Does anybody know if the tinting strip that goes along the top of the windshild on Nissan cars is bad for radar detection? I read that some manufactures have some sort of tint that actually hinders the ability to detect radar through it. I'm just curious to see if this is the case for nissan, as I have mine hard wired right in front of the driver visor. The cop (and thieves) can't see if from outside the car, so this is an ideal spot for placement, plus it's right next to my head so when it beeps and if I have my music up, I can always hear/see it. I would hate to move it, but if that strip of tint reduces the effectiveness, then there is no point in having it at all.

 

I don't know if that tint strip is bad or not but from my experience, I have not had any issues of it not detecting when radar is in use. I acually mounted mine to the top left of my RV mirror and it has been there for about 5 months now.

 

what type of detector do you have?? how were you able to mount the whole detector on the rear view mirror??

 

Question about the hard wiring... How did you wire the detector and which radar detector do you have? Is hardwiring the Valentine 1 the same as you did yours?

 

the window tint strip does not affect range on most high end radar detectors. Here is mine:

 

Awesome. That looks like the same one I have as well. I have a BEL 980.

 

I just have a Whistler. I acually tapped the wire for the Auto Dimming mirror to get power to it. I got the I idea from another .org member, 02MaXiMa_GLE.
Here is a link to his instructions for this.
Radar Detector Hard Wire

Enjoy!

 

Yep, that is the same one as mine. The pic is actually my 2k SE Max when I had it and did the same on my 2k2. I have awesome range front and back and its concealed so thieves dont see it. I have it hardwired thru the map lights.

Dave

 

I have the same as you then, according to a BEL rep, the tint will affect its performance. Mine is hardwired, exactly like in that pic; but its under the Rear View, and below my tint strip-I just ran the staight wire down with the cover that hides the other wires to the rear of the mirror, so with the exception of about 3" of wire-its a pretty flush looking install.

 

I'm not sure how the tint strip could affect it's effectiveness for radar, but it probably would change its effectiveness with laser. In fact if you have any hope of detecting laser signals at all it's recommended to place the detector as low as possible since the laser width is only a few feet in diameter (and they usually aim at your front plate).

 

I've had my Uniden above and below the tint. I have not noticed a difference at all. I read the same thing you did, about the tint and had it below the tint.... but I put it above the mirror so that I wouldn't have to take it down when parking in the city.

 

I have my Bell just below the rear view mirror hard wired so that it is on only when the car comes on and I don't get a reduced range on it. I have had it there for almost 2 years with no problems. I even pick up Laser.

 

I don't see why it would matter where you place it. In the big picture, if a cop is sitting on the side of the road and guns you individually, your dead...regardless. If you are cruising behind several cars and he is gunning people as they pass, your detector is going to pick up the signal. Whether it be 2 miles ahead or 1 mile ahead, you will still have enough time to slow down so that when you pass him, your okay. My $0.02. For the record, I have had mine placed in the same location as many of you, right about the rearview mirror and have never had any problems picking up cops..

 

I don't see why it would matter where you place it. In the big picture, if a cop is sitting on the side of the road and guns you individually, your dead...regardless. If you are cruising behind several cars and he is gunning people as they pass, your detector is going to pick up the signal. Whether it be 2 miles ahead or 1 mile ahead, you will still have enough time to slow down so that when you pass him, your okay. My $0.02. For the record, I have had mine placed in the same location as many of you, right about the rearview mirror and have never had any problems picking up cops..

 

I have to second that

 

I'd like to know who your Bel rep is. Maybe he's a newbie. It even states in my owners manual that tint does not affect range on the Bel 980's. Same goes with the Escort 8500 that I sell here. I've had the radar detector for over 2 1/2 years with no range problems what so ever. The top 12" of my windshield is tinted.

Dave

 

Is the Bel 990 worth pay $319.00. Is it that much better that the others?

 

How hard was it to tap into the map lights?

 

I didn't install it, my installers did here at work. It only took him a few minutes. Unfortunately I don't have a wire diagram on the install

 

If you wire into the map light it will leave the radar detector on all the time. You have to go down the A-pillar and connect it behind the fuse box so that it comes on with the ignition only.

If you leave it on all the time. It will be free advertising to some punk rip-off artist.
Just my .02

 

Mine is hooked up to a 12V switch plus you can't see my radar detector from the outside due to the window tint hiding it.

 

ignition(Switched) wired is the way to go.

Seeing is not the whole thing to it.
If they can hear it.....They will come!

 

Tweeter doesn't carry the Bel's anymore ($319.00 for a 990 is a little pricey), only the Escort 8500, SR-1, SR-7, and the new ZR-3 laser jammers. If you have a Tweeter store near you, I can hook you up. PM me for more info

Dave

 

I bought the Bel 980 from this place. It looks like the 985 replaced it. Its $229.
http://www.etronics.com/listproducts...12&image1.y=15

 

The conversation was from right about two years ago when I first got the thing.

I doubt he was a n00b. I am assuming that since 'tint's' vary as to their make-up, (flakes, metallic, yada yada) he could of been referring to that, and said 'tint' as a general description.

 

I am not sure about the 00-02's; but on the 03' the car has some shut off feature that kills power to the maplights after about 5mins.

I never paid attention to it, until I was walking out to the mailbox at my house at night and noticed that the detector was off, and I didn't turn it off, when I parked the car. However, as soon as I pulled the door handle, the detector powered on. So I think there is a battery saver feature in the 03's.

 

I have the battery saver on my 02. I have that feature wired to my radio scanner.

 

Check out this link from Valentine One's site:
Tint and Radar Detectors They tested a 95 Maxima and it did prettty good compared to the others. The tint band looks pretty bad though. I had my V1 mounted up there and later moved it to just below the tint band to the left of the rear view mirror. It is fine there and it gives me the peace of mine of knowing its not hurt by the tint. And yes the V1 is worth every penny.

 

I disagree.

 

I have a Bel 990. I used it a different car before I bought my max.

On my commute home, there is one of those lit up contrstruction signs off to the shoulder, it's been there for like a year now. I don't know why, but this thing gives off a very strong K band signal, and you can see a radar gun under the sign. For whatever reason, they are taking speed reading with this sign.

Anywho, like i said, the K band is really strong off this thing and my Bel picks it up about 1 mile before I even get there, and by the time i pass it, the detector is going nuts. This would make for a great test.

I'll mount my Bel above the RV on the way home today and post back what I find. I'll see if takes longer to pick it up.

I'll keep everyone posted...

 

from what i understand "safety alert" radar used by some road contruction companies uses a modified K band. Maybe that's what it was.

 

I had an escort a while back and read that the reflective tints or mirror tints do reduce the range of radar detectors. Something about the "metal particles" in the tint or something.

 

Good Test

 

I think if that's what it was, it would have gone crazy saying "SAFETY ALERT" etc and have a little message saying what the alert was. It's only happened a few times, but when it does, its definitely different than a normal K band alert.

 

I have great range front and back on my Bel 980. Maybe I don't have metalized tint?

 

Does anybody's owners manual tell them to mount it high to begin with? I know my Whistler's manual says to mount low and center. Tint is not even an issue. Of course this may be different from others but I would not automatically assume that higher means better detecting abilities, unless stated in your owners manual.

 

I guess you've got a point there. One would think that the higher it is, the better range it'll get especially over hills and stuff. BUT, we all could be wrong?! Can anyone say what the manufacters recommend?

 

Well to reiterate what I stated before. My Whistler's owners manual says to mount low and center away from obstructions. Now everyone seems to want to mount it high, but none of them said their manual recommended it. So the problem might be there. If someone reads their book and it says they should mount it high, I stand corrected.

 

As far as I'm concerned, higher is better. Where I have it mounted on the drivers visor, it's effective (it's saved my a$$ SEVERAL times) and cops can't see it AT ALL. Not from when I drive by, and not when they walk up to my car. That's also a benefit to deter theft. I'm definitely not moving mine.

 

Where you mount your radar is ultimately your decision. What your basing your conclusion of "higher = better" as far as the radar's performance is concerned, remains unsaid. Mine is mounted correctly and I have been saved many times as well. I also dont need to hide my decector, its perfectly legal in the state of Florida. Mabye I can see hiding it in VA, but in a state where dectectors are legal, who cares if a cop sees it. I want performance and reliability.

As far as theft goes, most radars can be removed and placed in glovebox or wherever in a matter of seconds.

If your manual tells you where they recommend it be mounted, then best bet is to mount it there.