Valentine 1 installed on HomeLink Mirror w/BlendMount & MirrorTap

I confess as well, Time is $ and I dont have the time. My detector was about $500!

 

Nothing wrong with paying for a quality product if you're going to get your money's worth out of that product. I do it all the time!

 

I have the escort hardwire line with an in line fuse which I use to piggyback the fuse panel but considering this since it is much easier. Would not having a fuse on the mirror tap cause any issues?

 

I've have detectors installed the same way in 3 different cars for many years now. No issues

 

I've been using the wire tap on several different vehicles that I've owned...as far as mounting goes, I mix a two part epoxy and set the suction cups and bracket where I want it. A couple of hours later I'm in business.

The suction cups, w/epoxy, remove easily with a razor blade when the time comes.

 

Without a fuse to protect the radar detector, any fluctuations from the circuit can make their way to the detector and fry it. Similarly, and arguably more likely, should something go wrong in the detector and cause it to draw a large amount of current, without a fuse that current draw will transfer to the truck's wiring, and that'll be a nightmare and a half. I'd (at a minimum) put an inline fuse on the mirror tap's positive terminal.

Will the worst case scenario ever happen? Of course not, that happens to the other guys. But if you don't want to ever be that other guy, spend the $2 on the inline fuse holder and an extra five minutes of your time to wire it in.

And as always, the tap results in more current being drawn through a circuit not designed for the load, so that's another potential issue that (in an ideal world) would be avoided via a dedicated line from the battery + new fuse box for your accessories.

 

Yep, thats what I was thinking---I'll most likely just use the hardwire I have from escort now and just tap the fuse panel

 

very useful thread, thanks!!

 

I thought I would throw this "out there" for all of the radar detector lovers.
I worked for a state patrol for 15 years in the IT end of law enforcement. Every so often, when out in their field offices, I would ask our state troopers "what there opinion was of these devices". As I recall, virtually all of them told me, if there ever was a possibility of giving a "warning" during a speeding stop, that possibility went away IF they could see you had a radar detector in the vehicle. Now understand, this is not the law or "official procedure", but up the officer's discretion, as is the giving of a "warning".
I have no idea if this is the case in every state --but in the state I worked, it seemed to be the unofficial policy.
In the very rare occasions I actually drove a fully equipped troopers car, I would turn on the radar -- just to see how fast people were driving. let me tell you -- I could tell the speed waaaay before I could even tell if I had a car or a 18 wheeler coming at me. All I could see visually --it was something moving toward me. I would guess they can "get your speed" before you know they are there. On top of that, they can turn it off and on with a button. (I never fooled around with that button, or anything else for that matter)

 

Mirror taps are fused with a 2 amp inline fuse.

 

I just did mine and it took 2 minutes. I see the mirror tap brand is more of a clean look and goes in all the way. I found one laying around the house luckily but I'm not sure what the brand is. Plugged it in but seems to be protruding than the mirror tap brand. It works though

 

Blend mount hard wired Escort 360
Those V1 are so outdated

 

Is that the new version of the 360? Those look nice. How do you like it?

 

How is it under the mirror?
I was considering mounting my escort 9500ix there but I already find the mirror kind of low and was considering something off the dash (front windshield is tinted & window mounts are illegal in CA).

I wonder if the non-homelink mirror has those connections...have to take a look later.

 

I really like it. The auto lockouts, directional arrows and K band filtering are great. I have the 360, the 360C is the newer model. Only difference the new 360c gives you hot spot capability