Fuzzy Hole Monitor

[Rickster]

Check this out for the fuzzy hole

http://www.spybag.com/cgi-bin/spybag1/SB3002.html

http://www.spybag.com/images/auction/tv/sony_mini_screen1.jpg

It's on EBay now "CHEAP"
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3045429764&category=21517


Rickster

[Joe_Black]

That is a pretty good deal. I've been looking at 3.5" screens for the fuzzy hole myself. Although more expensive, I like the idea of the larger screen and will probably persue that avenue. Thanks for the info and link!

[Rickster]

This one is really small, maybe too small, but it will fit really good.

Rickster
www.soundjamz.com

[Simon Templar]

Speaking of that....

Should anyone decide to remove the fuzzy hole to put in a monitor or whatever, I could use a spare one.

I am planning a project but don't want to start tearing mine apart without having a back-up to fall back on if things don't work out.


Mail me if you've got one!


...sT

[Jolly Roger VX'er]

I have been reading alot about the "best" radar detectors as I am considering replacing my old cobra with a new detector. I am most likely going to go with the Bel 985 as it did really well and the price is okay. It also has a Voltage Meter Mode that displays your voltage output...nice if you haven't wired up a gauge!

However, I bring this up because I checked out a Valentine 1 and it has a remote display option that moves all the visual warnings to a location of your choosing. This is done in case you either are "Tired of other drivers crowding up behind so they can live off your detector warnings? Or maybe you just prefer to keep a low profile."

This compact module measures only 1.0-in. H x 2.5-in. W x 1.2-in. D. I haven't measured the fuzzy hole yet...but, it sounds to me like it could fit in there!

here is the link to the Valentine 1 page...
https://store.valentine1.com/store/

Bel 985 :
http://www.buyradardetectors.com/Products/Bel/Bel-Vector-985.aspx

http://www.radartest.com/frameset.html
http://www.speedzones.com/

[Joe_Black]

Locating a radar-detector display in the fuzzy hole would get people hanging off your left blind-spot to watch the thing. LOL!

I spent a day one recent weekend making templates of the fuzzy hole and a variety of LCD modules and found the 3.5" the best fit. The entire screen would be visible and there's just enough room for the module and the driver board. I plan on covering with matted and tinted Lexan so when it's off you don't see much. The module that's currently at the top of my list is TFT and has an image-reversing feature which is ideal for a back-up camera. Wiring it so it will operate automatically from selecting reverse is a cinch, as is adding a manual override switch for when you see just an antenna in the mirror while on the move.

When I do mods or installs I'm very particular on an OEM look, so don't get anxious for pics as this won't be complete for some months. But I'm more than happy to share any info to those interested!

[WyrreJ]

The V1 is worth the extra money. The location arrows and the bogey count make a HUGE difference in functionality. For some reason, most reviews only give lip service to these features, but in real life they are easily 80% of what makes the V1 the best tool for the job.

If you think about what a ticket will cost you, not just up-front costs, but the hit you will take on insurance fees for years afterwards, saving a couple of hundred bucks by going with a lesser detector is just being pennywise and pound-foolish.

I love my remote display. I use to have it right on the instrument panel but decided that having to take my eyes off the road to determine the direction of the radar source was too much of a delay. So, I pulled the circuit board out of the remote display, stuck it in a thinner casing made of half a PVC-type hose and mounted it at eye-level right off my A-pillar. I'm thinking about mounting some ribbon speakers in my A-pillars and will probably incorporate the V1 display into whatever mounting set up I come up with so that it isn't directly on the windshield. Here's a piss-poor pic I took of it a while back.

http://hpcjerry.com/V1-mount.jpg

[Jolly Roger VX'er]

Originally posted by Joe_Black
Locating a radar-detector display in the fuzzy hole would get people hanging off your left blind-spot to watch the thing. LOL!


:homer: Dope!!


Actually, this is probably the only benefit of the VX's poor rearward visibility as it is a double-edged sword....keep's others from seeing in! I wonder how this would affect a radar detectors rearward sensing...might impede it?

Wow...nice informative post WyrreJ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[WyrreJ]

As you can see, I have the actual V1 unit mounted above the rear-view mirror. I've also put it in a similar location in the sentra that you can see in front of my VX. I haven't done an A/B test with a radar gun (although a cop lives immediately across the street from me and often leaves his radar gun on and pointed directly up my driveway) but I have not noticed any obvious reduction in rearward sensitivity for either real radar or falses from automatic doors at the grocery store and such, despite the much larger rear window in the sentra.

[paultvx]

I have a second gen Valentine 1 along with the remote display unit which I have wedged inside the fuzzy hole. Fits perfectly. Hard to see if the sun is coming from the right angle... other than that, it works great.

Oh, btw, the V1 is the only detector to get. I did a test with a friend (in different cars) couple years ago. He had my old Bel (can't remember model, but it was one of the higher end ones), and I had my then new V1. We drove from the SF Bay Area along HWY101 all the way up into Canon Beach, OR then over into Portland. The V1 sniffed out smokey at least a mile before the Bel had any idea something was up.

Last week I took a trip down to Salem, OR along I-5 and on the way back the V1 detected radar approx. 4 miles away from where the state trooper was parked (behind a bush). A 4Runner who had been tailgating for a while passed me and sped onward... needless to say he ended up a couple hundred dollars less that day.

On to something a little more on-topic... has any one come across any decent ultrasonic backup assist kits? like the ones you see on BMW's, Merc's, and some Ford Escapes? I think something like that would be a little more practical than a "come and steal me" LCD monitor. If they see a monitor, they know you probably have a DVD player... amp... etc. All sorts of reason to break in, cause damage, and make your life hell.

[driver3]

I have the V1, mounted just to the right of my rear view mirror. I think it's the best radar detector you can buy, but I have 2 issues.. nothing really towards performance.
1: What's the point of the remote display if you have to mount the radar on your windshield to use it??????
2: Drive behind a Chevy Trailblazer or Envoy in a traffic jam and tell me what you think of your laser detector, anyone who has happened to see what happens when you drive behind one of these will know that the top brake light sets off the laser, which is the most obnoxious sound ever... as it needs to be, but not for a trailblazer....

[paultvx]

A while back I came across a site that offered modified BMW rear view mirrors with integrated V1 remote display. Basically the mounted the display's logic board along with the arrows behind the mirror itself... when it lights up it shines through the mirror. Seems like a pretty good idea, but we'd have to have our stock mirrors removed (without breaking the glass) to have the BMW one mounted... and we'd probably lose our map lights. Probably a good thing to do when you replace your winshield for whatever reason.

I'll do some searching to see if I can find the site again.

**EDIT**
Okay, there's one of the sites: http://www.m3motorwerks.com/catalog/interioraccessories.htm

Looking at the pictures... I think this is a mod we can do ourselves (assuming our mirrors are thick enough). However, what's the point? The detector itself needs to be mounted up high near the mirror... might as well not have the remote display and just use the V1's.

While I was looking around I found this, I think it might be worth it. It offers what the V1 doesn't. Protection from Laser (speaking from experience.... 88 and 50, doh!). www.lidatek.com

[technocoy]

but it's pretty nice.. i just couldn't do without my maplights thoug...

http://www.savv.com/products_LBMS5000.htm

it may be a little big for my tastes too.

but hey, it may be just what someone is needing!

technocoy;)

[MZ-N10]

If you live in Cali they sell something similar to that mirror at Fry's for around 250, and I think it just clips on to the mirror...the camera cost 100 something with reverse image and all that good stuff..I was going to pick one up but I am still in the process of deciding between that or a 5" TFT screen.
________
JOYSQUIRT (http://camslivesexy.com/cam/JOYSQUIRT)

[Lightproof]

I'm in the process of purchasing my first VX. I don't have it yet, but I have been reasearching stuff, including a rear-view camera.
Here are some links (related to this thread) that may be interesting to some folks:

LCD Modules:
http://www.qualitymobilevideo.com/184rawmodules.html

I thought the 3.5" module looked interesting. Would that fit in a modified 'fuzzy hole' insert?

Cameras:
http://www.electronics-pluz.com/acccdbwwirec.html
http://www.avelectronic.com/IRM-Camera.htm
http://www.savv.com/products_rv5000.htm

Packages:
http://www.electronics-pluz.com/secrearcamsy.html
http://www.rearviewsystems.com/voy40lcdrear.html

[WyrreJ]

Sounds like it would. That 300 NITs is really bright for such a small LCD. You'll probably want to figure out a way to bring the adjustments up front too since 300 NITs in the day should be plenty bright, but at night it will be blindingly bright.