larryka

I decided to take advantage of the warm weather in the DC area on Friday and install my V1 in my RL instead of doing the Zaino application ritual like I probably should have . The first thing I noticed was that the RL uses ATM mini-fuses for the main driver's side fuse panel, I didn't check the other panels. The second thing I noticed was that position 33 is open and rated for a 7.5 amp fuse, it's also a switched circuit. Based on the label I think it's meant for powered accessories that might be added to the car, maybe the rear backup sensors? Anyway, I didn't have a great way to power the V1 off of the open mini-fuse socket, so I just ran the power cord (aka phone cord) to the 12v lighter socket adapter for now, until I get a mini-fuse tap.

Here's the main issue...the V1 almost constantly reports laser detection. By the time I was done with the installation it was dark, so I had to use my headlights while driving around. I'm not positive, but the false detection seemed to stop when I shutoff my headlights, so I'm thinking it might be picking up a reflection from the HIDs. I had HIDs in my W8 though, and this never happened. Very rarely I would get a false reading if I was behind a car with certain brake lights or an on-coming car that had certain HIDs, although I never noticed which brand cars those were. I haven't driven with the V1 in the RL during the day yet, so I guess I'll find out if it really is the headlights (HIDs).

I have read a couple of sites that say the V1 is susceptible to certain RFI that electronics in some cars emit, which can cause false laser detection as well. I mounted the V1 on the driver's side visor using the visor clip, and I ran the power cord down the pillar, along the side of the dash, underneath the steering column, next to the center console to the 12v socket. I wonder if the power cord could be running next to something that is causing this... I might try some different mounting locations as well, maybe moving the detector to the passenger's side would give it enough distance from the source of the "interference" if there is one...

If worse comes to worse, I'll just disable the laser detector portion of the detector since from what I have heard laser warnings usually happen too late to avoid the ticket anyway. Personally, I only have seen one accurate laser warning, and I was doing the speed limit at the time when the officer lit me up. Radar is a different story though and I love the V1's direction arrows.

I guess I'm posting this to find out if anyone else has noticed this behavior, and as an early warning to other V1/RL owners.

On a semi-related note, has anyone found a way through the RL's firewall to bring power into the cabin/trunk from the battery?

[EDIT] Adding on to this long post... I also noticed that there might be convenient power on the windshield from the auto-dimming mirror's power socket underneath the plastic cover in front of the overhead console. I haven't figured out which circuit the mirror is part of though, and how much current the connector can handle, but it might work out.

larryka

Just an update... Driving around today with the V1 I didn't get false laser readings. However, when I was finishing up some wiring and it started to get darker out, I did get false laser readings. It turned out to be the screen on my navi. If I faced the detector towards the screen and used the navi brightness button to cycle it on and off, the false laser detection was in synch. I guess mounting the V1 on the windshield would help, right now with it on the visor it's set relatively far back into the cockpit, almost above my head.

Anyway, it wasn't the culprit that I was expecting, but at least the mystery is solved.

Just for reference, I finished up the install with a Littelfuse MINI Add-A-Circuit that my local Pepboys had in the store, but didn't list on their website. I ended up using fuse position 32, I couldn't get power from 33 with the orientation of the AAC that I had to use to make it fit.

CGTSX2004

iTrader: (1)

Wow...the LCD much be quite bright to be triggering the sensor in a radar detector.

fmcgirt

I installed my V1 low on the drivers side next to the side pillar with velcro. Not great as it is very exposed but don't want anything interfering with my visors. Ran the power wire down to fuse #32 in the left interior fuse box (with a mini fuse tap) which is switched. All works fine with no falsing.

Frank

TLXLR8S

was the primary color on the navi red? that might be why it gave u the false alarm. try it with a different primary color.

its just a guess

larryka

Hi Frank -

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll give it a shot and see if I like it down there. I have been annoyed with the loss of the easy use of my visor as well, but I have lived with it for a couple of years now while trying to keep the detector out of site of others since I frequently drive in DC and VA.

larryka

It's a logical guess, but not on the mark this time . The standard day/night map screen was causing the false alarms. I haven't found the color of the display content to make a difference. I might call up V1 support to see if they have heard of this from others. If not, then at least they'll hear of it from me in case someone else runs into this.

larryka

Ah, the wonders of google... It looks like an MDX owner had a similar experience with his V1 and navigation system...

http://acuramdx.org/forums/showthrea...threadid=15003

fmcgirt

Yes, it worries me a lot too to have it so exposed but at least I can easily disconnect it and pull it off the velco if I am going to leave the car in places I worry about.

I want to find the time to take a look at mounting the V1 to the windshield with the suction cup mount just to the right of the mirror mount in the space between it and the visor. In other vehicles I have also modified the visor mount and have used pop rivits to mount it to the overhead console. So far with the RL I just haven't found a permanent-type convenient place yet.

Frank

AcuraRLBlue

Larryka;

Would having the V1 by the pillar block the laser sensor to the back?

neuronbob

I have noticed this behavior with my V1 when bright sunlight is reflecting off a vehicle, usually in front of me. I slow down anyway because one can never be sure, even though it is true that if you're nabbed with radar, you're nabbed period.

larryka

Probably, but I doubt I'll be hit too often from behind. I thought I remember reading that there isn't an "in-motion" laser gun anyway.

On a related note, over the past couple of days the number of false laser alarms has dropped for some reason without moving my V1 from my visor. It's still annoying, but tolerable for now.

larryka

I'm not too worried about someone stealing it, although that is a concern, I'm more worried about the cops in DC/VA seeing it before/after they pull me over since the detector is illegal in those areas.

Let me know if you eventually find an ideal location. I have tried the suction cup mount and it kept falling off. Maybe I have to clean the cups and the windshield for a better seal.

427

I've never had a problem with my suction cup mounts (watch me curse myself with that comment) ... They held in my previous car (MB CLK) for a few years without trouble.

Currently, itz only been a week in my new RL ... But no increase in false alarms or falling off. BTW- I have it mounted on the windshield and directly below the rear view mirror. Just enough is hanging below the mirror to get radar/laser coverage from the back of the vehicle.

Karl_in_Chicago

I've never had a prob with suction cups except in extreme cold (less than 10 degrees F). Having clean cups and glass is important, though. On my '99 Vette I have a neat/cheap little adapter that allows me to mount the V1 to a bracket attached to the rear-view mirrror. Right now, as I evaluate an RL purchase, my bad-weather-mobile/grocery-getter is a Volvo XC-70 Cross Country. The suction cups work fine on that; just did a round-tripper from Chicago to Atlanta and had no problems. My preference, though, would be more rear-view mirror bracket options and if/when I replace the Volvo with an RL I'd certainly be seeking out something along that line for the cleaner/easier install that provides.

427

Do you have a website or phone number to obtain these brackets?

Karl_in_Chicago

Sure. Go to Great Lakes Trophies - corvette mirror mount

You need to click through a couple of things but they have a section for Corvette enthusiasts and down near the bottom they have 2 different mirror mounts - one's for the original mirror (mine) and the other for the later auto-dimming mirrors. It's worked great for me.

427

Thanx for the info!

Karl_in_Chicago

You are very welcome. I also love your avatar - it might be applicable to my SBC 99 'vette in the near future as I'm planning on adding a set of AFR heads and a LGM cam to my setup (already have the LGM longtube headers) and am looking for ~460+ rhwp. Kinda looks like a done deal that I'll replace my Volvo with the RL for bad-weather duty and would love to be able to do a similar mirror mount of the V1. Might be worth those of us interested to let the folks at Great Lakes Trophies know that there's an interest. My sense is that they created the 'vette mount because one of the owners had a 'vette and was unhappy with the mounting options. Letting them know there's a potential market for RL owners might make them look at what mods might be required to RL-ize the bracket.

AcuraRLBlue

My latest ideal mount position for my Escort is on the right shoulder of the driver’s seat. I put the unit into the front lace pocket of a Samsonite camera bag, so that both the front and rear sensors are unobstructed. The straps of the bag are around the headrest metal posts. The bag is held on the right shoulder of the seat with a Velcro strap to the right post.

I plan to put the bag up only when driving for long distance, during other times it would be just hang from the posts at the back of the seat. The weight of the radar detector renders the bag to hang in such a way that the radar detector faces the back of the driver’s seat and so is hidden from plain view. The power cable is routed into the center compartment through the driver’s side. I will pull the Velcro strap so that the bag will fall onto the back of the driver’s seat (such as leaving the car or stopped by a trooper/highway patrol).

I could only hear the warning with this set up and could not see the detector’s screen, so I turned the screen light down to further conceal the device. I am not interested in upsetting any police officer by displaying the device, but I still like to use the radar detector to primarily remind me to check my speed to avoid speeding without being aware of it.

AcuRL

iTrader: (1)

I like your setup. I also have a escort radar would like to do the same. Do you have any pics of your setup?

AcuraRLBlue

Thanks. I will take some pic's, hopefully soon.

AcuraRLBlue

As I was taking pictures of the detector mounting set up, I decided that it was not "systems" enough (it was not easy to set it up again).

I then came up with another set up that do away with the bag but still retain the strap of the camera bag to hang the detector when I need to drop it away from plain view in a hurry.

The following first 2 pics show the initial set up, and the rest show the "improved" set up.

For the improved set up, I use these materials: a Velcro tie (blue and yellow in the pictures), a strip of Scotch "hook" Velcro type of fastener with adhesive back (from Staples, and a strap from a camera bag.

The Velcro fastener strip is adhered to the back and the sides of the detector (the second Velcro strip from the bottom of the detector). The Velcro strip is located on the detector in such a way that the Velcro tie that eventually tied onto the detector will not obstruct the on/off button, the speaker, and the controls of the detector.

I then placed the camera bag strap along the back of the detector, and then I wrapped the Velcro tie around the detector and the strap so that the blue portion of the Velcro tie (with the “loop” material of the Velcro) is onto the “hook” material of the sticky Velcro strip adhered to the back and the sides of the detector

The detector is then placed on the right side of the driver’s seat shoulder, with the rear laser lens up. The Velcro tie is then place between the two halves of the headrest, and the yellow portion of the tie (with Velcro “hooks”) is pressed onto a fabric located on the rear half of the headrest.

Part of the yellow portion of the Velcro tie is coming out of the left side of the headrest. When I want to drop the detector out of plain view in a hurry, I would pull this part of the Velcro tie. If I want to put away the detector for a while, I could put it either into the center compartment or the camera bag and take it with me.

Sorry, for some reason I could not put the images in.
[IMG]C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\Desktop\RL radar detector\DSC02039[/IMG]

[IMG]

AcuraRLBlue

[IMG]C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\Desktop\RL radar detector\DSC02039

AcuraRLBlue

[IMG]C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\Desktop\RL radar detector\DSC02039[/IMG]

AcuraRLBlue

AcuraRLBlue

Finally, I learned how to post pictures. Please see my prior post for the descriptions.

AcuraRLBlue

Finally, I learned how to post pictures. Please see my prior post for the descriptions to the following pictures.

1HOT NSX

I got the power off the rearview mirror for my V1 and I placed it on the windshield on the passenger side. No false alarms at all, no interference with the sun visor (the steep rake of the windshield keeps the V1 away) and you can't see the wire. Perfect fit, no issues.

Only one detail - the power to your V1 will go off every time you put the car in reverse. Not a problem unless you are planning to go over 65 mph in reverse

bkw

*Bump*

I'm having issues with my V1 and false laser too. Looking for updates!

NJRonbo

1HOT,

I realize you drive a NSX and I drive a RL, but how do you get
power off of the rearview mirror? This would certainly save me
a lot of hassle getting my V1 installed next week.

bkw

I read his howto and it looks like he splices the telephone cable and taps them into wires powering his upper console.

I did it the hard way - 12' cable hardwired to the ACC socket (#32 i think) and grabbing ground from the hood release bolt - only because with his method, I dont think he uses an inline fuse, and it'd be difficult to hide the V1 hardwiring unit (I'm using the concealed display so I have to use this piece).

bkw

Found it.

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=330

NJRonbo

Hey guys!

Just had my Valentine One hardwired in my Acura this week.

It's acting sort of crazy and I'm wondering if there is something
about the Acura that is making it act this way.

I start the car, it powers up, and basically lights up like a
Christmas tree sounding a non-stop siren that does not cease.

Never had this problem in my previous car.

Wondering if anyone else has the same problem.

vp911

Where is it mounted? Try to move it, the navi screen may be causing the alert. Is it the laser alert going off? If so, it is more than likely your nav screen and the V1 should be moved to another location on the windshield

NJRonbo

The Valentine is mounted on my driver visor, via sliding mount,
just above my forehead.

Do you think this is too close to the NAV screen?

Out of curiosity, and perhaps I missed the explanation, why is the
NAV screen responsible for false alarms?

Thanks for the help.

bkw

I had this problem too, so I decided to disable the laser function on my V1. If I ever have to drive for long distances, I'll reactivate it, but for now I'm happy without the constant beeping of the laser.

vp911

Yes. You need to move it. Other people have complaineda bout it in that spot. Personally I have mine mounted on the windhsield to the right of the rear view mirror, just slightly below the tint line.

The LEDs from the nav cause the false alarm. Best guess is that it uses the same frequency that laser would (I am not very familiar with the technical terms). It is the same effect as if you are behind a Chevy SUV (trailblazer) and they are braking, the laser alert will go off.

NJRonbo

VP911

That's not really much farther where I have mine mounted now.

I suppose even a few inches will make a difference.

Thanks for the tip!

vp911

Yep, try it out. You will notice the difference immediately.