dlapean Posted April 25, 2013 Report Share Posted April 25, 2013 Wondering if anyone has wired in a Radar Detector, is it possible to tap into something near the passenger side sunshade, like the dome light or controls for the ambient lighting? My old Radar Detector doesn't use batteries and does not have a cigarette plug, it's a hot wire connection only (it does have an on/off switch). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtb9153 Posted April 25, 2013 Report Share Posted April 25, 2013 Sorry no info on your question. I think you will find that most owners do not have a need for a radar detector since few exceed the posted speed limit. Going too fast has negative effects on gas mileage. JAZ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fotomoto Posted April 25, 2013 Report Share Posted April 25, 2013 (edited) Yeah, a hybrid with a radar detector is somewhat of an oxymoron but hey there's probably at least one F350 dually diesel 4x4 owner out there trying to hyper-mile! OK, maybe not but I digress....... :) Along with ambient lighting, there's also the auto-dim mirror option so there's definitely power leads up there hidden by the headliner. You should have no problem tapping into one of them. Hopefully someone with access to a service manual can tell you which ones are +/-. Edited April 25, 2013 by fotomoto obob 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CassidyB Posted April 25, 2013 Report Share Posted April 25, 2013 Sorry... Can't answer your question... But if I did more interstate driving, I would have a radar detector. The car likes to zoom. Trevor 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScubaDadMiami Posted April 26, 2013 Report Share Posted April 26, 2013 Someone recently posted about installing a new power mirror, and showed photos of the wire leads. Search for it. Oh, and please post pics of how you did it. I am about three weeks from delivery of my SEL, and I already have my hardwire kit ready to go for installation of my Escort on the mirror. Trevor 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
armoredsaint Posted April 26, 2013 Report Share Posted April 26, 2013 I have an Escort 9500 ix with Live using bluetooth on my iphone, currently it's plugged in but ordering the hardwired version too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScubaDadMiami Posted April 26, 2013 Report Share Posted April 26, 2013 I have an Escort 9500 ix with Live using bluetooth on my iphone, currently it's plugged in but ordering the hardwired version too.They make a mirror mount that looks pretty stable. This is the first time I am trying it. Looks like it will fit just right. I wish my C-MAX were here already! Three weeks to go! :yahoo: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedLdr1 Posted April 26, 2013 Report Share Posted April 26, 2013 Wondering if anyone has wired in a Radar Detector, is it possible to tap into something near the passenger side sunshade, like the dome light or controls for the ambient lighting? My old Radar Detector doesn't use batteries and does not have a cigarette plug, it's a hot wire connection only (it does have an on/off switch). What brand Radar Detector? I have a Valentine V-1 with a mirror mount that I will be installing. I plan on using the existing power to the mirror to power the V-1 using a power feed similar to this one on eBay. No cutting, no splicing, just a easy tap at the connector... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wab Posted April 26, 2013 Report Share Posted April 26, 2013 (edited) I'm waiting on the battery/nav/clock/Sync/MFT/etc fix before tapping into ANY elect. on THIS car.Hopefully next month. :waiting: I read about a cheep bicycle mirror mount herehttp://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=452376 Not sure if it will work on a Valentine but it'll work on my 9000iX. Edited April 26, 2013 by wab Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ceemax71 Posted April 26, 2013 Report Share Posted April 26, 2013 What brand Radar Detector? I have a Valentine V-1 with a mirror mount that I will be installing. I plan on using the existing power to the mirror to power the V-1 using a power feed similar to this one on eBay. No cutting, no splicing, just a easy tap at the connector...I would be very cautious using the wire connected to the rear view mirror. Looking at the shop manual wiring diagram for the mirror, it does not look like it is a clean source of +12VDC. Even if it is a source +12VDC, it might only be hot when the headlights are turned on or the light sensor determines that it is not daytime. The manual is not clear on how the mirror works. The wires to the mirror come from the body control module and are not directly connected to +12VDC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlapean Posted April 26, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 26, 2013 My radar Detector is an older, but fine working (for my area) Escort Radar,......After reading the replies,.....I think I'll use the pictures on this site for the mirror installation and try tapping into that area (ambient light area) for a power source on the Radar.Thanks everyone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
armoredsaint Posted April 27, 2013 Report Share Posted April 27, 2013 They make a mirror mount that looks pretty stable. This is the first time I am trying it. Looks like it will fit just right. I wish my C-MAX were here already! Three weeks to go! :yahoo:those hang down too low and too visable, i have my somewhat hidden between the gap on the mirror and dot matrix pattern. i have that super cup suction holding it. and escort mounts are always terrible quality. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlapean Posted May 7, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 7, 2013 Thanks ScubaDadMiami,.........I did find the pictures from dtorres "Gentex ElectroChromatic Mirror Installation" and the pictures, with the power wire and negative wire colors described, gave me all I needed. I used some small wire taps and everything went just fine. I know many people hang their radar detectors off the mirror or from the windshield, but I always hang mine from the passenger Sunshade and than prop the sunshade so it sits "Level". I always feel that if a cop see's the radar detector,.......they'll write a max fine ticket on you for having one......with it hanging on the sunshade it's not real noticeable.Sorry,.......no pics but it's pretty straightforward once you see the installation pictures from dtorres "Gentex Mirror installation" thread. P.S. No I haven't ever got a ticket for speeding,.......it's more of a alert thing,...to check my speed when my detector does go off (and I know cops are "searching"). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darrelld Posted May 7, 2013 Report Share Posted May 7, 2013 My wife wants her Valentine1 installed but I have been waiting for some detailed photos of the process on an SEL model. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jus-A-CMax Posted May 7, 2013 Report Share Posted May 7, 2013 My wife wants her Valentine1 installed but I have been waiting for some detailed photos of the process on an SEL model.The Valentine 1 was impressive the last time I looked at those a few years ago, just could not get the money to pull the trigger. Sounds like they are still the leader, huh? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darrelld Posted May 7, 2013 Report Share Posted May 7, 2013 The Valentine 1 was impressive the last time I looked at those a few years ago, just could not get the money to pull the trigger. Sounds like they are still the leader, huh? They have some interesting tech in the pipeline; http://www.valentine1.com/v1info/v1connection/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScubaDadMiami Posted May 8, 2013 Report Share Posted May 8, 2013 I drove from Florida to New Hampshire and back with my Escort. It has been super reliable and accurate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trevor Posted August 25, 2013 Report Share Posted August 25, 2013 I had a www.blendmount.com mount on my last car for my Escort, but they dont list the C-Max as a car they support. I'm kinda bummed, and am looking for an alternative as well. I feel naked driving without the detector. Just because I have a hybrid, it doesnt mean I have to drive like a Prius owner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wab Posted August 25, 2013 Report Share Posted August 25, 2013 YEP they wont fit, bicycle mirror mount wont either.I'm using suction cups.Anybody have a belter method? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darrelld Posted November 25, 2013 Report Share Posted November 25, 2013 IMG_6236.jpgYEP they wont fit, bicycle mirror mount wont either.I'm using suction cups.Anybody have a belter method? I have ordered one of these and will report back on how well it works with my V1. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0065LWCYA/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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