V1 with Mirror Display, Where did they hide it?

I have a 99 cab. When I bought it, it came with the Valentine V1 with the mirror display. I would like to update the V1, but can't find it. Before I top all the trim off, anyone have a guess or two where to look?. Thanks in advance, LDMF

Depends on the installer. I have seen them installed in the headliner (dubious on a vert), and some installed behind the front bumper. You best bet, would be tracing the wire from the mirror back to wherever they hid it. It may also be under the dash.

Following this as I have the same thing and would love to know where it is in my 2000 C2 Cab. I can tell you that mine is definitely not behind the front bumper. I thought I saw someone post a diagram a few years ago showing one behind the rear seats, but I've not been able to find that post again.

I took a preliminary look and it isn't obvious. My controls are right above the shifter next to the heated seats. I tried to follow the wires from three and they disappeared quickly under the console rug. Not enough time today before the Steeler game to follow them. Will update when I find anything.

I'm assuming you have the custom installed "stealth" V1, correct? (see pictures) Normally, custom installed radar detection systems (e.g. Escort Passport 9500ci) includes external sensors that are mounted at the grilles. But this method is discouraged by Valentine - they'd rather you mount the main unit/sensor high on the windshield for best performance. And if I'm not mistaken, V1 doesn't currently sell with external sensors... the main unit IS the sensor. Bare in mind, the V1 is a 360 degree system; therefore, the sensor(s) should be mounted where it can synchronize front, sides, and rear information. It's not uncommon for installers to hide the radar detector's power supplies and/or ECU hidden behind the "bat wings" on the center console area with controls mounted on the bat wing because of easy access to power from the cigarette lighter and/or fuse box as well as hands reach operation to set volume and mute. Is there a remote speaker and volume unit mount near the gauges or center console? If so, I would trace that line. But if you're wanting to upgrade, you should contact Valentine, you might save some money and be able to retain your mirror display and remote unit. All you really need is to replace is the main V1 unit. The remotes should work with the newer system.

Mine does have an external sensor mounted on the windshield (driver side, lower corner). It also has the control **** mounted between the heated seat switches on the lower center console. I've had that area apart several times but haven't been able to trace anything to the main unit.

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That will work ok, but remember the sensor acts like a radio antenna... therefore, the higher, the better! :-) When you get the sensors too low (close to the dash), the weaker radar signals that are bouncing off the car's hood don't get detected. Best advice... move the sensor to the top edge of the windshield near the head liner for best performance. Yep, that's the "bat wing" ... common area for detector controls on the 996 Look around the fuse box area. What model of detector are you running?

Which model? - Aside from it being a V1, I have no idea. It was in the car when I bought it. It works very well but I understand that the newer versions are better at screening out non-threatening signals. I need a radar detector detector.

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Bill, you mean you want a Spectre RDD system? I'm confused... why in the world would you want to be "detecting radar detectors" ????

So I can locate my V1

hahahaha.... ok Bill. Now that's funny! Hey, take a picture of the "sensor" and post... maybe I can help you.

I have planned a couple of minor projects that hopefully I will get to this weekend. Installing a garage door opener and front speaker replacement. Maybe while I have things apart I will be able to find the little sucker. My system looks slightly different than the one posted here. The center **** is for the radar detector, notice the boss phone Here is the mirror with the display. I also have the laser detector/jammer on the front bumper

Take a picture of behind the mirror. We need to confirm if this is a passive or active alert display. That's definitely a custom designed Valentine 1 volume unit mounted on the "bat wing" and so if push comes to shove, you can trace the line from there, but there is also a good chance that the main unit is remote mounted at the grille. As I mentioned before, Valentine would advise you to mount the main unit/sensor high on the wind shield for best performance.

Maybe checking the V1 site's documentation would help: http://www.valentine1.com/v1info/ Check the rear seat, the rear parcel shelf, etc.

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A garage door remote may do the trick. A radar unit would too, but you would have to be tight with the authorities to get a loaner to enhance your detector technology.

Here is the windshield-mounted sensor. On the inside it has a logo of "LC" in a circle.

I did read all that I could on the Valentine Website. I even called and asked for advice. Nothing to share. I did find a similar looking mirror online, called that company and he told me that the device could be anywhere. This is centered on the front bumper just above my chin spoiler. I believe the mirror is not the radar device. This is not a great pic, reflections were hard to block

The unit mounted in the bumper is a K-40 Laser Detector/Diffuser. I have the same one.

But the question is... what version of the K40? Does this unit jam detect and jam laser? If it's older than 5 years, it probably won't be invisible to current laser technology because the newer laser systems have new lookup tables that the older laser detectors/jammers are blind to.

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That's a active alert display because you can see the cable going up in the headline. At this point, I would recommend removing the bat wing and seeing if you can trace the cable connection the volume remote. That should lead you to the main "host" (i.e. detector's ECU). It probably leads to the frunk to connect with the radar interface and sensors. Wonder if this is a complete K40 custom installed radar/laser detection system and is using a V1 type mirror display? Seems like I remember some third party groups making mirror alert units. Hope you find it!

My K-40 unit is more than 5 years old and is very good at detecting Infiniti's. It did recently alert me to an actual laser signal but not sure if it diffused it. I've considered disconnecting it because it can get annoying and there is no way to turn it off (that I've found). I have a feeling I have nearly an identical set up as the original poster. I'm 99% sure the radar detector is a V1 because the display shows the direction, count, and type of "bogies". I don't believe other units do that.

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I agree and have been told that as well by some local porsche owners. Eventually I will figure it out and will update everyone when I do. Maybe a backtrace from the laser detector defuse thing in front... And can that thing be upgraded while I'm at it.

I could swear that someone here posted a link or a diagram a few years ago showing where it could be located. I think it was behind the rear passenger seat. I just spent an hour or so searching this and other sites but can't find that post. I've seen posts stating that the V1 software can be updated but I don't know if it applies to the model I have. Locating it would be a big help. Good luck with your search.

Been a while, but I figured I would report on where they hid the radar detector. I looked for this sucker over and over. basically I gave up looking for it. I installed a Double Din Stereo this weekend and when I hooked up the radar detector controls, I hooked them up backwards. The detector started beeping and I was like a cat trying to find my dinner. followed then noise and determined that it was behind the carpet wall behind the rear seats. 2 screws later I pulled out the wall and found it between my roll bars, mounted high. that is the good news. The bad news is that they mounted without the box, so I can not have it upgraded. Oh well.

Thanks for the update. I'll check that location for mine this weekend. I'm not clear on what you mean by "mounted without the box". Does that mean that they removed the electronics from the case it came in? How easy would it be to just replace the unit?

Yes that is exactly what I meant. They removed the electronics from its plastic casing. It would be fairly easy to remove and replace. I didn't look real closely, but it might mean some soldering on an electronic board. Not terribly difficult, but you must be more careful when working on the board. Good luck

Post some picture... I would love to see this configuration. Thanks!

I took that panel off but didn't find my radar detector. The only thing I could see was the mechanism for the roll bars. Btw - that panel is a pain to get back on.

Per request, here are the images for the V1 between the roll bars. Sorry about the crappy pics but it was after work last night and my phone was dying and would not allow the use of a flash. The first pic shows a view from the front seat looking towards the rear of the car. You can see the phone cord that is connected. This cord goes under the carpet to the controls,(right above the console) and to the display in the mirror. The second is a pic is looking skyward of the actual radar detector mounted high between the rollbars. Doesn't show much, but you can see that it has been removed from its original case. Let me know if there are any other pics or info that anyone wants.

I didn't look up under there when I had it open. I guess I'll have to take another look. Thanks for the pictures.

Update to an old post. My V1 is attached to the bottom of the piece that covers the rollover protection. The photo above this post is NOT the radar detector and is actually part of the car's electronics. My V1 is in it's original case and I suspect the OP's is the same. To see if it's there, put the top in maintenance position and pull back the carpet. To get it out you have to remove the panel behind the rear seats and remove the rollover cover (1 screw in the passenger compartment and 3 screws in the the back. V1 gives you $110 discount towards new unit if you send them your old one. Not bad considering mine is about 18 years old.