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Hardwiring radar detector question...

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ellisina4

Member
Jul 1, 2016
102
35
Scottsdale, AZ
#1
Hello all, just picked up MX P90D for my wife.
I searched all over this forum and on google and can't seem to find online anyone who was able to hardwire the radar detector using invisicoil to the rear view mirror. I have been using this type of mirror tap on all of our cars but can't seem to find instructions for MX. All I need to know if it is possible to open up the rear view mirror black case that is attached to the windshield and if someone was able to find a ground wire as well as switched 12v wire.
Thank you, in advance, for your help.
 
#4
Not much help from me either. I had it done on my S. The installers ran the wiring under the A-pillar and headliner, emerging at the mirror. They were reluctant to wire directly to the mirror housing which also contains the autopilot camera.

Since the X doesn't have a headline, this will be a greater challenge. The job was done by Al & Ed's Autosound on La Cienega in Los Angeles, which is also not helpful to the OP. I was referred to that specific store due to extensive Tesla aftermarket experience.
 
#5
I would agree that tapping in the area where the autopilot camera is located is not a great idea. I was just thinking that on all cars there are wires that provide power to the actual mirror for dimming. These are the wires I have been using by the recommendations of fellow BMW owners. Prior to that I would pull wires just like you described under a-pillar and headliner to the fuse box. Unfortunately, like u said, MX does not have headliner close to the rearview mirror.
Has anyone looked if the black narrow plastic enclosure that goes from mirror to the headliner has space for a wire to be pulled through or if anyone gone that route?
Tony8489 said:
Not much help from me either. I had it done on my S. The installers ran the wiring under the A-pillar and headliner, emerging at the mirror. They were reluctant to wire directly to the mirror housing which also contains the autopilot camera.

Since the X doesn't have a headline, this will be a greater challenge. The job was done by Al & Ed's Autosound on La Cienega in Los Angeles, which is also not helpful to the OP. I was referred to that specific store due to extensive Tesla aftermarket experience.
Click to expand...
 
#6
Just to be sure, you guys are all aware that Teslas have a metallically tinted windshield that drastically reduces radar detector range (over 2x loss) to dangerous territories unless mounted in the black patch by the RVM, right?


Don't want you to waste a lot of time doing an install just to realize that windshield-mounted radar detectors aren't the best idea in a Tesla.
 
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#11
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#13
chillaban said:
Just to be sure, you guys are all aware that Teslas have a metallically tinted windshield that drastically reduces radar detector range (over 2x loss) to dangerous territories unless mounted in the black patch by the RVM, right?
Click to expand...

It has not been obvious during the 4 L.A.- Mammoth trips that detector functionality has been impaired vs. when it's in my Porsche Cayenne. I'm not saying it hasn't, as the Beltronics GX65 has a very long detection range on wide open roads. But its range in the Tesla is still enough to be worth using. We will pay more attention to this in the future to see if we can discern a difference between the two cars.
 
#15
chillaban said:
Just to be sure, you guys are all aware that Teslas have a metallically tinted windshield that drastically reduces radar detector range (over 2x loss) to dangerous territories unless mounted in the black patch by the RVM, right?

Don't want you to waste a lot of time doing an install just to realize that windshield-mounted radar detectors aren't the best idea in a Tesla.
Click to expand...

Exactly. I gave up on installing my V-1 in the Tesla due to the significant loss of range.
Now I rely on the custom Waze app for Tesla :cool: Waze for Tesla Incidents and Supercharger Traffic
 
#17
#20
Don't want you to waste a lot of time doing an install just to realize that windshield-mounted radar detectors aren't the best idea in a Tesla.[/QUOTE]

I think the Model X windshield (made by a different manufacturer than the S) is not using the same coating as the Model S.
I have both Model X (2016) and Model S (2013), used Beltronic Gx65 and Escort Max2 in both cars, and the range of detection in the
Model X is the same as in our Honda CRV with uncoated glass. The X windshield also has no issues with the RF toll tags (such as EZ pass), which re-affirms that the X does not have a metallic coated windshield (may be Tesla went to a ceramic or other coating that doesn't interfere with toll tags).
 
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