JIMBOCLASS

Ok...so after a couple of weeks of research, I decided to go with the kit below to hardwire my Valentine One via the Auto-Dimming/Compass Mirror power source.

http://www.safe-n-sound1.com/Valentine%20DC%20HM.html

I first had my windshield visor area tinted at a local tint shop..... legally. This will help hide the V1 from novice thieves. Anyway, I ordered the kit above and it arrived in 2 days....extremely fast shipping. After allowing the tint to cure a few days, I began and finished my install last night. I first removed the plastic shroud around the mirror wiring and disconnected the connector. I used my voltmeter to find which wire powered-on with the ignition on. On my CT, it turned out to be the orange wire. The black wire with a white stripe is ground. I pushed the power (red) wire of the fused harness into the back of the orange wire and the ground (black) wire into the back of the black/white wire and secured them with 2 zip ties as seen in the first picture. I then plugged the connector back together and tested the V1.....worked perfectly. I took the new V1 harness and fuse and tucked them up into the headliner out of sight leaving just the connector to the V1 sticking out. I replaced the plastic shroud, placed my V1 where wanted it, and plugged it in. I think it turned out pretty nice besides the tint not covering the V1 like I had intended. The tint does cover the suction cups. In TX, the windshield tint can only come down by 5 inches. I do wish the tint came down another inch or so to cover the V1 entirely....still debating on getting the tint redone and have it illegal by an inch.....

Very clean, easy install....definitely recommend going this route if you are planning on hardwiring your radar....let me know if you have any questions!

msdwfa2001

why would you need a radar detector in a hybrid car that tops out at 113mph and does the 0-60mph in 10seconds. That is a total waste of money.

JIMBOCLASS

I appreciate your input....but, I have my reasons.....I merely posted this for anyone who would like to do the same. I don't want this thread to turn into a "why would you put a radar in that thing" fiasco.

Not sure why I am doing this, but I will reply to your last comment. I have had my V1 radar detector for many years and feel naked without it. It has saved me from many tickets. Even though the CT does not accelerate quickly, it can and will go over the posted speed limit. I typically drive about 1000 miles a week and like to be aware of my surroundings. I spent less than $10 for this mod, so I don't think it is a waste of money.

BTW....nice first post....

B16da9

iTrader: (7)

Thank you for the link, I ordered a kit for my Beltronics detector.

msdwfa2001

Yes, thank you. I understand you need for a radar in some situations. However, for me the reason im planning to downgrade to a lexus hybrid is so i don't have to worry about speeding and get good gas mileage as well. I currently have escort 9500ix in both my cars so i understand how it can save you at some point. However, driving a lexus ct hybrid i would think i wouldn't even push this car past 70-80 tops.

Cruiter

I can understand where you're coming from. I'm twice retired, once from the Auto business (retail and 8 years of that back in the mid 70's to mid 80's with Porsche and Audi) and also from the U S Navy.

I used think I'd never give up my passion for shifting and trying to beat the law as safely and successfully as possible.

But ... You do get older and see things differently. My 1st RX was a bullet proof '03 RX300 and now my daily driver is the RX 450h. My radar detector is in the storage container in the luggage area now.

To get the mileage you hope for when paying for a hybrid, you have to adapt a new driving style. I've been doing it since June of '09 now and not only does it pay off, I've enjoyed myself much more just driving at or very near the speed limit. My RX is getting at or better the advertised average, actually I'm averaging between 30 and 31mpg which is pretty terrific for near 300 hp and near 5,000 lbs.

But there will always be enough people even if they only have a moped to keep the detector manufactures in business. I still can't give mine away, but I haven't used it in two years.

jimmyc13

Uhhh, because it's his $ and he probably already owned it? I hardwired by previously owned Escort 9500i in my CT as well. So you mean to tell me driving 75 in a 55 won't get you pulled over?

Please explain your logic.

jimmyc13

I agree. Nice work! I chickened out on tapping into the mirror feed as nobody had done it on the CT until now. I hardwired by Escort into the fuse panel and hid the wire all the way up to the lower dash (I have some pics over on ct200hforum.com).

BTW - nice soul patch

msdwfa2001

My logic is that normally if you are going up to even 70 in a 55mph most cops will not bother to pull you over, unless you are the only car going that fast in the left lane. I can't imagine why someone would want to speed with this car when it can't even accelerate. With sports cars its easy to speed cause its hard to drive it slow and it gets there quick and effortlessly. If i am trying to get to 60 in the ct and it takes me 10 sec to do so, that is when you realize that its requiring so much effort to go fast and at that point its not even fun to drive fast in a car like that. also cars like this feel like you're going 100 when you're really going 70 and vice versa with a sports car. When i borrowed my dads acura mdx to make a long 5 hr trip to MD, I didn't speed at all..and that was the first time i was even going 70 in a 55 or 65 the whole way. The reason is cause the car is underpowered and the handling sucks, why would i risk my life in a car like that..plus its not even fun to try to rip it in that car. I would imagine the lexus ct is just as slow or worse then the acura mdx. I am considering replacing my 6 series bimmer to downgrade to this car, because I want a vehicle where it will allow me to obey the law and get the best mileage at it. I was considering many options and even thinking about getting something faster then the 6 , such as e63 amg or cls amg, or the new m5 coming out next year. I thought to myself and thought that its good to have balance in life. When I do want the rush of speed, I have a ferrari for the weekends and night cruising....I think the lexus Ct as a daily will be a good complement to balance that out. Sorry if I came off as harsh but its my view that its pointless to have a radar detector in a slow car.....i even took the escort out of the bimmer....it is a false sense of security and its best to just drive safely...at least in your daily driver.

JIMBOCLASS

BAHAHAAHAA....I didn't even notice that it showed up in the rearview mirror....nice call out!

NVMYLEXX

Jimbo I stand behind you 100 percent, I have a IS 250, its not a ISF nor a 350, but it shuffles

thank you for the post. Hope its the same wire for me.

jay2

iTrader: (1)

Man thanks for posting this!

Orange = ignition power
Black with white stripe = ground

I wonder how easy it is to pry the plastic shroud.