tzakiel

I just got a cobra 9400 radar detector. So far it seems to be working well but I have two questions...

1. How far ahead should it be warning me? The last time it found a cop doing radar, I was almost on top of him before it sped up the warnings. I would say I had 1/8 mile to slow down or even less.

2. Is there any way to rig this thing up without a giant ugly phone cord stretched across my dash?

Thanks for any replies.

Dennis in NH

Mount the radar detector (I have a V1) with suction cups just to the right of the rearview mirror (make sure the detector "sees" below the tinted portion for max effectiveness).

I strung a phone chord from the V1, threaded through the passenger visor, to the moldling down the passenger side A pillar (I inserted the chord inside the rubber molding (by flipping it up and tucking the wire inside).

I then threaded the wire below the passenger dash area and along the side of the center console (tucking the wire all the way) and then up/around to the inside cubby space that contains the cig. lighter pluggie. I plugged it in there.

The only visible wire is between passenger visor and passenger A pillar (with the passenger visor up).

Dennis

vp911

1. Mount it high on your windshield for best range (but slightly below the tint line at the top). This iwll give you the best range. Or you could go return it and buy the V1 for $400 which IMO kills all the others. The other good one is the passport x50 - but doesn't have the arrows telling you where the cop is.

2. Yes, you can hardwire it to the fusebox. If you don't know how to do this, go to a local car audio shop or a circuit city and pay them no more than $35 and they can do it in less than 15 minutes. (Search for this - there are several threads on hardwiring radar detectors)

Brewmaster

The distance of warning depends on what the cop is shooting, where he is relative to you, and a whole host of other things. On a straight shot with a cop shooting wide open, a good detector will give you anywhere form 1/2 to 1 1/2 mile warning. (Those are the ones where the cop just wants to be visible and get people to slow down.) If the cop is shooting instant-on or laser your screwed either way. You'll get used to warning distances the more you drive around with it.

As far as placement, see if Cobra offers a hard-wire kit, place it where Dennis said, run the hardwire across the top of the driver's side windshield (you can snug it under the weathestripping) when you get to the a-pillar, you can take off the entire trim piece by using a thin screwdriver and easing the square plug out, then the whole trim piece comes off. zip-tie your power wire to the wiriing loom to keep it out of the way of the airbag. pull it in behind the plastic of the dashboard and tie it in to your fuse box using an add a circuit (an auto supply store has them)

If you find a circuit that only goes on when the car is on, you won't even have to turn it on it'll come up automatically when you start the car!

tzakiel

I had it on my dash because for one the cord it came with was very short and 2 i didn't want a big ugly thing on my window. I like the idea dennis has about sticking the wire in the moulding. Dennis, where can I get a long, straight cord like that to use? I assume you dont have a coiled one as that would be hard to conceal.

What do you guys do if you DO get pulled over? Stash the detector or leave it up for the cop to see.

tzakiel

I leave it on 24/7 now... it seems to be fine that way... when I start the car, it turns on.

Where can I get a long uncoiled cord for it?

Brewmaster

Unless your in DC or someplace where it's illegal .. leave it up ... you don't want to be acting squirrely when a cop is coming up behind you, its a good way to get your ass hauled out felony-stop style.

Check Cobra, for a hardwire kit, or you can just splice into the wire you have.

Good luck!

Scribesoft

Radio Shack will usually have "generic hard-wire" kits for radars. Unless you have a phone style connection to the detector (like on my Passport 8500), the generic kits usually come with 4 different sized plugs (which are interchangeable - based on your radar).

It's basically a long straight wire you tuck into the headliner and down the pillar (I went the opposite way Dennis did - down the driver-side pillar as I wired it directly into the fuse box on that side of the car).

I've never seen one costing more than a couple of bucks.

DMZ

Another solution is to just get the top rated cordless model, the Escort SOLO-S2.

http://www.escortradar.com/solo.htm

vp911

Dennis in NH

I have a coiled wire for connection to the cig. lighter -- for rental/loaner cars.

The V1 kit came with straight phone line cable. I noticed that I had some long phone cable in my basement (from the days of dialup) and tried it and it worked. I also had a straight-thru coupler I used to extend it. If phone cable works, you can get it anywhere (e.g., Radio shack, Best Buy, etc.). Just try out some regular phone cable from your phone and see if it works before buying. If you want to get real cool, you can get a crimper, etc. and custom size the cable. In my case, I bunched the extra cable inside the center armrest space.

OT: In my case, I have the V1 remote unit and wired it on top of the steering column (the stationary part). The steering column is low enough so I can see all the indicators and the remote unit. I used double sided tape to mount it. If I do it again, I'd color the edges of the double sided tape with black marker so it will match the black color of the steering column.

Dennis

Dennis in NH

If there is a cop close by, I will put the passenger side visor down. This blocks view of the V1 from the rear. Also, if he's in front, I do the same and even though you can still see it in the day, the visor will distract the view. At night, the V1 cannot be seen from front or rear if visor is down. In the day, I act like the sun is in my eyes and put both visors down. Smart cops will know what you're doing anyway.

Same for people who would steal the V1, put the visor down when you leave the car and people walking behind cars scoping what to steal will not see the V1. If rough places (I rarely frequent -- i.e., never), put the V1 out of sight.

The V1 remote unit is cool because the lights only show up on the remote unit and not on the main unit where people (e.g., cops) can see.

Dennis

tzakiel

Can't find anyhting on radioshack.com... guess ill just have to take a look in a store.

Scribesoft

I found this on the Cobra website for $7.. Radar Hardwire

My wife has a Cobra as well and it basically tells her where all the stores with alarms are and that she just passed a speed trap. Santa will be getting her an X50 this x-mas...

After experiencing the Passport 8500 for the past 3 years, I will never buy a lesser radar detector again. Anything else (IMO) gives you a false sense of security.

The V1 guys will probably say the same thing about the Valentine. Escort and Valentine owners will swear by their respective brands as they have seen the difference between the cheaper models and a real detector.

If you are going to hardwire something, I would highly recommend waiting until you have either a V1 or Escort. They are expensive, but well worth it.

That being said, if you want to keep the Cobra, the link above should help you get the hardwire for the 9400.

tzakiel

I'm not going to hardwire, I'm just going to run a cable down my sill, etc to the lighter. I am not going to spend over $300 on a detector, just the way of things... some things I spend on and others I can't afford the very best.

Abnmarine

Here is some additional information for you.

Radar travels at 186,000 mph until it is either absorbed or reflected. The average human reaction time is 3/4 of a second. If travelling 75mph in 55mph zone, once your radar warns you and by the time you decided to slow down, you already travelled 109.95 feet. If the radar is targetting your vehicle, he will already have your vehicle speed before you ever slow down.

Radar is only good for responding to other vehicles that are targeted. Me personally, I travel 5-9 mph over the speed limit. Most officers don't even respond to this.

HiTEC

I own 3 V1's and an 8500. Both are top rated detectors and there are no substitutes. Sorry, but I would return that Cobra and get yourself and 8500 X50 or a V1.

KaMLuNg

iTrader: (5)

yeah i agree... 5-9ph is enough... unless there is a group of ppl speeding along.. i will follow them but try to stay in the middle of the group with the radar on...

vp911

Agreed. If you don't want to spend more than 300 get the X50.

HEK

You know I was a Whistler fan for years, not the top of the line but good radars in my book, now I have a Radio Shack brand that is made by...Whistler... , and here is my thoughts on these,
1st I know a few cops in town whom have been trained to use Instant ON (hand held units) and they're told to aim at the front license plate, therefore if you're radar is equiped to detect this type of signal it's to your advantage to keep it as close to the bottom of the dashboard as possible which will detect the signal but it will be too late anyways since at that instant you're clocked .
I have been caught with this device in a nearby town but with luck I was able to get a warning and a compliment about my car.
Most towns I drive to and from work have the radars that are mounted on the side or dash of the cop cars and these I pick up at close to 1/4 mile ahead. On the highway (MA State troopers) also have these devices mounted on the side of the car but the signal shoots a shorter distance, therefore hand eye coordination is a must of you don't want a ticket.
Is the radar worth it?..I'd say it is, not only does it makes me aware of where the cops are but also warns me about construction ahead since most signs have a signal (X band) that makes then radar go off...and the one time it saves you from getting a ticket it has paid for itself right there and then...

And the wife's Ody...

HiTEC

For Radar it's not going to make a difference where you mount the detector on your windshield (except maybe behind the tint band). What your saying is possibly true for Lasar/Lidar, but it won't make one bit of difference for radar.

You should hard-wire so you don't have to deal with goofy lighter plugs and wires running around your car.

I don't put much behind anything sold at Radio Shack, but if it works for you... all the better.

vp911

Yes it does. At least, in theory. Suppose you are going up a hill and on the other side of the hill there is a cop, if you mount the radar at the top of your windshield, you are likely to get a few extra seconds notice of the cop with the radar. If you mount it at the bottom of the windshield you are unlikely to get as much notice.

HiTEC

If you have a top quality detector it's not going to make a difference if you move you detector up or down on your windshield +/- 18". I don't know about your detector, but my V1 picks up radar long before I crest the hill. If yours doesn't then your dead right when you crest that hill regardless if the detector is mounted at the top or bottom of your windshield. That 19" difference will maybe make a millisecond difference (shorter than your brain can tell your foot to press the brake).

Radar waves spread out the further they are from the source and bounce around off solid objects = FACT

I'll keep my V1 hard-wired at the top of my windshield (under the tint band).

vp911

I am talking about that for other lower end detectors. I have the V1. I mounted it high because the they (at V1) suggested it in their manuals. Now, my other reason is that it is to the right of the mirror and I can just flip down the visor to hide the detector.

HiTEC

I do the same. You almost don't have to ever worry about taking it down. You almost can't see it from outside unless you're really looking for it.

I think we both agree.

vp911

^