Hardwiring radar detector question...

[Jrogville]

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

I note from your signature that you have a Model S. Did you actually try the radar detector on a Model X? I'm reading a lot of comments from Model X owners that don't have any problems. There are also comment that the windshields on the S and X are not the same type of glass.

 

[tjcesq]

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

I looked at the photos and looked carefully at my car. Whatever wire comes out of the housing into the mirror, it is not exposed. I have to assume that its within the stalk. So to get to the wire at the connection end in the housing you have to remove the housing. There are pics on the web showing it removed, and talk about prying it off the clips, but I don't know exactly where the clips are and where to pry. Attempting to gather that info before just trying to 'pop it off'

 

[00poop6x]

I note from your signature that you have a Model S. Did you actually try the radar detector on a Model X? I'm reading a lot of comments from Model X owners that don't have any problems. There are also comment that the windshields on the S and X are not the same type of glass.

Agreed. I can confirm no performance degradation in a model X for my Redline with Ka sweep 2, 5, and 8 on compared to when using it in my 350z. Using it right now during my New Orleans road trip and has alerted well in advance.

 

[VerityZooms]

Agreed. I can confirm no performance degradation in a model X for my Redline with Ka sweep 2, 5, and 8 on compared to when using it in my 350z. Using it right now during my New Orleans road trip and has alerted well in advance.

Really? Can anybody else confirm? Has anybody reading this performed any sort of testing beyond the anecdotal? I have a Valentine 1 I deeply loved in my Prius, but it's just sitting, unused, in a bag …

 

[Jrogville]

Really? Can anybody else confirm? Has anybody reading this performed any sort of testing beyond the anecdotal? I have a Valentine 1 I deeply loved in my Prius, but it's just sitting, unused, in a bag …

since you already have it, why not stick it on the windshield and try it. Just act like you don't have radar detection until you've seen it perform. By the way, I've had a V-1 for years and love it. One of the best purchases I've ever made.

 

[dmd2005]

I've had Blinder M45, triple head 905's, and triple head ALP laser jammers with either Escort Passport 9500ix, Escort Redline, Beltronics STi Magnum and the ALP integrated with STiR. Hands down best system is the Beltronics STiR remote radar paired with ALP. Only ALP will jam the rolling frequencies of the newer Dragon Eye or Laser Ally guns. Even if your radar detector warns you of a lidar/laser, the law enforcement already has your speed withon a split second. Radar alone is no use against laser guns.

 

[Jrogville]

I've had Blinder M45, triple head 905's, and triple head ALP laser jammers with either Escort Passport 9500ix, Escort Redline, Beltronics STi Magnum and the ALP integrated with STiR. Hands down best system is the Beltronics STiR remote radar paired with ALP. Only ALP will jam the rolling frequencies of the newer Dragon Eye or Laser Ally guns. Even if your radar detector warns you of a lidar/laser, the law enforcement already has your speed withon a split second. Radar alone is no use against laser guns.

I'm not comfortable with jamming equipment. The way I deal with the shortcoming you mention is that I will not exceed the speed limit if there is no traffic ahead of me. If there is, the Valentine sees so far ahead that I am warned when cars ahead of me are targeted with plenty of time to be able to react and slow down if I need to. Most times these days I mainly use the detector to warn me if I should get distracted and exceed the speed limit at an inopportune time when the speeds are being checked.

 

[JLan]

I agree with the windshield not being the best option. I just had mine hard wired and installed with front and rear mounted bumper detectors and all I see is a little led in the dash when it detects.

 

[VerityZooms]

I agree with the windshield not being the best option. I just had mine hard wired and installed with front and rear mounted bumper detectors and all I see is a little led in the dash when it detects.

But these installations are so freaking expensive. What's the point? That's, what, a half-dozen tickets?

I've gotten maybe four in my entire life; I expect another four over the lifetime of the car. That's a few hundred bucks. I fail to see the appeal of a $2,000+ ticket-avoidance-system?

 

[vandacca]

But these installations are so freaking expensive. What's the point? That's, what, a half-dozen tickets?

I've gotten maybe four in my entire life; I expect another four over the lifetime of the car. That's a few hundred bucks. I fail to see the appeal of a $2,000+ ticket-avoidance-system?

I think demerit points and raised insurance rates also contribute to the reasoning behind the rationale.

 

[00poop6x]

Really? Can anybody else confirm? Has anybody reading this performed any sort of testing beyond the anecdotal? I have a Valentine 1 I deeply loved in my Prius, but it's just sitting, unused, in a bag …

Yes. There were a lot of state police in Louisiana at that time. Detected well in advance as usual for highway driving, same experience in my Civic and 350Z as well. Bottom line, even if it degrades performance at all it wasn't enough to warrant paying four times the amount for a comparable "bumper-mounted" detector just to gain that sensitivity back...

I used to have a V1, loved it..but it got stolen...

I agree with Jrogville. Everyone who has detectors of this caliber are savvy enough to know their detector's behavior and need to mount it in their X and just try it. No one should drive wrecklessly even with their detector at full performance and without quantitative data threads like these will go on forever.