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Radar detector mount

ak74

New member
Joined
Jan 24, 2020
Location
West Virginia
Hi,

I have a 1987 Volvo 240DL. I'd like to mount a radar detector, preferably somewhere near the rear view mirror. I prefer not to use the suction cup mounts as they tend fall off. Most of the more solid mounts that attach to the rear view mirror stem are for cars that have the mirror glued to the windshield with a large diameter horizontal cylinder going from the windshield to the mirror on which to mount the bracket. The 240 mirror is different and the stem is smaller and comes down from the ceiling. Those mounts do not appear to be compatible. Additionally, the 240 mirror has a tab on the bottom for tilting the mirror if someone behind you has headlights on (like all cars had back in the day).

The radar detector is an Escort 8500 X50. BTW I have a dash cam right in front of the mirror, close to the mirror mount, which poses added complication. The radar detector would likely be most ideally positioned under and slightly ahead of the mirror. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Adam
 
Why is this in performance?

Because he'll probably need to modify his mirror.

I have a Valentine One mounted up there, but I no longer have the stock mirror.
https://www.240turbo.com/volvo240mods.html#gentex
But before I did this I had it mounted just above and to the right of the stock mirror. Dont know if your detector is as small as mine. Not sure about a cam up that high if your windshield has tint at the top.
Dave B
 
Because he'll probably need to modify his mirror.

I have a Valentine One mounted up there, but I no longer have the stock mirror.
https://www.240turbo.com/volvo240mods.html#gentex
But before I did this I had it mounted just above and to the right of the stock mirror. Dont know if your detector is as small as mine. Not sure about a cam up that high if your windshield has tint at the top.
Dave B

Hi Dave,

Thanks that's helpful. I like your mirror mod. I've thought about upgrading the mirror and have actually looked at the Gentex. I've also considered a mirror with integrated screen and bluetooth backup camera (above rear license plate) but these essentially clamp onto the existing mirror and doesn't quite look finished. I haven't found a stand alone one.

My dash cam is in the exact place where your radar detector aims so that's out. If I have a larger/thicker mirror, I may be able to velcro/command strip my radar detector to the top of it and to the right, where you say you had yours previously.

On a side note on dash cams: Let me expound on the virtues. My less than a year old Subaru STI was totaled and it was the other driver's fault who ran a red light. He denied fault and said I ran the red light. No witnesses. I was lucky enough to have public CCTV downtown but this was not easy to find. I've since installed dash cams (including rear facing camera) in all cars. I highly recommend the Apeman C550. Only $60 on Amazon, plus a little more for a hardwire kit if desired. As mentioned, mine is in front of the mirror at midline. Screen is behind the tint strip and camera just underneath. Barely noticeable from outside. The rear camera is screwed onto one of the plastic things on the rear of the headliner.

Adam
 
I use my Valentine 1 with provided suction cups and have no issues with it.

Why keep it high up, when that might impair its ability to see a long distance behind you?
 
I use my Valentine 1 with provided suction cups and have no issues with it.

Why keep it high up, when that might impair its ability to see a long distance behind you?

To keep it invisible from prying eyes outside the car? Mine absolutely is not impaired being up high just like my mirror is not impaired.

I have driven with others who like their detector low on the windshield near where it meets the dash. Can you reach it without stretching your arm? Nope. And If you're driving a more modern car with a long windshield, the detector is completely out of reach.

Putting it near the mirror makes it as easy to reach as the mirror and as easy to see also.
Dave
 
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I use a aftermarket Escort Suction mount (One big cup vs. 2 little cups) with my Escort x80. Mine has never fallen down in 2 yrs. Hope this gives you more insight towards your choice. cheers
 

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Hi,

I have a 1987 Volvo 240DL. I'd like to mount a radar detector, preferably somewhere near the rear view mirror. I prefer not to use the suction cup mounts as they tend fall off. Most of the more solid mounts that attach to the rear view mirror stem are for cars that have the mirror glued to the windshield with a large diameter horizontal cylinder going from the windshield to the mirror on which to mount the bracket. The 240 mirror is different and the stem is smaller and comes down from the ceiling. Those mounts do not appear to be compatible. Additionally, the 240 mirror has a tab on the bottom for tilting the mirror if someone behind you has headlights on (like all cars had back in the day).

The radar detector is an Escort 8500 X50. BTW I have a dash cam right in front of the mirror, close to the mirror mount, which poses added complication. The radar detector would likely be most ideally positioned under and slightly ahead of the mirror. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Adam

I've been using the suction cup mounts for ages they work fine, just slightly moisten the cup before you put it on the windshield. They come off once in a blue moon and are re-adhered in about 1 second.

And why are you trying to mount it so high - the cord hanging down that far in that position would drive me crazy (unless you are doing a good install and putting it under the trim)?
 
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I use a aftermarket Escort Suction mount (One big cup vs. 2 little cups) with my Escort x80. Mine has never fallen down in 2 yrs. Hope this gives you more insight towards your choice. cheers

This - and nice job with the cable install.
 
I have driven with others who like their detector low on the windshield near where it meets the dash. Can you reach it without stretching your arm? Nope. And If you're driving a more modern car with a long windshield, the detector is completely out of reach.

Putting it near the mirror makes it as easy to reach as the mirror and as easy to see also.
Dave


Why do I need to reach it? All I need to do is look at it when I get a hit to see what band it is. The cig=plug has a mute button on it if the auto mute isn't fast enough for my taste ("auto-mute" sorry you V1 guys aren't familiar with that :) ) - so it's even easier to reach than your rear-view mirror location.

Valentine 1 gen 1? You guys need to bite the bullet and upgrade to something that was designed after 2000 :-P At least go with the Gen 2.

Just good natured RD ribbing :wave:
 
I have my dash cam mounted just under the rearview mirror and my radar detected mounted low on the windshield so that it just barely hovers above the dashboard.

I thought most manufacturers recommend mounting radar detectors as low and level to the dashboard as possible?
 
Check this article out. Its a good read, and one thing to keep in mind is how both LiDar and RADAR function. Hills and turns change the efficiency as well. Also when you are operating at longer distances (+100ft), the 1-3' of elevation is minimal

http://roadfriendly.net/best-place-to-mount-a-radar-detector/




I have my dash cam mounted just under the rearview mirror and my radar detected mounted low on the windshield so that it just barely hovers above the dashboard.

I thought most manufacturers recommend mounting radar detectors as low and level to the dashboard as possible?
 
Check this article out. Its a good read, and one thing to keep in mind is how both LiDar and RADAR function. Hills and turns change the efficiency as well. Also when you are operating at longer distances (+100ft), the 1-3' of elevation is minimal

http://roadfriendly.net/best-place-to-mount-a-radar-detector/

I don't think it matters a whole lot with contemporary RDs - they aren't that finicky. My Uniden DFR6 will pick up radar a mile or more before I come upon the bull on the highway and I doubt relocating it anywhere on the windscreen would make much of a difference.

The DFR6 really is a tremendous bang for the buck if anyone is looking to purchase a RD for under $200 bucks. It will typically pay for itself with your firt avoided ticket.

Been running mine for 3 years or so and it is a bad ass.

https://www.ratedradardetector.org/uniden/dfr6-review/
 
I don't think it matters a whole lot with contemporary RDs - they aren't that finicky. My Uniden DFR6 will pick up radar a mile or more before I come upon the bull on the highway and I doubt relocating it anywhere on the windscreen would make much of a difference.
Vortex did testing. Still matters.
Just because your range is very good doesn't mean it couldn't be even better with proper positioning, it just means compromising the position is a little less dramatic than it used to be.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDBEakDXJps
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0GuhB4SkUI
 
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Vortex did testing. Still matters.
Just because your range is very good doesn't mean it couldn't be even better with proper positioning, it just means compromising the position is a little less dramatic than it used to be.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDBEakDXJps

:lol: That video was done in 2015. But I get your point.

Look, if it was less dramatic then it is even more so now. It's pretty negligible on contemporary units unless you are putting them somewhere where there is an actual obstruction in front of the unit (window tint etc).

The biggest issues with location are:

1) Is it legal to have one and can police easily see it?
2) In most states it is "illegal" to have things attached to the windshield (doubt anyone has ever been cited for that)
3) Is the location going to obstruct your view or cause a big distraction when you have to look at it to see what is going on (and with voice announce on most units and auido indication of radar presence you almost never have to look at the thing).

Seriously with contemporary units you aren't going to notice enough of a difference in performance based on location to really care.
 
I've always had problems with the suction cup mounts staying put, including the large single cup.

I decided to mount the radar detector high, both to avoid "prying eyes" (cops or crooks) and to get it out of my field of view. Not the best place for rearward detection but it's worth it for me. Dash cam in center, in front of mirror stem. RD above mirror on right side of dash cam.

I found on eBay some stick on mounts compatible with the Escort radar detectors. Very clean. I also found a direct wire kit including LED and mute button. These come in choice of flush mount or drill-a-hole mount for the mute button. Switchable blue or red for LED (though they're too bright). I put them into one of the blank switch plates on the center dash. Wires for RD and cash cam are under the front of headliner and A pillar covers.

Will try to add pics.

A


A


A
 
I've had Escorts forever and the suction cups do 'dry out' and get hard over time, and eventually will become useless.

Re: reaching forward to get it at the base of the windshield... get the little smart remote silencer thing!
 
I've had Escorts forever and the suction cups do 'dry out' and get hard over time, and eventually will become useless.

Ya - Uniden cups last forever. That said how much are replacement cups? A buck or two every few years?

Also you will find that if you bend the cup in a "bending back into shape" kind of motion that will often rejuvenate them.

And never forget the bit of moisture on the cup prior to adhering.

Re: reaching forward to get it at the base of the windshield... get the little smart remote silencer thing!

^ this
 
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