My Valentine One Install

Hello all,

I finished installing my Valentine One today and thought I'd share some pics. I used the instructions found in this thread to remove the A pillar (thanks wpgspecb):

http://www.legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=88583&highlight=pillar+removal

Then I used an Access-A-Fuse (10 amp mini version):

http://www.accessafuse.com/access.htm

to replace the cigarette lighter fuse.

My goals were:

1. Mount the V1 in such a way that removal and reinstall was easy.

2. Mount the remote display in a location that I could easily see.

3. Install everything in such a way that they can be un-installed without leaving any visible marks on the car.

In the end, I installed the V1 on the driver's side visor. IMO, the passenger side visor would be ideal but women are always using the mirror in that one, so it was a no-go. The power cord was run up the A pillar, across the headliner, then through the visor clip. The clip already had a notch in there that was perfect for the wire to come out through.

For the remote display, I settled on mounting it on the dash near the bottom of the A pillar. I initially wanted to mount it in front of the gauge cluster, but every location would have blocked something.

From the pic, you can see that I have a perfect view of it. Only problem is that the mute button is now hard to reach. If I can't mute it using the button on the main unit, I'm going to install the remote audio adapter somewhere. The remote display itself was attached to the dash using 3M two-sided adhesive. It's the kind that's for drywall and can be removed without causing damage (or so they say).

The install took about three hours overall, but after knowing what I know now, I could probably do it in under 30 minutes.

Very nice install. I may copy your setup as I have similar install goals when I get my V1. Let us know how it works out after a few days of use.

Thanks. I've now driven for a few days through routes that I normally take and things seem to be working fine. It alerts where it's supposed to, although I can't really tell if there's a reduction in signal strength detected. I guess it doesn't really make a difference, since there's no way I'm going to mount it lower on the windshield. Installing/uninstalling it every time I park on the street would be hell.

I did find out that I can mute through the main unit, even with the remote display installed. It's slightly annoying, since you have to be a little careful when pressing the mute button. Otherwise, you could cause the detector to move on the visor. I may still install the remote audio adaptor, just because it'll make turning the detector off easier (police won't see me reaching up and fiddling with something on the visor) if I ever get pulled over.

nice, I set mine up the same way but on the passenger side.

My remote is a little more stealth but I had a better option with my 2.5i

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/aboone1970/V1Remote.jpg

V1 FTW!....a little annoying with it's super sensitivity but it has a very distinct tone when it's the real deal. You just have to program your brain for the different chirps. Sometimes it picks them up so far away that you wonder if it's a false alarm but a minute later, there they are.

I did find that the angle of the visor pointed the V1 too far down. I slipped a one inch piece of soft foam between the visor and the roof to get the angle more to my liking. It still points down a little(and I think it should for better laser detection) but the rear radio is now pointing out the rear window rather than at the roof.

nice job. great walkthroughs here on this sigte. I ended tapping into the rearview mirror using a harwire kit I bot on Ebay. ended up buying the V1 permanent mount hung form the mirror as well.

Good work!

nice, I set mine up the same way but on the passenger side.

That's what I *really* wanted to do, especially since that's the side of the road that you'll get hit with radar on.

My remote is a little more stealth but I had a better option with my 2.5i

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b179/aboone1970/V1Remote.jpg

Nice. Any other location and you'd have to take your eyes too far off the road. I'm going to use one of these stickers on the windshield:

http://www.jdm-spec.com/awdwatowtrst.html

to hide it from view from the outside.

I did find that the angle of the visor pointed the V1 too far down. I slipped a one inch piece of soft foam between the visor and the roof to get the angle more to my liking. It still points down a little(and I think it should for better laser detection) but the rear radio is now pointing out the rear window rather than at the roof.

Yeah, I'm going to have to do the same. I used a fuse box holder in my last car to keep the visor in the right position. Foam will be a much better solution for this car.

nice job. great walkthroughs here on this sigte. I ended tapping into the rearview mirror using a harwire kit I bot on Ebay. ended up buying the V1 permanent mount hung form the mirror as well.

 

Good work!

Thanks!

Honestly, I think my remote is a little too low. Stealth yes, too low...it's borderline for sure. I tend to rely on the chirps more than anything. I do look down to see what direction it is coming from but the sounds will tell you all you need to know.

I don't think it really matters what side you put the main unit on, you'll be fine with it on the drivers side. Up high is what counts so it has a good shot out the rear and doesn't pick up a ton of glare from the hood in front.

I have veil all over the front of my car and I swear by it at this point. We have a fare amount of laser cops around here and I seem to get enough warning...but maybe it's not me they are aiming at, hard to say.

Let's have some fun with that mute idea:

http://www.radardetector.net/forums/valentine-one/33280-how-can-i-make-my-own-mute-button.html

http://www.radardetector.net/forums/valentine-one/22261-yet-another-look-my-v1-install-thread.html

http://www.radardetector.net/forums/valentine-one/19461-concealed-display-hidden-mute-button-stealthy-pics.html

With respect to where you like to mount the remote display, that's strictly, in my book, personal-preference.

As for the high-mount of the detector itself, that's good for several reasons: you're giving the unit, in more ways than one, the best "sightline" possible (both LIDAR (as long as you subscribe to Mike Valentine's philosophy of low-versus-high mounting) and RADAR, as well as - and this is very important for the V1 - you're getting it up and out of direct sunlight (heat).

Although the tint-band will somewhat decrease your laser sensitivity, on a unit as laser-sensitive as the V1, this honestly might not be a bad thing, as it could help cut-down, somewhat, on falses, by raising the threshold. However, for those of you who are relying on the detector as your only line of defense when it comes to LIDAR, you might want to toy around a bit with this compromise.

Yes, I'm a speed-detection countermeasures junkie. I've been a devoted Escort user, since 1997 or so, but I've always lusted after the V1.

I just got my windshield replaced and this time it has the tint band. I can't tell the difference, still chirpy as hell driving by the grocery store but I am so used to it now that I don't notice. I am sure it cuts down on the sensitivity but you'd have to do a controlled study to see the difference.

My car is always dirty from driving on dirt roads. You think the layer of dust makes the car easier to pick up with laser? Seems like it would be but I am not sure. I have the veil on anything shiny and and a laser defusing plate cover with an extra coat of veil on it. I still worry that my car would be more stealth if I kept it clean(dark blue). Just wondering cause I'm a nerd like that.

^ Nah, I think you're fine. If-anything, the dirt and road-grime should help the areas that you couldn't VEIL. Kinda the idea behind keeping a "dirty" plate.

If you're using VEIL G2, try the new VEIL G4 - the difference in optical clarity as well as the G4's ability to let light shine through is worth the re-investment, particularly if you have either a royal or Atlantic Blue LGT, as the more bluish hue of G4 will compliment the vehicle:

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u259/TSi_WRX/119-1920_img.jpg

If you're interested in quieting-down the V1 a little, have a look at the Cheetah GPS-Mirror or the C100 stand-alone. These devices will allow for suppression of the detector's audible output when the vehicle is under a pre-programmed speed, which may help you. I'm not sure if you can use it as a GPS "mark" that selectively disables audible report of the non-enforcement signal at one specific location (i.e. akin to Escort's TrueLock), though.

I think the dirt has the opposite effect....lightens the color of the car therefore it reflects the light better. I doubt I am going to wash my car any more than I do already. Within a week of washing, I am surely going to be driving down a dirt road. The soil around here is the very fine volcanic type, gets into everything. Ah whatever...

That veil does look better than what I am using but I don't dislike mine enough to bail out before it's gone. The lights are so bright on the subi, I don't have any issues with it...and I don't do much night driving.

I think the dirt has the opposite effect....lightens the color of the car therefore it reflects the light better. I doubt I am going to wash my car any more than I do already. Within a week of washing, I am surely going to be driving down a dirt road. The soil around here is the very fine volcanic type, gets into everything. Ah whatever...

^ Very interesting theory..... I don't think that anyone's approached it from that angle, and I think that's worth considering.

Traditional thinking is rooted in that the surface dust/grime/debris "buries" the underlying reflective metallic surface, thus decreasing LIDAR return. But indeed, what of the color issue, as you're citing? That's most interesting.

---

If you haven't yet, check out The VEIL Guy's YouTube channel. His IR videos are really "illuminating" , if you'll pardon the bad pun.

It highlights several concerns:

- You *can* get a good idea of what will reflect IR, by visualizing the vehicle under normal lighting conditions or with the help of a flashlight/camera flash.

- Any optical collimator/lens makes for a noted "hot spot."

- Some passive countermeasures may "diffuse" the incoming LIDAR beam, but is still IR-reflective.

- Not all chrome "reflects," with complex curvatures being the most worrying.

- Not all flat surfaces "reflect" as much as one would think - and that the complex curvatures of the vehicle's skin is again most worrisome.

- Mind any and all mounting hardware.

On the VEIL sub-Forum on RD.net, you'll find a thread devoted to discussion of this set of videos:

http://www.radardetector.net/forums/veil/37975-identifying-eliminating-hotspots-ir-veil-g4.html

Nice install.

The gauge clusters have since changed from when I did my install: http://www.legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=61800

Nice install.

 

The gauge clusters have since changed from when I did my install: http://www.legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=61800

I am impressed BEYOND imagination. The memebers on this site surprise me everyday. Great install it looks soooooooo good!

^ I'm surprised, bro, that you haven't seen puzzled's amazing integration!

That install is legendary, both in our community here, as well as in the speed-detection countermeasures community.

Nice install.

 

The gauge clusters have since changed from when I did my install: http://www.legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=61800

Thanks. I saw your installation while I was searching for ideas and would have *loved* something like that. It was just way beyond my skill level to get it done though.

I have no idea how I didn't see it. Just unreal!!!

You're getting old, and forgetting things!

legendary is right.

Seriously!

Mr. Sinister, honestly, don't feel bad - that's beyond most people's (mine included) skill level - puzzled really went all-out, and that's why the install has such status in both communities.

How you been brother?

^ Nothing new here, TP. The real question is how y'all are doin'?