Hardwiring radar detector question...

[FlatSix911]

The radar range is significantly limited by the windshield coating in both the Model S and X. (not EZ pass)
You will not be happy with the results unless you go with a remote bumper mounted detector or use Waze.
Waze for Tesla Incidents and Supercharger Traffic

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.

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).

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 Waze for Tesla Incidents and Supercharger Traffic

 

[VerityZooms]

I, too, am looking to get an installed (i.e. non-windshield-mounted) radar detector. The Stinger line is, just unbelievably overpriced (That's … how many tickets!?); I know I drive a luxury car, but come the hell on.

Does anybody have any other suggestions for *relatively effective*, but not $US 3,000, radar detectors that can be used despite the trademark Tesla metallic-windshield?

Also, more information on installation would be great! If you have a system, where'd you have it installed? Any photos from the process? Share!

 

[chillaban]

I, too, am looking to get an installed (i.e. non-windshield-mounted) radar detector. The Stinger line is, just unbelievably overpriced (That's … how many tickets!?); I know I drive a luxury car, but come the hell on.

Does anybody have any other suggestions for *relatively effective*, but not $US 3,000, radar detectors that can be used despite the trademark Tesla metallic-windshield?

Also, more information on installation would be great! If you have a system, where'd you have it installed? Any photos from the process? Share!

My recommendation loosely ordered in preference is:

ALP + ALP Net Radar (Best laser performance, promising but not time-proven radar performance)
9500ci (Good radar performance, lackluster laser performance)
STI-R+ (radar only)
Radenso HD+

 

[VerityZooms]

My recommendation loosely ordered in preference is:

ALP + ALP Net Radar (Best laser performance, promising but not time-proven radar performance)
9500ci (Good radar performance, lackluster laser performance)
STI-R+ (radar only)
Radenso HD+

Hm. Strange. The Beltronics website lists the STiR Plus as receiving laser; also, the price is a lot more reasonable than the others ($1,299? Still a lot, but driving such a ****ing noticeable car, I'm genuinely considering it …)

 

[chillaban]

Hm. Strange. The Beltronics website lists the STiR Plus as receiving laser; also, the price is a lot more reasonable than the others ($1,299? Still a lot, but driving such a ****ing noticeable car, I'm genuinely considering it …)

Sorry, I should've clarified:


Detecting laser is next to useless because laser guns are meant to directly target a single car and produce instantaneous (well 1/3 second) readings before you can even react to an alert tone. If you cannot jam the laser gun for a short amount of time to slow down, the alert is not gonna do much good 9 out of 10 times.

You are right that the STI-R+ antenna receives radar and laser. It is incapable of jamming laser though.

Most people opt to hide their radar antennas behind a solid bumper so depending on where you put it, you may not end up having much laser detection out of it.

 

[VerityZooms]

Sorry, I should've clarified:


Detecting laser is next to useless because laser guns are meant to directly target a single car and produce instantaneous (well 1/3 second) readings before you can even react to an alert tone. If you cannot jam the laser gun for a short amount of time to slow down, the alert is not gonna do much good 9 out of 10 times.

You are right that the STI-R+ antenna receives radar and laser. It is incapable of jamming laser though.

Most people opt to hide their radar antennas behind a solid bumper so depending on where you put it, you may not end up having much laser detection out of it.

Hm. Yah, this checks out.

That said, I'm not sold by installing a laser *jammer*, either: not only is it illegal in Chicagoland; it's apparently illegal in like, 25% of the United States, by land-area? I dunno. I'm torn.

 

[chillaban]

Hm. Yah, this checks out.

That said, I'm not sold by installing a laser *jammer*, either: not only is it illegal in Chicagoland; it's apparently illegal in like, 25% of the United States, by land-area? I dunno. I'm torn.

Yes, but going even 1mph above the speed limit is illegal in 100% (more like 95% if you wanna split hairs) of the US as well, putting a radar detector on your windshield is illegal in 25% of states, and so on ;-)

But more seriously: LIDAR jammers are meant to be used in the fashion I described -- reacting to alerts IMMEDIATELY by slowing down as quickly as you can, then pressing the button to deactivate the jammers, causing the officer to successfully take a speed reading at a much lower speed.

As long as you can do this within a few seconds, there is practically no chance of getting caught with one. Most police officers are trained to think laser jammers don't work, and maybe will encounter one or two in their career. A delayed reading due to poor aim or a dark colored car is not unheard of, so unless you completely jam the gun across 10+ seconds of shooting at you, it would not look suspicious. Most laser jammers have a plausible deniability backstory too -- For example, ALP's are "the world's most advanced LIDAR parking sensors" and really do operate as beeping parking sensors. They also provide a way to kill the system's firmware down to parking sensor mode, so it becomes nearly impossible to legally prove they were acting as jammers anyway. But you never want to get to the point that you need to use that excuse.

 

[Hitman007]

Or you can all just drive the speed limit and not worry about this topic. Speed limits are posted for a reason, not just to inconvenience you...

 

[chillaban]

Or you can all just drive the speed limit and not worry about this topic. Speed limits are posted for a reason, not just to inconvenience you...

Sure, that's always a choice, which is why this is a topic specifically about radar detectors and people who do not care / want to use radar detectors are welcome to ignore it rather than chiming in with unhelpful statements.

 

[VerityZooms]

Yes, but going even 1mph above the speed limit is illegal in 100% (more like 95% if you wanna split hairs) of the US as well, putting a radar detector on your windshield is illegal in 25% of states, and so on ;-)

But more seriously: LIDAR jammers are meant to be used in the fashion I described -- reacting to alerts IMMEDIATELY by slowing down as quickly as you can, then pressing the button to deactivate the jammers, causing the officer to successfully take a speed reading at a much lower speed.

As long as you can do this within a few seconds, there is practically no chance of getting caught with one. Most police officers are trained to think laser jammers don't work, and maybe will encounter one or two in their career. A delayed reading due to poor aim or a dark colored car is not unheard of, so unless you completely jam the gun across 10+ seconds of shooting at you, it would not look suspicious. Most laser jammers have a plausible deniability backstory too -- For example, ALP's are "the world's most advanced LIDAR parking sensors" and really do operate as beeping parking sensors. They also provide a way to kill the system's firmware down to parking sensor mode, so it becomes nearly impossible to legally prove they were acting as jammers anyway. But you never want to get to the point that you need to use that excuse.

I mean, I guess now I'm splitting hairs, but … going over the speed-limit is *very clearly* a different kind of illegal. The law doesn't differentiate, but those *enforcing* the law do: getting cited for a speeding violation or moving violation is a *very* different thing than being arrested for operating an illegally-modified or street-illegal vehicle, which is what I'm afraid of with illegal jammers? (I'm definitely not sure how realistic that fear is, though — but nonetheless, you have to admit it's a Whole New Kind of illegality!)

(Also, to be clear, *radar detectors* are only illegal in one state, Virginia, plus the rest of the District of Colombia.)

Or you can all just drive the speed limit and not worry about this topic. Speed limits are posted for a reason, not just to inconvenience you...

Are you … are you *sure* you drive a Tesla? >,>

 

[chillaban]

I mean, I guess now I'm splitting hairs, but … going over the speed-limit is *very clearly* a different kind of illegal. The law doesn't differentiate, but those *enforcing* the law do: getting cited for a speeding violation or moving violation is a *very* different thing than being arrested for operating an illegally-modified or street-illegal vehicle, which is what I'm afraid of with illegal jammers? (I'm definitely not sure how realistic that fear is, though — but nonetheless, you have to admit it's a Whole New Kind of illegality!)

(Also, to be clear, *radar detectors* are only illegal in one state, Virginia, plus the rest of the District of Colombia.)



Are you … are you *sure* you drive a Tesla? >,>

There's no state where you get arrested for laser jammers... in a few states like Texas the fine for a laser jammer is worse than the fine for a speeding ticket, but in most states it is a non-moving violation (no points) with a fine that is less than a speeding ticket.

 

[VerityZooms]

There's no state where you get arrested for laser jammers... in a few states like Texas the fine for a laser jammer is worse than the fine for a speeding ticket, but in most states it is a non-moving violation (no points) with a fine that is less than a speeding ticket.

Hm. Today I learned!

Now to decide precisely how much more ticket-prone a pink Tesla will be than my ultra-generic white Prius V … enough to justify a grand and change on deterrence? Hm …

 

[jkman]

I found a work around for my radar detector install. I use the OBDII port for power and simply modified this cord by cutting off the lighter end and wiring it to the end of the Escort smart cord. The OBDII port has no purpose in the Tesla, but is required for all cars. Therefore, it is an unused power source just waiting for someone to tap into it.

To use it for wiring a radar detector (or other item needed 12v power), I found an easily accessible space to feed the wire from the ODBII port to the driver's side panel (simply open the drivers door and pop the side panel off with a dull flathead screwdriver) and up to the dash where you can gently work it up the left A pillar. I wrapped up the extra wire and zip-tied it into the space behind the panel and viola! A little double-sided tape holds the SmartCord MuteDisplay module in place. So now my radar detector (Escort 9500ix) sits perfectly in the left lower corner of my windshield. NOTE: all 12v power turns off during Telsa charging, so the radar detector will require you to turn it back on. Other than that, it's an easy and inexpensive solution.

 

[Ghostrider]

jkman,

Can you please post some pictures?

Also, do you already know how well 9500ix works behind the Model X windshield (that according to this thread may or may not be metallized)?

My friends have gotten me the same radar detector as a birthday present in anticipation of my Model X delivery next week, so I'm wondering whether it will work or not.

 

[FlatSix911]

Again for the hearing impaired ... go with a remote bumper mounted detector or use Waze.

The radar range is significantly limited by the windshield coating in both the Model S and X. (not EZ pass)
You will not be happy with the results unless you go with a remote bumper mounted detector or use Waze.
Waze for Tesla Incidents and Supercharger Traffic

 

[chillaban]

Yeah, guys, don't bother. The X is metalized too. It will hugely degrade the radar performance to downright dangerous levels. Grill mounted or don't bother.

(Thank your friends though -- I wish I had friends that would buy me gadgets like that!)

 

[Ghostrider]

FlatSix911,

Thanks for the pointer. I actually read through the thread (including that post).

I was wondering where does this information come from (first hand real-life experience or theories)?

 

[FlatSix911]

FlatSix911,
Thanks for the pointer. I actually read through the thread (including that post).
I was wondering where does this information come from (first hand real-life experience or theories)?

Glad to help. I have used a Valentine 1 with great success for many years in my other cars.
Unfortunately, I had no luck with the coated windshield on the Tesla, so I switched to Waze.

I am now a fan of the traffic and police warnings and find them better than radar alone.
Type tesla-waze.excelsis.com on your browser in the 17" center display and give it a try

 

[tjcesq]

Just got a Model X and am looking to pull power from the black case behind the rear view mirror. there is a great shot of the case off in this thread Hardwiring radar detector question..., but no explanation of exactly where to pry to get it open. Has anyone done it????

 

[Jrogville]

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.

Take a look at this thread (with photos). He mentions that his installer connected to switched power for the rearview mirror auto dimming right there at the housing above it. There are also a lot of comments about the X windshield not being a problem for radar detection:

Valentine One hard mount/hardwired by Calibred