Valentine V1 mirror

[mazda3ndp]

hye guys, im looking into getting a valentine v1. I really want something that is going to be as unobtrusive as possible. I saw they make a valentine v1 mirror. Does anyone have experience with this? is it worth it or should i just mount my valentine v1 above the mirror and deal with it. any suggestions are much appreciated.

[Kev]

Seeing that you are in NJ, you can go to Ai Design to get their custom V1 integration. It includes the mirror etched concealed V1 display and you add your own laser diffuser.

[monsta]

Originally Posted by Kev

Seeing that you are in NJ, you can go to Ai Design to get their custom V1 integration. It includes the mirror etched concealed V1 display and you add your own laser diffuser.

for the amount of $$ that AI Design charges for things, I would just hardwire it and save your money for other mods and/or add a laser jammer...

[Georgeair]

I think you'll find if you hardwire it and mount it as high as possible but still just below the mirror, it's hardly noticeable from inside. I completely believe the advice not to mount it up against the ceiling due to tint band blocking to front, complete blockage to the rear.

If you're worried about theft, mounting it high won't make it invisible. At the least take it down and stash. Better yet, take it with you.

[mazda3ndp]

I really just want the stealth look. also **if** I am pulled over I would feel more comfortable with it concealed ratehr than just hanging out giving the cop more of a reason to be a dick.

[mazda3ndp]

another question, if I purchase a valentine v1 mirror, does that take place for the v1 radar or do I still have to mount the radar?

im not sure I understand, any reccomendations on the most stealth radar/laser system?

[Kev]

Originally Posted by mazda3ndp

another question, if I purchase a valentine v1 mirror, does that take place for the v1 radar or do I still have to mount the radar?

im not sure I understand, any reccomendations on the most stealth radar/laser system?

You would still need the actual V1 unit.

The other option to think about for complete stealth system is the Escort 9500ci. However, I think the best combo for laser and radar is still Laser Interceptor coupled with a Valentine V1.

[lugnut]

Originally Posted by Kev

You would still need the actual V1 unit.

In my experience I did not need to supply a separate V1 to have my mirror modified. The price includes the V1 itself (eg-it is not $1500 + your V1. It’s just $1500). I had it done at AI Design. They essentially mounted the Radar antennae in the headliner, disassembled my OEM BMW mirror, lightly etched the back of the glass to match the V1 display, and then put it all back together. The factory V1 power/volume knob is used, and was placed to the left of my headlight switch. All in all a fairly involved process and IMO worth the extra cash. When you consider that a V1+Remote Head+Hard Wire kit= $450-$500, then add the time it takes you to properly hide the install and not have it completely stealth, the premium I paid to have it completely hidden was worth it to me.

That being said, a laser diffuser hidden in the front honeycomb and a hardwired V1 would be the better option and should come in at right around the $2k if you hardwire the V1 on your own.

Full disclosure I did manage to mess up my V1 display, but the guys at AI said they would fix it for me, just a matter of dropping my M back off with them (probably get the laser done at the same time since NJSP are using this more frequently now).

[lugnut]

I'll post pics when I get the chance. When the V1 is turned off it is completely invisible. I know the picture AI had on their website showed a very obvious etching, but mine is invisible unless the V1 is on.

UPDATE PICS:
Iphone pics....
Kinda hard to get a good angle on the display (it's really sunny here now). I tried to get it during it's boot up process to show as much of the display as possible. Obviously 1 pic is on, 1 off, and 1 is the power/volume knob.

[mazda3ndp]

im sold... calling them today.

[doba_s]

Originally Posted by lugnut

In my experience I did not need to supply a separate V1 to have my mirror modified. The price includes the V1 itself (eg-it is not $1500 + your V1. It’s just $1500). I had it done at AI Design. They essentially mounted the Radar antennae in the headliner, disassembled my OEM BMW mirror, lightly etched the back of the glass to match the V1 display, and then put it all back together. The factory V1 power/volume knob is used, and was placed to the left of my headlight switch. All in all a fairly involved process and IMO worth the extra cash. When you consider that a V1+Remote Head+Hard Wire kit= $450-$500, then add the time it takes you to properly hide the install and not have it completely stealth, the premium I paid to have it completely hidden was worth it to me.

That being said, a laser diffuser hidden in the front honeycomb and a hardwired V1 would be the better option and should come in at right around the $2k if you hardwire the V1 on your own.

Full disclosure I did manage to mess up my V1 display, but the guys at AI said they would fix it for me, just a matter of dropping my M back off with them (probably get the laser done at the same time since NJSP are using this more frequently now).

how hard is the installation ? Can I send them my mirror ?

[Kev]

Originally Posted by lugnut

In my experience I did not need to supply a separate V1 to have my mirror modified. The price includes the V1 itself (eg-it is not $1500 + your V1. It’s just $1500). I had it done at AI Design. They essentially mounted the Radar antennae in the headliner, disassembled my OEM BMW mirror, lightly etched the back of the glass to match the V1 display, and then put it all back together. The factory V1 power/volume knob is used, and was placed to the left of my headlight switch. All in all a fairly involved process and IMO worth the extra cash. When you consider that a V1+Remote Head+Hard Wire kit= $450-$500, then add the time it takes you to properly hide the install and not have it completely stealth, the premium I paid to have it completely hidden was worth it to me.

That being said, a laser diffuser hidden in the front honeycomb and a hardwired V1 would be the better option and should come in at right around the $2k if you hardwire the V1 on your own.

Full disclosure I did manage to mess up my V1 display, but the guys at AI said they would fix it for me, just a matter of dropping my M back off with them (probably get the laser done at the same time since NJSP are using this more frequently now).

I'm just answering his questions whether he needs an actual V1 if he got the mirror, and the answer is yes.

[lugnut]

Originally Posted by Kev

I think you have lost me here. This is the part of forum talk that sucks. We probably are talking about the same thing, but our brains are working differently.

If by "the mirror" you are referring to the install that I have, the answer is no. I do not have a V1 (well, I have the innards of one in my headliner, but not the normal "box" detector). What you saw in the pictures is all that I have in my vehicle. Essentially from an in-the-car standpoint I have the V1 version of an Escort 9500ci system. From what I have been able to find when I was shopping around no one sells a mass produced OEM BMW mirror w/ a remote display mounted in it. If someone sells a mirror w/ a V1 remote display already in it where can I get one? I've already been stopped more in the GF's 335 then in my M3 - damn Crimson is slightly more noticable than the Sun.

To be honest, that would be ideal. It would be worlds cheaper, and not have any risk of loss the way some stealth installs do (mine doesn't seem to have any appreciable loss, and considering I have only been stopped once since getting it put in I really can't complain). All it would need would be a simple phone jack in the back of the mirror the same as the normal remote head.

If I miss understood you Kev let me know.

[swamp2]

Wow, KILLER mod lugnut. Hat's off on that. I'd love to essentially get rid of my V1 this way but the price is really steep - too steep IMHO. I bet someone could come up with a nice DIY that would suit anyone with the least bit of mechanical/electronics skill.

[gixxer_kidd]

looks great!

[Kev]

Originally Posted by lugnut

I think it's just a simple misunderstanding / poor wording on my part.

I'm referring to the fact that if he got an etched mirror ONLY, he would still need to hook it up to a functioning V1 for the etched mirror to work. What Ai Design does is to disassemble the functioning V1, place the front and rear detectors in the front and back of the car, and mount the hardware in the rear parcel shelf, so everything looks discreet.

I saw this in my buddy's E55 and I was super impressed. The other place to get it done in the city is called Technik 1 and they are in lower Manhattan I believe.

[lugnut]

Gotcha Kev. That's what I figured you are getting at.

[gr8000]

Instead of pics, it is better to watch this vid showing how the display looks in the rear view mirrio. Pretty cool I must say...

[Big Windy]

Originally Posted by lugnut

I'll post pics when I get the chance. When the V1 is turned off it is completely invisible. I know the picture AI had on their website showed a very obvious etching, but mine is invisible unless the V1 is on.

UPDATE PICS:
Iphone pics....
Kinda hard to get a good angle on the display (it's really sunny here now). I tried to get it during it's boot up process to show as much of the display as possible. Obviously 1 pic is on, 1 off, and 1 is the power/volume knob.

so maybe i'm missing something...but if the V1 is mounted in the headliner, is it still visible? can you show a pic of the actual V1 unit? thanks.

[J08M3]

this is such a nice mod. I'm definitely going to be doing this at some point.

[lugnut]

OK, just shot this video. Hopefully this clears everything up. Obviously you lose laser detection doing this, but since laser detection is useless anyway (seeing as how it essentially travels at the speed of light, if you are targeted you are caught) that didn't concern me. Most people that do this also install a laser blinder of some kind. I have nothing mounted facing the front or rear of my car. All a radar detector is really is an antenna that receives the radar waves and beeps. Your V1 would still work under your driver's seat, albeit not as well.

[u2b]<object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/XxUsEz_E_BY&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/XxUsEz_E_BY&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>[/u2b]

Yes, I know my garage is cluttered, so I don't want to hear from the peanut gallery

[lugnut]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxUsEz_E_BY

not sure why the error.