Xoutpost.com - Any good Valentine One installations in E70

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Quote:

Originally Posted by brian5

Thanks to KEF, we got my V1 hardwired to the overhead console a while ago. I had also bought the "V1 Concealed Display" and got that modified so that it was about one-third the size of the original AND so that all the LEDs were changed to different colors for the different bands (vertically) and the strength indicator (horizontally). The arrows are still red.

I've tried different places for the "Concealed Display" and have settled on velcro-ing it to the side to the V1 itself. The V1 is mounted to the left of the rain sensor (which the rear-view mirror is attached to). I find that it's working really well in that position as
1. it's in my peripheral vision at all times
2. it's very compatible with my heads-up display (and I don't need to look down)
3. it's very convenient to mute or power-off
4. the lights are not visible from behind
5. it does not block my visor operation at all; it is not even close to the visor
6. it does not stick out sideways into my windshield space any more than my rear-view mirror

This picture is what it what it looks like when the car and V1 are on. You can see the Concealed Display faces the driver side of the car.

This picture is what it looks like for a second or two when I power the V1 on (or the car on if I've left the V1 in the on position when I powered the car off). After that couple of seconds, it goes back to the display as shown in the first picture. As you can see, all the V1 and Concealed Display LEDs light up (which is the normal operation). You can also see the different colors that been added to my V1 Concealed Display.

Hey Brian, it looks great - nice work.

I ordered the smaller t-taps and I have them at my house. I'm away for a few days, but when I return I can send you one if you are interested in swapping out the blue one.

Cheers,
Keith

Quote:

Originally Posted by KEF

Keith,

Yes, would appreciate that. Want to redo the wiring a little bit in the headliner to hide it more from a "casual inspection" by a mechanic if I have to take the car in for service.

Regards . . . . Brian

Quote:

Originally Posted by brian5

Yep, can do - if you still have my e-mail address send me your home address and I'll get one in the mail to you.

Cheers,
KEF

After finding that my earlier solution (of velcroing the remote display onto the side of the V1) did not work well in bright sunlight, I moved the remote display so that was positioned above the V1 with the top edge flush against the headliner. It is almost invisible from the rear but completely visible to the driver. I covered the rear view mirror to limit the flash reflection in the following pictures:

1. View from driver's seat with V1 on. You can see the remote display is attached to the windshield and the arrows are completely hidden from the rear.
http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/c...p-DSC01874.jpg

2. When powering on the V1, both the V1 and remote display (or Concealed Display) light up for a few seconds. You can see the mods that have been made to remote display; the bands are vertical and the strength is horizontal.
http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/c...n-DSC01864.jpg

3. View when driving (with an X band alert). This was taken using flash so the V1 stands out too much but it shows how visible the remote display to the driver.
http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/c...h-DSC01878.jpg

4. The view from the rear of the car. In this picture, you cannot see the remote display at all. It might be possible for the part of the bogey counter (or "A" etc.) to be seen and some of the strength LEDs to be seen. The majority of the remote display is hidden by the overhead console from the rear of the car though.
http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/c...h-DSC01868.jpg

This is what "a cop's eye view" would like like :) That would be standing outside and looking into the driver's side window...
http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/c...w-DSC01869.jpg

Quote:

Originally Posted by proveg

To me this would be a waste or remote display, it still lights up and I am sure in the dark if someone is behind you, they may possibly see the radar light up which is the whole point of the display. To each their own though.

+1 Brian, you installed the concealed display literally right next to the V1? It doesn't make any sense at all. But if you're happy with it...cool!

Proveg, can you share where and which wire did you use to tap the Concealed Display unit? I assume you went through the glove box area fuse box. Which wire?

Quote:

Originally Posted by M3Armand

+1 Brian, you installed the concealed display literally right next to the V1? It doesn't make any sense at all. But if you're happy with it...cool!
<<snip>>

Proveg was wrong. When I had the concealed display ABOVE the V1, it was not visible from the rear. I did not have it in that location for long though -- too much light up there and I didn't find it comfortable looking up all the time.

I have been running with the remote just above the ash tray and it has been working well there. I do have a modified, thinner remote so it does not interfere with the sunglasses that I store in the ash tray.

Brian, since you relocated your Concelead Display to be near the ash tray - where did you tap into?