Radar Detector Installation
In A Diablo
- Many suggestions have been made as to the best location for a
radar detector in a Diablo.
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Figure 1. Front radar
detector
under passenger side sun shade
in Diablo |
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- Clearly the simplest is to place it front and center on the
windscreen using the suction cups supplied by the manufacture. While this is
very simple to do, there are disadvantages. The unit is very visible, asking
to get stolen. The power wire going to the cigarette lighter socket looks
ugly and tends to get in the way of things. The approach here is to place the detector between the roof and
the passenger side sunshade running the power cord between the roof
and roof padding. The LED display from the detector is also relocated to the
roof dome light fixture. See Figure 1.
For those that want a more elaborate system, I
describe below my experiences installing a second radar detection unit facing
backwards through the rear engine grill of the car running a speaker wire lead
and power from the front of the car. This is to detect radar signals
coming from behind the car.
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Please note these units are illegal in certain
states. This article is in now way meant to encourage you to disobey traffic
laws. I take no responsibility for your actions.
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The Detector
Unit |
The
choice of commercial radar detector unit is very much a personal one. I
have had direct experience with Passport and Bel units. In terms of
sensitivity etc., I find both of these types to be about the same. However
I really like the later Bel units because they have an internal speech syntheses
system which announces the type of radar signal detected as well as road
hazard warnings etc. This really is useful when driving at speed in that
it saves the driver the distraction of looking at the units display or
trying to remember what a certain "beep pattern" means at
critical times. There are a number of other good radar detection
manufactures. Some people swear by the "Valentine One" units. I
find them too big and ugly and difficult to locate out of view in cars.
Another type by Escort the remote unit seems to look interesting in that it has separate
forward and rear remote detection units which are wired to a central
display unit. Again no voice announcements. Also it is expensive and
is only sold by/to selected service centers which install the unit. In
general I do not like people working on my car. In this article I
will describe the installation of two Bel 980 units. Here is a
description of this type of unit:-
Bel 980 Radar
Detector Description. |
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Figure 2. Bel 980
Radar detector |
The Bel 980 features an alpha-numeric
text display which provides an easy-to-read description of
the band detected. The 980 will provide 60 different real
voice messages, this includes specific voice alerts for each
type of SWS™ message. Seven features are driver selectable.
The Bel 980 responds to all types
of radar currently in use by police, and provides 360
degree detection of all types of laser guns laser. The
Bel 980 is immune to the VG-2 detector, and provides
alerts when VG-2 is in use
Bel
980 Features
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Bel 980 Driver Selectable Features
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City X or City All
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X/K/Ka Band - on/off
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Safety Warning
System (SWS™) - on/off
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Safety Warning
System (SWS™) - voice or tone
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Auto Mute - on/off
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Radar/Laser -
digital voice or unique tones
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Audio/Visual Scroll
Rate - fast or slow
Front Diablo
Radar Detector Installation
This article
will describe how I installed a Bel 980 unit
under the sunshade on the passenger side of a
Diablo. In this position the unit is not easily
see from outside the car. It does not obstruct
the view internally. I have relocated the LED
display of the radar unit to a central position
in the overhead dome light of the car. Please
click on
Front
Radar for more details. |
Rear Diablo Radar Detector Installation
This article
will describe how I installed a Bel 980 unit
behind the radiator grill at the back of the
car. I have relocated the speaker to a position
behind the drivers seat, ran an electrical
connection under the car and housed the radar
circuit board in a sealed waterproof plastic
box. Please click on
Rear
Radar for more details. |
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