Valentine One - Hardwired in 08 MDX

[moil4gold49]

If the fuse in the AAC is put in the other position with the AAC in the same orientation, then not only does the HVAC system turn on with the key turned off, the V1 is also powered on! Something is definitely not right.

A guess: you add a fuse in the other position, but don't remove the one in the red wire position? Then it would make sense that your V1 and climate run with key in off.

However, I have no theory on how your V1 can switch with the key when plugged into this open slot. Are you sure it turns off when you leave the car??

[dngo]

Originally posted by moil4gold49
A guess: you add a fuse in the other position, but don't remove the one in the red wire position? Then it would make sense that your V1 and climate run with key in off.

No, only one fuse in at a time.

However, I have no theory on how your V1 can switch with the key when plugged into this open slot. Are you sure it turns off when you leave the car??

No theory from me either and I have an EE background. Yes, the V1 definitely shuts off with the key.

Dave

[BMcD-MDX]

That's a lot of wiring you guys have done. I simply used my Invisicord plugged into the back of the autodimming mirror harness - one prong on black, the other on a brownish/gold type of wire. Goes on and off with the ignition.

And after going thru three generations of Escorts over the years, the V1 is much better. But I'm open if something new comes along and can prove to me it's better. Good luck with yours!

Bruce

[moil4gold49]

Originally posted by BMcD-MDX
That's a lot of wiring you guys have done. I simply used my Invisicord plugged into the back of the autodimming mirror harness - one prong on black, the other on a brownish/gold type of wire. Goes on and off with the ignition.

And after going thru three generations of Escorts over the years, the V1 is much better. But I'm open if something new comes along and can prove to me it's better. Good luck with yours!

Bruce

Sounds great. Nice job.

I did my work at the fuse box because there was more to add than just the radar.

I also installed a variety of 12V accessories, such as a "2 socket 12V/2 USB" like this one http://www.amazon.com/Wagan-Twin-Soc...=pd_sbs_auto_1
That got put under the seat by running wire under the door jamb. I use that for two one USB phone chargers and one USB. The 12v sockets can be used for whatever.

I'm a little pissed that such an expensive car only has one 12V plug up front in this day and age - and that it would be ugly to use since it requires opening the ashtray and leaving your charger highly visible. My 2000 Dodge Dakota has two 12Vs, for crying out loud. One always on, and one switched.

For my under seat power drop, I connected it to a switched fuse AND an unswitched fuse. Those two Add A circuits connect to a two-way switch, and an LED. So if I want to run an accessory even when the car is off, I just flip my switch to "always-on" and the LED comes on to warn me that I might kill my battery. This way I can charge my cellphone while I'm in a shop, etc.

Yeah, I got the 110V in the console. Big deal. They take away the 12v plug when they add the 110v - that's not value added, that's substitution.

[joekids]

I put my detector behind the drivers side piller for easy access to the fuse box and the BEST THING I DID is I wired it to fuse 21 or 22.This is the fuse that works the window lock out button.The result is the detector comes on when I start the car,and when I want to turn it off,I just press the window button. Joekids

[grshome]

Well, I just ordered V1 and it's on my way.
In wiring diagram for AutoDim Mirror, looks like the yellow wire is 'HOT in ON or Start', so V1 will be ON and OFF with key and will be OFF when in 'ACC'.
The threads regarding V1 hardwiring is awesome and helpful.
What do you folks(experts) think tapping into the AutoDim Mirror wires instead of running to fusebox by removing trim?
Any issues, concerns, warranty issues?
Attached is the wiring diagram, PDF.

[DRod]

Am i the only one or have you guys noticed a constant false alarm which is triggered every time you turn on the unit..

i have my V1 connected via the add a circuit in slot 23 as you guys noted.. it was a very simple install...

i also have the unit grounded in the screw that was noted in your install...right below the fuse box...

every time i turn the unit on it starts to alarm from behind... and continues to stay that way.. oftentimes increasing to 3 or 4 signals... all from behind...

my 2010 MDX comes with blind spot detection which i believe uses radar to detect other vehicles entering my blind spot... will this trigger it, thus making my V1 useless, or could it be a poor grounding? not sure but it is annoying...

thoughts???

note: this unit was working perfectly when i had it installed on my X5 a few weeks ago...

[riontegra]

Originally Posted by DRod

every time i turn the unit on it starts to alarm from behind... and continues to stay that way.. oftentimes increasing to 3 or 4 signals... all from behind...

my 2010 MDX comes with blind spot detection which i believe uses radar to detect other vehicles entering my blind spot... will this trigger it, thus making my V1 useless, or could it be a poor grounding? not sure but it is annoying...

Try turning off your blindspot detection system. It's what is likely causing the radar signal. The blindspot system is mounted on each side of the rear bumper.

[DRod]

i tried that but it still triggers from behind...

seems like there's more going on in the vehicle than we know...

[riontegra]

Originally Posted by DRod

i tried that but it still triggers from behind...

seems like there's more going on in the vehicle than we know...

The button on the dash for blind spot detection probably just disables the lights in the doors from coming on. To permanently disable the system, you may have to pull the fuse. Look for a fuse called BSI (blind spot information).

[adr5]

Originally Posted by moil4gold49

Gents,

With all due respect to a once-great detector, you are all living in the past. Perhaps it is because Valentine was so dominant for so many years that you all just assume it's the best, but times have changed - and Valentine hasn't.

That's the reality, but I'm not the pro who will argue it with you. Instead, you'll want to read what this guy has to say:

Best radar detector reviews from the world's most respected authority.

He has the great line: "The world has changed since [the Valentine] was designed in 1991. The Apple IIsi also was hot stuff that year but Apple knew better than to continue selling the same box."

Bottom line: If forward/backward is very important to you, get a Valentine, otherwise, get something else.

It's been a while since I drove enough to use a radar detector. When I did I had a Passport which was the best thing available till they came out with their hard wired small Escort which was, and probably still is, the best X and K band detector. Now I see quite a few laser traps, so if I was to get another detector it would have to have laser. With this in mind I read the test and review. The other units have some features that I think are useless. Who cares if they let you configure things a bit. That is one feature that you might play with when you first get it, but after that it is never used again. So you pay for a basically useless feature. With the V1 you get a feature none of the others offer, directional arrows. If I was going to spend my hard earned money on a RD, I would consider the V1 before the others. I know some of the new ones have GPS features that look interesting, but you are at the mercy of the data entered into that unit. So it might work better in some ways, but you compromise in others.

[scorro1]

I have owned my Escort 8500 X50 for many years now and it has paid for itself many times over. I move it between my 97 Acura Integra and my 03 MDX. I sent it to the manufacturer once in early 2009 to have it reprogrammed. Even today, it finds them all. Best 300 bucks I have spent seeing as I have avoided dozens of tickets.

P.S. Not speeding is not an option in my integra. Although, my MDX hardly uses the RD. Unless I gave away my RD to my girl or it completely broke, I do not see any reason to purchase the V1. My friend has the V1 hardwired in his 05 480hp STI and he swears by it. But honestly, when we drive next to one another in NY, both of ours find the radar but his just says which direction. In my case, if it beeps, I slow down, no need to take a chance.

[raj91]

can somebody with a V1 explain what the 3 modes mean and what mode I should keep mine in?

[otoupalik]

Just installed mine and went a bit simpler (if you have autodim mirror).

V1 red to yellow on mirror
V1 black to ground on sunroof motor bolt

20 minutes in and out!

Just providing another option.

Thanks
Brad