F30POST
F30POST
2012-2015 BMW 3-Series and 4-Series Forum
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
BMW 3-Series and 4-Series Forum (F30 / F32) | F30POST > Technical Forums > Navigation, iDrive, Audio, Video, Bluetooth, Phone, Cameras, Electronics > Anyone hardwire a radar detector on an F30 yet???
Studio RSR
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      08-16-2012, 01:31 PM   #1
martinf79
Captain
martinf79's Avatar
189
Rep
802
Posts

Drives: 2020 G05 X5 M50i
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Toronto, Canada

iTrader: (0)

Anyone hardwire a radar detector on an F30 yet???

Looking for any details (i.e. hooking it up to the rear view mirror). Everyone say's its fairly straight forward, however w/o a walkthrough guide, I'll have no idea!
__________________
2020 X5 M50i | 2015 X3 28i xLine | Retired 2013 335i M Sport
Appreciate 0
      08-16-2012, 07:09 PM   #2
SCBimmerKid
Lieutenant
SCBimmerKid's Avatar
30
Rep
580
Posts

Drives: Mineral Grey F30
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Hilton Head, SC

iTrader: (0)

id also like to know about this.
__________________

*NO LONGER ON ORDER* '12 328i Mineral Grey Metallic w/black leather/aluminum&black gloss trim/ZSL/ZPP/Xenons
Appreciate 0
      08-16-2012, 07:35 PM   #3
YeaG30
First Lieutenant
YeaG30's Avatar
United_States
244
Rep
374
Posts

Drives: 2017 540i
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Charlotte, NC

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
If there is a wiring diagram all you have to do is determine the hot and the ground and simply plug the two wire ends into those terminals. It's pretty straight forward.
__________________
2017 540i :: 2006 M3 :: 2012 328i Sport Line (sold)
Appreciate 0
      08-16-2012, 10:12 PM   #4
bavarianf30
Second Lieutenant
bavarianf30's Avatar
United_States
13
Rep
214
Posts

Drives: 335i 14 s1000rr 17
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Los angeles

iTrader: (1)

I went to bestbuy and they told me they cant do it because its a 2012 they dont know how the electrical works at the moment. Then
One of the guy reffered me to a shop down in la jolla SD . I called the shop so they qouted me 200 without seeing the car itself and they cant work on it if the ciggarette lighter switch is on,
Appreciate 0
      08-17-2012, 12:16 AM   #5
2k15f30
Private First Class
2k15f30's Avatar
7
Rep
169
Posts

Drives: 2015 335i M Sport
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Las Vegas

iTrader: (0)

The mirror is only getting 9v so thats not the best source. I'll get back to you guys later on this week because I'm getting ready to hardwire my Passport 8500. Well that is if my blendmount fits.
Appreciate 0
      08-17-2012, 08:41 AM   #6
martinf79
Captain
martinf79's Avatar
189
Rep
802
Posts

Drives: 2020 G05 X5 M50i
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Toronto, Canada

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by 2k12f30 View Post
The mirror is only getting 9v so thats not the best source. I'll get back to you guys later on this week because I'm getting ready to hardwire my Passport 8500. Well that is if my blendmount fits.
Great - please keep us posted (and woudl be great if you could take pics as part of the install). With the fuse box being in the trunk... would be ideal if we could find a power source up front (as fishing a line all teh way to teh trunk would be a royal pain in the A*S!
__________________
2020 X5 M50i | 2015 X3 28i xLine | Retired 2013 335i M Sport
Appreciate 0
      08-17-2012, 08:43 AM   #7
martinf79
Captain
martinf79's Avatar
189
Rep
802
Posts

Drives: 2020 G05 X5 M50i
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Toronto, Canada

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by YeaF30 View Post
If there is a wiring diagram all you have to do is determine the hot and the ground and simply plug the two wire ends into those terminals. It's pretty straight forward.
Sorry - not to be a prick ... I understand that much ... much a walk through on whether mirror power works, how to dismantle the upper map lights to access, to whether you need to fish to the fuse box ... those are alll unknowns ... so I'm afraid the info you've provided isn't quite "enough".
__________________
2020 X5 M50i | 2015 X3 28i xLine | Retired 2013 335i M Sport
Appreciate 0
      08-17-2012, 02:07 PM   #8
alienranch
First Lieutenant
19
Rep
312
Posts

Drives: 2012 BMW 335i
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Dallas

iTrader: (0)

I had this done at CarToys for $60. Works perfectly (was initially concerned about the ASS disrupting power to it but all is good).
Appreciate 0
      08-17-2012, 02:29 PM   #9
martinf79
Captain
martinf79's Avatar
189
Rep
802
Posts

Drives: 2020 G05 X5 M50i
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Toronto, Canada

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by airweasel View Post
I had this done at CarToys for $60. Works perfectly (was initially concerned about the ASS disrupting power to it but all is good).
I'm in Canada, so no "CAr Toys" here. Can you take pics of where the wire is coming out of so that at least I have an idea... ?? Many thanks.
__________________
2020 X5 M50i | 2015 X3 28i xLine | Retired 2013 335i M Sport
Appreciate 0
      08-23-2012, 07:30 PM   #10
alienranch
First Lieutenant
19
Rep
312
Posts

Drives: 2012 BMW 335i
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Dallas

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by martinf79 View Post
I'm in Canada, so no "CAr Toys" here. Can you take pics of where the wire is coming out of so that at least I have an idea... ?? Many thanks.
I'm not sure where the power source is but the wire is simply run through the dash coming out between the glass and dash (center of dash). Not really much to show on a picture but can still get one if you'd like. Best Buy should be able to do this as well (really any audio installer should).

Good luck and let me know if you still want pics.
Appreciate 0
      08-24-2012, 12:37 AM   #11
EnerJi
Second Lieutenant
United_States
15
Rep
272
Posts

Drives: '13 BMW 335i M-Sport EB-II
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: North Texas

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by airweasel View Post
I'm not sure where the power source is but the wire is simply run through the dash coming out between the glass and dash (center of dash). Not really much to show on a picture but can still get one if you'd like. Best Buy should be able to do this as well (really any audio installer should).

Good luck and let me know if you still want pics.
I'd be interested in a pic of the final setup, if you don't mind.

By the way, Passport 8500 X50 vs. 9500 vs. Valentine 1 - is there a consensus on who's on top these days?
Appreciate 0
      08-24-2012, 11:21 PM   #12
yellolab
Enlisted Member
United_States
1
Rep
31
Posts

Drives: 2014 528xi Dark Graphite
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Vermont

iTrader: (0)

Tagged
Appreciate 0
      08-25-2012, 11:51 AM   #13
Elk
Major
32
Rep
1,285
Posts

Drives: 2012 335i
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: *

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by EnerJi View Post
Passport 8500 X50 vs. 9500 vs. Valentine 1 - is there a consensus on who's on top these days?
I have multiple cars with various detectors. The Escort models have nicer ergonomics and additional features, but the various models and the V1 have similar responsiveness and sensitivity in real world environments.

The arrows of the V1 are hard to beat and great when driving truly fast in an out-state twisty road environment; you have information on which to base a decision to speed up again. Thus, the V1 is in my Z06.
Appreciate 0
      08-25-2012, 10:23 PM   #14
EnerJi
Second Lieutenant
United_States
15
Rep
272
Posts

Drives: '13 BMW 335i M-Sport EB-II
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: North Texas

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Elk View Post
I have multiple cars with various detectors. The Escort models have nicer ergonomics and additional features, but the various models and the V1 have similar responsiveness and sensitivity in real world environments.

The arrows of the V1 are hard to beat and great when driving truly fast in an out-state twisty road environment; you have information on which to base a decision to speed up again. Thus, the V1 is in my Z06.
That's great feedback, thanks!

Have you ever investigated laser shifters? I wonder how well they truly work, especially if the cop doesn't aim his gun exactly at your bumpers (where the shifters would likely be installed.)
Appreciate 0
      08-26-2012, 09:20 AM   #15
Jamesons Viggen
Brigadier General
United_States
193
Rep
3,780
Posts

Drives: '98 M Roadster stg 2+ S/C
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Rochester Hills MI

iTrader: (3)

I will be hardwiring my Bel RX65 and installing it right above the rearview mirror.
__________________

'98 Dinan/RMS stage 2+(VAC cams, CES Cutring etc)
'15 Buick Regal "T"(wife)
'06 Saab 9-5 Combi 5mt (full suspension, LSD, clipped turbo etc)
Appreciate 0
      08-26-2012, 10:17 AM   #16
Cyberdemon
Brigadier General
Cyberdemon's Avatar
1536
Rep
3,332
Posts

Drives: 2020 X5 40i, 2018 M3 Comp
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Long Island NY

iTrader: (3)

I personally stuck with the V1 and have been running it for the past 5 years along with a set of Blinder M25 laser jammers and no tickets.

Laser shifters can definitely be effective, and ultimately if they save you from even 1 ticket, they've paid for their worth. I've been hit by lidar a few times when going quick (25+ over) and either the officer wasn't interested, or he wasn't able to get a good fix.

The positioning and aiming is critical of the heads though. I've seen people who've had them installed behind their grille because they look "Stealthy" and totally failed to realize that the LED's can't work behind plastic, making them really expensive weights.

Heres a video showing a test on a E90, some things to note are 1: he doesn't have a front plate (plates are giant mirror targets for Lidar, I run a matte plastic cover over mine since they're required in NY)



It is definitely going to depend on the lidar gun that the officer uses, some are much more high tech, and some are 10 years old, but the newer systems account for all of the new guns and some have USB ports to allow for firmware updates.
Appreciate 0
      08-26-2012, 03:47 PM   #17
Rick4345
Lieutenant Colonel
Rick4345's Avatar
469
Rep
1,656
Posts

Drives: 2022 WRX World Rally Blue
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Somewhere

iTrader: (13)

Garage List
try it this way

I have clocked people on lidar as far as 3000 feet. Usually about 2500 is good. I'd be interested to see how good it works that far away from the lidar unit. It's always fun to see who builds the better mouse trap..:
Appreciate 0
      08-27-2012, 08:25 AM   #18
Cyberdemon
Brigadier General
Cyberdemon's Avatar
1536
Rep
3,332
Posts

Drives: 2020 X5 40i, 2018 M3 Comp
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Long Island NY

iTrader: (3)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rick4345 View Post
I have clocked people on lidar as far as 3000 feet. Usually about 2500 is good. I'd be interested to see how good it works that far away from the lidar unit. It's always fun to see who builds the better mouse trap..:
There's so many variables with lidar that it's no guarantee of anything to run jammers, but I've had mine go off several times and haven't been pulled over (I deactivate them via the window lockout switch on my current car so that they can get a reading once I've slowed down).

The idea isn't to jam the lidar gun, it's to give yourself a second or two to slowdown then kill the system.

Car color, front plates, headlight design, type of gun and head placement and aiming are all factors. and some are using the latest tech which obviously performs different. But there's been enough testing out there to prove that they make some type of difference when installed correctly. And 1 ticket will pay for itself.
Appreciate 0
      08-27-2012, 10:36 AM   #19
Rick4345
Lieutenant Colonel
Rick4345's Avatar
469
Rep
1,656
Posts

Drives: 2022 WRX World Rally Blue
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Somewhere

iTrader: (13)

Garage List
I hear ya. I was just making the observation because when I clock someone, the whole car is in the square they show on the video. I have the same type of lidar unit btw. It really doesn't bother me about people using whatever they use. Sometimes people push to the point with their speed that they can't slow down in time. Use whatever you use for a tool to help you drive. Just don't expect it to be a save all.
Appreciate 1
      08-27-2012, 11:00 AM   #20
YMB-M3-J2
Major
YMB-M3-J2's Avatar
United_States
258
Rep
1,309
Posts

Drives: YMB M3
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: South Florida

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
i hard wired my V1 - Ran the wires to the cig lighter under the passenger side footwell and ground to a bolt i found under there. Works perfectly.

Note- When you hit the unlock button the radar will turn on because the car gives power to that outlet.
Appreciate 0
      09-29-2012, 10:18 AM   #21
mdcubsfan
New Member
1
Rep
15
Posts

Drives: Honda
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Houston

iTrader: (0)

so it it worth the extra money for a passport 9500 ci versus 9500xi or vi? looking at a quote of 2000 from my local bmw.....
Appreciate 0
      09-29-2012, 10:28 AM   #22
yellolab
Enlisted Member
United_States
1
Rep
31
Posts

Drives: 2014 528xi Dark Graphite
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Vermont

iTrader: (0)

FYI I just did mine. Hard wired a escort redline with escort live. I used fuse 146 in the trunk fusebox. It's the home link fuse.

Kevin
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:32 AM.




f30post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST