R56 :: Hatch Talk (2007+) MINI Cooper and Cooper S (R56) hatchback discussion.
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  #26  
Old 02-21-2007, 09:30 PM
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I think im going to get the Beltronics RX65. My friend has one and has had great success with it. He was saying its basically an updated and nicer Escort 8500 so thats cool. It also comes with a smart wire, where you can mute it when driving by shopping centers. ect. and im going to hardwire it in to the mini.
 
  #27  
Old 02-21-2007, 09:32 PM
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thlaxx, have you looked at the Escort 9500i? Check it out if you have not
 
  #28  
Old 02-21-2007, 09:46 PM
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o i have, its just a tad to much for me. its $450! its great but i was going to get the $329 RX65 with the $30 smart, hardwire. The RX65 comes with a currly smart wire, but it plugs into the ciglighter so i woudl rather hide the wires.
 
  #29  
Old 02-22-2007, 05:31 AM
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Originally Posted by Richds
I'm totally going to jinx myself, but I've found that keeping it under 10 over on the highway and going the speed limit in town has been a pretty good strategy. I might have a little more trouble keeping it under the limit with a turbo and that hard to understand speedo in the S.

By the way I have the Escort 8500 and it smells radar from about 5 miles away. I'm considering getting a Valentine though at some point. The problem is that I'm just as likely to get nailed by laser so I just don't speed that much.
This is the strategy I would recommend for EVERYONE. And the one I religiously employed for 10 years before getting my MCS, which eradicated my previous ticket addiction...

But alas, Blimey keeps hearing stories of Tess Turbo going 130mph on the Autobahn and he pulls like a sled dog wanting to go faster...

Sorry for the pulput lectures earlier. Everyone buy anything you want. Just drive safely. PLEASE don't think that because you CAN drive fast, that always means it's BEST to drive fast... save it for the track.

Oh yeah... but if you have a brain and the cash you'll buy a V1.

Just kiddin.
 
  #30  
Old 02-22-2007, 07:13 AM
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v1 in my opinion is the best radar detector on the market. I am happy with my purchase.
 
  #31  
Old 02-22-2007, 01:16 PM
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Originally Posted by thlaxx
Thanks, sorry I did not realize I started a war! 30 min. after the post, 8 replies! wow.....

And has anyone hardwired their radar detector, I hate extra wires, and the fuse box is on the center column, to the right of the drivers knee [on left wheel cars], so I was thinking of hiding the hardwire cable bellow the windshield, all the way to the door, and under the steering wheel area then into the box. Anyone do this.

Also, if you did do this, are their extra fuses in the mini? [Mine comes in a week so I dont know now]. And if not, which did you take out to use?
I tried to do as best a " stealth " job as I could on the install. The radar detector units themselves are behind the front and rear bumper , plastic does not affect the range, and the laser diffuser ( jammer ) is located behind the lower front grill. The warning system, lights and audio were built into the toggle section with the front detector , the red lamp to the left and the rear to the right. The diffuser lamp is the yellow one slightly right of center. There is also a speaker under the dash which gives a different tone for each element so you do not really need to look down to see what is going on.The system does a self test upon startup which most people equate to star wars which is kind of neat. All in all its a complete package and has paid for itsef in the last four years easily .

Randy
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  #32  
Old 02-22-2007, 02:43 PM
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MaxMINI -- what brand/model did you get?
 
  #33  
Old 02-22-2007, 03:20 PM
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Originally Posted by designerMINI
MaxMINI -- what brand/model did you get?
I have the k-40 2000 dual receiver system with the additional laser diffuser.

Randy
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  #34  
Old 02-22-2007, 03:29 PM
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Randy
Could you tell me where a good place to purchase one of these units? Was the install difficult? I don't know why but I thought these units were a vender install only. I would like to be able to do it myself.
Thanks Steve


Originally Posted by maxmini
I have the k-40 2000 dual receiver system with the additional laser diffuser.

Randy
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  #35  
Old 02-22-2007, 04:03 PM
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Originally Posted by maxmini
I have the k-40 2000 dual receiver system with the additional laser diffuser.

Randy
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How do you like the K40. BT correct?

The reason I ask is that some word on the net is the detection is poor and price higher than the Passport SR7 and the BT is just a gimmick, hence the higher price. And the radar unit is 5 years old ... poorer performance?

Opinion?
 
  #36  
Old 02-22-2007, 05:25 PM
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Originally Posted by chows4us
How do you like the K40. BT correct?

The reason I ask is that some word on the net is the detection is poor and price higher than the Passport SR7 and the BT is just a gimmick, hence the higher price. And the radar unit is 5 years old ... poorer performance?

Opinion?
I have over 58,000 un detected miles so far and about 55,500 were in excess of the posted limit. I did some homework before making this investment and there are several very positive reports done by magazines such as Eurotuner, Motor Trend, Car and Driver , Modified Magazine,European Car and Corvette Enthusiast to name a few . What was more telling was that it is the most chosen system for the 1199 Foundation Crowd, http://www.chp1199.org/ . Trust me we take EVERY precaution for our on road adventures. If you go to the site you can get a lot more background info on what the k-40 is all about. To be fair it is not a real apples and oranges comparison to the portable units as there are some major differences which justify the large difference in price. I knew how much fun the Mini was going to be and just wanted the best available and figured the additional cost would be worth it . Believe me , its paid for itself a few times over already.

Randy
M7 Tuning
 

Last edited by maxmini; 02-22-2007 at 05:30 PM.
  #37  
Old 02-22-2007, 05:29 PM
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Originally Posted by THE ITCH
Randy
Could you tell me where a good place to purchase one of these units? Was the install difficult? I don't know why but I thought these units were a vender install only. I would like to be able to do it myself.
Thanks Steve
I purchased mine from Traffic Jammz in Encino Ca. The install deopends on how tricky you want to be with the indicator light install. You will have to remove both bumpers and run wires from front to back and up behind the dash. If you are comfortable taking the car apart is is not a difficult install , just a time consuming one.

Randy
M7 Tuning
 
  #38  
Old 02-22-2007, 06:47 PM
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Originally Posted by maxmini
To be fair it is not a real apples and oranges comparison to the portable units as there are some major differences which justify the large difference in price.
The SR7 is not portable. It stealth too.

OK thanks!
 
  #39  
Old 02-28-2007, 12:39 PM
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Originally Posted by thlaxx
Since I did not get a MFSW, I have a bad feeling that I may be going over the speedlimit with my Cooper S on occasions ......and I was wondering if anyone has a radar detector in there mini.

I was thinking about the Beltronics RX65 which a friend recomended. He said its works great and saves his butt

Just wanted to get opinions and other options out there!

Thanks, Dave
I have both a Passport 8500 and Valentine One (in 2 diff cars). The Passport is better at weeding out falses and shutting up. But the Arrows on the Valentine are the best (plus, you can usually tell a false by how the indicator lights act). The Passport is great, but I think the Valentine is better.
 
  #40  
Old 02-28-2007, 12:52 PM
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Originally Posted by fjork_duf
I dunno... I'd check this review before rushing out to get a V1

http://www.radartest.com/article.asp?articleID=100542

It seems the Bel STI Driver scored much better in this guy's tests. I'm considering one of those.
Sounds fishy to me. I have had a Valentine since it came out and have never had a problem. Do you really want a detector that warns you of a cop 11 miles away?????
 
  #41  
Old 03-22-2007, 12:44 PM
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Originally Posted by LynnEl
Sounds fishy to me. I have had a Valentine since it came out and have never had a problem. Do you really want a detector that warns you of a cop 11 miles away?????
Just noticed something else: radartest.com sponsors a link to a radar retailer which, coincidentally, also panned the V1. Guess what? The V1 isn't sold through retailers! But that retailer sells Bell and Passport. Just coincidence, I suppose.
 
  #42  
Old 03-22-2007, 12:51 PM
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I have an older radar detector, but it still picks up our gentlemen in blue (or tan). We have plenty of speed traps, too, including areas where the gross national product of the community seems to be tickets.

I have a simple installation but it is nearly hidden. The detector is mounted on velcro (so I can remove it for autocrosses) on the far left portion of the dash, and the wire is put under the panels below the steering wheel. Can't even tell where it is, except for the little part that sticks up to go to the unit, and the other end that goes into the power supply/lighter. Can't beat it!
 
  #43  
Old 03-22-2007, 12:53 PM
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Just keep your speed down, Your going to be caught sooner or later. !
 
  #44  
Old 03-22-2007, 12:59 PM
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Very true, but 54 in a 50 zone is enough to get you a ticket in one place I go through. Fortunately I haven't had a ticket (that stuck) in over a decade.

Knock on wood.
 
  #45  
Old 03-22-2007, 01:01 PM
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Originally Posted by djam43
Just keep your speed down, Your going to be caught sooner or later. !
Hope you stay in the right lane.
 
  #46  
Old 03-22-2007, 01:09 PM
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I got both a Valentine 1 at an Escort 8500 and sometime use both on longer trips just to see how they perform.

The Valentine 1 is a lot more sensitive, gets the warning about 5seconds earlier and the arrows are a wonderful little feature. What is better on the Escort is the little button to mute it once you get the warning, the V1 keeps on going on your nerves with the beeping till the danger is over
 
  #47  
Old 03-22-2007, 01:12 PM
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Originally Posted by TFM
I got both a Valentine 1 at an Escort 8500 and sometime use both on longer trips just to see how they perform.

The Valentine 1 is a lot more sensitive, gets the warning about 5seconds earlier and the arrows are a wonderful little feature. What is better on the Escort is the little button to mute it once you get the warning, the V1 keeps on going on your nerves with the beeping till the danger is over
You can push in the big button on the valentive to mute it.
 
  #48  
Old 03-22-2007, 01:17 PM
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Originally Posted by thlaxx
I think im going to get the Beltronics RX65. My friend has one and has had great success with it. He was saying its basically an updated and nicer Escort 8500 so thats cool. It also comes with a smart wire, where you can mute it when driving by shopping centers. ect. and im going to hardwire it in to the mini.
Valentine One here...

Once you get one you'll understand why no other radar detector even comes close. The ability to know which direction the radar signal is coming from is INVALUABLE in determining whether it's a false signal or a real threat. I'd recommend it to anyone, it's easily paid for itself...
 
  #49  
Old 03-22-2007, 01:35 PM
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Originally Posted by LynnEl
You can push in the big button on the valentive to mute it.
Yep... as long as you know how to use the OUTER volume ring for mute volume...

I just got my customized remote display installed today (sits on top of the steering column) - and I have a remote audio control in front of my right knee in the top of the parcel shelf - so now I have THREE buttons I can push to mute my V1, depending on my mood...
 
  #50  
Old 03-22-2007, 05:00 PM
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I just got a notice that my RX65 came in today, so I am going to pick it up and go test drive a MCS again. I think my MCS is going to be finished tomorrow, so I will test drive the MCS tonight with my RX65 and let you know what I think. I got the hardwire kit so everything will be hidden.
 


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