Power for camera and/or radar detector

[NJRonbo]

I gotta tell yuh, you guys are making things difficult for me...

Choosing between the V1 and the Redline 360

The Escort looks more tempting. It's also $300 more (and the price went up $50)

I like the fact that the Escort connects to a very robust iPhone app. However, the app itself is getting really bad reviews citing it's horribly outdated.

Going to put more thought into this. Either way, both are the top-rated models to buy so I don't think I'll be disappointed either way -- just poorer if I go with the Escort.

 

[System]

Escort has two apps. I use both. The "Drive Smarter" app is the one with the bad reviews although it has been improved recently. "Escort Live" is the older app. It's more stable and I use it in the background to connect to the detector while driving. Then I use the DS app to do settings and updates but shut it down as soon as I'm done. That said, don't count out the Uniden R8. It's also an excellent detector and can be had at a lower price. I just couldn't get past the 1980's computer geek look it has.

As to Escort pricing, they do have sales every few months. Right now the Maxcam 360c is on sale for $100 off. That makes it cheaper than the Redline and you get a decent dash cam built in to boot. If it were me (and it was me) I'd get the Maxcam. The placement of the controls is much better if you want to mute or mark a location. Then you get the camera just in case. I actually originally bought the RL for my truck and the Maxcam for the wife's Corsiar. But I liked the control layout so much better on the Maxcam that the RL got moved over to our old car and my truck got a second Maxcam.... But if you're set on the RL, Escort has a pop up when you land on their site. If you enter your email to get on their list, you get $50 off your first purchase. It's not a lot but it helps and you can always unsubscribe later...

 

[heywardjr]

I have the Redline 360c and it's been flawless. Their customer support is really great too. I've been a customer for at least 10 years of theirs.

 

[NJRonbo]

Guys, I have pretty much made my decision to go with the Valentine 1 Gen 2.

A few important aspects pulled me in that direction.

1. I have to wait until they resume their upgrade program (due to supply constraints), but I can save an additional $110 on the $499 purchase price since I would be trading in my Gen 1 unit.

2. The Driver1 app for iOS integrates with my Apple Watch, sending arrow alerts and other information to the watch face. To mute the radar detector, I simply raise my arm. The iOS app also does a better job of handling GPS than what is integrated into the 360c.

3. Finally, with the extra money I would have had to spend for the Escort, I can put it towards a Blendmount and wiring kit. Additionally, I am going to buy a refurbished Pixel 5 phone OR Samsung Tablet so I can run JBV1 software that is exclusive to Android, integrates with the Valentine 1 Gen 2, and adds an amazing array of visual features including mapping, aerial radar, and much more. It pretty much will turn my radar detector into a command center for the road. If you are not familiar with JBV1, look it up. It's an amazing piece of software.

I will check back in a few weeks/months regarding the installation. I may reach out to HeywardJr by email. I so much appreciate your help. This thread has been amazing -- particularly for the installation photos that @Sharbotcom provided.

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[heywardjr]

Good points. I have not even tried to integrate my 360 with iOS / watch. I rarely use it anymore since my Mom died last year. I only took long trips to Ohio to visit her. Now have no reason to go there so no long distance trips.

 

[NJRonbo]

If the Valentine takes 12v then you should be good to go.

@Sharbotcom I wanted to address you personally as you uploaded those photos.

I bought my radar detector. I will be installing it with the Blendmount and mirror wiretap kit on Tuesday.

Been watching some videos and in the most simplistic terms, I am wondering if I have the process of tapping into the wiring correct...

I am just basically pulling out the rectangular plastic piece with all the holes on both ends

One side of that piece has red and black wires going into it from the vehicle's power.

All I am doing is inserting the same wiretap red and black wires on the opposite side so the same colors are almost touching each other.

I then shove the excess wiring back into the housing leaving enough wire to plug into my Radar detector.

Does that sound about right? Your photo doesn't show the actual plug but I have seen something like it on other videos.

 

[Sharbotcom]

@Sharbotcom I wanted to address you personally as you uploaded those photos.

I bought my radar detector. I will be installing it with the Blendmount and mirror wiretap kit on Tuesday.

Been watching some videos and in the most simplistic terms, I am wondering if I have the process of tapping into the wiring correct...

I am just basically pulling out the rectangular plastic piece with all the holes on both ends

One side of that piece has red and black wires going into it from the vehicle's power.

All I am doing is inserting the same wiretap red and black wires on the opposite side so the same colors are almost touching each other.

I then shove the excess wiring back into the housing leaving enough wire to plug into my Radar detector.

Does that sound about right? Your photo doesn't show the actual plug but I have seen something like it on other videos.

@NJRonbo I haven't used the mirror wiretap kit, only the snap taps but from what you described, it sounds right. I think @heywardjr has used them so he may chime in.

Good luck on Tuesday!

 

[System]

Sounds like you have it right. Just test with a multimeter to make sure you have the right colors.

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[NJRonbo]

Sounds like you have it right. Just test with a multimeter to make sure you have the right colors.

Don't have one of those. I'll be careful not to allow the wires to touch but I assume if the wrong colors are not connected correctly, the radar detector will not power? I hope it won't cause damage.

 

[System]

Don't have one of those. I'll be careful not to allow the wires to touch but I assume if the wrong colors are not connected correctly, the radar detector will not power? I hope it won't cause damage.

Do you have a test light? That should work too.

 

[NJRonbo]

Do you have a test light? That should work too.

Nope. I rarely fiddle with electronics.

 

[NJRonbo]

I pulled this from the Aviator forum:



I don't see a red wire going anywhere going in that connector. There is a black one.

Here are the taps I am going to use which are red and black specific:



So, specifically, just need to know where the black and red wires tap into on the module

It looks like they DON'T get connected at opposite ends, but rather, you are tapping into the same connector holes combined with existing wires

It also looks like the RED tap goes into the WHITE CONNECTOR hole. The BLACK tap goes into the BLACK connector hole. Again, combined in same hole.

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[smb5627]

Let me look this AM and I will let you know the correct wires to attach.

 

[NJRonbo]

Let me look this AM and I will let you know the correct wires to attach.

That would be great! Thank you so much as it will be very helpful.
Will also wait to hear from @heywardjr who might be able to save you the effort as he may know off the top of his head.
But in any case, much appreciated!

 

[System]

From page two of this thread. Red to white. Black to black.

 

[NJRonbo]

From page two of this thread. Red to white. Black to black.

View attachment 16427

That's easy and what I suspected. Apologies. I didn't venture to page 2 to see if there were additional photos.

This looks so easy. Takes seconds.

I should have this install done instantly and effortlessly now that I know the color coordinates.

Thank You

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[System]

Yup, very quick and easy. Just pick the right set of probes from the kit. Some are too small and some are too big. You want the ones that provide a nice tight fit so they can't vibrate out...

 

[smb5627]

That was my post from last year and I’m pretty sure I had to use the very smallest taps to get it to work. It really is easy and probably my 4th car I’ve had this on. 2 were Ford Edge and 2 were Lincoln’s

 

[System]

The small ones fit for me but were very loose. I forced in the middle ones. I didn't think they would fit initially but I got them in and they were good and snug. The small ones prob would have been fine too but they just felt loose to me...

 

[NJRonbo]

The small ones fit for me but were very loose. I forced in the middle ones. I didn't think they would fit initially but I got them in and they were good and snug. The small ones prob would have been fine too but they just felt loose to me...

Great advice. I'll start with the middle ones and see if I can get them in. And to confirm, they go in the same hole as the existing wire, correct?

Thanks very much. Was very apprehensive about doing this but thanks to all of you, this looks like an incredibly easy procedure.