remote mount or hidden display radar detectors
It's great having a totally stealth detector (the small head unit is mounted in the gap between the console and the dash) but they are quite expensive. Retail for the base model SR7 is $1100 and goes up to $1600 with options such as laser jamming. Those prices include installation because installing it yourself voids the warranty. However, you can find them for half price if you're willing to install yourself.
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A "regular" unit mounted high on the windshield has more line-of-sight, and is less prone to being blocked, as it can "see" through windows in the vehicles ahead etc.
The Whistler remote mount might be OK for a budget unit, but performance will still lag quite a ways behind most of the top brands. The K40 uses a radar receiver menufactured by Beltronics, and used in the lower end Beltronics Express models, so expect performance to be similar too.
Also, just about all of the current remote mount units available do not detect POP radar at all.
I recommend against a remote mount unit, a V1 w/remote display is the best option IMHO. But if you absolutely must go with a remote-mount unit, the Escort SRX/SR7 are your best options IMHO.
If laser is a concern, get a laser jammer. These ARE remote mount, there has never been a working laser jammer that wasn't. Don't worry about whether or not a jammer can "integrate" with the radar detector, as in the end this does little for you in regards to performance.
Jim
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Radar signals also bounce off many different materials so the lower mounting is less of a problem than you might think at first. Signals even bounce off of the pavement to some extent. Granted, higher mounting is better but the difference is not so significant as to eliminate remote mounts from consideration. Again, without traffic in front of you any radar signal will cover your entire car because of the spread. This is actually an advantage for laser detection because the detector is mounted right near where they target the laser (LIDAR) guns - the headlights or front license tag - and laser has far less spread.
I would much rather have my K40 or SR7 than one of those $150 windshield mounts - you get what you pay for. The V1 or 8500 might be somewhat better at early warning but for someone like me who doesn't go significantly over the limit, the remote mounts are more than adequate. Plus, I don't have to remove it to prevent theft and I don't get "hangers-on" following me because they can see I have a detector in the windshield.
It all comes down to what you want to get out of your detector and personal preference. Just don't buy cheap junk and rely on it to keep you from getting a ticket - you'll be sorry.
Last edited by WhiteBird00; Dec 29, 2005 at 09:37 AM.
also, any recommendations in the DFW area for a reputable installer ?






