Where to mount?

[marlinspike]

Radar Roy says to mount detectors low, but Mike Valentine says to mount as high as you can without being in the tint strip (and yes, even though my car is 19 years old it has a tint stip, which ticks me off since that means I can't use the visor clip). So, who is right?
Richard

[compu44]

here's my throughts on this-

it really depends what you're objective is. I think nearly everyone is at a consensus that radar range is uneffected by mounting location, the only question is laser.

If you have no passive laser countermeasures such as veil, and your car is an easy laser target (front plate, visable headlights, etc) then in my opinion you're best off mounting high to have a chance of detecting a laser through a glass in front of you as explained on the valentine sute. This is because with no countermeasure, you're speed is locked on the first try, so it's pointless to be able to detect the beam once it's on your car. You won't be able to get advanced warning every time but your chances are better.

If you have a passive countermeasure like veil or your car is naturally difficult to target (pop-down headlights, no front plate, dark color) then mount it low. If your car is hard to target, you'll likely get hit with laser at least twice before your speed can be locked. Your chances are better trying to detect the beam on your car in this case since you'll have time to adjust your speed. With a low mounting, you will be able to detect the beam on your car almost every time.

An then of course there's the scenario of using an active laser countermeasure, such as the blinder, in which case the mounting simply doesn't matter. The blinder has you covered.

[V1 Dave]

For radar I don't think it matters much at all. In one car I use a visor mount, other suv I use windshield mount at dash level. Sometimes I use mine in a concealed situation duct tape to dash with a rag the color of the dash over it. Seems I get long range no matter what I do. I think where VR is coming from is they believe arrows work a little better up high.

For laser dash level is best for a direct hit, up high for trying to pick up a trailing vehicle being hit.
I can pick up my false laser hits behind my tint line even though I still have generation one laser.

By the way Richard how is that V1 test drive going?

[Jon_Doh]

The differences in the recommendations stem from the fact that the V1 has a rear looking antenna that can be blocked by headrests and other obstacles if mounted too low. The X 50 will perform equally as well whether mounted high or lower.

[marlinspike]

By the way Richard how is that V1 test drive going?

Gets here Monday. Looks like I won't be able to hardwire it to a switched source since the only switched source up top (interior temp sensor) only puts out 7V, so instead I'll hard wire it to the always hot domelight, and just make use of the switch on the detector (I don't feel like going into the glovebox, snaking a wire out the back of the dash through the speaker vent, taking off the A-pillar cover and snaking a wire behind that, taking off the headliner, and then going to the V1. That's such a pain I rather just use the on/off button). I can't wait. I'll install it within 5 minutes of it getting in the mail.
Richard

[happya$$]

For radar I don't think it matters much at all. In one car I use a visor mount, other suv I use windshield mount at dash level. Sometimes I use mine in a concealed situation duct tape to dash with a rag the color of the dash over it. Seems I get long range no matter what I do. I think where VR is coming from is they believe arrows work a little better up high.

For laser dash level is best for a direct hit, up high for trying to pick up a trailing vehicle being hit.
I can pick up my false laser hits behind my tint line even though I still have generation one laser.

By the way Richard how is that V1 test drive going?

If you look on Escort's and Valentine One's website they clearly state that higher is better for radar and lower is better for laser.

[marlinspike]

The V1 website says
"Detector performance is enhanced by a high mounting position. Two reasons. For radar, a longer sight line to the horizon always helps. For laser, moving away from the hood and its sun reflections helps a lot."
Richard

[happya$$]

From Escort's website:

" As a rule of thumb, a lower detector mounting position is better for laser and a higher position is better for radar. But, in most vehicles, the difference in height between the top and bottom of the windshield is not enough to make any perceptible difference in radar reception. It's best to mount your detector where it has a clear field of view front and rear, and where you can see it without obstructing your own view of the road. "


Also Mike Valentine goes into depth on his webiste on why he recommends mounting high

[jimbonzzz]

It is a good idea to follow manufacturer's recommendations:

Valentine One:
"Valentine One works best when mounted high in the windshield, and toward the center between the windshield pillars. Use your choice of windshield or visor mounts"

Passport x50 and BEL RX-65:
"Using the Windshield Mount, mount your Passport level, and high enough on your front windshield to provide a clear view of the road from the front and rear."


But, here's thye different points of view on this:

High mounting

Good for Radar. Higher mounting gives you more "line-of-sight" with the targeting radar. If you do the math, one foot higher mounting gives you an few tenths of a mile extra, maybe even more than 1/2 mile. This could make a difference in detecting distant instant-on, that extra second's warning could be the difference between a ticket or not. But, the average driver isn't likely to notice such a small difference in range.

Good for laser targeting vehicles ahead, since it can see through their windows better.

Bad for laser targeting you, since it is mounted further from the aiming point (front plate).


Low mounting

Not as good for radar, but you might not be giving up too much.

Good for Laser Targeting you
Closer to the aiming points. More likely to give a laser warning when you are targeted, and you'll have time to slow down if they don't get a reading on the first shot, like if you have a dark vehicle, are using VEIL, etc.

Not as good for laser targeting vehicles ahead, since it can't see through their windows as well



In my humble opinion, as far as mounting and performance goes:
-If you don't have a Blinder, and have a dark car/VEIL, then mount low, you'll have a good chance of geting a warning when you're being hit and can slow down before he gets a reading.
-If you have a Blinder then you covered for laser pretty well. You might as well mount the detector high to maximize radar range.
-If you have a light-colored car that can be easily targeted by laser, no blinder or VEIL, then mount high, and you might have a better chance of getting lucky with a prior warning when a vehicle ahead is targeted.

Something else to keep in mind: be careful not to mount TOO low. A clear view to the front and rear is always good.

If it is too low, you could obscure the rear radar or laser sensor on your detector. Make no mistake about it, Laser can clock receding targets as well as approaching targets. A common speed trap ploy is for one cop to target vehicles in the rear with laser after they go under an overpass, and then radio to a chase car. You're not likely to see the cop on the far side of an overpass when you're approaching it. This ploy might be more common in states with no front plate (like Michigan!)

Just my 2 cents...

Jim

[marlinspike]

VEIL sounds great, but I'm not going to put any on my headlights, so no sense in getting it. I think I'll mount my V1 just below the tint line and hope I catch someone else getting lasered.
Richard