vizalert or H.A.R.D?? that is the question

[rideco]

Ok,
So I am now the proud owner of a escort 8500x50 and I could not be happier. Next step is to install the unit onto the bike. The big question in all of this is do I go with the H.A.R.D or the visalert for my helmet?? It seems to me the visalert is where it is at no questions since you can have an indication of signal strength and a way to tell which band you are detecting. Before I go spend more of my hard earned cash I wanted to double check with you experts.

btw I own a 07 Triumph Daytona 675 in the fastest color scorched yellow. Where is the best place to mount the unit? I have seen mounts that use the hole in the center of the triple tree and also ones that mount to the top of the forks. I was thinking maybe right on top of the instrument cluster if I can figure out a way to make a bracket attach to the windscreen.

Any advice and thoughts on these subjects are very welcomed.

rideco

[Desmosedici]

~


I use a Marc Parnes "Visual Alert" with my Escort 8500. I actually mount it to an extra Escort suction cup windshield bracket. I toss the suction cups, stick some velcro on the bracket and the companion velcro to the bottom of the "Visual Alert", and then stick the alert unit to the bracket. That way I can vary the angle (relative to centered) of the "Visual Alert" on the bracket. Since I use the same radar detector on several bikes this is pretty useful.

If you need the Marc Parnes web site just Google his name and the site shows up. Then click on "Visual Alert" and you are there. BTW, Marc will make the cord off the "Visual Alert" any length you want for your application, and for no extra charge. Same if you want a custom angle on the housing. Just e-mail or call him and discuss what you want. He's a great guy.

And he makes great wheel balancing gear, too.

Regarding the H.A.R.D. system... I've never owned one, but I've known several rider buddies who have. None of them use them now, primarily because of failures. Understand again, that info is not from my first hand use, but from their tales of woe to me how they have failed and more stories about them having to send the units back for multiple repairs.

As for mounting systems... I have used both Tech Mounts and RAM ball set-ups. Both are nice, with the Tech Mounts looking much more trick. However, I am currently using RAM ball mounts (and their detector base) on my bikes rigged for a detector (four at the moment). IMHO, they are much more versatile, easier and quicker to adjust for angle, etc., and because of the rubber balls used for mounting much easier on the detector regarding vibration.

You can get RAM ball mounts, bases, etc. from CycleGadgets.

Just FYI...



~

[RacerX]

well, obviously i'm a bit biased, , but here's why i would choose the Vizalert over the H.A.R.D. even if i wasn't.

1. The Vizalert is waterproof. you never know when that could come in handy. I don't make a habit of riding in the rain, but i have been caught before.

2. other than the cords connected to the detector, nothing else is attached to it, so the waterproof cover that Radarbusters sell will work fine. I've used it with an X50 on the bike, sitting on a RAM mount they also sell.

3. Most important, 1 red LED is useless to me.
it tells you nothing other than "something" is going on. Knowing if it's an X alert i can dismiss, or an immediate ka threat makes a big difference on my ride.

That's why i can't stand the Belscort "remote displays". a red LED tells me nothing when i'm running my detector dark, that's why i like the V1 display, i could run it dark on my vehicle and still have a display mounted low to look at.


Anyway, that's my thoughts on it.

[rideco]

Thanks for the responses!! I went ahead and ordered a visalert for several reasons. 1st like others have said 1 led warning gives me very little info other then something is setting the detector off. 2nd. on my bike mounting extra led's on the cluster does nothing for me since I have to look down to see anything on the cluster. I decided to go with the mount that attaches to the top of your fork tube since mounting from the triple tree will only block my gauges. I wish these goodies where here right now so I could mount and test them on my canyon ride I am taking tomorrow but stuff does not arrive until Tuesday. Last issue is going to be hard wiring the unit into the power. I dont know if I should go from the fuse box or the battery. Earlier this year I saw a web site that had motorcycle power adapters which had an attachment on one end to the battery and a cig. lighter plug at the other. This would be ideal for me cauz I hate messing with wires but I cant find that site.

I am an expert when it comes to computers but I am a complete fool when it comes to power and wiring. Guess I had too many c++ classes in school and not enough EE ones..
rideco

[rideco]

I just thought of something. So I have the pig tail from my battery tender already installed onto the battery. Is there anything/way to attach something from that pig tail that would allow me to power the RD?
rideco

[rideco]

Do you guys think this SAE to cig. lighter connection would work?

powerletproducts.com/product/sae-to-cigarette-socket-cables/319

Or do I need something that has a fuse in it??
rideco

[allyoops]

Stop worrying about sorting out a power supply. You don't need to do anything like you're talking about there. The VizAlert makes it easy, even for a complete electrical novice!!

The VizAlert comes with Cheetah's unique little POWERnode that hooks directly up to the battery terminals to power the radar detector interface that you keep under the seat, which in turn connects to and powers up your radar detector.

Installing is a breeze. Just loosen the screws on the battery terminals slightly, slide the spade connectors in and re-tighten the screws. Job done - that's your power supply taken care of.

Oh and don't worry about getting a flat battery. The POWERnode is intelligent - it only powers up your detector when the engine is running. Stop the engine and it cuts the power to your detector.

The only thing to remember is that you have to switch the helmet display on seperately by moving your helmet or giving it a tap - it's motion sensitive.

Hope you enjoy using it.

One of the other real advantages of the VizAlert over any other system is that you can interface it with laser jammers, if you decide to add one of them into your set up later. It just keeps your options open.

[9500ier]

Forget about putting christmas lights in your helmet... I installed an external speaker on my bike. Originally with an X50 but then upgraded to a 9500i because the X50 was so freaking loud at intersections (with drugstores of course). My friend with a Daytona had an LED on his cluster... he told me that my setup was way better and added the same a few days later and loved it. Plus it is fun riding past cops shooting Ka with your **** beeping like crazy and they can hear it.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpmhxSQuwws[/ame]

^ btw, that is an X50 and escort told me it was cool to spray paint it. I sold it on ebay for $200 after using it for a few months. Oh and I worked at best buy and paid $200 for it...

[rideco]

Yea I though about that screamer system but going to try the visalert first. I might move over to the speaker system if I dont like the visalert. I will post up pics of the install once it is done and thanks everyone for the advice and help.
rideco

[9500ier]

Yea I though about that screamer system but going to try the visalert first. I might move over to the speaker system if I dont like the visalert. I will post up pics of the install once it is done and thanks everyone for the advice and help.
rideco

The screamer is gay from what I have heard. The escort speaker, I mounted inside the fairing and you can hear the different alerts... so you know its X,K,Ka.