I chose to mount the concealed display in the clock position to truly make it concealed. In addition, the concealed display is ideally placed to observe while driving. I have never been fond of the idea of sticking a goofy looking plastic block right in front of my speedometer/tachometer (which is what many people do with their remote viewing unit).

I went to my local automotive salvage yard and picked up another Integra clock so I did not need to destroy mine. The clock does not even need to work since this design only utilizes the clock shell. I then gutted the clock itself and affixed the concealed display.

The remote audio adapter allows you to control the volume, mode setting, and the power without physically moving to the back of the vehicle (where the brain of the system is located). The audio adapter was intended for motorcyclists since it has a headphone jack. I chose this location because only the driver knows it exists. The remote audio adapter also allows you to control the V1 without taking your eyes off the road or changing your driving position.

For those of you who are not familiar with V1's - the entire system is wired/powered via phone cord. I give the designers at Valentine 1 props for this design because it makes custom wiring jobs very easy and inexpensive.

Total costs for this project is about $110 if you already have a V1. The concealed display is $39.00 and the remote audio is $49.00. Expect to pay about $10 to $15 for a used Integra clock from a salvage yard.

I doubt too many people would guess what's under the hat.

There was only one casualty during this install. The Type R hat needed some holes for laser reception. You don't need to cut holes for radar but it does help improve reception.


Rear antenna peeking out the back of the cap.
http://69.53.28.141/pictures/02_jul_...alth/3_640.jpg

V1 Uncovered


Long bolts allow height adjustment of the V1 Unit
http://69.53.28.141/pictures/02_jul_...alth/2_640.jpg

The hidden remote - allows full control of the V1 unit
http://69.53.28.141/pictures/02_jul_...alth/5_640.jpg

V1 turned off
http://69.53.28.141/pictures/02_jul_...alth/7_640.jpg

V1 tracking 5 bogies...


Disassembled V1 concealed display. This was necessary for it to fit within the clock.
http://69.53.28.141/pictures/02_jul_...alth/9_640.jpg

Concealed display being placed inside and secured with a rubber liner.
http://69.53.28.141/pictures/02_jul_...alth/8_640.jpg

Clock resealed with concealed display inside - perfect fit with the phone cord plug easily accessible.
http://69.53.28.141/pictures/02_jul_...lth/10_640.jpg

Benefits
No need to remove the detector every time you park in public
Reduced chance of theft
No front windshield obstruction
No reaching to adjust volume, modes, on/off settings
Improved radar/laser reception
Police will never know you have a radar/laser detector

Disadvantage
No clock

The advantages of having this system far out weighs the lack of a clock. I drove around town for about an hour already and the V1 still continues to work excellent. And the display in the clock came out better than I could have anticipated. As you guys can see, the unit fits PERFECT with all the arrows and display features visible. This project was a blast to work on from going to the auto salvage yard to wandering the hardware store. I hope to do more of this kind of thing in the future. Let me know if you need any help or have any questions.


Modified by itrsport.com at 9:27 AM 9/11/2003

 

i want one!


[Modified by BustAhNutZ101, 9:30 PM 7/15/2002]

 

Looks like R2-D2 is in your back seat!

Nice post!


[Modified by Phat Bastard, 9:32 PM 7/15/2002]

 

its cool except for the fact that, when you do get pulled over, it is very likely that the cop will see the radar detector inside the hat. here in va, where they are illegal, you'd be screwed.


another disadvantage is that the front seats, yourself (and passengers) and A-pillars seriously obstruct the detecor line of sight


how well does that rubber band hold down the unit? seems like after some spirited driving that it would fall off.


[Modified by BustaNutt-616, 12:37 AM 7/16/2002]

 

Looks really good, I have a set up thats pretty similar in my Supra. Just out of curiosity, what camera did you use for those pics? Thanks. ( I know you probably been asked several times already!)

 

Very very clever! When i get the money for a V1 i'll be sure to do something like that. In cali you can pretty much get away without having one though. Cops pull you over from behind if you're speeding.

 

ITRsport,
Since the unit is pointed towards the back of the car, the front read out is going to be reversed correct?(IE, if the radar picks a cop up from behind you, the display up front is going to read there is a cop in front of you?)
thanks-

 

lol.. uhhh no, dont you normally mount the radar detector with the back of it facing towards the back of the car??

 

Actually a passenger does not hinder the "view" of the V1 much at all because it's placed about 4 feet back. There is all kinds of room for the radar to travel around someones head. Even laser has a wide enough beam not to be blocked by this situation.

There are two heavy duty rubber bands holding the V1 to the platform. It's not going anywhere, even with the mighty stopping force of the spoon calipers.

 

Looks great Josh, now all I need to do is come up w/the cash.

 

shows what i know about the v1-

 

Very sweet! I've had my V1 for about two month, and I love it. great for highway, not so great for the city... still worth it IMO. How long dd that little project take, it looks awesome!

 

That's a nice idea, but... I can't agree that that is the ultimate Valentine One Concealed Setup.

THIS is the ultimate Valentine One Concealed Setup:



Yup, built right into the rear view mirror. Pretty cool, huh?

More details on this website

I am not affiliated with and have no interest in yadda yadda yadda...

 

If I was traveling at over 100 mph it would be a lot easier to decipher what the V1 is displaying in the location of the clock rather than looking WAY up at your rear view mirror. Besides, think how easy it would be for a vehicle (a cop) to see the blinking lights of the V1 display in your rear view mirror.

That's a cool idea of having it within the mirror though. I've seen it done before and prefer to have it within the clock location.

 

To those interested in doing the rear view mirror mod, I have done this before Except it was for some digital gauges.

Don't bother trying it with your stock mirror, Get a mirror from a 90-93 Teg, it snaps apart somewhat easily and you can take the glass out, take the glass to a glass shop, and have them cut a replica but using two way mirror glass. Dremel the inside of the mirror to fit the new glass, V1 unit, and Cable and Close it all up.
Make sure to cover the unused rear parts of the mirror with black tape so as to not let extra light through.
Enjoy


Josh, Nice Mod

 

I like the setup with the remote display, but im still not sure why its in the rear of the car. Seems like it would affect the range, since it needs to be as high as possible. It really is kinda annoying to have in the back too. Why not just mount it high on the windshield??

 

hey mike can we get a photo tour of your entire car?

 

Okay guys, This is by FAAAAAAAAAAAR the coolest thing i have seen on this Forum. yeah, i've seen the VFAC mounting spots and yada yada yada,how ppl put playstations in their cars ( what a waste of a PS) but after seeing this,WHoahhh..
Good stuff guys, awesome to see what kinda idea's you ppl can come up with.
ITR Sport - The clock was by far is the best looking one. Stealth and very cool.
I like the mirror one too. How'd you guys do that?? keep the pics up! How's the radar reception with the actual radar unit mounted there?


[Modified by Nvious R, 11:31 PM 7/15/2002]

 

hehe Some day I'd have to clean up the inside and the outside at the same time

 

Well, first off, I'd like to say...

Very cool, very creative. Nice idea, and you wennt through it. Good job.

2nd of all.
I have no problem seeing my V1 next to my rear view as I have the ability to only move one eye up and keep the other on the road. And my windows are tinted, so cops can't see crap. Then again, tint is illegal here. But Radar's are not. Soooooo

Anyway.. nice work.

 

The mirror installation shown uses Valentine's remote display, so the actual radar unit isn't mounted in the mirror.

 

LOL
Josh, looks great...

 

It’s an Olympus C3030 – 3.3 MP

That’s exactly why it’s in the back of the car; no one would ever think to look back there for a radar detector. That’s why I think there is a reduced chance of theft with the V1 in the rear.

I took a friend out last night, switched on the remote display and he did not have a clue were the receiver was located. He was looking all around the front dash for a minute or two with no luck. Then he looked back, paused for a few seconds and finally realized it was under that hat.

From my experience so far, the V1 works as good as it did on the front dash and maybe even better because it’s higher than I would normally position the receiver on the front dash.

Why? If that’s the case the Type R wing must really bother you.
A black box on the front dash is more annoying to me.

It would be easily visible for anyone to see the V1 when mounted anywhere on the front windshield (that’s where thieves normally look). When I park my car out in public for long periods I don’t need to continually remove and remount the receiver to keep it hidden.


[Modified by itrsport.com, 8:45 AM 7/16/2002]

 

Nice idea but I doubt our cops wouldn`t take a look under the cap . They are not silly.

We have to pay 1500 Euros and have to face the judge if we get caught with a detector... I have a beltronics though... in the trunk.

Radar/laser detectors are useless because speeds are measured by infrared "light barriers", don`t know how you call this in english and video-observation with speed measurement.

The infrared thing you can fck with a tuned LPD to cut off the radio-connection to the camera. But there`s nothing you can do against video monitoring.

 

Great work on concealing the display unit in the clock...very ingenious...deserves .

On the concealing of the V1 radar/laser unit...how about concealing it inside of the high mounted third brake light housing or possibly on top of of it???