Thread: Scion xB '06, in-dash Atom 330, Lilliput 889GL; details, pictures, links. Index: pg 1

More on Detectors

I looked around for reviews of Rocky Mountain Radar products. Boy, they have some unhappy customers at Epinions and Amazon. In an article written several years ago, RadarTest.com slammed RMR products universally (it said the jammer simply didn't work), and doesn't even review them or include them in their detector shoot-outs now. At some sites their products got a single positive review; if there was more than one, the rest were neutral or negative.

I decided I'm pretty happy with the Escort/Bel products.

I think I need to go back to RadarTest.com and re-read the article on the Top 9 Secrets to Getting the Most From Your Detector. It's pretty fresh, since it came out in December of '08.

I need to consider what's most important -- getting good rear-sensing performance, or keeping the detector well hidden. Perhaps I can leave it mounted in the center of the vehicle if I can devise a way to block the display so I can see it, but people following me can't, much like GizmoQ did in his ESC, here. Although I don't have that kind of compartment, perhaps I could put a shield behind the display so it can't be seen from behind the vehicle.

Hmmmm . . .

Originally Posted by rdholtz

More on Detectors

I looked around for reviews of Rocky Mountain Radar products. Boy, they have some unhappy customers at Epinions and Amazon. In an article written several years ago, RadarTest.com slammed RMR products universally (it said the jammer simply didn't work), and doesn't even review them or include them in their detector shoot-outs now. At some sites their products got a single positive review; if there was more than one, the rest were neutral or negative.

I decided I'm pretty happy with the Escort/Bel products.

I think I need to go back to RadarTest.com and re-read the article on the Top 9 Secrets to Getting the Most From Your Detector. It's pretty fresh, since it came out in December of '08.

I need to consider what's most important -- getting good rear-sensing performance, or keeping the detector well hidden. Perhaps I can leave it mounted in the center of the vehicle if I can devise a way to block the display so I can see it, but people following me can't, much like GizmoQ did in his ESC, here. Although I don't have that kind of compartment, perhaps I could put a shield behind the display so it can't be seen from behind the vehicle.

Hmmmm . . .

Well let me ask, how fast are you guys going that you need radar detectors? I am a heavy speeder, and out of all the times I was caught only 1 time. That was when I had to go up to Tampa but was stoned out my a$$ so I didn't see the highway patrol go over the median. It also took her a long time to catch up to me because I was going so fast. The one time I almost got caught was when I decided to ghost someone (when you ride a speeders a$$ where you hood is aligned with their back tire, basically riding his blind spot) and the highway patrol came out of nowhere. The first indication of speeding is when you brake and your brake lights come on. I left off the gas, but he hit his brakes so he got pulled over.

I guess what im trying to say is, its more fun trying to do things to not get pulled over, its no fun if you know where they are.

PS: Remember the over head console thing we spoke of in the other thread? Here is another that did it. http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/clas...-software.html

Originally Posted by HiJackZX1

PS: Remember the over head console thing we spoke of in the other thread? Here is another that did it. http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/clas...-software.html

I was just about to suggest making your own overhead "cubby" for the detector.

Originally Posted by HiJackZX1

Well let me ask, how fast are you guys going that you need radar detectors? I am a heavy speeder, and out of all the times I was caught only 1 time. That was when I had to go up to Tampa but was stoned out my a$$ so I didn't see the highway patrol go over the median. It also took her a long time to catch up to me because I was going so fast. The one time I almost got caught was when I decided to ghost someone (when you ride a speeders a$$ where you hood is aligned with their back tire, basically riding his blind spot) and the highway patrol came out of nowhere. The first indication of speeding is when you brake and your brake lights come on. I left off the gas, but he hit his brakes so he got pulled over.

I guess what im trying to say is, its more fun trying to do things to not get pulled over, its no fun if you know where they are.

Well, I go fast enough that it helps to have a warning. I'm judicious about where and when I speed, and I'm not reckless; in heavy traffic, I don't jackrabbit around. On the open road when traffic is light, sometimes I cruise with traffic, sometimes I cruise with the fastest traffic, and sometimes I'm the point man.

I would suspect the detector has saved me vastly more than it costs. A speeding citation would cost me money, either for the citation or for the legal aid to try and avoid conviction, or both. I might plead nolo contendre (no contest), pay the fees and avoid the points, but I can do that only once every year or so, depending on the state. The fine, court costs and legal fees aren't all; if I get points on my license, my insurance company could give me a "you've been a bad boy" surcharge on my next insurance bill.

If I'm out of state, I have to plead by mail or travel back for the hearing, and out-of-staters generally get treated like second-class citizens.

A detector simply saves money if you like to travel fast.

Once in a while, an unmarked car will go by with its radar on; the detector goes off and helps me spot what kinds of unmarked cars the police are running.

No matter what, we have to be alert if we're infracting the law. Driving fast is fun; done wisely, in a vehicle with good handling, good brakes, and good tires, it can be safe and fun. The detector just keeps the cost of the fun down.

Originally Posted by HiJackZX1

PS: Remember the over head console thing we spoke of in the other thread? Here is another that did it. http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/clas...-software.html

Originally Posted by GizmoQ

I was just about to suggest making your own overhead "cubby" for the detector.

I like that idea. Actually, I'm still very interested in an entire console, but not one that stands out like the wood unit HiJackZX1 pointed out -- that console is in a full-size pickup truck, so he has more headroom in both height and width. I'm in a smaller vehicle; although I have good headroom, I'd want ithe console to be relatively small and low-key, so it blends into the ceiling and retains as much of the spacious feel as small cars can allow. Putting that cubby in the console might allow me to extend the mirror mount to move the mirror lower, and that would let me put the detector above the mirror.

Gee, getting the detector above the mirror is what got me started on this whole thing. We may have a solution here.

Extra Lighting

While I noodle ways to install an overhead console, I should mention one other thing. On my trip to the U-Pick-It automobile boneyard, I was able to get the overhead light panel from a Lexus for $2.50, with the wiring connector and about a foot of wire. That should go nicely in the overhead of the Scion to supplement the relatively dim lights in the cabin. The unit also has separate switched reading lights.

The color of the Lexus part is close, but there's more of a yellow tint in it. I'll sand it very lightly, and then some Krylon Fusion plastic paint -- probably Satin Pewter Gray (2439) -- should make the color work.

With or without the console, I'll draw power for the unit from the existing overhead light. If I don't find or build an overhead console, there's no system for mounting just the light it in the Scion's overhead, so I'll probably have to make a mounting bracket for it and attach that with Velcro or adhesive to the car's roof. Either way, I'll have to run a ground line to the other light, because it appears that this unit was grounded to the vehicle where it bolted into the steel roof structure.

If this works as well as I hope, I may go back and try to find another overhead light for the very rear of the cabin. Loading and unloading that area at night is an exercise in eyestrain, and more light would help.

Originally Posted by rdholtz

Extra Lighting

overhead light panel from a Lexus for $2.50, with the wiring connector and about a foot of wire. That should go nicely in the overhead of the Scion to supplement the relatively dim lights in the cabin. The unit also has separate switched reading lights.

Pics? :0) been meaning to do this myself i'd love to see it i know youll post pics soon enough im just impatient

Originally Posted by rdholtz

Extra Lighting

While I noodle ways to install an overhead console, I should mention one other thing. On my trip to the U-Pick-It automobile boneyard, I was able to get the overhead light panel from a Lexus for $2.50, with the wiring connector and about a foot of wire. That should go nicely in the overhead of the Scion to supplement the relatively dim lights in the cabin. The unit also has separate switched reading lights.

The color of the Lexus part is close, but there's more of a yellow tint in it. I'll sand it very lightly, and then some Krylon Fusion plastic paint -- probably Satin Pewter Gray (2439) -- should make the color work.

With or without the console, I'll draw power for the unit from the existing overhead light. If I don't find or build an overhead console, there's no system for mounting just the light it in the Scion's overhead, so I'll probably have to make a mounting bracket for it and attach that with Velcro or adhesive to the car's roof. Either way, I'll have to run a ground line to the other light, because it appears that this unit was grounded to the vehicle where it bolted into the steel roof structure.

If this works as well as I hope, I may go back and try to find another overhead light for the very rear of the cabin. Loading and unloading that area at night is an exercise in eyestrain, and more light would help.

You could also use Epoxy. I used it for my 15" inch screen in the back. I tried to get welders to weld it on for me and they refused to do it becuase it woulod warp the roof and paint. They gave special epoxy that is aircraft grade (dont know what that means) anyways its stuck on there forever, very strong. Just in case, I also went back and used JB weld around the edges.

After following this thread for a while I took the plunge today and wil be installing a Dell Mini9 into my dash. I chose the mini9 because it makes a great OSX machine.

Do you have any photos of the EeePC in your dash yet?

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