HowTo: Hardwired Valentine 1 or other radar detectors (merged threads-read full post)
Thread Starter
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,726
Likes: 1
From: Overland Park, KS
case in point why not to believe everything you read on a forum just because somebody types it up to look like a fact. in fact, it's false.
yes very few radar in the us is pop mode, has little to nothing to do with the country itself. or photo radar.
these websites might be biased but ymmv:
http://www.escortradar.com/radar-detector-faq.htm#q8
http://www.whistler-radar.com/pop.php
should you get your V1 pop upgrade? i did because i plan to keep my V1 for at least a few more years and I don't expect a new V1 model (that already comes with pop mode) to come out soon at least in 2007, but i could be wrong. in any case, it's only $75 and i "think" there were a few other features in this upgrade that might be worthwhile, have to look back on valentine1.com to see what they were.
the whole essence of having a radar detector is to prevent tickets. it doesn't do any good to pay big $$$ for a radar detector and pay for two or three tickets at the same time. when your local leo introduce pop mode and you are not ready and could have been ready, it defeats the whole purpose. granted pop is not very popular right now but the way i see it, you can get it now and be done with it or wait until later when the threat is greater.
yes very few radar in the us is pop mode, has little to nothing to do with the country itself. or photo radar.
these websites might be biased but ymmv:
http://www.escortradar.com/radar-detector-faq.htm#q8
http://www.whistler-radar.com/pop.php
should you get your V1 pop upgrade? i did because i plan to keep my V1 for at least a few more years and I don't expect a new V1 model (that already comes with pop mode) to come out soon at least in 2007, but i could be wrong. in any case, it's only $75 and i "think" there were a few other features in this upgrade that might be worthwhile, have to look back on valentine1.com to see what they were.
the whole essence of having a radar detector is to prevent tickets. it doesn't do any good to pay big $$$ for a radar detector and pay for two or three tickets at the same time. when your local leo introduce pop mode and you are not ready and could have been ready, it defeats the whole purpose. granted pop is not very popular right now but the way i see it, you can get it now and be done with it or wait until later when the threat is greater.
hey ken, i just ordered the direct wire kit but I was wondering, you think there would be enough wire for me to mount tne V1 on the other side of the rear view mirror? i like it over there instead of on the left side. thanks!
Thread Starter
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,726
Likes: 1
From: Overland Park, KS
from what i remember, yes there is enough wire. i think you can extend it anyway.
Hey guys. I don't understand why you are saying be careful when soldering in your car. You already have the mirror off and unscrewed with the t20 head. Why not unclamp the wire harness and take the mirror all the way off. Then walk over to your garage and solder it there.
Also, those with an escort 8500 x50. Red goes to blue and green goes to orange.
BTW, the mirror with the torx will take less then 10min to do. The hardest part for me was getting the little plastic cover back over the wire and sitting the windshield right.
Also, those with an escort 8500 x50. Red goes to blue and green goes to orange.
BTW, the mirror with the torx will take less then 10min to do. The hardest part for me was getting the little plastic cover back over the wire and sitting the windshield right.
Pole Position
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 307
Likes: 0
From: california
Hey guys. I don't understand why you are saying be careful when soldering in your car. You already have the mirror off and unscrewed with the t20 head. Why not unclamp the wire harness and take the mirror all the way off. Then walk over to your garage and solder it there.
Also, those with an escort 8500 x50. Red goes to blue and green goes to orange.
BTW, the mirror with the torx will take less then 10min to do. The hardest part for me was getting the little plastic cover back over the wire and sitting the windshield right.
Also, those with an escort 8500 x50. Red goes to blue and green goes to orange.
BTW, the mirror with the torx will take less then 10min to do. The hardest part for me was getting the little plastic cover back over the wire and sitting the windshield right.
Thread Starter
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,726
Likes: 1
From: Overland Park, KS
fyi, the v1 and the 9500i share the same connector so if you switch between the two, you can use the same setup. btw, if i hadn't said it here, the 9500i is very acceptable, not quite the v1 range but it falses alot less...omg a whole lot less.
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Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 11,204
Likes: 11
From: The Woodlands, TX
There is no need to remove the overhead J/B and risk breaking
the plastic clips or introducing rattles. The ignition power is
also available going to the rear view mirror.
The rear view mirror is easily removed by loosening the T-20
torx screw securing it to the metal shoe glued to the windshield.
Lift up on the mirror and it will just lift off. There will be a connector
revealed behind the wire cover. The blue wire going to the mirror
is the negative and the orange wire is the positive ignition switched
wire. Carefully strip a small section of the mirror wires and
then wrap your Valentine One power wires around it. Soldering
the connection is recommended for a good reliable connection.
To finish the job, wrap each wire that you attached to with a
piece of electrical tape.
This is a real easy installation. You don't even have to worry about
getting the wires connected backwards because the Valentine
One unit is built to withstand reverse polarity in case of a misswire.
the plastic clips or introducing rattles. The ignition power is
also available going to the rear view mirror.
The rear view mirror is easily removed by loosening the T-20
torx screw securing it to the metal shoe glued to the windshield.
Lift up on the mirror and it will just lift off. There will be a connector
revealed behind the wire cover. The blue wire going to the mirror
is the negative and the orange wire is the positive ignition switched
wire. Carefully strip a small section of the mirror wires and
then wrap your Valentine One power wires around it. Soldering
the connection is recommended for a good reliable connection.
To finish the job, wrap each wire that you attached to with a
piece of electrical tape.
This is a real easy installation. You don't even have to worry about
getting the wires connected backwards because the Valentine
One unit is built to withstand reverse polarity in case of a misswire.
Pole Position
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 307
Likes: 0
From: california
I dont have the V1, I have the Escort SOLO2, and have the 9500i on the way, and I just hard wired through the mirror, and just did the wire to wire trick. I put a little solder on it, and she is good to go. So easy its rediculous
Pole Position
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 307
Likes: 0
From: california
So I hardwired my hardwire kit from escort and followed all of your guy's instructions, and just got my 9500i last night, and no work. If i use the cable they sent (smart coiled cable for the cigarette lighter) it works fine. I only wired the red and green cables and cut the other two off. Any expirence with this from anyone? I am bummed out. Please advise.
Thread Starter
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,726
Likes: 1
From: Overland Park, KS
I used my existing V1 wiring, pretty much just removed the V1 down from it's place on the windshield and put up the 9500i. This is only temporary for me, the 9500i is for the Motorcycle....maybe. 
I am hoping the new and improved V1 comes out one day.
I am hoping the new and improved V1 comes out one day.