Radar/GPS mount - on tank or a stem mount?

[grusomhat]

This is my set-up made from a folded bit of stainless sheet. Tidy, compact and attention getting LEDs screen mounted

That's neat and almost the same place I have mine. Where are those LED's from though? I'm thinking about custom making something but if I could pick something up cheap I would be much happier. Headphones are getting to be a real PITA.

[rapid van cleef]

thanks for all the replies guys. i also want a led unit cos i cant be arsed with headphones.........yet more stuff to put on before a ride

[MaxB]

I use a RAM mount mounted on the RH bar but with a longer arm so the mounting plate is right over the centre line.

As for LEDs I would still go for an earpice, you are not always looking at the clocks but when the sound goes off in your ears its time to hit the brakes.

[rapid van cleef]

ive bought meself a stem mount. im planning on making a screamer to go along with the led's. the stem mounts seem to be much less intrusive to the riding position.

[LBD]

I mount my TPX on a ram mount front and center of my handle bars

I mount my GPS on a mounting bracket attached to my SW-Motec tank bag. I reason that the soft flexible nature of the tank bag dampen some of the harsh vibration that could damage the electronics.

[Bad Gixxer]

I mount my Valentine in a $2-00 plastic lunch box, vertically inside the fairing by the front forks. Sticks on with vecro like shit to a blanket. It's waterproof, hidden from the eyes of any light-fingered bastard, hidden from the eyes of any employee of Her majesty's Constabulory that I come into contact with from time to time, and if they make them illegal (God forbid!), then I'm sweet.

I have the audio and visual display accessories mounted discreetly buried inside the cockpit beside the gauges and use fixd earphones inside my helmet. It's the best setup I've ever had after using stem mounts and tank/bag mounts over the years.

Being waterproof is the added bonus - I've been done a few times in the past because I got phobic and put the detector in my pocket when it was raining. Now I don't worry about the unit getting wet.

[Bad Gixxer]

That's neat and almost the same place I have mine. Where are those LED's from though? I'm thinking about custom making something but if I could pick something up cheap I would be much happier. Headphones are getting to be a real PITA.

Dunno why so many people think headphones are a pain (I'm referring to fixed headphones inside the helmet). The designers of detectors purposely made AUDIO the primary medium by which information is transmitted to the user. Most detectors give the most valuable information by audio, backed up by visual displays, but the audio is the most understandable as far as range, type of radar signal (K or Ka) etc.

It doesn't take long to get used to plugging the cable in or detaching it. Get's to be a habit (um....zip up jacket, put on helmet, put on gloves, plug in cable, start bike!)

And the cable just doesn't get in the way when you're riding. I don't exactly ride like a nana, corners are designed to go round fast with only half your arse on the seat, and the front wheel doesn't necessarily belong on the ground all the time, and the cable has never once caused an issue. And I can vouch for the fact that if you and your bike part company at speed, the cable neatly unplugs itself - something to do wth the laws of physics!

My set up has 6" of cable terminating in a male 3.5mm stereo socket extending out of the helmet under the chin. The cable is a cheap $10 ipod stereo cable that has flexi coils and literally lasts forever. The cable always stays plugged into the detector, and you plug/unplug at the helmet. The cable has a volume control as well. Works like a dream, I couldn't imagine ever relying on flashing lights, LED's etc that just don't give the feedback that audio does. I wouldn't even consider a bluetooth audio with all the issues with batteries etc.

Before you ditch the cable audio idea, invest about $40 in the earphones and cable and give it a go for at least a few weekends.

[grusomhat]

Dunno why so many people think headphones are a pain (I'm referring to fixed headphones inside the helmet). The designers of detectors purposely made AUDIO the primary medium by which information is transmitted to the user. Most detectors give the most valuable information by audio, backed up by visual displays, but the audio is the most understandable as far as range, type of radar signal (K or Ka) etc.

It doesn't take long to get used to plugging the cable in or detaching it. Get's to be a habit (um....zip up jacket, put on helmet, put on gloves, plug in cable, start bike!)

And the cable just doesn't get in the way when you're riding. I don't exactly ride like a nana, corners are designed to go round fast with only half your arse on the seat, and the front wheel doesn't necessarily belong on the ground all the time, and the cable has never once caused an issue. And I can vouch for the fact that if you and your bike part company at speed, the cable neatly unplugs itself - something to do wth the laws of physics!

My set up has 6" of cable terminating in a male 3.5mm stereo socket extending out of the helmet under the chin. The cable is a cheap $10 ipod stereo cable that has flexi coils and literally lasts forever. The cable always stays plugged into the detector, and you plug/unplug at the helmet. The cable has a volume control as well. Works like a dream, I couldn't imagine ever relying on flashing lights, LED's etc that just don't give the feedback that audio does. I wouldn't even consider a bluetooth audio with all the issues with batteries etc.

Before you ditch the cable audio idea, invest about $40 in the earphones and cable and give it a go for at least a few weekends.

I've been riding for a number of months now just using a cheap pair of earbuds (short cable). Because the cable goes straight from the detector to the helmet it is free to fly around and I quite often catch it with a glove and it rips the earbuds out of my ear and they end up really akward in my helemt. I've seen set ups like you refer to and it is a really nice way to go, just been to lazy to rig something up properly. I looked at a bluetooth option a while ago (There's a thread on here somewhere), that I want to have another go at when time permits. Otherwise I'll probably go with your setup.

I agree though that the audio alerts are MUCH better than a visual alert. Never going to miss the peircing sound of Ka band detect (especially from an instant on right in front of you). Flashing LED's just would't emulate that I guess.

[Bad Gixxer]

I've been riding for a number of months now just using a cheap pair of earbuds (short cable). Because the cable goes straight from the detector to the helmet it is free to fly around and I quite often catch it with a glove and it rips the earbuds out of my ear and they end up really akward in my helemt. I've seen set ups like you refer to and it is a really nice way to go, just been to lazy to rig something up properly. I looked at a bluetooth option a while ago (There's a thread on here somewhere), that I want to have another go at when time permits. Otherwise I'll probably go with your setup.

I agree though that the audio alerts are MUCH better than a visual alert. Never going to miss the peircing sound of Ka band detect (especially from an instant on right in front of you). Flashing LED's just would't emulate that I guess.

I know that some people use earbuds (or my suggested setup) and run the cable down the inside of their sleeve to avoid knocking the cable inadvertently. That all seems a waste of time and grief to me. My flexi cable is short and just moves around a bit in the breeze. I've never knocked the plugs out by accident.

I usually carry a pair of buds under the seat though - was touring once and managed to lose my cable at the motel so it was a dicey ride to the next town to buy a replacement. Never had to use the buds but have them just in case. Also if you wear earlplugs then they're ain't nowhere for the buds to go!!

[miloking]

This is my set-up made from a folded bit of stainless sheet. Tidy, compact and attention getting LEDs screen mounted

Could you tell us more about the LEDs (also have RX65) so would like to get something just like that... ...otherwise nice setup!

[rapid van cleef]

hi Gixxer. can you enlighten me please? i thought that radar detectors needed to be forward facing and have as little as possible obstructing thier 'view' i initially thought of mounting my escort x50 in a plastic box insode the fairing like you, but read that they need clear view ahaead and dont like tinted screens etc. so , heres me with me black screen thinking i cant put me detector in a waterproof box and stick it to the front inside fairings. your set up must work ok i pressume, in terms of detection of the law?

[slofox]

hi Gixxer. can you enlighten me please? i thought that radar detectors needed to be forward facing and have as little as possible obstructing thier 'view' i initially thought of mounting my escort x50 in a plastic box insode the fairing like you, but read that they need clear view ahaead and dont like tinted screens etc. so , heres me with me black screen thinking i cant put me detector in a waterproof box and stick it to the front inside fairings. your set up must work ok i pressume, in terms of detection of the law?

AFAIK only laser detection is compromised by lack of line of sight or dark screens. Ka band is not light based and should get through plastic...my TPX has alerted me to a copper beyond a right angle to myself so was not looking directly at the sending unit. Still detected the signal.

Re: Waterproofing, LED's and headphones. All reasons why I chose the TPX. It's waterproof (tested the other night and passed) and the headset is wireless. Receiver sticks to outside of helmet and phone fits into the ear recess inside the helmet. You do not need to be plugged into the unit directly. You get the visual display (LED's) with the unit as well. No farting around required. Which suits a lazy bastard like me...

[Bad Gixxer]

hi Gixxer. can you enlighten me please? i thought that radar detectors needed to be forward facing and have as little as possible obstructing thier 'view' i initially thought of mounting my escort x50 in a plastic box insode the fairing like you, but read that they need clear view ahaead and dont like tinted screens etc. so , heres me with me black screen thinking i cant put me detector in a waterproof box and stick it to the front inside fairings. your set up must work ok i pressume, in terms of detection of the law?

Mine is mounted forward facing (obviously) but is vertical as opposed to flat. The unit sits inside the plastic box and has a clear view down the road although partially obstructed by the fairing, which isn't an issue. Radar will travel through plastic/glass etc. but I'm not sure about carbon fibre.

As far as the "vertical" orientation goes, this has no effect on radar broadcast from a Patrol car as it is broadcast in a cone shaped beam and the aeriel orientation has no material impact. Having it mounted vertically also used to increase the distanc at which I could pick up spead cameras because the Ka ones used to broadcast vertically so the unit was slightly more sensitive. However they've now changed the band to K on speed cameras and I have K band turned off on my Valentine - too many door-openers set it off.

As for the range/sensitivity of the unit (being mounted low down), technically this is detrimental as theory says that RD should be mounted as high as possible. However when you do a Line-of-sight calculation based on the height of my RD and the height of the transmitting Car, the LOS is still about 4klm, so not an issue. Anyway, in reality, most signals that a RD picks up at long range are normally a bounced signal so I don't think the height of the unit is all that relevant. I pick up signals from cops at embarressingly large distances (that means I have to travel for 2 or 3 klm until the cop is actually visible.)

I thought that the sensitivity towards the rear might be an issus as the whole bike is sort of in the way of the rear sensor. But I have no difficulty in picking up rear signals at all - was in front of a stationary cop by at least 2klms and was still getting his tone.

Your comment about tinted screens - I used to have my radar behind a tinted screen and had no issue at all. I think the references regarding sensitivity and tinted screens apply to the tinting at the upper edges of car windscreens - I remember reading somewhere that contains some metal additive or something that can impact on the sensitivity.

[rapid van cleef]

thanks mate. thats all very interesting and worth trying out i reckon. id much rather have the detector tucked away somewhere in a velcro'ed box. way less intrusive than a stem mount or tank mount. i just received a stem mount today from trademe and its 1 mm too wide.....bastard! ah well. i ll try your set up and see how it goes. cheers matey

[LBD]

..... hidden from the eyes of any employee of Her majesty's Constabulory that I come into contact with from time to time, and if they make them illegal (God forbid!), then I'm sweet....

Wrong, I beleive where detectors are illegal....the police have radar detector detectors that detect a detector turned on... If they become illegal then you need one of those detectors that turn off when they detect a radar, so they cannot be detected.