Updating my old Bel Gx65 detector to an Escort Redline 360c and also ordered the ZW5 laser shifters to integrate with it. I’m wondering where people are putting the 2 front sensors for maximum effect. I figure I’ll have to do some minor cutting in the grill plastic, although I don’t have the units yet to see their measurements and that info doesn’t seem to be available by internet searches. I’d like them not to stick out conspicuously and of course will make sure they are level and aimed straight forward. This would be the same sensors that the ZR5 uses and possibly some other models. If you’ve done this, please share you experience. Thanks!
You're right you want them hid. Cops know what to look for. Most wont notice is you have them a little hid. You have an R53? sorry I cant remember. I think the two front ones are too big for the fake brake duct openings. The only place I can think of is the lower grill. you could cut the grill so they fits around them and won't be noticeable. They could be bolted to the aluminum bumper. The rear one will be harder to find a place.
R55. Forgot I don’t have a sig on this forum. Just going with front sensors for now. No front license plate but thinking 1/4 of the way in from the sides of the bottom of the upper grill or perhaps the top of the lower grill.
Radar detectors and laser shifters are legal where I drive (except very rare forays into DC or VA) but I know if they see a radar detector on your dash or windshield it adds an extra dimension to a traffic stop and if their laser gun doesn’t return a signal as you go by (if you don’t deactivate it promptly after getting an alert and adjusting speed, if necessary), and they notice the sensors, it probably pisses them off quite a bit more, despite the legality of the devices.
I know it can make it harder to get out of a ticket if they see them or a radar detector. Not that I would speed, not me........ never. Some times my car has been bad and whet above the speed limit. When you get it post some pictures
I'm looking forward to seeing the pics. I updated my detector last year but haven't gotten serious enough about it to think about laser shifters, etc. I'm mostly a law abiding kind of guy and generally don't speed heavily, but sometimes you get focused on the road and a gentle reminder that there is a LEO ahead can be helpful. (I just realized that my home state, North Carolina, is surrounded by 3 states where shifters are illegal... maybe not for me, but I'm still looking forward to your pics). Here's a pic of my detector setup. I hate dangling cords, so I've got a hard-wired solution running w/ the cable popping out from under the dash. It seems to be the right height to be able to pick up signal from the rear-facing sensors and has a pretty clear view backwards through the rear glass.
Here's a side-view of the little mount system I've got rigged up to hold my GPS (KudaUSA mount) and radar detector (on a z-bracket I found on Amazon which gives me the adjustable height on the detector). I'd love to expand on the Kuda Mount and eliminate the Z-bracket thing... it's a bit wiggly, but will do for now. Idealy, the Kuda mount would be a bit taller and sloped for the angle of the dash, but that's getting a bit complex for me right now (famous last words... I'll probably be modding this next week).
Got the ZW5. The sensors are 9/16" tall by 2 1/32" wide x 1 3/8" deep but need about 2 1/4 inch for the cord that runs back from it to clear without bending it too acutely. The upper grill has larger square openings about 1/2" x 1 3/8" wide; the smaller ones are 5/16" x 1 3/8", and the distance from the front of the grill to the a/c condenser is about 1 3/4" at the first lower opening and about 2 1/4" at the second one. The top of the lower grill is probably too low to work well because of interference with reflection from the road according to what I've read. Will probably open up the top of the 2nd larger lower opening in the upper grill and cut out part of the adjacent small opening and it should fit pretty well without it sticking out very far. Will post more when I get around to this next week or so. New grill piece is on order as the original one has some broken tabs, etc.
I’m happy. Could be a little cleaner but best I could do and still have them point straight ahead and level. Closer to the sides would be better placement, but there’s not quite enough room behind the grill there unless you have the sensors stick out more than I’d like. Since it’s a small car, placement is not as critical. Also, you only get one try at the initial cuts into the grille.
Grille back on the car with sensors aligned. Bridging module in a good place away from most of the engine heat. WiFi module taped and secured against the firewall - a bit messy looking but it gets it close to the pickup module on the power cord in the cabin.
Got a little key fob sized AL Lidar tester ( https://www.alpriorityusa.com/AL-Priority-Pocket-Laser-Tester.html ) to make sure the shifter works ok, and both the Redline 360c itself and the ZW5 sensors hooked up to the detector pick up all the gun patterns I tested (I skipped a couple of guns that aren’t used in my or any adjacent state).
Very cool. I hope it works well. I have wanted one for a long time but wondered how well they work. Nice install