Let me start by saying I am not a speeder. I try to avoid speeding and come to complete stops at stop signs and generally obey the rules. I have a big truck and it does not exactly handle like a race car. In the past 5 years I have had 2 speeding tickets, 38mph in a 25mph zone and a 51 mph in a 35 mph. Both times I had no clue that I was speeding nor was I in a rush. Both tickets combined were about $800 in fines and insurance rate increases. So I decided rather than fall victim to more speed traps I would invoke my rights and purchase a radar detector.
The suction mount and the big coiled cord kinda sucked. The cord was in my way and the suction cups kept falling. I needed to find a better mount and hard wire it into the truck. Usually you run a wire across the top of the windshield, down the pillar into the fuse box. New vehicles have side impact airbags and the idea of stuffing a wire into the cavity that holds an explosive device is, well ludicrous. So I searched for an alternative and came across the MirrorTap, an ingenious fused wire that taps into a 12v power source in the back of an auto dimming mirror. The tap just slides in to the existing pins, it takes a few tries to see which side fits the best, just remember not to force it. For a 2011 Ford F150 Pin 1 green/purple is 12V ignition and Pin 4 black is the ground. Make sure to verify online or test the pins with a multimeter before you connect the pins. In some instances online the 12V wire has been a different color in pin 1. That’s it, in less than 5 minutes you have a fused hardwired radar detector that looks factory. Check out MirrorTap here.
OK, now that we have the wiring out of the way we need a more permanent mount for the radar detector. We looked around and everyone pointed to Blendmount, a light aircraft grade aluminum mount that looks factory. The kit comes with everything you need to install it including the 2 hex keys. You need to go to blendmount.com to find the right fit for your vehicle. The overall quality and finish of this mount is superb. Basically it clamps around the mirror stem with 2 hex head screws for a tight fit. It is completely adjustable so you can get the fit you’re looking for.
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I have had one speeding ticket in the past 50 years.
Radar detectors are illegal in Calif, but then every thing good is illegal
and everything bad is legal.
Awesome! I didn’t know such a thing existed.
Dan–Nice article. I have an older Escort 8500 that hasn’t been used for several years, and am toying with the idea of installing it in one of our cars. It would be in a 2001 Buick LeSabre, which has the powered rear-view mirror. My question is about how the vehicle’s mirror mount is holding up. The detector unit has a certain heft to it, and I’m wondering if it will cause the mirror to loosen from its mounting position on the windshield and possibly fall after awhile. Have you heard or read anything about that happening? Thanks.
I thought the same thing, but it is holding up great. Those windshield mounts are on there really good, I personally do not see an issue. I havent had any movement whatsoever. Just remember to pull the unit down when you park to avoid theft.