Waterproof radar detector...

So im giving this idea a shot.. Waterproof radar detector box with speaker under dash... Im going to place it behind my grill...

went out and bought $4 worth of plexiglass (which is more than enough if you make a mistake..) and a $3 tube of sealer.. and my handy dandy dremel... im going to run a speaker from the radar detector to under the dash, and hard wire the power to the ignition so when the truck turns on it will come on.. Im then going to wire in a switch for power so i can turn it off if i want... Dont mind the ductape.. it just holding it together while it cures...


Ill add more as i proceed.. im working this weekend so dont expect much this weekend...



Still have rough edges but ill smooth those up before the final touches.. also will have to drill a hole in the back to run wires out of the box through a rubber grommet.... Im going to use a rubber gasket for the final door so i can take it out if i need too without breaking the box...

 

Curious as to why?

 

ya, isnt the unit the warning system, lights and such?

 

Just because i guess.. thought it would be a fun project..and not to costly.. and if it doesnt work out im only out $7... plus would keep my dash clear of stuff.. im putting my GPS in the useless pocket under the climate control/radio...

 

Mine speaks so i would know what all the warnings by the sounds...

 

I think it's a cool idea... everybody needs more fun switches to thier dash!!

 

That's a good point. I actually thought of this before, but it was just a thought.

True that!

 

You're gonna lose half of the functionality (or more) of the detector by placing it behind the grill, as you are greatly limiting the "view" the unit has. If you get zapped from anywhere but the front...you'll never know, until the local pd is in your rear view...have fun!

 

X2?

I don't understand the concept. I would be hard pressed to place my $300 detector outside the truck even if it is waterproof. I would be more worried about condensation. Add to that you have no protection from behind the vehicle anymore.

I'll keep mine where it is

Blendmount Mirror Mount





Radar Detector and new Garmin 7" GPS





Used Dremel Tool to cut a small notch so the wire would fit



Traffic sensor on dash



Weather Radar on GPS

​

 

does that ever come in handy?

 

Does to me. I like knowing if there are storms, ice, snow, etc.. coming while traveling.

 

First, why does anyone need a radar detector in the first place? It doesn't help. If your speeding, they will know before you get the alert anyways to its useless. And even if you do get the alert in time, once they see you rapidly decelerating or brake lights, your screwed anyway. If you drive like a normal person an not a moron you shouldn't need a radar detector. And besides, these things cost as much if not more than your average first offense speeding violation anyways. Useless IMO.

I'll be honest, I had an escort solo s2 back in high school. Thought I was invisible because I had a $300+ detector. Got 3 speeding tickets in my high school and early college years. Got rid of the detector, haven't gotten a ticket since. Call it luck or coincidence whatever, but the bottom line is regardless of owning a radar detector or not, if you speed, you will get caught. If not, you have nothing to worry about.

 

Oh and from an officer perspective, if I t-stopped a vehicle for speeding, you MAY get cited depending on your attitude and the current conditions. You WILL get cited if I saw a radar detector on your dash, guaranteed! Its an instant ticket if you do get stopped.

 

"Sir, you were going uh... i'm not exactly sure, but i saw your brake lights, so i'm going to call it 46 in a 35. you can pay it online. have a good day and slow it down. "

 

I respectfully disagree with you somewhat. I don't speed at all. In fact I drive like a grandpaw most of the time. The thing is (and I'm sure you have done it also) your mind may drift and not notice the speed change or you are in a unfamiliar area. In this case it helps. But I will concede that most of the time the only way it will be useful is if there are other cars in front of you that are also getting "radar-ed". If you are the only car on the road and you get hit with the radar then all the detector is doing is letting you know you are about to get a ticket lol. But on the freeway it is invaluable to me. I like knowing where the cops are and this lets me know. It has saved me a few times because I didn't notice a speed change and that in itself is justification for having a detector. If it saves you once then it just paid for itself. Just my 2 cents.

 

Radar detectors are a good tool when combined with common sense. If you have one with the thought you're invincible than you will get tickets anyway.

 

Im not a cop, but im saying if i was and i stopped someone for speeding, if its something simple like 5-10 over then chances are youll get off with a warning. But if I saw a radar detector, I'd write the speeding cite guaranteed. You right in that it's not illegal to own a detector, but having one implies your trying to be sneaky and get out of trouble. So yeah I'd write the ticket for sure. A few cops I know told me thats how they feel and it made sense so I agreed.

That makes sense, I understand your logic, the problem is I'm willing to bet that easily less than 5% of people who buy a radar do so for purposes like you mentioned. People buy them to get away with breaking the law, and I have no sympathy for people who they to 1 up law enforcement and be sneaky. Just my opinion though

 

I've got a buddy with a 08 4Runner on 34's and he doesn't have the speedo recalibrated. He uses his detector as a speedometer since his is about 4-5 MPH off. Now when he's in his Supra or FR-S it's a whole other story

 

that things work well? what about traveling point a to point b ? does it get there without error? finally where you get that gps?

 

This is true only for instant-on radar and of course lidar. Lidar has other countermeasures available (like a massive LED light bar with IR output).

Around where I live, the posted speed limit is lower what's considered reasonable and prudent, to an extent that the majority of traffic moves 10-15 mph faster than the limit.

To the OP, you know they sell weather-hardened external radar detectors, right? Pricey as hell though:

Beltronics STiR Plus Bel Stir Plus Radar Detector

http://www.amazon.com/Beltronics-STiR-Plus-Radar-Detector/dp/B004TBI0RQ