New Model 3 Radar Detector Hardwire

[karsus]

There is, it's not a laser detector. I linked it. It's 4k, not bad if that's your only option to speed with impunity.

That solution still integrates with AL Priority. Have you done this setup on the M3? If so I would love to understand where you placed the sensor units in the front.

If you wanted to save a bit you could just run a good Escort or Valentine detector ($400-$500) and the AL Priority system (~$2K or so) separately. It might not have the slick integration of the Radenso but that is really just a convenience factor and not worth nearly $1500 imo.

Still the issue remains though.. how do we mount the AL Priority system on the M3 without cutting up the front of the car.

 

[StarHunter]

Not sure if anyone has posted this before but this is how I ended up doing with mine after watching pretty much everything on Youtube and researched quite a bit.

- Radar Detector: Uniden R3 (has auto "off" capability so to not drain battery)
- BlendMount: BNR-4014
- Uniden compatible 12V long cord (purchased off eBay). UNIDEN RADAR DETECTORS 12 FOOT STRAIGHT POWER CORD NEW LRD850 LRD950 DFR8 DFR9 | eBay
- 12V socket splitter with on/off button (purchased off Amazon, plenty of options). It also offers a digital reading of your 12V battery voltage which comes in handy to monitor your battery health

Installation is pretty straight forward following DÆrik's blackvue installation video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CNWXWwLJHU). It pretty much had every steps you need to follow to route a wire to the center console 12V socket. No power tapping is required and probably the safest and secure way. Route the cable through the headliner into the front camera housing is probably the most challenging part. Gotta use trim removal tools at the right spots and pry hard (plenty of Youtube videos out there). Another thing about owning a Tesla is that you can watch Youtube on the screen while working in the car. Such a breeze! Here are some pics:

- BlendMount for the minimalist install.

- Cord passes along side the rubber stopper so to not get crushed by the satin trim on top of it.

- 12V socket splitter works like a charm. It powers off after a period of time if there is no current draw from accessories (in my case, Uniden R3 auto shuts off).

Cheers!

 

[tlr1000]

I posted a similar install a year and half ago: BlendMount Radar Detector Mount in the Model 3?

 

[Jree]

I tapped into the thick red wire since my model is 2020, and I noticed after the latest update my radar detector doesn’t turn on and off automatically anymore.

it used to turn on and off when I open/close the door.

 

[tlr1000]

I tapped into the thick red wire since my model is 2020, and I noticed after the latest update my radar detector doesn’t turn on and off automatically anymore.

it used to turn on and off when I open/close the door.

Sometimes the updates seem to prolong the duration the power is on from some sources. It could well be that the power you tapped is constantly on but have a look after 10 or 15 minutes at you radar detector from outside the car without your phone near you. Possible chance it may be off.

 

[CLLACAB]

Don’t mean to hijack the thread, but have a general question. We have a 2013 MS and it is known that the glass used prevents a radar detector from fully operating. I just got a M3P. It appears from these threads that the V1 works fine in the M3 and there are no issues with the glass. Can you confirm. Don’t want to spend $500+ only to find out it does not work well

thanks
Dave

 

[jefrank]

I went with a cordless radar detector so I don’t have to deal with wires

Fred

I was going to go cordless until I saw a review on Vortexradar.com. Apparently cordless detectors dont have the performance of the hardwired detectors.

 

[GenralSpecific]

Don’t mean to hijack the thread, but have a general question. We have a 2013 MS and it is known that the glass used prevents a radar detector from fully operating. I just got a M3P. It appears from these threads that the V1 works fine in the M3 and there are no issues with the glass. Can you confirm. Don’t want to spend $500+ only to find out it does not work well

thanks
Dave

I confirm. Radar detectors work fine in Model 3.

 

[jefrank]

Sometimes the updates seem to prolong the duration the power is on from some sources. It could well be that the power you tapped is constantly on but have a look after 10 or 15 minutes at you radar detector from outside the car without your phone near you. Possible chance it may be off.

The R3 has an auto off option that you can configure if its wired to a constant power source. It will sense no movement for30 minutes and shut the detector down. You can also just power it down manually. Better is to find a power source that is on only when the car is on.

 

[jefrank]

Wow, that's just bonkers. The police uses LIDAR nowadays, so they would have to aim for you detector box.
Also, aren't all new cars equipped with radars for measuring distance? Will the detector go off when you overtake another car, particularly SUVs?

I have read that particularly Acura and Honda cars interfere with radar detectors. Now some detectors including the Uniden R3 can filter out those signals to avoid false triggering.

 

[Apprunner]

I was going to go cordless until I saw a review on Vortexradar.com. Apparently cordless detectors dont have the performance of the hardwired detectors.

Cordless isn't nearly as good. I have both and use the cordless on travel in other cities. I would say the cordless is almost as good as the worst corded detectors. Any of the high end detectors are pretty good. Uniden seems to be the best right now though.

 

[tlr1000]

The R3 has an auto off option that you can configure if its wired to a constant power source. It will sense no movement for30 minutes and shut the detector down. You can also just power it down manually. Better is to find a power source that is on only when the car is on.

Agree, better to have a switched power source. Currently, the power running to the cigarette lighter adapter is switched. I also have a remote on/off button in the console for cutting power to the radar completely. It's mounted directly below the Uniden Smart Hardwire Kit box. BlendMount Radar Detector Mount in the Model 3?

 

[rlb4]

So presently, which power sources are switched? With all of the changes Tesla has made it has gotten hard for me to keep up with which power source is switched. I have a 2018 Oct build if that matters.

 

[jefrank]

Does anyone know if in the 2020 Model 3 there is switched or unswitched power in the rear view mirror and if so how to access it? A photo or video showing how to open up that plastic part behind the mirror would be very helpful. I intend to mount a Uniden R3 with a Blendmount mount and tap into 12 volt power in the mirror if available.

 

[GenralSpecific]

There are several threads covering install already. No, there’s no switched power up there.

 

[StarHunter]

Does anyone know if in the 2020 Model 3 there is switched or unswitched power in the rear view mirror and if so how to access it? A photo or video showing how to open up that plastic part behind the mirror would be very helpful. I intend to mount a Uniden R3 with a Blendmount mount and tap into 12 volt power in the mirror if available.

Mirror tapping would not be possible. You can get a long 12V cable and route it all the way to the center console like my setup above. Or you can tap into an existing 12V cable under the dash like many others have done. I prefer my setup cuz I can also see the battery voltage as I know these 12V battery sucks and there is usually no advanced warning from the car before they die.

 

[mjw930]

FYI, here's the official service bulletin from Tesla on how to direct wire an aftermarket accessory. I wired to the original point which is now a large gauge red wire, I'll probably move it to the smaller blue feed wire for the accessory plug, not that it will make much difference but I have noticed it virtually never shits off using the old tap point, even 5 hours after it's finished charging.

 

[spyderdawg]

Just wired mine to the 6 pin connector in driver's side footwell thinking it was still switched power. Then noticed the detector wouldn't shut off and came to this thread to see it's no longer switched. That sucks

 

[tlr1000]

Seems the most reliable for switched is the cigarette lighter power plug. BlendMount Radar Detector Mount in the Model 3?

 

[spyderdawg]

So my radar has been working fine on the limited testing for the past week. Took a longer drive and about 20 minutes in my brand new uniden r3 goes dead and won't come back on. Played a round of golf and came back and still no power. Drove an hour home, came inside for a bit and went back out to it working this time. Any ideas what could have happened? I'm guessing the power cord is bad or the ground is wrong. I bought the 8 ft cord from Amazon with mixed reviews, probably should have paid the extra 20 and got a quality cord from blendmount. I wired to the 6 pin connector in driver side footwell. Tia for any help