Fellow Ferraristi, I have Blend mirror mounts on my DD BMW (Cobra dual pro 360) and Viper ACR (Valentine V1 Gen II) Called Blend tech support and they do not recommend any mirror mount for the F355 berlinetta on concerns the weight will not be supported by the mirror - I do not share those concerns and wanted to see what you guys have done to mount your detectors Also were is the best location to hard wire and pull power I hate windhield mounted detectors with dangling spiral power cords and looking for a clean set up Thank you all in advance for your input
I have a Blend mount on my car, it works well although mounting was not straightforward - it's been a while since I installed it but I remember having to try several configurations with the included hardware. I will look up the model number and get some pics. I ran power from the fuse box, up the A-pillar (tucked behind the trim), and over to the mirror.
Like you I dislike windshield mounted detectors - primarily because the attachment mechanisms (often suction cups) invariably let go allowing the detector to fall. I wrestled with Blend and tho it can be forced the resulting installation put the detector smack dab in my line of sight seriously blocking vision on right hand corners. In my opinion the mirror already occupies way to much real estate and adding the Blend only made it worse. So, I went back to windshield mount but attached a six inch safety cable from the detector to the visor hinge rod. This required installing a small eye bolt in the detector. Now when my detector falls it only drops a few inches. It does not hit the windshield, dash or land on the floor. Perfect? No, but I have yet to discover anything better.
13 years ago I had the v1 display integrated into the mirror of my Esprit. Are they still going this? Image Unavailable, Please Login Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat
I finally had a chance to track down the Blendmount that I used, it's their part number BBE-2005R. However, I ended up installing it in a different orientation than originally intended, with the mount clamped onto the vertical portion of the mirror and hanging downwards. I do remember wrapping the stalk with some rubberized tape to get a more secure fit this way. This mounting arrangement allowed me to use the linkage pieces to move the detector forward towards the windshield so it's mostly out of my line of sight. Note: there is enough articulation I could tuck it further up/forward but I would lose access to the buttons on top of the detector. The Blendmount stuff is nicely made but obviously there are some compromises as it wasn't explicitly designed for an F355. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Very useful info. The Valentine version of this BlendMount is: Aluminum Radar Detector Mount for Valentine One, Standard 2005R Series, BV1-2005R I will order it and report back with pics once I have attempted the install Image Unavailable, Please Login
I used Duck Brand splicing tape on the Blend mount oval clamp to provide necessary added padding on both sides of the clamp and secure to the vertical mirror stem Cut it to size as 3/4" is too wide and will stick out; use two layers either side of the clamp before you tighten - It does stick to itself which is helpful when layering Mirror twists off its windshield base easily and securely which helps with install ! Hardwire next, pics to follow Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
JoeCab made all this so much easier with his fantastic input earlier for which I am ever so grateful Made my install a cinch
