DIY: Radar Detector Mounting Bracket for the Audi R8

[desperado]

I've been meaning to post this DIY for awhile, and am finally getting around to it. This is applicable to portable radar detectors, in my case the Escort 9500ix.

A while ago I figured out how to install the Invisicord in the R8 to power a windshield-mounted radar detector. I posted about it here. To complement the Invisicord, I needed a nice mounting bracket for the radar detector so I could get rid of the cheesy suction cup mount. I had a number of requirements for a mount: it had to hold the detector firmly, allow the detector to be easily removed, not be visually intrusive, neither the mount or the detector could interfere with the rear view mirror or the use of the sun visor, and it must not involve any permanent modification to the car.

Here is what I came up with:

Interior View


Bottom View with Visor Open


Exterior View

I've attached a full-size drawing of the mount I made. I cut it from a sheet of aluminum slightly thicker than the factory mount, and bent the end around a drill bit to the appropriate angle to hold the detector level. Then I spray painted it flat black.

I think this works best on the passenger side of the car, as the detector gets in the way of the rear view mirror if it's mounted on the driver's side. My drawing shows the bottom side of the mount for use on the RH side of the car. Bend the tab "up"; if you wish to mount the detector on the LH side of the car (for example, you are in the UK or Oz) simply bend the tab the other way.

The mount is fastened to the car by gently prying out the little plastic plug over the screw which holds the inboard plastic bracket for the sun visor. Remove the screw. Place the aluminum mount over the bracket, nestled around the stem of the visor bracket and fitted into the recess in the headliner. Refasten using a slightly longer screw. You can see that I dimpled my mount so the screw is recessed flush with the surface of the mount, as I wanted the visor to close to its previous position and not be held partially open by the head of the screw. (Note that I couldn't find the appropriate metric screw at the local home center in a flat head or oval head configuration, so I used a pan head. Even though it doesn't fit into the dimple quite as well, it is invisible behind/under the visor.)

The only subsequent change I've made since these photos were taken is to put a small adhesive rubber dot on the round end of the mount as sometimes it would vibrate against the windshield (when the detector was not mounted). I was also planning on painting the screw black, but it is not visible from any normal viewing position so I never bothered.

Make sure you push the button on the top of the detector when sliding it onto the mount, otherwise the detector will vibrate and eventually fall off. I thought I would need a hole in the tab of the mount for the detector to lock into, but I have not had any problem with the detector staying in place by friction alone. I do remove the detector from the mount for track days or when using it in one of my other cars, but the mount stays in place in the R8 all the time.

[R84ME]

Nice job. For those wanting a simpler, less invasive solution that can be removed in 30 sec for that OEM look, just buy the sunvisor mounting clip from Escort. The GPS works fine. R8 sunvisors are really an after thought, you may as well use them for something!

[desperado]

Wow, you really know how to steal a guy's thunder don't you!?

I actually use my visor all the time.

[R84ME]

No disrespect intended, Bill. I'm just saying, it strikes me as a somewhat over-engineered solution when there is already a simple solution available. I never used the passenger sunvisor but can see the utility in your mount if both occupants use them regularly.

Again, NICE JOB!!

[desperado]

Awwww, you took me too seriously! I was laughing at myself for the complex "engineer's" solution when there was a simple COTS* one already available. I wish Escort had included the visor clip with my detector purchase, as I wasn't aware it existed. Anyway, I do think mine serves a purpose, as I enjoy those little "custom" touches for my car.


*COTS: Commercial Off The Shelf

[KfabR8]

it strikes me as a somewhat over-engineered solution when there is already a simple solution available.

But that's what we Engineers do - make a better (at least to ourselves) mouse trap.

There's also a major satisfaction that comes from creating our own solution to a perceived problem.

I like the dimple aspect - those can be a challenge to do well.

[R84ME]

Honestly, I spent 90% of my left seat time alone so it was the perfect location for me.
Had Mary accompanied me more, she would have insisted on another solution!

[RS4Cab]

Only thing I had to "engineer" was wedging something between visor and detector to get at right angle

[desperado]

Here are a couple more photos of the detector mount:

Driver's perspective


Visor Hardware

The black plug, and the black OEM machine screw.
Neither one gets reused, but save them as you'll need them when you remove the mount.
The longer screw is 5mm dia x 20mm long.

[SteveR]

Only thing I had to "engineer" was wedging something between visor and detector to get at right angle

I did the same thing. A few minutes of carving a rubber stopper did the trick.