Radar detector options Pista | FerrariChat

Radar detector options Pista

Discussion in '458 Italia/488/F8' started by Nsd991, Feb 28, 2023.

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  1. Nsd991

    Nsd991 Formula Junior

    Jul 19, 2012
    489
    Given the location of the cigarette lighter port and the battery concerns with the Pista what are good options for using a radar detector? Having the cord reach across the central tunnel between the two seats is not optimal. Any experience with wire tapping directly into the rear view mirror? I’ve done that with some other cars and then used a blendmount. Wanted to ask as I don’t want to risk an issue with Ferrari electronics. I don’t want a built in system as I don’t want the car dismantled. Thanks in advance for any replies.
     
  2. 05F430F1

    05F430F1 F1 Rookie
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    Oct 22, 2005
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    Todd
    the best has always been and probably always will be the K40 hard wired radar that they install clean and the indicator is built into your rear view mirror
     
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  3. Thecadster

    Thecadster F1 Veteran
    Rossa Subscribed

    Apr 27, 2017
    6,705
    I use a Uniden R7 in mine and I have it tapped to the mirror. I had my Ferrari shop perform the install, so no worries there. There’s not a Blendmount option for the Pista. At least, not one that I have found.
     
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  4. Nsd991

    Nsd991 Formula Junior

    Jul 19, 2012
    489
    yes I’ll probably have Ferrari mirror tap. I’m cheap and know it takes 2 minutes, BUT I also know how finicky Ferrari electronics can be so I don’t want to give them an excuse in case I have future issues. I did look on the blendmount website hoping that one existed for the 488 GTB as I’m sure it’s the same mirror. Unfortunately no such luck.
     
  5. rw99

    rw99 Karting

    Jan 1, 2019
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    SF Bay Area
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    Rich
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  6. mdrums

    mdrums Formula 3

    Jun 11, 2006
    2,172
    Tampa FL
    Yep…my 488 came with K40 installed. It works very good
     
  7. Il Tifoso

    Il Tifoso Formula 3
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    Oct 22, 2013
    1,546
    SF Bay Area, CA
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    Ruben
    I use a Valentine V1 Gen 2 in my Speciale and place it right just to the right of the rear view mirror, routing the flat wire under the pass sun visor and into the rubber moulding around the door opening (easily bent back to hide the wire) towards behind the pass seat where I can then dangle it behind the pass seat to plug it in.

    Super easy, virtually invisible, no hacking up of any electrical system, and easily transferable to other cars (I do this same method on my 308, 412, and 550 as well).
     
  8. Lucid moment

    Lucid moment Karting

    Sep 24, 2017
    58
    Just tap into the mirror/dome, and use a blend mount. I use an escort redline.
     
  9. Nsd991

    Nsd991 Formula Junior

    Jul 19, 2012
    489
    Thanks lucid. I have the trim piece removal tools etc. I’ve done this before in other cars. Was it easy to pop trim loose? I’m still not brave enough to do this on a Ferrari.
     
  10. Lucid moment

    Lucid moment Karting

    Sep 24, 2017
    58
    Yes very easy, small U shape trim piece will pop off, then there are 2 bolts that need to be loosened and the dome light assembly will come off. See photo below once trip piece has been removed.
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  11. Bob in Texas

    Bob in Texas F1 Rookie

    Apr 23, 2012
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  12. Nsd991

    Nsd991 Formula Junior

    Jul 19, 2012
    489
    I have the Redline 360 (normal version) and it’s the best radar I’ve ever had. It really filters out all the false alerts. I don’t want car taken apart for a concealed install.
     
  13. 05F430F1

    05F430F1 F1 Rookie
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    Oct 22, 2005
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    Todd
    I mentioned in a other thread but wasn’t really the topic…. Has anyone tried installing (suctioning) a detector to the rear window instead of the windshield? Like right behind your head facing out the front as normal? Does it still pick up the signal as well? Only a few feet backwards from windshield. This would make a clean plug in to the lighter socket — just a thought. Anyone done it?


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  14. Nsd991

    Nsd991 Formula Junior

    Jul 19, 2012
    489
    Not sure how the suction mount would work and also you would not be able to see what band the detector was alerting or the direction of the signal. It will also likely hinder your rear visibility to some degree..
     
  15. Bob in Texas

    Bob in Texas F1 Rookie

    Apr 23, 2012
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    Yes, my radar detector was mounted on the rear glass, successfully! Been doing it for years on my Porsche's and now my Ferrari's. This radar trick is for the Valentine 1 Gen 2 with remote display.
    I was using a suction cup mount on the rear glass before I figured out a small mod that makes a huge difference, ascetic-wise.

    This is on a 458 with the Bose speakers mounted to the rear bulkhead. I used an "L": shaped piece of plastic and slipped it down behind the speaker enclosure. The V1 is velcroed to the L-plastic. The cable was run to the cigarette lighter where I tapped in to the switched power lead using a vampire clip. Then the cable went to the remote display at the front of the console.
    Detection is the same front and back, no degradation that I could detect side by side with a car with a windshield mounted unit.
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  16. 05F430F1

    05F430F1 F1 Rookie
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    Oct 22, 2005
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    That’s exactly what I was imagining… excellent— and plus the sound alert will be right next to your head which is perfect also. Thanks.


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  17. 05F430F1

    05F430F1 F1 Rookie
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    Can’t see out the back window of an F8 anyway so …. Lol


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  18. Bob in Texas

    Bob in Texas F1 Rookie

    Apr 23, 2012
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    Here’s one more with the suction cup mount on my previous 430. Just to the left of the passenger seat. Sorry for the poor photo quality…

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  19. Dazed2day

    Dazed2day Karting

    Jun 9, 2021
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    Fred
    I mounted my V1 to the rear window as well. Bought a flat mount and used two sided tape… I like it there because it’s less visible to cops or anyone else.


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  20. ferrefeh

    ferrefeh Karting
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    Nov 8, 2020
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    Illinois
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    Just did my V1Gen2 hardwire using the leads above in a 2018 488 Spider, and worked perfectly. Thanks for this.

    For clarity, this lead does provide switched 12V power, comes on in accessory mode and shuts off with the car's ignition.
     

    Attached Files:

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  21. 05F430F1

    05F430F1 F1 Rookie
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    Oct 22, 2005
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    And where/how did you mount the actual detector? Front windshield next to the mirror?


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  22. ferrefeh

    ferrefeh Karting
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    Nov 8, 2020
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    so basically I put it left of the mirror and tied up to the stalk for strain relief. Just using suction cup mount for now until I can find if there’s a blend mount option.
     
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  23. Lucid moment

    Lucid moment Karting

    Sep 24, 2017
    58
    There is a Blendmount option, I used one. Let me see if I can find part #.
     

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