Radar Detectors in the 350Z

Has anyone put a radar detector in their new 350Z yet? What brand and where did you put it?

It looks to me like there is not enough room above the rearview mirror to fit in a Valentine One. Also, there are small dots (paint?) on the windshield around the rearview mirror that will definately block laser detection and may block radar detection as well. It looks like the passanger visor mount may be the best way to go but then you can't use the visor.

It also looks like the rear antenna may be obstructed by the CHMSL. I certainly can't see much in the mirror and it is not mounted as high as the detector will be.

I am using a Valentine1 in my Z.
For the time being I'm using winshield suction mounts, so that sitting in the drivers position, it's just below the rear view mirror.
The only thing I dislike is where the power outlet is located. I'm thinking about a direct wiring plug.
From the position the detector is in, I get front back, and side bogeys.

So the V1 definately does not fit/function above the rearview mirror? Doesn't it block you field of view below the the mirror? Do you have it tucked up under the mirror or completely below it?

I would definately hard wire it in. There should be switched 12V available right there in the wires running to the mirror. I have been checking daily for the shop manual at http://www.nissan-techinfo.com/ but still not available.

I am using a Vector 940 and I also have it placed below the rearview. My last car had a pair of fuzzy dice hanging off the mirror so I guess I am used to that kind of visual interference. I tried to get up behind the overhead peice that has the glasses holder and the interior lights but I did not want to pull too hard so I found a different to do it.
The cord that came with my Vector was curly like a phone cord and actually rather long. Furthermore, the wire comprising the cord is fairly flat. I found it rather easy to "tuck" the wire just inside the edge of the headliner where it meets the windshield. Then I "tucked" it under the top edge of the left hand pillar cover (plastic). From there, there is a wide rubber insulator that runs the length of the pillar down to the far left side of the dash where the duct that connects to the door vent goes. I used a flathead screwdriver to tuck the wire (uncoiled) under the rubber insulator - very clean and totally invisible. Once you are at the bottom of the rubber insulator there is another plastic overlay peice. Just tuck behind this peice and you have 8 inches to go to the fuse box. The fuse box is a great place to find the +12 volts you need for the detector. Find a slot that is empty but wired to the accessories function (you will know you found one if it turns off when you take the key out.) The bottom portion of each slot is powered. The advantage of using power from an accessory slot VS using the 12 volt power wired to the mirror or the lights next to the glasses holder is that you dont have to remember to turn the power on the detector to OFF when you leave you car. Especially if you forget to do stuff like that because given enough time you could drain your battery.

(by the way you MUST fuse your positive lead or risk problems you dont want to have. I suggest wiring a Female cigarette plug to the fuse box so that you dont have to cut any wires on your detector and the original fuse can stay in the male plug - which is the best way to protect your car and the dector and allows you to pull the detector out and use it in another car some day)

Now you need to find your negative lead. There is a carpet bolt behind and between the clutch and break. It looks like a plastic nut. This nut is screwed onto a a ground bolt. Attach a wire loop tab to a wire and find a metal nut that has the proper threads and bolt a ground wire to this nut.
Now you have negative and accessory switched positive leads. I really do suggest using the female plug connector to attach to these leads - radio shack $4.95.
Now you should be hard wired.... No more clothes line to dry your boxers on in the car.
Please do not attempt this hard wire stunt if you are even slightly unsure of your abilities. The 12 volt power system (actually 14.4 volt) is not a place to mess around. If you dont know what you are doing you can cause problems.... Really weird stuff too - like abnormal electronic resistance in your airbag system or computer failure. If you really need to hide your detector wire and you have no idea what a ground bolt or an accessory switched positive lead is, you should take you Z to a trusted stereo install lot and have them help you. They should not charge for more than an hours work and the connector tabs needed for the job cost pennies.

Have fun dodging the cops Yall and remember... Radar detectors are not legal in all states.

Join us next time for automatic pilot installation - just kidding

Z ya

I'm installing my detector tommorow. I have mounted the detector and just need to supply it with power. I've mounted it just to the left of the rear view and as high as I could get it.

As for power... I plan on tapping off the power lead to the rear view mirror. I'll run the wire up to the headliner over to the mirror and down. a short run of aboutr 6 or 7". The wire will be completely concealed and I'll include a 1A mini fuse. The detector draws less than 300ma so should not present a problem tapping it off the rearview power.

DJ

strike that last post.... I tried to tap into the rear view power.. no good. when I powered up the detector I heard some relays click and the dash lights flicker.

something wigged out the circuit so I ended up tapping off the fuse box instead.

thought I'd try it at least

DJ

The Z will be my 4th car in 4 years. In every car that I've owned I've used the same detector and mounted it in the same place... but apparently I'm not radar savvy. I have an escort passport and I have always mounted it very low on the windshield, centered with the rearview mirror but at the bottom of the windshield... that way there aren't any cords hanging down or anything. All of you have said you mount them up high, does that allow it to scan better?? If not, I say just mount it at the bottom with suction cups and let the cord drape down. Maybe its just me!! :confused:

you want the detector as high as possible to get a clean signal from the radar gun. too close to the dash and you may not get full sensativity due to the radar scattering off the hood.

no worries about the cord hanging down though.... run the cord along the front edge of the headliner. only about 1" of my cord shows.... the rest is secretly hidden in the headliner and door post all the way down to the fuse box.

DJ
www.raptoronline.com