RD mount angle (yaw)?

[WhistlerUser]

My wife just told me she's been mounting her xtr-695 at a 45 degree angle to the road, so she can easily read the display. It's mounted to the dash with double sided tape as it's illegal to mount an RD to the windshield in CA. My question is, does this compromise its ability to detect radar? I know it definitely affects Laser detection, but what about radar?

My thinking is that while it may look strange, the forward facing (now 45 degree forward facing) radar sensor provides 360 degrees of detection, so the angle of incidence to the road shouldn't matter.

[texasspeed]

if you mount it anyway but straight with the road, it will definatly throw off the detection..that being because it is off axis..yes it says it has 360, but depending on which radar you have it probably just has on antenna..your radar needs to mounted as high up as possible on the windsheild, visor, review mirror and straight...read the owners manaul ...also you might find it hard to read the screen, but thats where voice comes into play, if you have that feature..or you could memorize what the different bands beeps sound like..good luck.

[Jag42]

Hardwire it high above your RVM using 3m super lock fasteners from radio shack. I'm sure californiandoesn't enforce that. Many people have GPS now days and other gadgets on there windshields

[WhistlerUser]

Hardwire it high above your RVM using 3m super lock fasteners from radio shack. I'm sure california doesn't enforce that. Many people have GPS now days and other gadgets on there windshields

As of Jan 1, 2009 it is now LEGAL to mount a GPS to your windshield in CA. It must be mounted in the "lower 7-inch corner farthest away from the driver or in the lower 5-inch corner closest to the driver." No such luck for RDs.

I'd LOVE to hardwire it above the RVM, but there's no room. See the pics. I suppose I could mount it to the left of the mirror, but I'm hesitant to hardwire it for three reasons:
1) BMW has been refusing to fix certain electrical issues under warranty if they see you've hard wired a RD (ie malfunctioning sunroof or an airbag warning light). Total BS, but not worth the fight IMHO.
2) The parking lot at my wife's office has been experiencing quite a few break-ins recently. They've been targeting cars with ANYTHING left out - purses, boxes, electronics, etc. I'd prefer not to give them a reason to smash her window.
3) Her parking lot is outdoors. Leaving a RD in the sun all day every day tends to fry it.

[Cloaked Milan]

I know it definitely affects Laser detection, but what about radar?

Yes it matters, and sometimes a lot. You need to mount it like the picture below or at least stop mounting it 45 degrees.

[Whistler1]

All detectors should be mounted straight and level if possible.


Whistler1