Where to put my radar detector?
 

I'm putting a new radar detector in this car for the first time. I know this is gonna sound stupid but I'd like some advice from someone who has one installed.
I'm having problems finding a place for it. After using the suction cups for a few days I noticed that the glass underneath looked marred. It took a LOT of elbow grease to get it out. Is this normal? I've never used suction cups before, I've always just used velcro. The problem with mounting it to the dash it the wipers are ABOVE the level of the dash- it doesn't appear to be a clear view for the lazer sensor. Thanks.

I mount mine right below the mirror... good view forward and back. One of the drawbacks of this mounting position is that it is easily visible from the outside (theft and the cop that walks up to the car after they got ya with laser).

As for the suction cups, yeah they leave some crud behind but do not damage the glass (that I can tell at least)... when I moved it from the old car to this one it had been in that one for 4 years it did no damage (the window cleaned up just fine).

I have mine mounted right above the rearview mirror. I run the wire up and around the molding so it's hidden. The detector followed me from the last car and I had it mounted the same way. As far as I can tell I get good coverage and it isn't easy to see from outside the car. Big thing is to make sure it's level, you get better coverage this way.

The suction cups do leave dirt rings, but any window cleaner will work.

how much did you guys pay for your radars

I really want one damn


so can someone tell me everything that a radar does...just so that I get full knowledge on it all...and where it can help you out....and how many times has it helped you.??

so many questions...sorry:D

check these threads for some prior discussion:

http://www.protegeclub.com/forum/sho...&threadid=1922
and
http://www.protegeclub.com/forum/sho...&threadid=8448


for how it works, this is a pretty good explanation:
http://www.howstuffworks.com/radar-detector.htm

I have a radar detector already, but I was wondering does anyone have a Valentine. I was thinking of switching to that. I heard it was one of the best. Sometimes I see Passport on top, other times I see Valentine.

yeah well i just got bagged in mass and they were using lidar, not radar. so yeah it dont matter. cause i got a detector.

yes, I have one... need to send it in for an upgrade but even at 4 years old it still hears very very well (not laser, but with that you are pretty much hosed anyhow).

PS. for you folks in western NY (or passing though it), the news yesterday was running a piece on the return of the aerial speed enforcement to the area. They fly a plane parallel to the highway and time you between markers... no detector for that!

becarfull they are illegal in canada, if your caught with one they will confiscate it and give you a nice big fine

Yeah, I like watching the planes.

The main area, for those that want to know, deals with Route 104 from Monroe County through Wayne County. Considering this is the stretch of road I take everyday for work, the detector is useless. Oh well, I'm not that bad anyway. Haven't had a ticket in over 8 years.

thanks for the replies everyone
all y'all helping out nicely....shoulda tried search...didn't think we'd have a prior discussion on this

thanks for the links all

thanks for the warning nightowl
damn illegalness....I've been getting busted with tickets alot lately, gotta go fight one this week.
hmmm ima look around for one that is well hidden...and is still pretty efective....otherwise..i'm going to have to drive slowly (damn)

and it has now also been extended to the NY state thruways as well! damn bureaucrats looking for a quick buck!

They are not illegal in all of Canada. There are a few provinces that are still ok with it. One of them is Saskatchewan.

This is a very heavily bias site. The individual behind the site has worked for many years as a consultant to the manufacturers of Radar Detectors, and the companies he has worked for, and used his ideas, are rated the highest, while the companies that have refused his "offers" of consultancy are rated very low. Very strange...
I would suggest checking the the magazines, such as Car and Driver, who have no vested interest in the industry ( besides ad space) and read thier reviews as they might not be as biased.
Just a thought:o

I have owned both a DSP Escort, a passport, but now run only Valentines. A much superior product IMHO. It has the best sensitivity in the industry, and provides outstanding information for you to digest such as the number of signals and the direction. Thier competition argues that too much is bad, which I find an astounding marketing ploy. Yeah, you decide what is important in the way of info, I am too stupid...:eek:

The Upgrade ability of the Valentine is also first class, as they come up with better hardware, you can upgrade the detector, a feature some others are now starting to do but Valentine has done for a long time in comparision.

I run a Valentine not only in my Protege, but my RX-7.

Check the Car and Driver website about radar detector reviews...

Good Luck