My V1 install is complete. I was never a fan of radar detectors hanging from the windshield (even if they were hardwired) and some of the modular units that lend themselves to integration are ridiculously expensive and/or lacking in performance, so in my desire to have an installation that was as unobtrusive as possible I went the following route.

The remote display is mounted on top of the mirror, I made a small cutout in the mirror wire cover and ran the wire inside that that to the headliner, where it runs across the drivers side tucked into the headliner.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/28657/img_6158.jpg">

The wire then transitions to the a-pillar were it tucks underneath the airbag cover to make it to the weatherstriping, it then is tucked inside the weatherstriping to run down to the fusebox.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/28657/img_6160.jpg">

The hardwire module is tucked into the fursbox. Instead of using fuse taps or something along those lines I just modified a spade terminal and plugged right into the ignition on bus (the black bus) in an empty spot. As the hardwire module itself is fused and the draw is minimal, this should be fine. For what it's worth, the red bus is constant 12v if you have something that requires it.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/28657/img_6162.jpg">

I ran wires to the ashtray area and used a remote speaker module to control the power and volume of the unit (you can also mute from here). This provides full control and is at a very convenient place for quick access, a big benefit is that with the cover closed, you can not tell anything is in there. I did have to dremel out the bottom in order to fit the unit in so the door would close.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/28657/img_6164.jpg">

Having the display and control of the unit up front, let me put the actual detector on the back parcel shelf. I squared the unit with some high density foam and wrapped it with some textured material. It's not concealed, but unless someone really knew what they were looking for, they would never know it was a radar detector. It also helps that it's in the back window where most people would never think to look. If I am in a place that is questionable, the detector just unplugs and spins off the stud for safe keeping.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/28657/img_6168.jpg">

(dirty window)
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/28657/img_6170.jpg">

End result is that I can turn the detector on and off at any point without having to go through the hassle of getting it out and setting it up. In addition, I don't have this "thing: hanging from the windshield constantly.

And because I am sure you are wondering, I have seen no real measurable performance loss with the unit mounted where it is.

 

Very ingenious - congrats looks great

 

hmmm.... well done.

 

Well that's a different approach.

 

...only will provide detection from approach from the rear of the car, and will reduce the sensitivity of the forward facing sensor, where you really need it (to detect those stationary speed traps). Although the sensor window is facing forward, the front seat headrests block some of the sensor's field of "view" and the distance from the front of the car will not help you detect a signal until it is far too late.

Kudos on your thinking-out-of-the box approach, but there is a reason they are designed to hang on the windshield.

Just my two cents...

 

Good execution, questionable idea.

 

+1 Thats what I was thinking too. I would worry it wasn't as effective there.

 

far more times than they will get you from behind. Read the instructions and "do's and don'ts" on the Valentine website and you will see that you;re not doing yourself any favors mounting it there.

 

<ul><li><a href="http://store.caughtbluehanded.com/audikits.html">http://store.caughtbluehanded.com/audikits.html</a</li></ul>

 

Interesting, are there any screenshots of the MMI in action? Website is kind of light on content.