Radar Detector Mounting - another one

[KfabR8]

I've been at it again...

A while back I hid my Valentine V1 display in the mirror of my 09. I'd seen this mod on another site and figured if they could do it, I could too.

I've upgraded (?) the radar detection system in my new R8 (and a couple of months ago in my RS6) to the Beltronics STiR system. The Valentine, while a stellar unit, falses all over the place here in Hell. The local traffic monitoring is done via radar detection and I can't drive around our main loop w/o the V1 telling me that I'm being watched, just not by LEO.

So after some research I ordered an Escort 9500 series system from Radartests.com, to which I was pleasantly surprised when the guy who runs the site contacted me and informed me that I should get the Beltronics unit instead. He said that Beltronics owns Escort (or vice versa, doesn't matter...) and that the STiR actually had better software in it. - and it cost a couple hundred dollars less. I went with the non-laser jamming setup, as I have a Blinder M47 to take care of that end of the business.

Anyhow, here's the install of the STiR:

Remove the mirror from the car and then remove the parts from the mirror housing. As usual, a good bit of swearing seems to help remove the outer bezel of the mirror and not induce bleeding in the process.



Remove the compass module. It's held in with seven small stalks/pins very tightly.



Strip all the electronics off of the circuit board with the exception of the pins and then machine a hole for the Bel's display module:





Put the now machined circuit board back in place:



Then test fit the mirror electronics against the mirror to see just how much of the black plastic backing needs to be removed so that the display will show through the mirror:



Fortunately I have access to a vinyl cutter so I had my buddy make a cut out pattern to follow. I made sure that everything aligned nicely and was well centered:



A brand new #11 X-acto knife is the way to cut the black backing out while following the pattern:



Put the display into the cut out and test fit the clearance and fitment of the display. I had to remove a small amount of material off of the "star" patterned piece in the back of the mirror housing for clearance between the display and back side of the mirror. - forgot to take pix of this aspect.

Put the whole thing back together and be happy!



The next aspect was where to put the control panel. I wanted to machine a pocket between the shifter area and the sport button, but there's not enough room. So I went back to the same area I used in the 09; the shelf between the a/c controls and the radio head unit. But instead of doing a full, across the shelf setup like I'd done previously, I decided to make it a tad more discrete and take up just as much space as needed. It's also a very convenient location to get to the buttons.

It took me two attempts to get this one right. The first one was too wide and a bit bulky, but it showed me where I needed to modify and such. Machining magnesium is a blast. It machines like butter, leaves a beautiful finish and it will turn a gray color very similar to the surrounding leather.



I saved the carbon fiber center that I cut out of the c/f door sills and was able to use some of it for the mounting panel for the control. Audi c/f weave is the best. May as well stick with OEM if possible, eh? The little panel fits into a groove that's been cut just inside the edge of the magnesium's front edge.



Here's the control box tucked away nice and neatly. I'm not happy with the flushness at the moment and need to modify it a tad. The top of the c/f face fits into the groove between the radio surround and the dash, but for some reason I can't get it to stick in the proper location. Some extra work is needed. I'll get to it when I install the Blinder M47 in the next couple of weeks.







Silly software keeps turning the pictures sideways. Lay down on your side or tilt your computer 90 degrees if you have to see them in the correct orientation.

The display is a bit weak in the day time, even on full bright. I've become used to it with the old V1 setup so it's not an issue for me. At night I have to switch the brightness over to Auto mode.

[NVRL8R8]

Another job well done. You suck!

[omarshareef]

Nice set up

[jh001ace]

I was wondering what all the unemployed NASA scientists were doing, looks like one is doing mods on R8's - very nice job, you must have far too much time on your hands and not be married!!

[KfabR8]

Definitely not married. Tried that once...

NASA scientist? Nah, I'm just some idiot with a mechanical engineering degree that loves to fabricate stuff and can operate machining equipment and has been retired for a long time. (life is great!!!)

[mark25]

Great guide mate!

Are you guys allowed jammers then? Here if they catch you with them they can do you for perverting the course of justice which is far more serious than being court for speeding. I have been clocked twice by these **** things so currently have 6 points on my license

[KfabR8]

Radar jamming - no. Not legal anywhere in the US.
Laser jamming - yes (thus far).

I believe that there are two states/regions (one of the Virginias and the Washington DC area) here in the US that do not allow radar detectors, but I don't know their stance on laser detection and or jamming. I would assume they take the same stance on laser systems as they do radar systems.