Ok I finally found the Answer

[bfg9000d]

Ok I have tried the high mount and low mount theory for almost 6 months straight 3 months low mount 3 months high mount. If I saw a speed trap i would turn around and mount it high if it was low and vice versa. Same thing with a laser trap. Regardless of lab results my results are from the real road going down highways freeways parkways country roads dirt roads you name it. A higher mount gives you allot more detection range both laser and radar. Also let me just say I'm not talking about a high mount like above your mirror. As i have found thats actually is to high. The perfect spot is just slightly below your mirror. If you have rear laser detection just make sure the optical lense has just enough clearence room so that the mirror is not blocking the rear lense and make sure theres enough clearence room that you can see the screen so you can read what signal it is. Anways if you sit it slightly below the mirror i have found on countless times that is the sweet spot. And believe me I have tried it ever position possiable over the 6 month period I have gone as far as turning around and going through the same speed trap atleast 3 times to see what the difference was. Especially with laser when I mounted it low I never got the laser to go off unless I was right on top of him. When I put it where i said to put it I actually got a pretty good warning not much but enough for me to slow down. If you have been a low mounter I highly recommend doing what I say it only takes one hit with a radar gun and you will see the difference.

[brick]

This is a great post, and thank you for doing it because I have been fighting with different mounting locations for quite a while. I like my high location next to the mirror because it's discreet, but I'm worried about laser detection and I really can't use my sun visor this way. Maybe I can find below-the-mirror spot that's to my liking and never think about it again!

Just out of curiosity, what kind of detector/vehicle have you been running all these tests with?

[crazyVOLVOrob]

i would be too brick since CT is big on laser on the highways.

Any way i have my BEL mounted just below my mirror

[happya$$]

I like mounted right above my rear view mirror. The Blinder and Veil take care of my laser problems but I have found that the V1 has AWESOME laser detection capabilities. I would have to say that 80% of the time my V1 goes off at just about the same time as my Blinder.

[JTW]

I also mount just below the rear view mirror and I always get the laser alert.

8500 X50

[bfg9000d]

Both a taurus and toyota camry and a mercury sable. 3 different car types I have tried this in. I have a whistler cool pro 73 and bell rx 65 I tend to use the bell more. If somebody ask from know on where to mount it refer them to this post. I have gone to great lengths to test this high and low theory. I went through one speed trap so many times both cops were looking at me like I was nuts or something

[Brent27]

I have also done some testing myself and even though the manuals say mount low as possible but not blocked by the windshield wipers, i found that mounting on my visor clip is more effective then mounting low. I only had one laser pre-hit alert compared to 5 when mounted on the visor clip. PLus you dont get people following you because you have a radar detector visible...even though I used to be "that guy"

[rick3693]

good job man finally someone has answered the question directly :D now all i need to do is do some wiring so i dont have that long cord going down to my lighter plug btw im driving a 2004 honda civic lx

[rick3693]

I also mount just below the rear view mirror and I always get the laser alert.

8500 X50

hey u got a pic on what your 8500 x50 looks mounted ?

[compu44]

I sold a friend a Whistler 1655 a while back and told him to mount it right below the mirror, and even with that cheap detector, he still got a warning from scatter off of cars in front of him the one time he has come upon laser. I'm convinced that was at least partially due to the mounting position.

I will say that I think Roy's got it right as far as vehicles like his own (large truck), low mounting would make more sense from a laser perspective, but i'm going to have to respectfully disagree with his reccomendations for mounting low when in a small car - I know my RX won't be leaving it's just-below-the-mirror mount any time soon.

Thanks for the research BFG9000D.

[brick]

I moved my detector from the very high position to the under-the-mirror position. The only problem is that I keep having to move it lower because the rear antenna seems to be catching scatter off of the rear-view mirror and confusing the arrows. Seems to be working now. It's less stealthy but I'll deal. At lest I don't have the coiled power cord hanging down.

[bfg9000d]

Ok now that most people have done what I said go out on the road and see the difference. You will be all smiles when you see your detector go off from a long distance away. It will almost seem freaky on how much the range improves. Please post your encounters with the new mount. When discoverying after 6 months of alot of driving that this is the spot I pratically jump out of my seat in excitment when driving. I finally found it all my driving and expermenting paid off.

[Ghost]

I also mount just below the rear view mirror and I always get the laser alert.

8500 X50

That's where my X50 is mounted, and today I got my first laser alert ever. Scared the bejesus out of me. I think it was a false... no cop in sight, and there were some emergency vehicles on the other side of the freeway. Just about gave me a heart attack though. Thankfully I was only going 70 (it was a 55 zone, but in Atlanta if you're doing under 80, then you're probably getting run over by the flow of traffic).

[crazyVOLVOrob]

That's where my X50 is mounted, and today I got my first laser alert ever. Scared the bejesus out of me. I think it was a false... no cop in sight, and there were some emergency vehicles on the other side of the freeway. Just about gave me a heart attack though. Thankfully I was only going 70 (it was a 55 zone, but in Atlanta if you're doing under 80, then you're probably getting run over by the flow of traffic).
Possibly a brakelight

[brick]

I get all kinds of laser falses on emergency vehicles with the V1. I think it's the strobes that make it go nuts. Cobra actually advertizes "strobe alert" as a feature :lol:.

[sethy]

x50 doesnt false to brake lights, unlike v1

[mauiman84]

i don't know about your x50 by my original 8500 falses to brake lights

[mauiman84]

i've heard that emergency vehicles sometimes have lasers that they shoot out to warn that they are coming but that could have been a rumor

[compu44]

naah, whoever told you that misunderstood. The strobes on some emergency vehicles emit a wavelength similar to laser, so it can sometimes cause a laser alert.

[CLTX11]

Ok, we are talking about high vs. low. Everyone has their preference. I was just wondering...somone mentioned the truck mount low, car mount high...I can see this come into play. How bout post up about how high your RD is from the ground. I drive a full size truck and its mounted smack dab in the middle about 5 feet from ground level. What about yalls?

[Radarboy12312]

Ok I have tried the high mount and low mount theory for almost 6 months straight 3 months low mount 3 months high mount. If I saw a speed trap i would turn around and mount it high if it was low and vice versa. Same thing with a laser trap. Regardless of lab results my results are from the real road going down highways freeways parkways country roads dirt roads you name it. A higher mount gives you allot more detection range both laser and radar. Also let me just say I'm not talking about a high mount like above your mirror. As i have found thats actually is to high. The perfect spot is just slightly below your mirror. If you have rear laser detection just make sure the optical lense has just enough clearence room so that the mirror is not blocking the rear lense and make sure theres enough clearence room that you can see the screen so you can read what signal it is. Anways if you sit it slightly below the mirror i have found on countless times that is the sweet spot. And believe me I have tried it ever position possiable over the 6 month period I have gone as far as turning around and going through the same speed trap atleast 3 times to see what the difference was. Especially with laser when I mounted it low I never got the laser to go off unless I was right on top of him. When I put it where i said to put it I actually got a pretty good warning not much but enough for me to slow down. If you have been a low mounter I highly recommend doing what I say it only takes one hit with a radar gun and you will see the difference.

Very good point. My testing over the years also proves this to be true.

[robert]

I've got mine mounted high as it will go, just because I don't want a cop to see it if he/she drives by. I don't want unnecessary attention (my speeding is not that dramatic anyway, the RD is there "just in case"...)

Roy's FAQ mentions this as the most often asked question and his suggestion is to keep it LOW for best results.

I'm torn.

But I like it higher up.

:?

[bfg9000d]

I respect Roy allot but this is one area were i totatlly disagree. I personally have tested for 6 months the low and high theory and High is better without a doubt. Actually in all my testings during the 6 months the high theory won out not only in picking up radar farther but getting a much better laser pick up as well. one laser trap when i had it mounted low it never went off until I was almost right ontop of the cop. I turned around again with it still being low and it still did the same thing. I turned around one more time with a high mount same amount of traffic. And the laser went right off pretty far back it was almost amazing. Not much warning but for the situation of the trap it was enough if there was other cars infront of you you would have had some time to slow down. While it was sitting high on the mount going off with laser I even went and took the thing off the windshield and put it low on the dash and the RD stop reading laser then when I lifted it higher it said laser again. Then I pushed it low again finally I got close enough to the laser gun itself that it finally said laser when I positioned it low. But there was no reaction time at all with the low mount. I have numerous other situations like this during my 6 month period of testing the high low theory. Same thing with radar. One situation I had it low so i was driving down a highway and it goes form 1 to 5 bar levels and up very quickyl and I'm like men that just aint enough warning so I turn around at the same speed trap. position it high (right below rear view mirror) The Signal bars slowly counts up from 1 bar and up giving me almost and insane amount of time to slow down. Everytime i had it low the signal bars where really jumpy it would go from 1 to 5 and up very quickly. For cars the high mount is better ( just below rear view mirror) For trucks and suv's I have no clue maybe low mount is better because your already high I dont know. Somebody else will have to do testing for trucks and suv's where to mount it.

[Veil Guy]

bfg9000d,

The {enter}/{return} keys are your friend. :wink:

Interesting stuff. Sounds more than reasonable...

The Veil Guy 8)

[bfg9000d]

how has everybody been doing with the new mount.

[crazyVOLVOrob]

well actually my BEL up higher now it is sitting behind the rearview mirror not visible to me or anyone really, All you see is the cord! :D
I wish they had a separte display with bar graph and band. Now all i got is Automute turn off and of course Voice enabled

[happya$$]

I have mine mounted ABOVE my rear view mirror an dI can tell you that I am 100% satisfied

[bfg9000d]

I have found for laser that above the mirror sometimes can become real iffy same goes for radar especially for rear detection. It almost acts like its mounted low when you go above the mirror I dont know why. I'm 100% that the best spot is just below the rear view mirror. I respect that some people arent willing to try something new and they will stick to the same old mounting position and wont give it a week for nothing. Thats ok i respect that. But for those who are willing to try the new mount i appluad you. :D

[brick]

Now that I have it low enough to clear the mirror, my arrows seem less flaky than they were with the very-high mount. I also got my sun visor back :D. I'm a little more paranoid having it out in the open like that but I'll get used to it, I think. Also, I got my first confirmed alert on an Infinity with the laser cruise control yesterday. I'm just going to take that to mean that it's working. Finally, I ran into 2 K-band speed signs, both pointed away from me. On the second I got a mile to a mile and a half of warning just on the reflections off of traffic. I think I'm sold.

[bfg9000d]

Need I say more. :D :D :D

The difference is night and day. It almost feels like you just bought a even better RD when you do the new mount.

[postman]

Got mine above rear mirror and I have Tint Band..6inches wide....No problem :lol: :lol:

[bfg9000d]

Try for one week the new mount. If you dont want to try it than thats fine i respect thats how you want it. :? If you change your mind I appluad you. :D

[cavili]

Yes, absolutely good recommendation mount it slightly below the rear view mirror consider to be 'sweet' spot. Truly speaking, range is much better and even photradar so I encourage all to try and be satisfied.

[bfg9000d]

yes just below the rear view mirror is the sweet spot. lately I have been testing the last couple of months the super high mount which is above the rear view mirror on 3 different cars and the range is not nearly as good and I get laser pick ups much later. So im throughly convinced now for cars the sweet spot is just slightly below the rear view mirror.

[N3T_K1LLA]

I have been researching this myself and I find that mid-to-high is the best for my 8500 x50. I also find that if I mount it mid, it doesn't affect my usage of my car stereo. With 2 12" subs, mounting it too high or too low makes the x50 rattle against the windshield.

I am making a video that will show different mounting points and how they affect the detection and the car stereo aspect as well

[bfg9000d]

if you do make a video do not forget to put it just below the rear view mirror. This way all the doubters can see the huge difference. Also use a leveler bubble to make sure the radar detector is level and not pointing to high up or low. put the leveler bubble under neath the detector where its flat and smooth.

[kai445]

Also use a leveler bubble to make sure the radar detector is level and not pointing to high up or low. put the leveler bubble under neath the detector where its flat and smooth.

That is one of the best tips I've seen in awhile. I just bought a tiny bubble level.

[brick]

Also use a leveler bubble to make sure the radar detector is level and not pointing to high up or low. put the leveler bubble under neath the detector where its flat and smooth.

That is one of the best tips I've seen in awhile. I just bought a tiny bubble level.

If the level is in question I usually sight down the bottom of the detector and see where it's pointed. If it's aimed at the horizon, I'm good. Gotta love the boxiness of the V1's case. :D

[jimP]

I agree 100% about the mounting location just below the rear view mirror. I have been trying to find a mount that will attach to the rear view mirror itself for the Passport 8500 X50. Has anyone found something like this?

[jimbonzzz]

I agree 100% about the mounting location just below the rear view mirror. I have been trying to find a mount that will attach to the rear view mirror itself for the Passport 8500 X50. Has anyone found something like this?

They have them for Corvettes at www.greatlakestrophies.com

[amoney]

Wow this is a great post, I am glad I got to read because of the bump, this should be stickied as many have sought after this advise, and from the sounds of the exhaustive testing, this post has clout.

I mount mine directly next to the right side of the rear view mirror. It has a clear line of sight below the factory sun screen tint, and altogether is out of sight, unless you get in the car and look up, can not tell. I would have never thought that little rear faceing optical sensor would ever pick up laser, but it has unbelievably, and the officer was not tageting me or anyone else from behind, the detector alert from refracted light bounce back from the cars targeted behind me. Check out me nifty diagram.

<<<ME...............leo...targeting>>>.....................................<<<traffic
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<laser beam bounced back at me<<<<<<<

It's a basic principle, the higher you get the better/greater you have range. For example marine radar, the higher you can mount, the better range and resolution you get.

[A-TownNavi]

I agree 100% about the mounting location just below the rear view mirror. I have been trying to find a mount that will attach to the rear view mirror itself for the Passport 8500 X50. Has anyone found something like this?

You could do what Heartless did here- http://www.radardetector.net/8500-X50-Mount-5582t.php

[mattruett]

i think that the location (high or low) where you mount your RD depends on the car too. i drive an SUV so mounting it 3 in. above my wipers works great for me. if i mount it too high, then i will miss the alert, or just have a week alert.

[mplsfalls]

I just wish that I could figure a way to mount it on the dash and still get it above the windshield wipers. I am reluctant to mount it high on the windshield as I like being able to just slightly look over and see my RD & GPS in on view.

[Joe]

I think that the concept is, if it is high and centered you are shooting a straight line ahead of you. If it is higher, the beam you RD is emitting is not running directlly into the car in front of you. The beam is able to shoot farther ahead if it is uninhibited.

The downfall is that a lot of states have plates on the front of the car and is a great place to aim laser. Then they shoot the laser bean low on the car. When your RD is higher up it is less likley to pick up the beam being that it is obviously more narrow than radar. An advantage of up high, you might get lucky and pick someones else getting lasered.

My opinion for what it is worth. Have a plate on the front? Mount low, unless you have a your plate sheilded. That would be if you encounter a lot of laser in your area. If you don't have that problem...stay high.

If you don't have a plate on the front...mount high and give your rd a clear line of sight or otherwise said, shoot it's beem uninhibited in front of your vehicle.

[CincinnatiKid]

I prefer to place my RD in the center and at the bottom of my windshield.
A. I do not drive more than ten over, unless I am pacing.
B. I believe it is about a 5% chance my Pro 58 will give advance warning with regards to laser. Even mounted in the most ideal position. However, I would think it would pick up the laser shot aimed at me better with the unit closer to the license plate.
C. I find Bears sneak up from behing often, I want to be able to pull my unit down before they sniff it out. I know they are legal, however I tend to take her off if I approach the fuzz. Even if they are coming from the other side of traffic, or in the median. If it is up in the middle, the bear can see the lights or the cord. I am not going to hardwire.
D. It is easier for me to set my settings when I am driving with the unit in view and easy reach.
E. The unit can not block my view either, or catch my eye as often near the bottom.

[Joe]

If I lived in OHIO I would to. Your troopers are some of the best I have seen. They also use laser a lot and you have plates on the front of your cars in ohio.

[StlouisX50]

Both a taurus and toyota camry and a mercury sable. 3 different car types I have tried this in. I have a whistler cool pro 73 and bell rx 65 I tend to use the bell more. If somebody ask from know on where to mount it refer them to this post. I have gone to great lengths to test this high and low theory. I went through one speed trap so many times both cops were looking at me like I was nuts or something

The cars mentioned here have a good amount of matalic in the glass. I just recently read this on the V1 Website. So for you to get a good detection on radar/laser having the right type of glass/car can change your detection up to 80%.

See the post on the V1 site here
http://valentine1.com/lab/MikesLabRpt2.asp

[Joe]

Interesting....

[RensoreK]

Did an 200+ mile trip today with this new mounting (had to rewire my hardwire config to make it reach! :? ) And its very noticeably more sensitive, so much as it falses more during the daily route its been sharing with me for 6 months. But the range is much better, it actually detected LASER today and with my veil I was able to slow down, it was a cloudy day so Im positive it wasn't sunlight, I'll have to drive with it there to see how it goes. 8)

[Radar 4 Ever]

Does EVERY radar detector pick up better range with laser and radar with a high mount? Right now I have my Whistelr 1773 right above my dash board. Thinking about a high mount behind my rear view mirror?

[itisjustme]

Does EVERY radar detector pick up better range with laser and radar with a high mount? Right now I have my Whistelr 1773 right above my dash board. Thinking about a high mount behind my rear view mirror?

For radar detection yes all radar detectors do better high because radar is RF. For laser no, for the Belscort units it better low because the laser detector is closer to the target area, but for the V1 high is better for laser because the laser detector is more sensitive and will have a better chance of picking up scatter through other windshields.