Latest mod for V1 Owners....
 

Everytime I think I'm done modding the X5, something else comes out that appears to be useful. For those who have a V1 radar detector, EAS (Tom G.) came out with a custom mount which fit many BMWs including E53 X5s!!

Anyhow, just installed it last night and works as advertised!:D

Check out my pic (sorry, used my Centro phone camera)...

Check out EAS's link for more info....
http://www.europeanautosource.com/pr...oducts_id=2091

looks nice, I prefer to keep my radar right underneath the mirror also...better protection against radar

I wish radar detectors were legal here..

Cool mod, Charles :thumbup:

cool, but $80 + shipping is pretty expensive for an aluminum mount

I live in VA and use the Beltronic "custom installed" radar detector. This is a detector where you mount the antenna in your bumper (out of sight) and only have a small display inside the passenger compartment. It's almost completely impossible for police to see. It's also the most sensitive detector I've ever used. I'm sure this is because of the huge antenna mounted in the bumper. The antenna is about the size of a windshield mounted detector.

The below link is to Beltronic's "custom installed" detectors. I bought mine off Ebay for about $200. It's easy to install yourself (especially if you're used to doing mods yourself). I can include pix of mine if anyone is curious how it looks.

https://www.beltronics.com/store/custom-installed/

Check out the V1 with a stealth one hidden mod thread.
SLICK IDEA!

Nice,
Thanks for the update!

:wow: :thumbup: Chairman, Can you please post the pics from behind the mirror of the mount?

Hmm..Will do.

Excuse my lack of knowledge on radar detectors (I'm excused, I live in VA :nanana: ), but can't police detect that you have a radar dector? Basically, don't they have similar software/hardware?

Yes they do. The V1 will even give a notification (J-junk) for a cheap detector it picks up a signal from. You need to check the minutia with Valentine or Bell. The Valentine is supposed to be virtually invisible. I think it's Bell that has one which they state cannot be detected.

The cool thing about the hidden mod is that he figured out how to mount it in the head liner so it cannot be seen. The Valentine has a port which allows it to interface directly into the BMW iBus. This is achieved through the Stealth One interface module, allowing the dash display to show the indicators. You can then turn off the detector's lights. Control of the V1 then occours with the steering wheel switches. Hide the wires and it is absolutely unseen. A few people have put it into the rear headrest or front head rest as well.

I am not endorsing, just trying to give a little info so you can make a more complete decision. I have both v1 and s1 units. You can search threads for them.

These people do many variants for different models and detectors.

http://www.countryjoycrafts.com/Conn...arDetector.htm

Nice, but the price is very high, that could have been made from plastic for 10% that price and worked just as well.

Where's the coolness in plastic?

Aluminum is way cooler that's a given, but it's a radar detector mount so I am not sure coolness trumps value for me on this one.

I beg to differ. In heat plastic can disform, melt and threads can be stripped for the holding screws much easier than aluminum. There are mold costs involved in plastics also, price would not be effected much - giving you an inferior product in the end.

We have no plans for plastic.

I would have to say that the mount is great that it is made with aluminum and it will hold up better. Granted, the V1 mount is made of plastic which I already had to replace one after 4 years of use/abuse. Anyhow, I'm enjoying the V1 mount. I haven't had time to install the 2nd V1 mount on the M3 yet...will do this weekend. :)

It looks like a very nicely made, and much needed, alternative to the usually crappy mounts mobile electronics come with. I love accessories like this when they are well made, functional and look good. I would agree the price is a bit steep but as I always say, it's expensive to be cool.

EDIT: I love that EAS has to put the disclaimer that the V1 is not included. :rofl: "What do you mean for $79 I don't get a $400 V1 included???"

Tom G.,

Nice product but it hangs the V1 in the wrong location. Mine is above the mirror on my E70. How about a V1 holder that clips into the head-liner?

Thanks . . . . Brian

Above the mirror will affect laser detection from the rear - it's not recommended.

Understood. I would say that at least 70% of my rear laser is not blocked though. So I'm very comfortable with that. I'm more concerned about the cops in the front and the sides of my car rather than the rear ;)

Okay, as requested!;) Again, sorry for blurry pics, just used my cellphone camera quickly before going to work!

Here's another installed from our M3:

http://www.europeanautosource.com/im...v1holder01.jpg

Thanks for the info! I'll do more research too.

Nice Mod
 

KewlX5,
Nice mod. Looks like you have the OEM tinted windshield. I have the same windshield and I also have a Valentine radar. From what I understand that the tinted windshield has some sort of metal in its tint and this may affect the performance of the Valentine radar (front radar detection). I remember the Valentine manual says something like "it is not recommended to mount the radar on tinted windshield". Do you know anything about this?
The reason I am asking because the front radar does not detect as accurate as the rear one and I wonder it is the tinted windshield that causes it or I have a defective radar :). Thanks for the info.

Justin.

yeah it may affect, not sure to what extent...but I would not worry too much about it...If the cop knows how to use that radar gun ... he can make our detectors useless ...


EDIT: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gr9ELw9v8-U

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

lol, im viewing this thread and the MGT motorsport banner is advertising the blendmount at the bottom of the page which is basically the same thing but cheaper.

Either one is ok but honestly when the StealthOne is available there's no reason to buy anything else!

Someone mentioned the Blendmount before, it's not compatible with BMW mirrors.

Regardless of whether the S1 is used or not, you still need a fixed mounting position for the V1 unit.

The V1 with remote display and remote on/off module, mounted away from the obvious center of the windshield, and maybe enclosed in some radio transparent enclosure with "windows" for laser coverage - OK choice in Virginia... The VSC1 (or whatever the name of that thing), can not detect V1, as it does not emit radiowaves (shielded metal casing) on the frequencies that the all radars and detectors operate... So, the only way a state trooper can get you, if s/he actually would see the unit in your car. So, while in most states it is not an issue to mount the detector directly under the mirror, in VA (and in DC) it is imperative to have it out of sight...

This info is for anyone who would want to try to have a V1 in VA, just out of scientific curiousity, of course not to break any laws, regardless of how stupid they are... :)

I personally do not beleive that the hunters (cops) should tie down the deer (drivers) for target practice - we should be able to defend ourselves... Just because a trooper has a gun, he is not out to kill people, is he? So, just because I have a detector, I am not out there to speed, am I?

Anyone know of something similar for Escort?

it's only $49 here

Says its not compatible with BMW towards the bottom of the info page. :rolleyes: