Valentine V1 display in rear view mirror

www.technik1.com NYC

 

Looks good.
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Another alternative is to mount the concealed display like this:
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Why not behind the horn button in a manner similar to that done with the rear view mirror?

Don't want that showing in California!

 

The modern way to display it would be via HUD (Heads Up Display). The HUD isn't something that is readily seen from outside the vehicle, either.

 

There is a specific section of the Calif evidence code that allows the presence of a radar detector to be admitted as evidence of speeding.

Not a good thing!

 

For real? I've been thinking about getting a Valentine and have been struggling with display. If this is the case, that makes it more complicated.

Alberto

 

IMO the display is less distracting if put on the right side which they can also do.

 

it looks great but my question is where does the rest of the V1 go ? Does it still have to be mounted to the windshield or is the entire V1 guts & all inside the mirror ?

 

No that's all you see. The rest is hidden except for a small volume/mute knob
which can be mounted anywhere you want.

Best

 

I'll second this recommendation for Gus and Angelo at Technik1 in NYC. They did a superb job installing the V1 display in the rearview mirror on my TR. Technik1 is the best !!!!

And as usual, Jim G is 100% correct in that the rest of the V1 is hidden out of sight. The only visible thing is the power/volume knob, which Gus installed in the overhead console on my TR.

 

There are pre-etched rear view mirrors made for BMW, Ferrari, Porsche and the like, which already have the display installed in the mirror unit. You still need to buy a V1 detector unit, wire and mount it. I've had these things installed in several cars, but lately, I've been cheap. I buy a stock V1, without the additional remote display and have a competent shop install a hardwire which drops down near the rear view mirror. I use the Valentine supplied suction cups to install the unit just to the left of my rear view- to the right of the driver's visor, and voila- done. It is inconspicuous, removable if necessary, not visible from outside the car unless one is really looking for it, and works perfectly. Not only do I save the hefty installation cost, but I think the placement of the Valentine high on the windshield (assuming no heavy tint there) works quite well. I am a little skeptical about the placement of the unit in other areas of the cockpit, where it may be less conspicuous, but perhaps less effective.
Gus is a perfectionist from what I gather, and a neighbor to boot. But if in California....

 

Alberto,

This is why disguising the unit is so important.

What's cheaper?
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I did get a response from Gus at Technik1:

Yes, we could to the rearview V1 mirror portion for you. The 360/575/430/Enzo mirror does not open, by the way. It is the most difficult mirror to perform V1 surgery on. We have done many of the mirrors.

We would charge you $850.00 for the display on the right hand side, or $950.00 if the display is in the far left hand side (extra surgery). These prices
include UPS ground shipping. We would need a 2-3 businees day turn around.

A flush-mounted pnone connector on the back side of the mirror will be fitted for easy V1 connection.

Please feel free to call me with any further questions.

Thanks
Gus Technik
212 594 5353

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Here's my thinking on this. The 360 has no "homelink" set-up for remote gate and door opening.

I am thinking about replacing the 360 mirror with one from a C320 M-B. If this can work, then I'd have the link and could have the mirror etched. It may be a less expensive mirror to etch!

I have directed that question to Gus but not yet received a reply.

Stay tuned.

 

Putting the display on the right side of the mirror would be preferred (if not going the HUD route), I agree.

 

Greg:

The mirror install route sounds interesting. I am missing what happens to the head unit (the detector itself). Where is it located? If hidden in the bowels of the car, that means that you loose portability between cars (?) not a fatal flaw I guess, but not ideal.

Thanks.
Alberto

 

I believe that the concept of portability is not as essential as ensuring that the unit is not visible.

I have been in the Walnut Creek Muni Court (before it was Superior) and heard the arresting officer make the intro of the detector sighting in the vehicle. The defendant was cooked and could do nothing about that!

So, integrate it into the car and have no "evidentiary" issues should you have to go to court.

Whart, do you know who supplies those pre-etched mirrors?

 

There were, as I remember, a number of sources on the web.
Here's one: http://www.beastpower.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=AI-BE39M-V1LM-AD&Category_Code=&Store_Code=BMI

 

My friend did this install by himself on an 05' 350Z, changed out all the red led's as well to match his interior.
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Whart,

You are amazing! I'll take a look at it. There is a reason why you are Herr Professor!

Here's something I found that is an auto dimming and homelink included in the rear view mirror. I just got off the phone with Adam there (301-468-5849) who is quite knowledgeable. There are models with temp indicators and lights as well.

See: http://www.sportsimportsltd.com/aumiwiho.html

Looks like a great item and I ordered one. With a main entry gate to our property as well as a garage door and with no abundant storage space in the 360, this is the answer to my door/gate remote control problems.

Kyle, can we have more detail on what your friend did to that mirror? Looks very professional. How did he do that?

 

So even with the mirror display, there is still a hard wire connection from the mirror to the detecting unit??

 

There has to be a wired link.

What's in the mirror is just the display but it must link to the receiver w/in the vehicle.

No magic here.

It's all done with wires!

 

The reflective part of the mirror is actually on the back side of the glass. He disassembled the mirror and used a razor to scrape off the reflective foil where he wanted the display to show through. The little circuit board is what's inside the remote display. He took all that apart, replaced all the led's and 7 segment display with blue ones. and then jb welded it to the mirror circuit board. The holes in the back were just dremeled out to place the silence button and input for the phone cable. The V1 is actually mounted on the back of the car right where the hatch meets the roof. He wants to redo it at some point because the square he scraped out with the razor wasn't perfect. (we're both kind of perfectionists when it comes to this kinda stuff) If you have any more questions feel free to ask and i'll answer as much as I can.

 

Truly amazing.

Thank you very much for the detail.

Did he change the LED's because he likes blue or were they physically smaller so the unit would fit better?

How difficult to take the mirror apart?

Many thanks again.