Valentine 1 Concealed Display Install
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,483
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From: SE PA
Valentine 1 Concealed Display Install
I did of of these installs in my Cobra and have been pleased with it, so I did one for the Ex. (I had the dash our anyway to get my amber turn signal conversion to work with my trailer brake lights)
Here's the view from the driver's seat.
Works great..as the main unit no longer lights up...no one travelling behind you can tell you have a V1.
Here's the view from the driver's seat.
Works great..as the main unit no longer lights up...no one travelling behind you can tell you have a V1.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: SE PA
scubudo....the V1 itself must be on the windshield. It uses front and rear laser and radar antennas that need to see out both the front and rear windows. The benefit is that the main unit no longer lights up, so other traffic, etc, cannot tell you have one when it is in use.
The V1s use regular 4 wire telephone cord and plugs. I installed the system so that I have a female modular plug at the top of the windshield. All I need to do is suction cup the unit at the top of the window and plug it in. I have a small pigtail on the unit to plug in with. It goes on in a snap..and also is taken from the truck to avoid theft.
I originally thought it was dumb to have the unit of the window and also the remote display. I thought....if it still has to be on the window..what's the point. After using it in the Cobra....I "get it"...and wanted the same in the Ex.
The V1s use regular 4 wire telephone cord and plugs. I installed the system so that I have a female modular plug at the top of the windshield. All I need to do is suction cup the unit at the top of the window and plug it in. I have a small pigtail on the unit to plug in with. It goes on in a snap..and also is taken from the truck to avoid theft.
I originally thought it was dumb to have the unit of the window and also the remote display. I thought....if it still has to be on the window..what's the point. After using it in the Cobra....I "get it"...and wanted the same in the Ex.
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I have the V1 as well. Used the remote display in a BMW that I used to own. Once installed...I didn't think just moving the lights was worth the effort. Given that I drive the X much more conservitavely than I did the BMW, I have not bothered hooking it up in the X. I was hoping someone had a better way to conceal the main unit, but as you pointed out, doing so would elimninate its ability to detect Ladar. Your remote unit looks a little different than mine...does the audible alarm still come from the main unit?...That was another part of my dissatisfaction...I tended to look up at the main unit when it beeped, instead of the remote.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: SE PA
scubudo...the audio does indeed comes from the main unit, but there is a mute button on the current version of the remote display. I think they were updated not long ago.
It took me a few times to get used to looking at the display in the Cobra, but now that I have used it a few times, I am very pleased. I guess part of the reason I wanted to install the displays was so that folks following behind could not tell I have it on.
It took me a few times to get used to looking at the display in the Cobra, but now that I have used it a few times, I am very pleased. I guess part of the reason I wanted to install the displays was so that folks following behind could not tell I have it on.
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Joined: Mar 2005
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In my Beamer, that was my phylosophy as well...didn't wan't anyone trying to tag along and increase my chances of not being able to slow down promptly enough. In the X, there are usually enough people passing me that I don't have to worry about someone trying to follow in my shadow for very long.
It would be nice if there were a way to make the V1 a little less visible on the windshield. I realize ther are a couple of remote units out there...but they are just not as good as the V1.
It would be nice if there were a way to make the V1 a little less visible on the windshield. I realize ther are a couple of remote units out there...but they are just not as good as the V1.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Las Vegas nv.
Nice install. I was wondering where to mount a concealed display. I hate having everyone hundled sround me when I am going to cali. GO BUY YOUR OWN!!! umm sorry. Looks good. no problem seeing it? hearing it?
Chris
Chris
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: SE PA
Chris..thanks. The audio still comes from the main untit...no problem with hearing it.
The view in the pic is frm the driver's seat with the wheel tilted the way I like it...and the shifter in Drive. I am sure that in certain wheel positions...like slightly turned left..it would be obscured..but most of the time it's fine. I thought that was the perfect place. You can';t even see it looking in the driver's window.
The view in the pic is frm the driver's seat with the wheel tilted the way I like it...and the shifter in Drive. I am sure that in certain wheel positions...like slightly turned left..it would be obscured..but most of the time it's fine. I thought that was the perfect place. You can';t even see it looking in the driver's window.
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Where did you mount the main unit? All my friends that have it mount it on the right side of the rear view mirror moved to the right just enough for the rear sensor to have a clear view of the rear. This hides both the main unit and the info on what is being detected. Me being 6ft 8in makes the concealed display more of a nuisance than it does help so long as the detector is hardwired and mounted at the very top of the windshield because that places it directly in my field of view and doesn't require me to take my eyes off the road to see what is going on. That said, the Ex is so dang large I have considered a concealed display for the fact that I wouldn't have to reach 500 ft to shut the thing up at every false 
. Either way, great work on your install!
. Either way, great work on your install!
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: SE PA
turboale...thanks!
In both my cars, I suction cup the V1 to the top of the windshield on my side of the mirror. They are right at the top of the windshield where they are not readily noticed. (In the Cobra...there's even a matrix pattern in the glass that hides it further.)
As you know, the V1s use a modular phone plug, so I make up whatever length cables I need. I have a Radio Shack extension that has a female plug, which I attached to the very top of the windshield. (I also sprayed it with black vinyl dye). This way, I can leave a small pigtail attached to the V1 and just plug it in very quickly.
I also saw someone who used a CD type wallet thing that attached to the visor. They then cut a small hole in each end of it for the antennas to lok through and placed the V1 inside. Problem is..it precludes using the visors.
In both my cars, I suction cup the V1 to the top of the windshield on my side of the mirror. They are right at the top of the windshield where they are not readily noticed. (In the Cobra...there's even a matrix pattern in the glass that hides it further.)
As you know, the V1s use a modular phone plug, so I make up whatever length cables I need. I have a Radio Shack extension that has a female plug, which I attached to the very top of the windshield. (I also sprayed it with black vinyl dye). This way, I can leave a small pigtail attached to the V1 and just plug it in very quickly.
I also saw someone who used a CD type wallet thing that attached to the visor. They then cut a small hole in each end of it for the antennas to lok through and placed the V1 inside. Problem is..it precludes using the visors.
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 98
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From: Hunterdon County, NJ
Matt, refresh my memory, I can go direct to 12V and bypass he cigarette lighter adapter right?
I just got my '04 X a couple of months ago and want to ditch the dash clutter of the coiled cig adapter. What wires of the 4 telephone connector go to +/- if that will work?
I just got my '04 X a couple of months ago and want to ditch the dash clutter of the coiled cig adapter. What wires of the 4 telephone connector go to +/- if that will work?
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: SE PA
post-man...I used the direct wire adapters that came with my V1s, so I could simply plug in the display. I made my own length cords however, ensuring that they were straight through.
It is my understanding that there is some degree of power conditioning in the Valentine hard wire adapter....so it might be worth buying one if you do not have one. Two wires....black and red....come out for hook-up to your car...then the V1 and display simply plug in. The direct wire dealies are inexpensive.
I do know that the 4 wires in the modular plug that leads are the V1 is power, ground, data and mute. Which order...I don't know.
Direct wiring, especially (IMO) with the female extension at the top of the window makes it really convenient...and frees up your lighter.
It is my understanding that there is some degree of power conditioning in the Valentine hard wire adapter....so it might be worth buying one if you do not have one. Two wires....black and red....come out for hook-up to your car...then the V1 and display simply plug in. The direct wire dealies are inexpensive.
I do know that the 4 wires in the modular plug that leads are the V1 is power, ground, data and mute. Which order...I don't know.
Direct wiring, especially (IMO) with the female extension at the top of the window makes it really convenient...and frees up your lighter.
Last edited by Matt M, PA; Apr 24, 2006 at 08:59 AM.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,483
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From: SE PA
post-man...I lowered the fuse panel down so that I could get behind it, and tapped one of the wires that test as hot with the ignition on. This way, it shuts off with the key. I used a test light.
