Member Contributer Mac Posted May 2, 2009 Member Contributer Share Posted May 2, 2009 Howdy! I was forced to purchase a new radar detector to replace my Whistler Cruisader. I picked the wireless Escort, but suction cups on the wind screen leave a lot to be desired. I have concerns about rain, and do not like to have my tach obscured. I am wondering if any one is using one, and if they have tried mounting it inside their plastics? I am also thinking of mounting it inside my hard bags, but I don't know how well it could pick up through fiberglass? Does any one have any info to share? Thanks, Mac Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer RED RUNNER Posted May 2, 2009 Member Contributer Share Posted May 2, 2009 I've got one, but I only use it in the car. Tried using it by placing it in my tank bag in the clear map pocket. Didn't have a way to hear it, which was critical. Battery life is damn good; I can go well over a thousand miles without needing to replace the battery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Mac Posted May 2, 2009 Author Member Contributer Share Posted May 2, 2009 Yea, hearing it is important. I've got a "radar screamer'' to go with it. I guess I'll just have to experiment- Mac Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tightwad Posted May 2, 2009 Share Posted May 2, 2009 DutchIntercepter runs his behind his right Turn Signal. Obviously doesn't pick up from the rear, but seems to work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Mac Posted May 2, 2009 Author Member Contributer Share Posted May 2, 2009 That's interesting. My R&R is on the right, and some other components of the wiring harness, but the left side is open, no ABS Thanks, Mac Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer 97VFR750 Posted May 2, 2009 Member Contributer Share Posted May 2, 2009 Hey! I actually just purchased an Escort 2 as well. The way I have mounted it is down low where it only covers the clock. There were two problems I had to resolve, the first being extremely shaky no matter what road. I went to Walgreens and found extra large suction cups which I had to cut just small amounts off the side in order to have them not overlap while on my windshield. That gave me some relief from the old escort suction cups which did not make me comfortable at all. The Radar still shook so I bought two thick silicon sticky pads and placed them at the place where the radar was bouncing off my windshield and that solved most of the shaking. It's really about trial and error, but the two things 1) Fab up some better suction cups and 2) Some pads for the windshield. I like the radar, I'll be using it often this riding season. Vince (97VFR750) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bad Boy Posted May 2, 2009 Share Posted May 2, 2009 What happened to your Cruisader? I have one. I have been able to keep it working for 4 years but the component quality is crap. It is designed and works well. I have the black box mounted behind the fairing just above the headlights, laser detector below the headlights, the read out mounted to the left of ignition on the clutch hose, LED on top of dash, wireless LED in helmet, and all wired to the tail light circuit for power. What I like about it is it is concealed. I don't have to take it off the bike at lunch stops, I don't even have to turn it on and off. When it gives out I plan on mounting an Escort behind the left blinker. Hard wired to the tail light circuit. Sealed in water proof plastic. Connect ear phone jack to LED on top of dash. It would turn on and off automatically with the bike, I would never touch it. Completely concealed. The LED on top of the dash works well enough and I don't plan on adding an H.A.R.D. wireless helmet LED. The Screamer works well for an alert if it is not too annoying for you. Radar goes through plastic no problem. Not so with laser but I do not encounter laser on the back roads and laser is so quick the detector just warns you after your screwed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer dutchinterceptor Posted May 2, 2009 Member Contributer Share Posted May 2, 2009 I have a Bel Vector 995 wrapped in a ziploc bag mounted to my CPU behind the right turn signal. I tried the industrial double stick tape but it eventually failed after several days in the summer heat. After that I just zip-tied the detector in place. I doubt the detector would be as effective in the saddle bags being as thick as they are plus your leg could block some of the radar signals. Does it work? Yes! Does it work as well as if it were mounted up high behind a clear windscreen? Probably not but I'm willing to trade a little sensitivity for stealthiness and convenience. I added an on/off switch and this shot was when I initially used double-stick tape which failed. Now it's held in place by zip-ties and also in a plastic bag. At one time I had it wired into my helmet audio but now I just use the Marc Parnes Visual Alert. The LED Unit is just to the right of my gauge cluster. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spud786 Posted May 2, 2009 Share Posted May 2, 2009 I run mine velcroed to top of the tank bag, I have the Bel STI If it rains heavily I put it in the tank bag Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Mac Posted May 2, 2009 Author Member Contributer Share Posted May 2, 2009 What happened to your Cruisader? I have one. I have been able to keep it working for 4 years but the component quality is crap. It is designed and works well. I have the black box mounted behind the fairing just above the headlights, laser detector below the headlights, the read out mounted to the left of ignition on the clutch hose, LED on top of dash, wireless LED in helmet, and all wired to the tail light circuit for power. What I like about it is it is concealed. I don't have to take it off the bike at lunch stops, I don't even have to turn it on and off. When it gives out I plan on mounting an Escort behind the left blinker. Hard wired to the tail light circuit. Sealed in water proof plastic. Connect ear phone jack to LED on top of dash. It would turn on and off automatically with the bike, I would never touch it. Completely concealed. The LED on top of the dash works well enough and I don't plan on adding an H.A.R.D. wireless helmet LED. The Screamer works well for an alert if it is not too annoying for you. Radar goes through plastic no problem. Not so with laser but I do not encounter laser on the back roads and laser is so quick the detector just warns you after your screwed. Well, I modified the Cruiasder beyond my level of patience to repair. I had the control sunk into the top of the left fairing, and every time I dropped the fairing for maintenance the wiring was a pain. The last time I removed the fairing was to change the clutch fluid. I cut the leads going to the battery, and the rear laser unit. I had planned to put in some posi-locks, and be done. Surprise! Inside the leads were three little, I mean small wires. I tried to pig tail them onto a couple of trailer connectors, but never could get all the connections ( 12 ) to withstand looking for the one or more that I broke every time I handled it. After four hours of sitting in the drive way cussing, I decided to replace the whole set up. Hence, new volt meter to fill hole in fairing, and a Solo, and a hard wire kit, with a screamer (w/mute switch). I'll make you a good deal in the remains of the Cruisader, if you are interested? I'm still rendering on how I'm gonna set the thing up. I'll up date when I get the weather, and the time to work it out. Mac Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Mac Posted September 21, 2009 Author Member Contributer Share Posted September 21, 2009 Well , here goes. I've been running the Solo 2 inside the left fairing all summer. No problems. Works as well or better than the Crusaider. No special moisture protection, and it has been a really wet season. I would say more than a thousand miles in the rain. I pluged the hole in the fairing with a marine volt meter, back lit red to match the tach. It looks like it belongs there. All's good. Mac Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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