V1 needs to address this issue...

[Airbag79]

Just recently hardwired a V1 with concealed display. Don't know how I got by without one for so long, best $460 I've spent.

My only gripe is the concealed display. Mike Valentine seems to have his sh** together, but why the heck did he put the interface on the left side!!!? Was the space constraint so critical that it wouldn't fit on the back? It makes it impossible to install clean!

Anybody know of any fixes for this?

Open to any and all ideas. I will try to post pics later.

[snowball]

Just recently hardwired a V1 with concealed display. Don't know how I got by without one for so long, best $460 I've spent.

My only gripe is the concealed display. Mike Valentine seems to have his sh** together, but why the heck did he put the interface on the left side!!!? Was the space constraint so critical that it wouldn't fit on the back? It makes it impossible to install clean!

Anybody know of any fixes for this?

Open to any and all ideas. I will try to post pics later.

Because the back is used for mounting it to the included cigarette lighter plug with the swiveling mount. Guess they are trying to be too universal. Anyway you can put the cable through the back and direct wire the darn thing - it's only four wires. Simple mod. I put mine in my ash tray and it helps that the plug is not on the back. :laugh:

[Raven]

My V1 install w/ concealed display:

http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo268/rlpiii/IMG_3661.jpg
http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo268/rlpiii/IMG_3660.jpg
http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo268/rlpiii/IMG_3659.jpg

[RaceMX-M3]

Sorry for the dumb question, but what's the point of a "concealed display" when the radar detector is still planted in the middle of your windshield?

[Raven]

Sorry for the dumb question, but what's the point of a "concealed display" when the radar detector is still planted in the middle of your windshield?

It does not light up bright at night when it goes off.

[M5DFW]

Sorry for the dumb question, but what's the point of a "concealed display" when the radar detector is still planted in the middle of your windshield?

I really don't see a point if you mount it in your ashtray like several people have. I mounted mine on the right side of my dash so visualy I can see it cleary without taking my eyes off the road. Also, easier to hit the mute button on unwanted warnings.

[Qship5]

Ashtray mount does require you to look down. A lot of the instrument clusters don't allow for clean installs without blocking part of the gauges.

My personal preference is for having the warning in the cluster if workable. As some have mentioned, you can hardwire the remote display and hide the wire better or you ca remove the display board from the module and build it into the car. The ideal solution is something like the StealthOne unit for the older BMWs or the Mid City Engineering interface for the MBs. These interfaces put the V1 display into you instrument cluster message displays or your nav screen.

[Airbag79]

I really don't see a point if you mount it in your ashtray like several people have. I mounted mine on the right side of my dash so visualy I can see it cleary without taking my eyes off the road. Also, easier to hit the mute button on unwanted warnings.

Exactly!

I mounted mine on the gauge cluster. No point to mount anywhere else or I would just use the detector itself. I just wish it was a little better design so the interface could be hidden, and not ugly out the side.

[Airbag79]

Sorry for the dumb question, but what's the point of a "concealed display" when the radar detector is still planted in the middle of your windshield?

It's supposed to be mounted as high as it can be on the windshield, without the obstruction of the tint bar. Mine is just underneath the tint bar. I don't want to have to look up that high, too much time with my eyes off the road. Plus, the main intention, like some else stated, is so the fuzz and other people don't see it. Stealth FTW!

[Airbag79]

V1 pics:


http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs012.snc1/4471_1145260518818_1446682309_30380822_3936478_n.j pg
http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs052.snc1/4471_1145260598820_1446682309_30380823_1892580_n.j pg
http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs012.snc1/4471_1145260638821_1446682309_30380824_1121734_n.j pg
http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v4471/234/87/1446682309/n1446682309_30380825_1275105.jpg

[snowball]

It's supposed to be mounted as high as it can be on the windshield, without the obstruction of the tint bar. Mine is just underneath the tint bar. I don't want to have to look up that high, too much time with my eyes off the road. Plus, the main intention, like some else stated, is so the fuzz and other people don't see it. Stealth FTW!

Unless you have the BMW aftermarket upgraded windshield for Ms that protects the interior for UV, or have some other aftermarket tint bar, the tint bar will not obstruct the radar detector. BMW doesn't use a metallized tint bar. Some cars do though. :)

[Airbag79]

Unless you have the BMW aftermarket upgraded windshield for Ms that protects the interior for UV, or have some other aftermarket tint bar, the tint bar will not obstruct the radar detector. BMW doesn't use a metallized tint bar. Some cars do though. :)

Didn't know that, good info, thanks :thumbsup2:

[Red Baron]

It does not light up bright at night when it goes off.

Sorry, I'm with Scott on this one.
You can see radars inside a car and don't have to have the bright lights on.
As other have said, move higher up close to the sunvisor.
See post #10

[snowball]

Sorry, I'm with Scott on this one.
You can see radars inside a car and don't have to have the bright lights on.
As other have said, move higher up close to the sunvisor.
See post #10

I use the concealed display because at night on long trips, when the display is visible through the back window other drivers will use my radar detector as advance warning when following behind me. This used to happen quite a bit, and was very annoying. So I went to the concealed display. ;)

I have also seen a total remote installation where the detector's horn like antennas (front & rear) were hidden in the grill and rear bumper. This is not the best location since it is lower on the car, but it is stealth like.

For those of us that have HUD, that's where the warning needs to be! ;)

[Red Baron]

I use the concealed display because at night on long trips, when the display is visible through the back window other drivers will use my radar detector as advance warning when following behind me. This used to happen quite a bit, and was very annoying. So I went to the concealed display. ;)
I have also seen a total remote installation where the detector's horn like antennas (front & rear) were hidden in the grill and rear bumper. This is not the best location since it is lower on the car, but it is stealth like.
For those of us that have HUD, that's where the warning needs to be! ;)

I know, people use it to follow you at high speed, bugs me too.
We are talking about the unit itself (in concealed mode), can be seen at day time in the middle of the windshield for sure and sometimes at night too.

[snowball]

Sorry for the dumb question, but what's the point of a "concealed display" when the radar detector is still planted in the middle of your windshield?

I agree with Scott's first statement "dumb question". Sounds to me like he is asking why a concealed display when radar detector is in full view. Reason I gave was to hide the LEDS at night time.

I know, people use it to follow you at high speed, bogs me too.
We are talking about the unit itself (in concealed mode), can be seen at day time in the middle of the windshield for sure and sometimes at night too.

I understand, but moving it up makes it better seen at night in some cars from the outside.

I never looked at concealed mode that way. I look at it as getting the shining LEDS concealed and out of the way.....like it says on Valentine One's website it is a "remote display", not a remote unit. Concealed display is not advertised as a remote radar detector solution. Perhaps a poor choice of word.

Quote:
"A big step toward privacy …
Tired of other drivers crowding up behind so they can live off your detector warnings? Or maybe you just prefer to keep a low profile. Here's a remote display that partners with V1, moving all the visual warnings to a location of your choosing while V1 continues on duty in the dark mode."


You can buy a remote unit Valentine One for $999 - puts the receiver in a hidden water tight box. Problem with this solution is the receiver is too low on the automobile. I have also seen people that have mounted it to a car's ceiling console making it very steath like and using the remote (concealed) display and sometimes the remote audio unit too.