Valentine One with two alerts – Front and Back
Radar/Laser detectors are used to identify speed traps and various speed detection systems such as radar and laser. Radar/Laser detector use is illegal in Virginia, Washington DC and while on military bases. In Canada, only three provinces allow radar detector use: Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan.
The model S windshield, like many cars today, uses a metallic film inside the glass for the reduction of heat transfer. This blocks the radar portion of the detector (but Laser will still work). To get around this, either mount the radar detector in the area of the dots to the right of the rear-view mirror where the windshield doesn’t have the metallic film or buy a detector that has remote sensors to be installed in the front of the car. The first 1000 Model S windshields were made without any spot where the radar will work.
Key items to consider when looking for a good radar detector:
- Sensitivity
- Multiple band support – X, K, Ka, Laser
- Band lockout (i.e. X band is not used in some states, but has many false alerts)
- Minimal False Alerts
- Identification of type, number, strength, and location
- Flexible mounting and wiring options
- Remote display and/or head end options
Installation of Escort 9500ci at TMC (with photos)
Primary Manufacturers
Reviews
- Top Ten Reviews (good feature comparisons, but no sensitivity ratings)
2 comments
I posted detailed instructions for installing a Valentine One behind the Model S nosecone on TMC. It also includes some of the pros and cons of mounting a radar detector in that location.
https://teslamotorsclub.com/tmc/threads/detailed-how-to-install-a-valentine-one-radar-detector-behind-the-nosecone-of-a-model-s.171486/
The radar detector in the dots area to the right of the rear-view mirror where the windshield doesn’t have the metallic film or buy a detector that has remote sensors to be installed in the front of the car. https://www.vortexradar.com/