Can I ask how exactly you mounted a detector to be able to "see" out of the cutout? I didn't think it was possible at least with a windshield mount.

 

I will post a pic when I get home. It is not perfect however a large part of the radar detector horn does overlap with the dots on the windshield where the cut out is supposed to be.


Basically, it is mounted to the left of the rearview mirror, as close to the mirror and as high as I could get sticky cups to go. I used the mirror tap for power. Keep in mind that the Magnum is smaller than the MAX360 or the V1 so it may not be possible with all radar detectors.


I am really happy with the install except for the damn glass on the windshield

 

Here is a pic of my install. The dots are part of the cut out.

 

I did some basic testing against a k band sign. First run is in the Jaguar with the athermic windshield.


Next run was in my other car with a normal windshield.


At least for this test, not a huge difference. I wonder how it will do on Ka band.

 

If you want smaller windshield mounted RD take a look at Radenso XP. Excellent unit with the geat range and great BSM filtering capabilities.

 

I mounted left side of mirror. The wire fits easy under the molding of the over head. Down the panel to under the dash board. I also have CB. But moved that to under the dash -- can't be seen.
I have Escort 360. Not cheap but worth every penny. Its amazing how far out I can get a warning.

 

My V1 is above and left of the mirror. The mount that goes below would be completely unacceptable for me. The mirror itself already creates a huge blind spot I have to keep looking around and making that bigger would be dangerous. I have mine hard-wired to the ceiling panel rather than running wires down to the dash. I also have Valentine's gizmo that holds power during ECO mode restarts. I think it's called "BOB" (Brown-Out Booster) and it works as advertised. It's tucked in the ceiling behind the light panel.

 

And I've hardwired it. No problems with the range and very stealthy




Stealthy



Front radar antenna and laser shifters

 

I have a dash cam currently mounted on the left side of my mirror. I took it out last night and tried to see if there was some way I could figure out to mount the max 360 above the left side of the mirror. I just don't think it is possible in the f type due to the size of it and the roof line of the car.

 

I Never hard wire anything in today's cars. I use the access ports only .
The way some are wired up can give crazy troubles.

 

1. Care to elaborate on access ports for the radar detectors/dash cams and
2. How does tappind into +12 Volts source give you any trouble?

 

I've used all types of radar/laser detector/jammers over the years some very expensive hidden ones, but the most reliable so far has been Waze . And it's free!

It's only as good as the number of drivers using it though so in less populated areas it's useless.

 

I am a big fan of Waze also but I believe in a layered defense system. In populated areas Waze works great but in rural areas or at the time of day when there are not a lot cars on the road, Waze can be hit or miss. And that is kind of the limitation of Waze: it works the worst when there little traffic and you are the most exposed.


On another topic, I took a road trip this weekend with my Magnum mounted in the Jag's "cut-out". I got a few Ka detections and they were all good enough for a save. There seems to be a reduction in range but nothing like described here where the detector would not alert for 50 feet. I mostly feel that the ramp up is a bit slower now.


In fact, I got a nice around the bend detection that was comparable to my old RX65 S7 or the new Uniden LRD950/DFR7. Of course, the Magnum STI that uses the M3 platform is a beast off axis and probably would have done better with a normal windshield.

 

Speedski...I'm thinking of selling the max360 since I can't really see it fitting in the F type and trying to get a smaller detector that might fit up in the window.

In your opinion is the magnum the best one that might fit?

 

I would take a serious look at Radenso XP. Much smaller, comparable Ka range with much better BSM filtering capabilities. Inexpensive too (relatively of course)

 

I personally am not a fan of the Max360, particularly it's performance. Here is a video of my $120 Uniden LRD 850 spanking the Max360 against a 34.7 speed sign. The Max360 doesn't alert until almost line of sight. My Magnum performs similar to the Redline.




The Escort Redline and Magnum STI are pretty similar in terms of performance and they are pretty much the most sensitive windshield mount radar detectors. However, they do not have good k band filtering/GPS so if you live an area where k band is threat they will be chatty. I live in California and turn k band off (except for testing against speed signs and testing k band filtering capabilities) so that is not a problem.


The Radenso XP is a good detector with good k band filtering though it can't quite match the performance of the Magnum/Redline. The Radenso Pro SE has worse k band filtering but similar performance to the Redline.


Here is what I would recommend:


First, determine what the major threat you face. Is it radar or laser? If it is laser, then invest in laser jammers (and download Waze) because radar detectors don't help you much against laser. If your threat is radar, try to find out what bands (x band, k band, Ka band). Also, do you mostly dp city driving or highway? For city driving, GPS lockouts for K band are really nice.


If you have to spend more than $500, seriously consider an external system. The reason that I am running the Magnum is that I already have it. Even so, I am considering selling it and getting a Net Radar for this car since it gets so much attention.


If you live an area where you can disable k band, then I would try to find a deal on the Escort Redline or a Magnum STI. Make sure you get the latest version that has BS/RDR (band segmentation and RDR off). You pretty much won't be able to find better performance. A while back you could pick up a new Redline for $350, a screaming deal but you can check ebay and google shopping for deals. If you join RDF forums, you can also try to find deals there. They also have a wealth of information and are a great community.


If you can't find a deal on the Magnum or the Redline, consider the Radenso Pro SE. You will get similar performance to the Redline/Magnum with better k band filtering. I think deals are harder to come by but it is a great detector.


Ololly recommended the Radenso Pro XP and that is a good detector if you need the best k band filtering and GPS lockouts (city driving). But also check out the Uniden DFR7 that offers similar performance and filtering for less. The Uniden is really good on 34.7 Ka so if that is your main threat (it is in California) you should consider it. On 34.7 Ka band, the Uniden is close to the Magnum in terms of performance and if you join RDF forums you may be able to buy it for $249 from BestRadarDetectors if you PM the owner.


I hope this helps.

 

I found out about this : I had a Custom Van, TV, Refer, bed, etc.
When Taking the Van the salesman told me-- any hard wiring would cancel the warranty.
Only the Access ports provided can be used.
Years later working for Verizon they had a fleet of new cars & Trucks.
Some hard wired radio in the trucks. This produced all kinds of strange problem. Seems the computer would see the add on and try to reject them.
I am not saying this will happen in all vehicles but it does with some GMC & Dodge.
Make sure fuses are correct.
Polarizing would not hurt. I had it reversed once and it gave a bunch of false singles on Radar detector. With CB it didn't matter.

 

I have been using detectors and CB's since the 1980's.
Not all are the same or designed for the same thing.
For me I needed for Interstate, HyWays.
I am not interested in City.
My escort has front & back detecting , plus right /left singles.
This kind 'talks' to each other. Meaning, if another car has the same brand & model they exchange information. I have not use this yet but will this coming Aug. A trip to New Orleans from NYC area will give plenty of time to work all out.

 

P.A.Bill keep us posted on your road trip. You may want to make sure that you updated to the latest firmware on the Max360 to get the best performance and fix some bugs. Here is a link to Escort website:


Max 360 - Firmware Update Tracker - Escort Radar Forum

 

Looks like Uniden introduced two new detectors that initial test show are more sensitive than the Redline, the R1 and the R3. I would strongly consider these for a windshield mount for those with a 2017, if you go with a windshield mount.


https://www.rdforum.org/showthread.php?t=61541
https://www.rdforum.org/showthread.php?t=61537