the radar and blackvue, that goes on the outside of the windshield. This helps keep things stealth and keep my devices cooler (temp, not style).
I had a friend ask me for help with his auto lights not working and I quickly figured out that he covered the dash mounted light sensor on his car when he mounted his radar down low on his windshield.
Keep up the great work with these videos.
How do you hard wire it?
I would argue the best place to mount it would be at a sub harmonic distance from your hood to the detector using the hood as a ground plane.
High left over the rear view mirror and hardwired to the fuse box (like your V1). Been doing that for over 20 years.
Valentine one will lose rearward coverage if mounted too high. It needs clear line of sight to the rear window. Under the rear view mirror (mid-mount) is optimum for V1 - the only 360° detector on the market. Other front aspect only detectors work best higher up.
This will vary based on the design of your vehicle. Many vehicles let you do a high mount with clear rearward visibility.
Additionally VR’s patent on arrows expired years ago which is why multiple manufacturers produce detectors with a second rear antenna now. Valentine is not the only “360 degree detector” (which is also a bit of a misnomer, but I understand what you’re trying to say).
A dab of Velcro on the dash and on the bottom of the detector and that's it for me. Suction cup mounts haven't worked for me. If I had a dollar for every time my suction cup mounts have fallen...I'm talking multiple cars and detectors.
Gotta use the super sticky ones. Not the plastic type
Quick compliment and a question for you. Great work thru the years, you are now the internet’s most trusted expert on the subject. My question is how much range do you lose or gain with the different mounting positions? My preferred mounting location is Velcro on the dash. The new detectors are so sensitive, I think they work well enough just sitting on the seat. At some point, too much sensitivity is bad for your speed as the detector is picking up a signal in the next county that is no threat to you. IMO there is a Goldilocks zone and diminishing returns from increased sensitivity.
He never answered you. What a schmuck.
I just recently picked up an R7 and I'm testing it out in my area to see how useful it really is.
As of right now I have it low on the windshield (Ford F150 so its still higher than a lot of cars highest point) using the 12v cable that was provided with it.
I am however, looking to do a mirror tap setup in the future for a clean look and then it will be upper left side or just below the rear view mirror.
P.s. Thanks so much for the amazing videos. You helped me chose what detector to buy and helped in the setup process immensely as this is the first detector I've ever owned and they are certainly way more complicated than the old ones my grandpa used to throw on his dashboard.
What do you think about The F150 Lightning?
@@jaystarr6571 pretty cool concept I don't know about the styling though. Electric is amazing but the range just can't compete with the 600+ miles I can get on a tank of fuel. Especially when you throw towing into that mix I'm sure the range is going to drop like a rock.
@@Addingman96 Yeah, good point. But pre-order numbers. Oh, the numbers...
carbuzz.com/news/ford-f-150-lightning-pre-orders-hit-100000#:~:text=At%20the%20start%20of%20June,the%20rate%20it%20was%20going.
My R1 is mounted up high over the rear view mirror. I'm using a permanent mount attached with double sided tape. Been quite happy with the performace, maximum detecting range has been around four kilometers or 2.5 miles on normal highway driving. edit: It has the added benefit of being much harder to see from outside, as using a radar detector in a motor vehicle is illegal over here.
Have you looked in from drivers side to see how it looks from the outside? So you have any amount of tint? Im in a similar situation and wondering how much id need to worry or how far I'd have to go to hide it😅
Something els to think about mounting it next to your pillar is the airbag. If that airbag goes off your going to have uniden stamped into your brain
lol
i would love to see a road test to show the difference in performance of a high mounted vs low mounted radar detector.
i want to mount mine up high, but it doesn’t fit well in my small car, i’d like to see what i’m missing out on haha
This is exactly why I clicked on the video I thought it was just that but nope 👎
Due to the intense Arizona sun I have found the best place for the various V1s is the visor mount on the passenger side. This backs them off somewhat from sun, allows the headliner run for the power cord, and I still have the driver's sun visor operational. Range does not seem to be an issue as the V1 and V1Gen2 give plenty of warning. Depending on the vehicle either the remote display or an app was used making the reach to the passenger side a moot point.
Cut a sock and put it around your detector--it will keep the heat off and reduce wear and tear.I even totally covered mine with a sock to test it on a known camera--photo radr and it had no affect on the range--picked up the signal at the same spot--and this was with the radar completely encased.in normal use I have the back cut out so the lense are open and the rest of the detector is covered.I have put this around both a 9500 IX and a Uniden with no problems in detection range.
Wow! That is just about the exact location where I mount my V1G2 via my home made CB mic holder for quick mount/dismount and capable of swivel left/right just that little bit.. . Another thorough video, exactly what I have been wondering with those "DOTs"/frits... Thank You!!
Edit: I mount it high so it is totally off sight while driving and to sorta hide/block it with my sun visor without having to remove it from windshield.
I run blendmount + mirror tap... best install IMO.
Back in the 80's, I worked a job where I was on the road almost daily. I had the detector in a Ford Taurus, velcroed on the dash as low as possible, in the bottom left corner drivers side, as far left as possible, angled slightly to the other side of the freeway. Then I covered it with a wash rag same color as the dash. Hard wired into fuse box two feet away. No wires were visible. It went off and on when I started the car. No one could tell what was under the rag. Seemed to work fine. These days, I rarely hit 50mph on the freeway and 30mph or less around town. LOL!
Both of my vehicles have it mounted with a BlendMount, it's like you say a pretty good balance of location. Though I have been wanting to experiment with high mounting above the mirror in one of them as the R7 is a chunky boy and does block a good bit of my already small view.
I like the basic cigarette lighter cable and lever suction cup mount so that I can remove all evidence that I have a radar detector when I park. I center mount just under that the rear view mirror where I can see the display and operate the front buttons. This also minimizes sight obstruction and gets balanced detection as stated in the video. Tapping the rear view isn't an option in my 2005 Chevy...lol. Using R4.
I really would like to know how performance is affected when the detector is e.g. between the front passenger seat and headrest or on the rear deck (between rear passenger headrests).
Any possibility of testing that? 🙂
No plans, but if you wanna see how it performs in your vehicle (results will likely be different than me testing in mine), you can test it and share your results with us!
@@VortexRadar Yeah I've been thinking about it. I would need to get a Stalker radar gun.
Doesn’t matter where you put it because the sensitivity is so good that you can put it on the passenger seat and they will still pick up radar and laser.
lol…
Hi...is escort redline 360c undetectable?
Yep
Great information. In my C8, I currently have my Redline 360 just to the right of my rearview mirror. I use the suction cup. The Blendmount for the C8 is supposed to come out this month. I may consider that, but at $189, I'm not sure it's worth it.
I found if my detector was mounted off center, the curve of the glass had the detector angled as well (the further off center, the worse it was)
My radar detectors, in all my cars/trucks, are mounted: high, on the driver's side of the rear view mirror and hard-wired to the ignition off/on system.
mount is just above my rearview mirror dashcam's front camera that sticks out from the left of the mirror, with a rearview mirror adhesive square securing the bracket. I gave up on everything else because the heat in the summer or the cold in the winter would result in my radar just falling off of the glass.
A friend of mine got a secondary ticket for his dashcam mounted to the windshield and included was the fuzzy dice on the mirror.. Here in Florida if you get stopped. .better have doughnuts and coffee for the bribe ..
Does a laminated windshield block the radar detector? I have a climate comfort windshield which blocks uv rays and im wondering if it’ll make the uniden r3 wothless
I’m a bit OCD and I already have a dash cam and toll pass mounted behind my rear view mirror and out of my sight. Having a hard time with placement for mounting my detector
What about windshield wrap like Xpel XR Pro with over 80 uv and heat blocking…will affect the performance of the radar …interesting to know .
I used to mount mine High but settled for Mirror Mounts because is easier to manuever and handle the device or remove if needed.
I’ve used various Escort brands over the years, and also the V1 G2. I mount as low as possible. I do a lot of highway driving and have not had any performance issues, even with my windshield wipers in the way. Range on the Escorts is 1.3 miles (except for the 360c which I have recorded to detect ~2 miles) whether I mount low or mid windshield. The problem with my low mounting location is that the cords can get messy, but more importantly, LEO in VA can easily see that I have a RD. But, I’ve been stopped for that only twice in over 30 years of using RDs. For cigarette lighter use, I think that low mounting is cleanest and stealthiest.
I got a ticket in Emporia, VA for using an RD but prevailed in court by bringing a copy of the Federal CFR (I believe it was in Part 15) and showing the judge that it's codified, only the FCC has jurisdiction on FCC Type Accepted emitting and radio devices. Hence, the VA law is Federally pre-empted and has no standing. He agreed, found me not guilty but did not enter the record into case law so it still stands. I need to research this again and have the document handy. I do carry copied of the judges "not guilty verdict." The cop was really pissed! Too bad...
I've been ticketed 3 times in VA, twice by the same cop. $86 fine but that was back around 2002 when I didn't have a non-detectable detector.
I like my R3 high and center like yours. Good performance, clean install, and it hides it well since I live in a not so friendly RD state that starts with a V.
I've read that the R3 can be detected really close. Do you unplug it when near LEO or do you just hope you go by undetected?
@@MrKevinritsema I have seen that too, but it's when they are very very close. I've had troopers drive next to me and no issues. I don't really thing RDDs are that common in NOVA
The best location is behind the driver vanity mirror. Two reasons: 1) up high to see first over hills and 2) concealable by a simple mirror flip if you're being tailed. Blendmounting does anything but blend
Blendmount install with power cord going to rear view mirror. Cleanest install for me. I have Blendmounts in both cars and move my V1G2 back and forth when needed. Very easy.
Australia: Mount where no one can see it nor can see display light up from the rear. Creativity is a must.
Thus our disappointment with the lack of, and hard to justify price of, truly stealth remote systems.
(and living with the embarrassment of making the Spectre/Stalcar)
So where would you mount it if you lived in Australia? In the dash above the speedometer?
@@jackcavaggion3547 Yes pretty much in most vehicles and then hidden inside something innocuous like a cigarette packet.
do You loose radar detection towards the rear when mounted up hight above the mirror?
Living in the Netherlands where a RD is forbidden so I put my Redline Int into a sunvisor organiser. Added a picture of it to the forum.
dont currently have one in my car, but i had read or heard somewhere that to get your speed they aim for something like a headlight, which you mentioned, so i would think low would be better.
Center mount all the way and hard-wired, my truck has a 12volt, but it's in the center console and in the cargo area, so hard-wired all the way.
They aint much good anymore anyway with that stupid ass adaptive cruise control on everything. Another road hazzard.
So to be clear your favorite location is wherever people choose to put it. Got it. Jk thanks for the video. I get it there are upsides/downsides to any location.
Correct. Highest centre mounting is the BEST👍 No tickets.
I high mount it off center on the passenger side that way the cable doesn't obstruct my gear shifter (my car is a manual).
Mount and location varies by vehicle. In my 2021 Subaru Outback there isn't room above the mirror due to the top-mounted release on the R7 I'm using. So here's how I'm set up in that vehicle:
2021 Subaru Outback
Location: under mirror
Mount: BlendMount (works *really* well in the Outback)
Wiring: BlendMount mirror wiring kit
I ran it for a while with good luck just above the dash using an aftermarket sticker mount that was basically an R7-compatible prong on a GoPro foot. That worked great and had great range but in theory I like the better range mounted higher. I've also read at least one comment about poor range that I think resulted from mounting it really low on the dash and picking up interference from the windshield wiper heaters in the windshield.
I use a permanent stick-on mount to my windshield as high up and close to the center as possible. Although due to my interior design, no matter what, if I want it as high as possible, I will have my sun visor blocking the back. So I can't really use my sun visor, and always have to rely on sunglasses.
Dash level on drivers side in front of the pillar.
Do you have an articulating mount so the detector doesn’t wind up pointing off to the side?
@@VortexRadar
It is a Cobra 450
Is typically resting on top of a folded toque or hat, pointing ahead. The angle of the sloping hood of my dodge Ram along that side gives good forward “line of sight” clearance. So hope it is working best it can there.
I realize the rear detection there is poor at best, blocked a bit by the dash, by my body, but the truck also has a canopy on the box so I have no expectations in rear detection anyways.
Only forward and sides is what I hope for.
PS: 90% hiway driving.
Very curious about mounting positions with detectors that have front and rear antennas. I have mine installed just under my rear view mirror for 'optimal' front and rear detecting as I have an Escort 360, with the provided cable and easily accessible mute button via cigarette plugin. I would be very curious to see some actual on the road tests as it will all be compromised, not only by terrain, tint, vehicle and detector. Although, it is good to know that it can be fenagled and maybe slightly increase/decrease performance of the myriad of options that are out today.
i have mine almost mounted like yours but i dont have room above the mirror so im actually slightly below the rear view
I prefer locating my V1G2 in the same spot you like, for all the same reasons.
I run my Uniden just below mirror to be able to remove it easily for overnight stays on the road. 😊
I REALLY think I would love it if he slows down his sentences. I have to rewind so much when listening to his reviews. 😅
i prefer to mount it out of sight as possible, some other drivers tend to follow you (sometimes too close and annoying)
I bought a Rodenso Visor mount for My Uniden R7. Works Great. Wired in the molding for a clean install and look. Performance is best for me up high like that. I did get a Lazer hit once on it up that high, which was surprising. It would have been too late anyway and Waze had him marked way before the detector went off.
My R3 went off for laser and I dropped 3mph before being pulled over. Sure I still got the ticket but it would have been a 10 over instead of 5, and it would have had 2 points instead of 0. This was a few years ago before waze was as popular and before the r7 was released
Very poignant & timely as I just ordered my Uniden R3 (plus accessories) from the US. Love your work
“Poignant”? Not the right word. You might have meant “pithy” or “perspicacious” 😆😂🤣
Just got a R7 for my Tesla Model 3 and it’s amazing. I still just have it temporary hooked up suction cup to the bottom of my windshield using cigarette lighter and Bungie power cable. Looking to find a permanent home to clean install it this weekend. Need those “other videos” you kept mentioning throughout this video to hurry up lol. Amazing videos tho. I’m new to this Channel but I found it when we searching radars so thanks, and keep making these great vids, I really enjoy them.
Well then...with all these customers, i cant see that anybody would miss my dumbass
The Uniden R7 is a phenomenal radar detector!
i mount high and tap mirror in my C7s
I mount my R3 low and center. I had 1 laser detection where I was able to drop 3mph before the LEO got my speed. Still a ticket but 0 points instead of 2. The radar range of the R3 is good enough even mounted low. I consistently get 1mile+ detections on radar mounted low.
My R3 is mounted bottom left of the windshield with the large single suction cup and hard wired. Super clean install. Plus, I live in VA, so I need it as stealthy as possible.
I'm a low guy simple setup. Effective also. No tickets in 20 years!
What sort of longevity have you had with command strips? Are they intentionally temporary for you? I haven't had much luck with command strips holding in direct sunlight.
I use 3M VHB tape. "Very High Bond" and it is very strong, and leaves no room for error, make sure you get it right the first time you place it. It's very time consuming to remove. Have had it on my windshield for seven years and still going strong.
detectors are really nice all around but he is right “LASER” is literally just another way of saying “your doomed”
Hey...first off thank you greatly for the videos. I picked up a R7 yesterday for my Q7. I see you're driving the same. I was wondering how well it picks up rear detection with how our rear windshield is set up and with the rear shade in use. Do you notice any degradation in use or is this another reason to high mount with our vehicles? Thanks for any input provided. Your videos helped me decide on which detector to get as well.
My windshield is tinted will that affect the performance of detector?
My Audi compass doesn’t work if the detector is too close to the mirror.
Thanks for always helping us guys have a Wonderful day! 😊
Left under the rear view mirror r7. Using the glass mount
When I had my Valentine one Gen 2 mounted low on my windshield of my 21’ bmw 5 series sedan when I first got it and was using the 12v plug I had to disable rear laser because it was falsing rear laser off the idrive computer screen.
But then once I hardwired my Valentine 1 Gen 2 up high suction cuped just to the left of the rear view mirror high mounted I had to disable front laser detection because it would false alarm laser but only at night time. But I was able to turn rear laser back on.
Now on my F150 I can have my Valentine 1 Gen 2 with laser on for front and back detection and it gets zero false alarms whether high mounted or low mounted. So it must be just the shape of the bmw glass and also the big idrive screen.
Can this detector still be able to get signal through windshield tint?
I have the Redline 360C and according to the manual they recommended to mount it in the lower center and avoid to mount it up-high. Is this right ?
They say that because it comes with a cig. lighter power cable and to try and balance radar and laser detection. Personally I find laser detection on a RD to be of very limited value (Waze and laser jammers are much better) so I prefer to optimize for radar by mounting high and hardwiring. This makes a cleaner and more hidden install too, and the detector is physically closer to you so it’s easier to press the buttons.
I’m also surprised that you didn’t mention two other factors in placement selection, namely outward vision obstruction and rear antenna reception. In my Alfa Giulia, a small sedan, I mount my Max360 above and to the right (pass. side) of the rearview mirror, hardwired into a powersource at the mirror mount. It’s easy for me to reach in my small car, optimizes forward radar reception, has a clear view out the back window along the centerline of the car, and does not interfere at all with my outward vision or driver’s sunvisor use. It does limit the passenger visor from folding all the way to the windscreen, but it’s rare that I have a passenger needing the visor at all, and when they do, it drops forward far enough to reach its lowest point and maximum blockage, so it’s a terrific compromise.
Nice I’m actually going to buy god willing an Alfa if you have any advice or recommendations or just let me know how long you’ve had it and what’s your experience
One thing you don’t mention that is a negative to running the detector up high above the rear view mirror is that many vehicles rear glass starts lower than the windscreen. This will limit the optimal ability to pick up radar from the rear as it is partially being blocked.
I found the optimum to be the highest possible point on the windscreen where it still has direct visibility out the back.
Since this is radar, not laser, direct line of sight like that is less of an issue than you’d think.
@@VortexRadar got it, you know best! Thanks for ALL you do
Mounting it higher like in this video would cause me to bump into the rear-view mirror occasionally. If you choose to hard wire it and place the wire between windshield and liner, keep in mind that each time the suction cups fail and the detector falls (which will happen with 100% certainty) will pull the wire out and will be a chore to put it back, particularly if you're moving... been there done that with a dash cam. Never again for me.
Personally I've had that save me many times from a dashcam falling and getting damaged when hitting the dash. I recently was running some non-hardwired detectors off a cig. lighter cable. Both detectors are now off for repairs. If you hardwire the cable and tuck it in securely so it can hold the weight, it can wind up being a lifesaver.
High more permanent windshield mounts?
Some state prohibits "things" to be mounted on the windshield. Where would a person mount their radar detector? It's kind of stupid how they allow you to have things on the dash which is more of an obstruction than mounting it high and out of drivers view.
Blendmount
I have mine mounted with a blend mount. So far it’s been great
My best spot, living in communist Va. would be where smoky cannot see it. Absolutely can not see it.🦇
So a custom installed unit in your dash?
I run the R1 with an aftermarket single suction mount (charger city branded) due to my car (03 Crysler Sebring Convertable) having a slope that doesn't allow for a straight angle, just under the rearview mirror because I run my dashcam (some AQP one that is 3m adhesive mounted that I got for free) on the upper left and my E-ZPass on the upper right above the windshield, and I only use my detector when I go on the highway so I use the cig adapter
The one thing you forgot.... The lower mount makes it easier to remove so no one steals.
Not sure what you mean. High mounts are just as easy to remove, if not more given that they’re physically closer to you. The high mounts closer to the tint strip is also more hidden to thieves and less likely to encourage a break in in the first place.
You have to rely on other ppl to report cops on waze tho
I would like to put mine above the rearview mirror but I have a tinted brow on my windshield will that affect the radar detectors performance being behind the tint
I’ve done multiple videos on this. Most tint is fine. Metallic tint is not.
Otherwise you do a great job.
High as I can with spec mode.
do the suction cups drop the detector at times?
Does window tint effect prformance if so how much 1% or we talking 10
I’ve done videos on this multiple times you can search for. In short metallic tint blocks a ton of the signal so avoid that. Get a non-metallic tint like ceramic and that’s fine.
Back when the Passport (9V battery vs wired) was all the rage, I mounted it *on* the visor and had it angled horizontally. Expanded that to other RDs as long as lightweight enough. But with my last Cobra, I took to mounting it on the dash right in front of the IP for a few important reasons. First is that a cop who's got something against people using RDs could also cite you for a blocked windshield. If it's on the dash, it's *not* on the windshield. And looking past the RD from the driver's position, all you see is top-of-hood, ie, nowhere that you'd be looking for pedestrians or cars. It's also easier to grab vs leaving in the car as a thief-magnet. And it's incredibly easy to bap the buttons stealthily vs reaching way up onto the windshield, whether high or low.
Hanging it from the mirror, and plugging it into the mirror, looks cool to me. But would that be an obstructed view violation ticket?
Hello Thank you very much for amazing video I love your all video very helpful, I have impotent question ,the Porsche taycan windshield block the radar signal? or no? Thank you
I have my Valentine 1 Gen 2 mounted on driver side visor, 1" from rear view mirror and I have concealment display located above shifter in slot opening. I don't want anyone seeing my detector, especially when I drive by Law Enforcement using radar.
Solid points 👍🏼👍🏼
What the the best in Canada!!!! Ontario. Where everything is legal.
I’d go for an Escort Redline Ci out there to get a hidden and undetectable option.
does windshield "frit" interfere with radar detectors? sorry should have finished watching the video, you just answered the question picking up the R4 on Amazon right now great deal! I am going to try to direct wire into the mirror power!