Figured this was the right place to post this, since most of us using detectors are the performance kinda drivers. Because of my affiliation with the local Police Department, the embarassment factor of a speeding ticket would actually be worse than the ticket itself. Yes, I've gotten away with a couple, but I'd rather not get caught. I've been running a Whistler 1660 (the model with the female voice....sexy), but I run it up high on the windshield, just above the mirror, to the left of the hump. Good spot for this one, as the display is 'tilted' right at me. I wondered how much I was obstructing the rear view, though, so I installed my spare in the rear. Here'* how, and what I learned this morning:

I run my front detector off a switch behind my seat controls. I tied in here, and ran 12v and ground around and up to to the headliner it the center top of the rear window, then made a custom polycarbonate bracket for the suction cups on the detector. This is necessary, as I have the raised lines at the top of the rear window for shading, and my tint doesn't level it enough for suction cups to stick.

What I found out is that both detectors (the rear is my old one, a Uniden 6399SW) trigger at DIFFERENT times. I can watch a cop go front to rear or vice versa. Sometimes, but rarely so far, do they go off simultaneously. Neither detector covers the 'rear' as advertised because I keep them out of sight so high on the windows. I don't mind running a pair considering what I just learned, so they're both staying. I have the rear muted, but I can see the lights in my mirror.

And yes, both detectors are X, K, Ka, Kh, 360° Laser, and VG2.

Just wanted to share what I learned. If you want good rear coverage, buy a detector with a seperate rear pickup, or go with a pair

I've been runnig 2 for about 2 months now !

I'd like to get a detector, but then my parents would wonder why on earth I would want one......hmm, wonder why?

With all the falsies around, the automatic store doors, transmitters, etc, it really tends to make me pay attention. I don't use it as an excuse to speed. Just keeps me awake. Show the parents the price of a radar detector compared to a speeding ticket for 10 or 15 over. If that doesn't work, don't leave it in the car!

True. I mean, my dad use to drag race when he was my age, so he shouldn't be wondering why I have a radar detector. I don't race or anything, but I do travel at common speed, which is usually 5-10 over, and I just don't wanna be at the wrong place at the wrong time, and get a ticket.

Just invest in a Valentine 1. By far the most superior. I wouldnt EVER buy anything else after having this detector for the past 3 years, and believe me I've gone through my share. I used to have a Whistler in my Jeep Cherokee, then eventually sold it to a friend and bought myself a Uniden. I can honestly say I was not impressed with either of them. By this time I was 18 and had been driving for approx 2 years when I sold the Undien and got myself and Escort Passport. This was by far superior to the other two, however after doing ALOT of research, it was clear what my next detector was going to be. When I finally sold my Jeep in May of 2000, and bought my Bonneville, not even 2 weeks after I had the Bonneville, there was a Valentine 1 sitting in on my garage floor. Yea, it was quite a chunk of coin to drop all at once $400 for the detector, and another $30-40 for the concealed remote display.

I must honestly say though, this thing is awesome! By FAR the best I've ever owned. Its rear strength is just as strong as the front, and I cant picture ever having another detector without the arrows to tell me which way the radar is coming from. As far as the $450, well, antoher kickass feature that noone else seems to offer is their upgrade feature. Of course in the past 2.5-3 years since I bought the detector, the technology has improved and changed. Well, Valentine 1 lets you "upgrade" your current detector, but what they call an upgrade really isnt an upgrade, its buying a new dector for less than 1/2 the price. I actually just sent mine in on Monday, but all you do is go on thier website Http://www.valentine1.com , put in your detectors serial number, and they tell you just how old it is and what part of it is out of date. However, when you send it in to them, as soon as they get it they immediately send you a brand new off the shelf one and mail it right back the same day. This way your not waiting for them to rebuild your case, or getting old technology or anything, your getting a brand new one, with full warranty, for under 1/2 the price ($175).

Anyways, I would HIGHLY recommend this detector, and I'm not alone. Just visit car and driver and read their test results, and that was 2 years ago.

Here are some pics installed in my bonny off my site:

http://bonneville.flconveyors.com/interior/big/3.JPG
http://bonneville.flconveyors.com/interior/big/9.JPG

And the concealed display on my dash (so a cop cant see my detector lights if hes behind me, and I can instaly read it right under the HUD)
http://bonneville.flconveyors.com/interior/big/19.JPG

Once I get the new brain back I'm actually going to move the "brain" down a bit so its not so far under the tint band, however I know for a fact the tint band in our cars doesnt harm its reception that much at all, maybe 2%.

I used to have K40 front/rear undetectables in everything I drove. I finally came to the realization they don't do ME any good as when I speed, I SPEED. I sold all of my radar detectors and am just very alert. I don't speed much but when I do, I really speed. Getting older makes me more aware of the consequences of excess speed.

A 20 year old man in a local car club was killed yesterday when his Rousch Mustang went out of control and struck a tree in his driver door. I"ll be driving careful for the next few weeks now for sure.....

Ryan

Sounds like you just joined me in the old farts club. The radar detectors just tend to make me more aware of my surroundings most of the time. When I do kick in the afterburners, it'* in the wide-open county areas where I can see for a great distance, or on the freeway, slightly faster than the flow, with the occasional sprint. I actually LIKE the false alarms, and rarely switch to city mode to filter them out. With this car, I need the constant reminders to stay alert.

BTW, if you're OLDER than me (at 35) you're REALLY old, as far as our membership goes. There'* only 2 or 3 that are older. We have sortof a uniqe niche. The Bonneville crowd is usually 45-65, but most of them aren't web-savvy. We have the few 'younger' owners that tend to use the internet. If I remember our membership numbers correctly, we range from 12-46 years.

We've had our share of wrecks, too. Jay (Jstpsntym) is our best, but only because he walked away from a 130mph wreck, and actually got his car back on the road, too. Keep the rubber side on the road. It'* good to have you here.

Ya, I'm only 17. Even though I don't have trouble staying alert, it would be nice to have a detector, just in case.

I'm 29. I decided it was time to slow down when I got a ticket for 145 mph in a 70 on Hot Rod Power Tour 2 years ago..... That one hurt.

Ryan