Mounting my Beltronics 995

[madmac63]

I have a 98 Dodge Intrepid that I love. Just bought my first RD, a Beltronics 995, after reviewing posts here.

It's working fine - 1 save so far, plus 1 announcement that I was about to get a ticket from a LEO running Laser. It's picked up multiple K and Ka where I wasn't going more than 10 mph over the limit as well.

My only issue is mounting the 995. The window suction cup mount lets the unit hang slightly below level, and it slides off the mount all the time. It metal seems brittle, so I don't want to try and bend it up.

By setting the suction mount just above the rearview mirror, and letting the mirror support the back edge of the unit, it stays up fine, except that it's a nuisance to put on the mount every time I start a trip.

Right now, to save my sanity, I have it sitting on top of the dash on a non-slip pad.

So how do you folks deal with this? By having it on top of the dash, am I in danger of not getting detections I would if I used the windshield mount? Are there alternative mounts available?

TIA

madmac

[LittleOverPSL]

Welcome to the board. After lurking and digesting the info, I bought a V995 too. There is a lot more information on it now, but I suspected it to be a good unit and went for it. It has the fundamental features one needs. Good choice.

The window suction cup mount lets the unit hang slightly below level, and it slides off the mount all the time. It metal seems brittle, so I don't want to try and bend it up.

Don't worry about that. It's metal so that it can be bent. Just don't go nuts bending it back and forth. Now that you know how much the angle should be, just eyeball it to that angle and you are done.

By setting the suction mount just above the rearview mirror, and letting the mirror support the back edge of the unit, it stays up fine, except that it's a nuisance to put on the mount every time I start a trip.

Here's how I did mine in the SUV:


Pros:
- the windshield bracket is in the tint band, the rd is just below it
- view of road is not compromised at all
- it's hardwired for ignition switched power (I just tuck the cord away in headliner whenever the rd is off)
- it rests on the mirror; I put a rubber strip on top of the mirror to soften the bumps when driving over rough roads (avoids any noise too)
- it isn't easily visible from the outside the front
- it isn't easily visible from the rear (for those who want to make me a rabbit)
- it's within view when I look at RVM
- it runs cooler under tint band
- I run a stereo extender cable thru the headliner to the B pillar (the wire on the left of rd) - to listen via earphones when family doesn't want to be disturbed

Cons:
- display isn't easily visible unless one takes the eyes off the road
- Bel's audio ramp up isn't as good as Escort/V1 (again, can't speak for the Whistler)

I don't live in a high theft area so I just leave the RD there. When in unknown area, I just take the rd down and lock it (I just leave the windshield bracket on). Belscort's mount is easier to release than V1s (can't speak for Whistlers), that's my opinion/experience.

Unless you are need to park in a high theft area, this should work for you.

[ernesto821]

NO!!!
you don't need to bend it..
just presss the button in the middle as you slide the metal thingy into the detector... it will lock itself when you release the button.. adjust it so that it is horizontal... and i think the detector shouldn't be put too high .. just put it a little above the wiper and point a little downward to the front so that it could detect lasers. (i've read on a lot of websites that lasers are pointed towards the headlights or license plates.

[MEM-TEK]

*****

[Phillip559]

NO!!!
you don't need to bend it..
just presss the button in the middle as you slide the metal thingy into the detector... it will lock itself when you release the button.. adjust it so that it is horizontal... and i think the detector shouldn't be put too high .. just put it a little above the wiper and point a little downward to the front so that it could detect lasers. (i've read on a lot of websites that lasers are pointed towards the headlights or license plates.

Do not listen to him.

You may need to bend it depending on the slope of your window. I remember that I had to bend mine slightly. Just bend it a little and play around with the slide on/off feature to see if you can get it level. Remember, getting it level (AND KEEPING IT LEVEL) is key. Dont become like Cobra users with their rd pointing upwards.

[ernesto821]

NO!!!
you don't need to bend it..
just presss the button in the middle as you slide the metal thingy into the detector... it will lock itself when you release the button.. adjust it so that it is horizontal... and i think the detector shouldn't be put too high .. just put it a little above the wiper and point a little downward to the front so that it could detect lasers. (i've read on a lot of websites that lasers are pointed towards the headlights or license plates.

Do not listen to him.

You may need to bend it depending on the slope of your window. I remember that I had to bend mine slightly. Just bend it a little and play around with the slide on/off feature to see if you can get it level. Remember, getting it level (AND KEEPING IT LEVEL) is key. Dont become like Cobra users with their rd pointing upwards.

hehee,
he said his detector keep sliding back off/down. so, i thought he didn't lock it in the mount...
my bad, if he was thinking what u said

[fromthecoast]

I made the mistake of not noticing the button on the radar detector myself when I first bought the unit.

[Klatu]

I'm new here as a member, so I'm not sure how this is going to turn out; but we all have to start somewhere.

I used the free velco tabs (for the IPASS) they give out at the windows where you pay your tolls if you don't have one (need some for a second car). Just ask the tolltaker for a couple of them.

Cut them in half and stick them on the back (peel off the cover exposing the sticky material backing) of the metal stamping where the cups usually go. Wait for about 1 hour while it sets up.

Then mount it to your detector and peel off the cover exposing the outer half of them. I used a total of 4 halfs and that fit just right on the metal stamping.

Position carefully where you want it to go on your windshield as it sets up real quick. Stick it to the windshield pressing on the radar detector.

Don't worry too much about alignment as you can take the unit and stamping off the velco stuck to the windshield and re-align it left or right, up or down by bending the stamping.

Take the radar detector off the stamping by pushing down on the button and let everything set up, again for about and hour.

Put it back on the stamping and start your adjustments. If the detector sits too low pointing to the sky, bend the stamping tighter together; if pointing down, spread it apart.

One other thing, I also took some black velcro and cut it into small strips and stuck them over the little nubs on the front of the detector that usually ride against the window. This keeps them from rattling when you hit a bump and if you get it set just right, it helps keep the locking mechanism fairly firm (once you get a slight bend in the stamping to tighten it up where it slides into the detector).

I can leave the detector connected in place in any heat or cold situation. Easy to take it down and leave the stamping in place when it's not safe.

It's been up since May 1, 2007 and I've never adjusted anything since.

I have some pictures that might help; anyone know a URL where I can store some pictures without signing my life away? Also, how do you link them so they show here.

Klatu

[ezaircon4jc]

I have mine mounted low, just above the dash. As long as the back of the detector rests against the windshield (per the instructions) it will stay level and shouldn't bounce too much. Mine doesn't.

I have had my RDD (Whistler Pro73, BEL RX 65 and now STi) mounted low and high. My Pro73 missed a laser "hit" mounted high as the LEO was pointing at my headlight (no front plate). There wasn't enough spillage from the cars ahead for the detector to collect. Or the Pro73 just wasn't that good..... In any case, I have yet to miss a radar "hit" low as the beam is so wide and reflecting off so much stuff that the detector has no trouble collecting the signal. I haven't seen the laser cop since that one encounter. Even low I got a 3-4 mile warning from my RX65 on an open stretch of highway.

On a side note, I couldn't be more impressed with the over-the-hill and around curve warning I get from my BEL's. Plenty of time to slow down before he even sees me.

[MEM-TEK]

*****