Mounting 955

[gilberto814]

I have a Bel 955 that I am extremely happy with. I just recently purchased a direct wire kit with the mute button. I wanted to mount the RD high since I know that if I get hit with laser it’s to late and in WI and IL jammers are illegal. I have 3 questions.

1) I have a Forester w/ a compass mirror and when I mount the RD about 21/2" below the base of the mirror I throw off my compass. Does the Compass interfere with my detection ability?
2) If I move the detector behind the mirror on the on the driver side under my I pass does that interfere with my detection?
3) Are those mounts that attach to your mirror steam any good?

I haven't noticed any lack of performance since I mounted it high I have been picking up radar a lot better(For a $200 RD) haven't had any laser yet except passing threw the Waukegan Toll Plaza I pass. If anyone could help that would be great I have searched around the forums trying to find answers but none where out there...

[dpatel01]

Check in your forester owners manual for instructions on recalibrating the compass. It may be on a seperate card provided by the mirror manufacturer and included with the owners manual. I have my 955 mounted directly below the mirror on the left side in my toyota and have no issues to report with the compass.

[MEM-TEK]

Hi gilberto814,

The mirror's built-in compass shouldn't interfere with your V955's detection abilities at all. The reason that your compass gets thrown off when you mount your V955 near it is simply that the metal inside the V995 distort's the earth's magnetic field. As dpatel01 mentions, recalibrating your compass will solve this problem.

Can you post a picture of your setup? Maybe post the picture on photobucket and provide a link to it?

[ahmadr]

1) no
2) no
3) no specific problems

[stevo1569]

I have a 955 and I was completely content with it until my dad took it away (for his use) and I got the V1. It is a great detector! Mounting high should give you better range and less traffic shadowing. You got any pics?

[gilberto814]

I'm working on getting pics up. Thanks for the responces. I am still moving my detector around a little to get it just right. Recalibrating the compass did the trick thanks for that little tip. It was painless and simple. One other question.
If you mount your RD behind your mirror does that down on the rear dectection?

Cause I can't put it above my mirror and I want it to be as stright and not on a curve with the windshield.

Thanks and I will get pics up...
Gilberto

[MEM-TEK]

Only the Valentine V1 has a rear radar antenna in addition to a front radar antenna. All other radar detectors only have a front radar antenna. Virtually all modern radar detectors have rear laser sensors for detecting laser from the rear, but these rear laser sensors have terrible performance and are more for marketing purposes than anything else. So, don't worry about your RD being partially blocked from behind by the rear view mirror.

Also, the "sweet spot" for virtually all radar detectors is anything within 5 degrees of straight ahead. So, don't worry if your RD is pointed 1 or 2 degrees to the right or left if you mount it next to either side of your rear view mirror.

[gilberto814]

I am not able to put links or images on this thread till it reaches 15 post so as soon as I get there I will...

[gilberto814]

Since I was unable post pics here I created a album in my profile.
Also i am thinking bout getting Veil since jammers are illegal in IL.
I have heard it is well worth the money but will the cops bother me in WI or IL if I have it on? I saw Radar Roy video on this and he said that it is not Illegal to put it on but i was wondering if they would still give me a hard time????
Any Answers!!! Happy Memorial Day to every one too!

[MEM-TEK]

Hi gilberto814,

I looked at your pics. That appears to be a convenient mounting location. Personally I would to go with a somewhat higher and more stealthy location. Maybe you could move the toll thing to the other side of the RVM, and then place the RD approximately where the top left edge of the toll thingy currently is? Just a thought.

Anyway, some states will consider Veil to be obstructing the headlights or taillights. However, Veil Guy says that even an extremely light and barely visibile coat of Veil is just as effective as more obvious coats of veil. I looked at Cat4's truck and I never even noticed that he had Veiled the headlights until he mentioned it.