Radar detector mounting issues. Comment sought.

[Ixion]

Decided that I have to get a radar detector. Shows what things have come to, when even Nana, who as you all know NEVER speeds, needs one

Narrowed down to Valentine , Escort , or Bel RX65, with the latter in a slight lead.

I think that performance wise all three are much of a muchness , but what IS exercising me is mounting, and output.

Bear in mind, I need this readily portable. Four bikes, two cages, and I need to whip it from one to another. Quickly (otherwise I'll do the "can't be bothered - oh shit I should have bothered" trip).

And the bikes are quite a range.

Also, I'd rather it wasn't too obvious. For obvious reasons. Especially on the BMW. So, a question. What can the detector "see through". Can you mount it out of sight behind the plastic bodywork stuff. Or will that mask the radar signal too much? Does it have to face fore and aft? Can they be mounted vertical? Sideways? upside down?

Power supply ? Any issues? Happy enough to wire in a feed and quick detach plug and socket on each bike/cage.

And output. Not an issue in the cage. But on a bike I doubt I'd hear a beep beep. And prolly not notice a flashing light quickly enouigh either. Some models (maybe all three??) have an earphone jack.But then you have to have your head "wired up"?

Yes I do know about HARD. Blurdy expensive, but. Anyone done / heard of anything with Bluetooth? Seems an obvious.

Can the LED lights in the detector be extended to an LED mounted along the screen blad edge, where it's reasonably in line of vision?

Anyone got anything helpful to suggest? Or caveats?

[Patrick]

Decided that I have to get a radar detector. Shows what things have come to, when even Nana, who as you all know NEVER speeds, needs one

Why would ya need one if you "Never" speed?

[sAsLEX]

Why would ya need one if you "Never" speed?

Because even those that avoiding breaking your precious speed limit times come say when you pass the truck you have been following at 70 for half an hour and you hit the only passing lane for hours and the truck speeds up to 100, so instead of risking a dangerous passing maneuaver somewhere else you speed up a little to get past the now speeding truck , and just as you safetly pull back in front of the truck some jumped up wanker of a pig is sitting at the end of the passing lane pinging normal law abiding citizens so he can get his qouta.

[RantyDave]

Why would ya need one if you "Never" speed?
Because this is a public forum.

Dave

[Finn]

Ixion, got to Radardirect.co.nz. They have all sorts of mounting brackets. They are a bit expensive but very good. You'll have to decide where to mount it. Mine bolts onto the clutch clamp using replacement screws and brackets but there are many options. Wiring is easy as they come with all the looms. (V1 does anyway). The mounting plate has a velco patch so you can easily move it between vehicles.

[Patrick]

Because even those that avoiding breaking your precious speed limit

My speed limit? Just like an old toy... I ignore it... don't throw em out of the cot now...:nya:

[Blackbird]

My Escort is on a custom mount which points through the screen. The detector is held onto it with Velcro and I have a clear vac-moulded waterproof cover over it. With microwaves like Ka band, solid objects like fairings and screens have stuff-all impact. Even a dirty or tinted screen can reduce laser (LIDAR) detection but I'm not too worried about them anyway.

I have a speaker in the helmet which is fine other than occasionally accidentally disconnecting it. However, I'm going for a "screamer", see www.motorcycleradar.com. A riding partner of mine from the north shore has one on his 'bird and it's really impressive. No worries about disconnecting it either. I'd avoid visual cues as you're slower to react than from audible ones. If you want some photos of my set up, I'll happily send them.

Geoff

[Blackbird]

Ixion, forgot that I'd given them to a friend to put on his website in the UK, follow this link: http://www.flyingferrets.eclipse.co.uk/info/bikes/comms%20gps/radar/radar%20inst.htm

Geoff

[Lou Girardin]

The Valentine is superior to the others in terms of sturdiness and being able to tell you where the signal is located. There is little, if any, difference in range, but the Valentine has a much better laser detection off-axis. Any detector must not be mounted with metallic objects shielding the antennas. They will detect through opaque plastic, but the laser sensor needs clear to see through.
Contact Pixie for a transferable custom mount and he can also set up a screamer or in-helmet buzzer.

[VasalineWarrior]

Dont know if you've heard of this, but there is a bike specific radar called the 'whistler' (waterproof, small and has the bonus of not even looking like a conventional radar). Havent talked to anyone yet who runs one so im not sure what it performs like compared to the other radars on the market, but by the sounds of it you may need two radars with the ammount of vehicles that you own.
A real problem ive found is the power connections that my valentine plug into get worn and loose very quickly if i am constantly changing its position from bike to car-as a result ive found that its best to move them about as little as possible as if they are loose the radar turns itself on and off sporadically

[sAsLEX]

Dont know if you've heard of this, but there is a bike specific radar called the 'whistler' (waterproof, small and has the bonus of not even looking like a conventional radar). Havent talked to anyone yet who runs one so im not sure what it performs like compared to the other radars on the market, but by the sounds of it you may need two radars with the ammount of vehicles that you own.
A real problem ive found is the power connections that my valentine plug into get worn and loose very quickly if i am constantly changing its position from bike to car-as a result ive found that its best to move them about as little as possible as if they are loose the radar turns itself on and off sporadically


V Twin Raver had a bike specific one on his ride, all hidden away in the fairings cept it didnt stand up to rain from what I heard and was failing from getting wet

[HDTboy]

Cement sought?

[Holy Roller]

The ear phone jack in my detector packed up after a short time from pluging and unplugging the earphones. I have now permantly wired in a curly lead that I plug the headphones into..
I have made a mounting bracket that is bolted to the dash and the detector is attached by velcro.
In adverse weather I slip a heavy duty plastic bag over the unit and secured it with a strechy band (daughters hair tie) this has worked well for over a year and a half so far. Only problem has been the earphones falling out when taking the helmet off and breaking when they hit the ground. Next set may have to be the over the ear type. I can still hear the intercom and transciever with the ear phones in so that works well for me.

[boomer]

Ixion, got to Radardirect.co.nz. They have all sorts of mounting brackets. They are a bit expensive but very good. You'll have to decide where to mount it. Mine bolts onto the clutch clamp using replacement screws and brackets but there are many options. Wiring is easy as they come with all the looms. (V1 does anyway). The mounting plate has a velco patch so you can easily move it between vehicles.

i have the same stuff from the same people with the hard system, only drawback is remembering to turn the hard sysem off so i dont have to replace batteries. The detector is useless without some other means of seeing/hearing teh alerts.

i've never been nicked with it.. only without it :shutup:

[What?]

Ixion, got to Radardirect.co.nz. They have all sorts of mounting brackets. They are a bit expensive but very good..
Actually Finn, they are fuggin expensive. The very same mounts are available from www.motorcycleradar.com at a much, much lower price. They also won't feed you bullshit about there being "NZ Spec" detectors, which radardirect are only too happy to do.

[Blackbird]

Actually Finn, they are fuggin expensive. The very same mounts are available from www.motorcycleradar.com at a much, much lower price. They also won't feed you bullshit about there being "NZ Spec" detectors, which radardirect are only too happy to do.

Too right and their service is outstanding. It took 4 days to get my mount from them and I'll go back for a screamer soon. The only worthwhile thing from Radar Direct is a moulded waterproof cover which is locally made. Not sure whether they do them for anything else other than the Escort though.

[notme]

Ix....

Here's where my Escort is mounted: http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=19754&d=1131585651

Detects as well on the bike as it does in the cage, and swapping is easy too - with a bit of knead it or araldite you can make a custom block of epoxy that holds the power and earphone plugs so that there is one thing only to connect/disconnect.

Of course in this position it doesn't detect laser....but as has been said many times before all over these forums, you generally don't have enough time to react to a laser warning anyway.

Output is to helmet speakers - way loud enough to hear over a modified exhaust and with earplugs in.

Happy to help with fitting or electrickery bits if you want :innocent:

P.S. for multiple vehicles, DON'T PAY for extra wiring looms for the additional vehicles, they are easy to knock up!

[marty]

V Twin Raver had a bike specific one on his ride, all hidden away in the fairings cept it didnt stand up to rain from what I heard and was failing from getting wet

a bike specific one that doesn't like getting wet? obviously made for the california types that trailer their bikes to events.

[Lou Girardin]

from Radar Direct is a moulded waterproof cover which is locally made. Not sure whether they do them for anything else other than the Escort though.

They do Valentine ones, bloody good idea if you don't mind $40 for a lump of plastic.

[Squeak the Rat]

Made a decision on this Ixion? Just curious 'cause I too am trying to decide the best course of action......

StR

[TerminalAddict]

must be that time of the month.
I'll be watching this thread too .. after a completely hot Mrs plod had a wee chat with me this morning :|

[Blackbird]

They do Valentine ones, bloody good idea if you don't mind $40 for a lump of plastic.

From memory, it was about $60 for the Escort but it was 2 covers for that price. I agree that it's expensive for some fairly thin bits of plastic but a sight better than the ugly plastic bag and elastic band I had previously flapping around. It's stood up to the conditions ok so a short service life isn't going to be an issue.

Just as a matter of interest, my Escort had a good range pick up going south across the Hauraki Plains recently. I know it doesn't measure up against those desert tests conducted in the U.S but the detector went off with a couple of bleeps on those long straights south of Turua which are bordered by hedges. I hit the brakes in the normal manner but couldn't see a thing. Almost 5km later, there was a patrol car parked up pinging approaching vehicles. Ok, the terrain was close to ideal but I was still pretty impressed.

[sAsLEX]

From memory, it was about $60 for the Escort but it was 2 covers for that price. I agree that it's expensive for some fairly thin bits of plastic but a sight better than the ugly plastic bag and elastic band I had previously flapping around. It's stood up to the conditions ok so a short service life isn't going to be an issue.

Just as a matter of interest, my Escort had a good range pick up going south across the Hauraki Plains recently. I know it doesn't measure up against those desert tests conducted in the U.S but the detector went off with a couple of bleeps on those long straights south of Turua which are bordered by hedges. I hit the brakes in the normal manner but couldn't see a thing. Almost 5km later, there was a patrol car parked up pinging approaching vehicles. Ok, the terrain was close to ideal but I was still pretty impressed.

I got similar results on the road between awakino and mokau, which is rolling hillside with big cut outs and all sorts to kill the radar reception, but there he was a few minutes after the warning hiding in some flax bushes

x50 radar

[scumdog]

Never needed a radar detector - I always know where the nearest cop is anyway eh?:yes:

[Squeak the Rat]

Never needed a radar detector - I always know where the nearest cop is anyway eh?:yes:

On the bike.....

"Here's my licence officer, next to my badge"
"Have a nice day Office Scumdog, next speedtrap isn't for 10km (sssshhh)"

Saves all those bells and whistles eh! :innocent:

[Quasievil]

The Valentine is superior to the others in terms of sturdiness and being able to tell you where the signal is located. There is little, if any, difference in range, but the Valentine has a much better laser detection off-axis. Any detector must not be mounted with metallic objects shielding the antennas. They will detect through opaque plastic, but the laser sensor needs clear to see through.
Contact Pixie for a transferable custom mount and he can also set up a screamer or in-helmet buzzer.

If a Laser is used your fucked anyway unless you can reduce your speed in a milli second
Who is Pixie?

[Fat Tony]

If a Laser is used your fucked anyway unless you can reduce your speed in a milli second

You could always try fitting a 'parking sensor' ;)

http://www.ukspeedtraps.co.uk/laserpropark.htm

[RiderInBlack]

Make ya own housing like I did. It's not to hard. With a few changes you could make it easier to shift (I will when I can be arsed making my next one) and less obvious (no point though, have had no problems from Cops with mine being so out there and it reads better there). The housing I made by bending perspex and reenforced it with a tin insert. It has been totally awesome protecting the detector not matter the weather and it was very cheap ta make. I put a cig-light plug in my eye line behind the blade as the Escort has a warning light in it's cig plug too. I use the ear plug and have slipped a cheap DSE mono ear plug speaker (minius it's housing) in one of the ear pads on my helmet (makes it more comfortable and easier to take off and on). Have fun and use you imagination:Punk:

[Warr]

You could always try fitting a 'parking sensor' ;)

http://www.ukspeedtraps.co.uk/laserpropark.htm
Read the whole page and finally found it!!

It upsets police laser guns, naughty naughty. and they don't even know it...
Wish I had seen this before I bought my mount from radardirect.co.nz

Actually Finn, they are fuggin expensive. The very same mounts are available from www.motorcycleradar.com at a much, much lower price. They also won't feed you bullshit about there being "NZ Spec" detectors, which radardirect are only too happy to do.

[Leong]

P.S. for multiple vehicles, DON'T PAY for extra wiring looms for the additional vehicles, they are easy to knock up!

$45 for a V1 loom off Radar Direct!! :gob:

[nadroj]

Just go to Dick Smiths & get a phone cord if you don't already have a spare and wire it into a 12v supply on the bike. V1's work ok in the clear top pocket of a tankbag or you can make a mount cheaper than the $200 RD are charging.
Detectors are available on Tardme (parallel imported) for up to $400 less than RD and are fully programmable with freely available info to 'tune' them for NZ. Pm me for details of mount or programming.
ps a local retired engineer did my mount machining for pocket money and will make more if required.

[Lou Girardin]

If a Laser is used your fucked anyway unless you can reduce your speed in a milli second
Who is Pixie?

Greater off-axis detection means the chance of picking up a laser aimed at another vehicle is greater.
Pixie is a clever bugger and a member of the site.

[shafty]

Louis, I chose Escort protection too - the latest I read was that it was now as good as, if not better than a Valentine. A major reason for my choice was to be able to take it from the Subaru to the ST, though I am just getting on to the mounting question now, - timely forum, cheers for the info Guys.

I would "second" the advice on buying from Carter Ryan, a parallel importer - the service was brilliant and prices much better than Radar Direct

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Members/Listings.aspx?member=338700

Have fun

[Holy Roller]

Mine is mounted via velcro for easy removal.
I have a Cobra that was under $200 two years ago it has worked well for me in all weathers. I just slip a heavy plastic bag over the unit in the wet. I have since hardwired in a curly lead for the earphone.

A mate just purchased a detector/jammer from trademe for $120