attaching LI heads to grill slats

I'm installing front LIs on an Audi S5. I asked about placement here:
http://www.radardetector.net/forums/...t-audi-s5.html

I was told to place them here:
http://www.radardetector.net/forums/...-s5-audis5.jpg

However, they do not fit there (it is hard to tell, but I am pressing the LI up against the hole in this pic and it really does not fit):
http://n4te.com/s5/radar-grill1.jpg

So I will have to install them in the next column over:
http://n4te.com/s5/radar-grill2.jpg

I have a couple important questions:

1) Is the placement described above ok?

2) The grill slats are thin and at an angle. How would I attach the LI? If I used 3M tape, I would need to have some sort of a wedge to keep the LI level. This seems like a common problem, how is it usually solved?

3) I understand they should be level and parallel to the front of the car rather than the grill. What is a good way to make them parallel to the front of the car? My real question though, is how much should the stick out of the grill? I don't want them to be unsightly. Here is another shot of the gril, from the side:
http://n4te.com/s5/radar-grill3.jpg

Is it ok to have them position right at the edge of the grill slat? Like this (but parallel to the front of the car):
Here is another shot of the gril, from the side:
http://n4te.com/s5/radar-grill4.jpg

That would be ideal. Would they be effective there? I understand they are best mounted on a bracket in front of the headlights, but I don't want to do that. :) I want them to be effective, but also reasonably hidden. Here is what they look like pushed out all the way until the LI bracket (where the holes are) hits the inside of the grill:
Here is another shot of the gril, from the side:
http://n4te.com/s5/radar-grill5.jpg

Sticking out like that makes them noticeable and doesn't look very nice. Hopefully they will be ok installed like the previous pic?

Finally, I though maybe I could cut a notch in the grill (the red lines below) and glue in a spacer (the green block below) to get the desired mounting depth for the LI. This would be a lot of work though, so I'd like to consider other mounting options, if any exist.
http://n4te.com/s5/radar-grill6.jpg

Yes, that other grill slat will be fine and if attaching them to the underside of the grill slat allows for an easier and level install, by all means, do so. If not, you may also install them as depicted in red in the attached PIC instead.

Make sure the Sensors do not follow the contour of the front of your car but rather that your Sensors are pointed straight ahead, not cross-eyed or off to the shoulders. This is a common mistake! Also be sure they are not pointed up to the sky or down to the roadway. A bubble level is supplied with your order for just this purpose.

You may make a shim, if need be, to achieve a proper level install. You may also wish to purchase our $12.00 optional Front Sensor Mounting Brackets from our website: Laser Interceptor - The Ultimate Laser Jammer - Buy Online Now to facilitate your install. These Aluminum brackets are bendable and any excess can be cut off with tin snips for a custom install.

Finally, please keep in mind that you are trying to stealth your car from LIDAR and this, more often than not, requires a far then less esthetically pleasing install. "Stealth The Car, NOT The Install!"

If you have additional question, please feel free to call our Technical Support Line number located in my signature below.

Cliff

Hey NateS, I had similar questions with my install. I made the decision to cut the grill for the install. I also decided to off set the heads slightly to the sides. I have mine at 7˚to the sides. My main threat here is Western Australia is the "poliscan" Lidar. This sits on the sides of road and (either direction) and is lethal. I have some youtubes of saves if you search Poliscan then sort by date. My posting name is the same as it is here. I posted some photos of my front install here if you want to check it out. http://www.radardetector.net/forums/...tml#post887878

Thanks for the reply Cliff. I'm still not clear on how far the LI has to stick out. Should it be more than the pic below? Can I get away with less? Can it be flush?

http://n4te.com/s5/radar-grill5.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ignition SS

Hey NateS, I had similar questions with my install. I made the decision to cut the grill for the install. I also decided to off set the heads slightly to the sides. I have mine at 7˚to the sides. My main threat here is Western Australia is the "poliscan" Lidar. This sits on the sides of road and (either direction) and is lethal. I have some youtubes of saves if you search Poliscan then sort by date. My posting name is the same as it is here. I posted some photos of my front install here if you want to check it out. http://www.radardetector.net/forums/...tml#post887878

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Thanks. Those Poliscans look nasty! I wouldn't want it the LIs sticking out that much though. My grill makes it sort of easier to hide them, it's just a matter of figuring out how to attach to the grill and how far they should stick out.

The further out the better but no less than flush. Recessing the Sensors too much will obstruct them from close in, wide axis LIDAR scenarios.

Cliff

Got it, thanks!

Another quick but important question... can I plug the LIs into the Beltronics STi-R Plus, or do I have to use the LI brain?

DO NOT plug the LI Sensors into the Beltronics! The LI Sensors plug ONLY into the LI CPU!

Cliff

Thanks for the quick reply. Too bad, I was hoping I didn't have to cram more stuff under the dash. :p

The LI CPU should be Velcro'd under your steering column and NOT buried in your dash so that you can clearly hear the Voice Alerts as well as have access to the CPU when you need to perform updates.

Cliff

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Laser-InterceptorUSA

The LI CPU should be Velcro'd under your steering column and NOT buried in your dash so that you can clearly hear the Voice Alerts as well as have access to the CPU when you need to perform updates.

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Ok. Should I wire the LI CPU to the Beltronics STi-R Plus speaker? I guess I would cut the Beltronics speaker wire and splice in the wires from the LI CPU. I could solder it or use quick disconnects.

No, if you wish to use an external speaker for the LI CPU, you will need a separate speaker. Wiring the LI and the STiR Plus to the same speaker will damage the LI which is not covered under warranty.

Cliff

Ah well, thanks again for all the info. :) I've decided where to install my LIs. It involves cutting! :) I made a post with lots of pics in the build thread I've been keeping for my car:
Nate's build thread - Page 2

Been meaning to post, so I got everything back together and it seems good. I'm parallel to the front of the car, straight ahead, not cross-eyed at all. I'm very level, using the supplied little green level. However, after completing everything, I realize I'm looking toward the sky slightly. I measured with an angle finder and it seems I'm looking up 7 degrees. Do you think it is worth pulling off the bumper and dorking around to get this to zero?

Nate,

Yes, up to the sky is no good! They must, must be pointed straight ahead like headlights for optimal performance.

Cliff

Damn, I knew you would say that. But, but... I don't want to take off the bumper again! :p

Slight hijack, if you suggest a separate speaker, are there any speakers you recommend over others? How big does the speaker have to be? How much fidelity comes from the alert tones?

Also I'm confused as to "flush" as well. So if I were to look at the car bird's eye from the top down, does the LI have to be flush/in front of the most forward part of the car, or does it just need to be flush with it's immediate surroundings?

This is a nice speaker: Auxiliary Speaker - Radar Detectors | Laser Detectors | Radar & Laser Experts ESCORT Radar

Flush with the grill mounting area as seen in the attached below.

Cliff

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Laser-InterceptorUSA

This is a nice speaker: Auxiliary Speaker - Radar Detectors | Laser Detectors | Radar & Laser Experts ESCORT Radar

Flush with the grill mounting area as seen in the attached below.

Cliff

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Cliff--Are you saying in that picture that they are mounted too flush? and need to come out a little more?

That was my old driver. That install was perfect! :-)

Cliff