Well my lovely wife got me a Max 360 for Xmas. I've been rolling with a V1 for over 20 years so I'm excited to try a new detector with all these new features. Would have loved to have stuck with Valentine but the V2 is still nothing but a rumor and their upgrade plans have gotten worse over the years. It was damn nice to just plug this 360 into USB and get all the updates right there and be done with it. (I realize Valentine upgrades hardware too, but the whole process is getting out of hand - complex and pricey)

Here's a few install pics. I was too "in the moment" to snap shots while actually doing the wiring but I can step out the process:

The MirrorTap kit is a nice set of wiring connectors sized for any situation and allows you to hardwire power and ground from the mirror's power supply (eg a dimming mirror) to the radar detector. No need to run wires around the cabin to reach a remote fuse box.

The Aston doesn't have a dimming mirror but it does have Homelink (if so equipped). So we'll just use that.

Your objective is to remove the map light pod to access the homelink molex connector which has a convenient switched 12v + and a ground.

You will need:
MirrorTap kit
Flathead screw driver (small, for prying)
Phillips screw driver (medium/regular size)
Lighter/heat gun
Wire cutters (only to trim zip tie)

1. Locate and gently pry off the plastic microphone cover on the rear side of the map light pod. It clips top and bottom. I tried using my interior trim removal tools but the piece is small and very snugly fit into the suede roof. A flat head screw driver worked best. Just go slow and be gentle with the material. It pops out pretty easily.

2. Once the plastic piece is removed you can gently pull on the mic cord and get some slack to get it out of the way. Now you can see the small black phillips-head screw that secures the dome light pod. Remove it, set it aside.

3. The dome light pod will be loose but you will need to slide it forward toward the windowshield about a 1/4 inch before it unhooks completely. The dome light pod will now just hang from the wiring, which is no big deal. It's all pretty light weight stuff.

4. The homelink molex connector is easy to spot. If not just follow the wire from the mirror to the connector. Unlike other connectors in here this one is clipped to the roof. Don't disconnect or do anything to it. Locate the black (ground) and white (12v switched) leads going into the connector. These are the ones you will tap from using the MirrorTap extensions.

5. Choose the largest MirrorTap extensions. Then, using red for 12v and black for ground, just shove the MirrorTap leads into the molex connector. They basically just sit inside the molex connector holes and push up against the existing lead connector. It's all friction-fit and very sturdy. Red shoves into the white molex wire and black shoves into the black molex wire. The extension should slide all the way into the molex connector with a little effort. It will be a tight fit, as it should be.

6. Now take the MirrorTap detector cable and slide on the included heat shrink tube. Then connect the cable to the extensions you just installed in the Molex connector. Then use a lighter or heat gun to carefully shrink the heat shrink tube around the point where the cable connects to the extensions so they can't come loose. Take care not to overheat the wires or the surrounding interior components (especially the suede).

7. Route the MirrorTap cable to exit the rear of the dome light pod (right behind the mirror) and just follow the Homelink wire. Use the included mini zip ties to neaten things up by tying the MirrorTap cable to the Homelink cable. Use wire cutters to remove the leftover zip tie.

8. Now just reinstall the dome light pod and tuck the remaining MirrorTap wire slack inside this pod.

And that's it! Now your detector will power up when you open the doors and on acc power, and power down when the sentinel delay kills power (or when you lock the doors) after exiting the vehicle.

Whole install took me 30 minutes and I didn't have instructions, just feeling my way through it.

And props again to Blendmount. I have had one in my last 4 vehicles and they are always worth every penny. This one is great. I still need to do some bumpy-road testing and final adjustments, but it looks really good right now. Very clean install, if I say so myself!

 

Do these things work? I get bust so many times for speeding, in SA they will soon start with demerits points and I will lose my licence, I'm not sure what cameras our pigs use ? It seems they are always changing them to newer models.
I really would like a detector but unsure what to buy.

 

Yes radar detectors work. Sometime there is a strategy to it. Goal is to be behind a group of cars that will get lit up first. On the open road where cops can hide in many places you start doing things like finding a blocker car going a little faster that you sit behind by about a quarter mile. Because if you're the first one lit it doesn't much matter.

 

Great looking clean install. I am also a fan of Max2, havent upgraded to the 360 yet. I use invisicord and hardwire as well but same difference.

 

Make sure it is easily detachable, some states will take your new toy away if found, i.e. they are illegal in those states.

 

Won't be driving in Virginia or DC ever, so no worries there

 

Great install. Glad to see my work with BlendMount to develop a radar detector for the Aston Martin has allowed them to offer a specific mount for our cars. I have been using a Valentine one since working with BlendMount sometime last year. I realize that it might not be the most upto date unit, but in my experience it has the best rear antenna in the business, and for me that was the deciding factor.
For those who think a detector does not work, I can say that mine has saved me numerous times, and probably saved my liscene.

 

We have many tagers in SA, I am normally the one who is going a bit faster than Mr Wirkingclass or Mrs green piece 'save the whales' types so I'm normally up front. Does this mean if I am doing a speed that is above the norm (most of the time I'm running about double the legal limit) the thing won't jam the laser camera?


Had a bute this morning I was out on my Panigale and was warned by an oncoming car that ahead were children born from prostitution ...so I slowed down from around 260km odd to the indicated 60, then I saw the critter hiding in the bush about 30 yards down the embankment, enjoying the sun and not a care in the world, after all children who are born from protetutes have no idea about much....so he left his radar camera on its tripod unattended I just had to kick it of it's stand give him the middle finger.....and took of on the rear wheel , when I got home my wife was certain I was with another women because I had a smile that will last for days.....and no before you ask I don't run plates on my superbikes

 

First, I don't condone speeding (1mph above posted limit is speeding), now that the disclaimer is taken care of

Yes they work. How you utilize them is what makes all the difference in the world. I used instant-on radar all the time. Its just a matter of flipping a switch on and off. If a car is alone on the road they are a sitting duck to get a reading. Use a rabbit 1/4 mile ahead or so and let them be a guinea pig for you. But around corners or hills the officer may or may not hit him, but then tag you.

Training teaches vehicle speed estimation. When I see a car I have to visually be able to tell you what speed its going within 2-3 mph, then ONLY back it up with a radar to verify that. I DO NOT have to use radar at all. I am certified, so could just estimate the speed and write based off that number. But most officers don't care, get lazy, or like a lot don't need to use techniques because most drivers don't pay attention. I loved to sit in a wide open median, only radar within 1/4 mile or closer and only write 15mph or over a citation. If a driver isn't paying attention enough to see a marked patrol car, sitting in the median, and they are driving 15+ over the limit, they deserve a citation and I had only one time where I felt bad about the ticket. (Insert Older person and kept thinking about my parents). I set standards for how I wrote citations. Only 15+mph and over. If 15-19 then I dropped them to 14 over so the person could just pay the fine and not take up congested court time. If 20+ then I wrote for the exact same speed they were doing. No breaks. If you are doing 20+, you know it, so you are the one risking it. Unless reckless or drunk I didn't mess with anything below 15, too many and not worth the danger of a stop.

I just unplug mine when in Va or DC. Hell if they tried to take mine, UNPLUGGED, and not in use. They are prohibited to use, not own.


ONLY the Laser Shifters from Escort (others make them too) will jam a laser gun, and ONLY if the gun trips the signal for the shifter to broadcast the jamming. Research is needed for anyone to use this device so you know what you are doing.

 

Nice info SheriffDep, thanks for sharing. My Max2 has been good. While none of them are fool proof for me the RD in conjunction with being smart and not stupid usually keeps you out of trouble.

 

Off topic and not appropriate for this forum

 

In order to define who and what we are we need to have an opinion. 90% of people go through life confused

Many own a gun yet will not use it???? they are a liability to society .....stand up and be counted

In this country you will not be allowed to estimate a speed you will need specialized equipment to prove information, again let me say Traffic Police in SA are ----....let it be known i have an opinion and with respect we are all allowed to have an opinion.
5200 murders a day 3000 rapes a day 6000 roberies a day....yet we have ---- (cops) sleeping behind radar cameras......when you have worked that out please contact and educate me!

Greg Vos
Professional Pilot & instructor Pilot
Weapons Instructor
Gun Smith

and reordered speedster


Im out on this thread

 

i have a roadster and would like to hardwire my radar with the mirror taps. do you know if it will work the same way you describe?