Do you hide your laser detector when parked?

1chanc3 · 01-26-2015, 10:02 AM

So I just got a 12v splitter and am thinking about picking up a Escort 9500ix.
However my concern is when my car is parked at a mall or somewhere public, the Escort will be exposed. I have heard that these things are great targets for theft.
I am planning on putting it on the right side of the reverse mirror on the windshield.

So my question is, what do you guys do when you guys have your cars parked?Take it down and put it in your glove compartment, and then put it back up when you guys start driving? Or just leave it on the windshield?

Desert_Fox · 01-26-2015, 10:07 AM

I leave it on the windshield the vast majority of the time, but if it's a bad neighborhood i'll put it in the glovebox. Most people have no idea what it is.

thecooltype · 01-26-2015, 10:26 AM

Get the k40... Hidden from cops and everyone else

55Nomad · 01-26-2015, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Desert_Fox

I leave it on the windshield the vast majority of the time, but if it's a bad neighborhood i'll put it in the glovebox. Most people have no idea what it is.

+1

I use a BlendMount which is a bit less conspicuous than a suction cup mount.

http://blendmount.com/

esberelias · 01-26-2015, 10:31 AM

Definitely take it out if you're out of town staying a hotel in an city your not familiar with... That's all I'm gonna say

1chanc3 · 01-26-2015, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Desert_Fox

I leave it on the windshield the vast majority of the time, but if it's a bad neighborhood i'll put it in the glovebox. Most people have no idea what it is.

Cool, I'll probably just end up doing that and just unplug the power cord to make it less obvious.

Not so much worried about cops (as it is LEGAL in CA), and will be mounted to the right of my reverse mirror so I should not get into any trouble.
More worried about thieves than cops lol

piker28 · 01-26-2015, 11:32 AM

It all depends on area. Normal thieves want your laptop not your radar detector. As others have said if I feel I will be away from the car for some time in a not so great area I just stick it in the glovebox.

Bob Shiftright · 01-26-2015, 12:24 PM

My radar detector (main unit) is always hidden.

If I want to make the control panel invisible, I just flip the lid closed.

ChipB · 01-26-2015, 01:11 PM

I made the mistake of leaving my detector (V1) clipped to the sun visor while parked at long term parking at O'Hare Airport, and sure enough someone smashed the passenger side window and stole it. Lesson learned. Then my daughter had her Garmen GPS unit stolen out of the glove compartment of her car while parked on a street in a nice area of Washington DC. She had been careful to remove the GPS and the suction cup holder when parked, but apparently the marks that the suction cups leave on the windshield were enough to tip the thieves off to the fact that she must have some sort of electronics loose in the car. So they smashed one of the side windows and made off with it.

moonsin · 01-26-2015, 04:53 PM

I usually just leave it on...If i'm at a shady area i take it out but if i were to go to those type of areas i wouldn't be taking my car anyways lol

TrAcK TRaP · 01-26-2015, 04:58 PM

I always leave it on windshield no matter where I go..

dbworld4k · 01-26-2015, 05:21 PM

I have mine installed (and hardwired to the sunroof controls) way high up on the windshield, it's usually covered by the OEM windshield tint section and very hard to notice.

melloww22 · 01-26-2015, 05:31 PM

Only when parking in bad neighborhoods

FL335 · 01-26-2015, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbworld4k

I have mine installed (and hardwired to the sunroof controls) way high up on the windshield, it's usually covered by the OEM windshield tint section and very hard to notice.

Same here...works sweet. I'll tell you that Valentine has one hell of RD...in the Summer, the case must get to 140 or so...very hot to the touch..had one for years and still no problems.

1chanc3 · 01-26-2015, 06:03 PM

Thank you all for your responses. I will probably just leave it on and remove when I'm in a unfamiliar area.

MORTON · 01-26-2015, 06:05 PM

I normally use cruise control because my radar is in the glove compartment and needs me batteries and I'm too lazy or forgetful to get some, so yes, I do it's hid all the time lol

ny325 · 01-26-2015, 10:57 PM

I wouldn't leave anything out that would attract thieves.

sankohuy · 01-27-2015, 02:41 AM

Those things usually attract unwanted attentions to your car. I only use my detector on the freeway, so when I'm in the city, I take it down and put it in the side door pocket. I put it back on when I'm on the freeway.

Underground6t9 · 01-27-2015, 07:28 AM

I just leave mine out.

upstatedoc · 01-27-2015, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Shiftright

My radar detector (main unit) is always hidden.

If I want to make the control panel invisible, I just flip the lid closed.

What are those cool James Bond toggle switches for?

I have my V1 parked to the left of the RVM behind a tint strip. Can't really be seen from the outside unless you really know what you're looking for.

GOS7 · 01-27-2015, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thecooltype

Get the k40... Hidden from cops and everyone else

+1, first time I saw one was in a customers M6 and it scared the shit out of me. Stupid expensive but it will pay for itself in the long run.

Porando · 01-27-2015, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Desert_Fox

I leave it on the windshield the vast majority of the time, but if it's a bad neighborhood i'll put it in the glovebox. Most people have no idea what it is.

Same here.. Unless i go to LA - I just leave it

01-26-2015, 10:02 AM	#1
1chanc3 Major 148 Rep 1,100 Posts Drives: 2010 e92 335i Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (0)	Do you hide your laser detector when parked? So I just got a 12v splitter and am thinking about picking up a Escort 9500ix. However my concern is when my car is parked at a mall or somewhere public, the Escort will be exposed. I have heard that these things are great targets for theft. I am planning on putting it on the right side of the reverse mirror on the windshield. So my question is, what do you guys do when you guys have your cars parked?Take it down and put it in your glove compartment, and then put it back up when you guys start driving? Or just leave it on the windshield? __________________ 2010 335i Coupe- Monaco Blue Metallic
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01-26-2015, 10:07 AM	#2
Desert_Fox Drop-Top Turbo 181 Rep 598 Posts Drives: 2013 991 C2S/ 2013 335is E93 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2013 BMW 335is E93 [10.00]	I leave it on the windshield the vast majority of the time, but if it's a bad neighborhood i'll put it in the glovebox. Most people have no idea what it is. __________________ Current 2013 Porsche 991 Carrera S [Agate Gray] [Black] PDK, PASM, Sport Chrono, Sport Seats, Sport Techno Wheels, BOSE Current 2013 BMW 335is E93 [Mineral White] [Coral Red] DCT, Premium Pkg, Convenience Pkg, Nav, Heated Seats, HK, BMW Apps
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01-26-2015, 10:26 AM	#3
thecooltype drive to survive 87 Rep 443 Posts Drives: 2017 540 XI Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Queens, NY iTrader: (0)	Get the k40... Hidden from cops and everyone else
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01-26-2015, 10:31 AM	#5
esberelias Private First Class 26 Rep 143 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 335i Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Edmonton, AB, CAN iTrader: (0)	Definitely take it out if you're out of town staying a hotel in an city your not familiar with... That's all I'm gonna say
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01-26-2015, 11:32 AM	#7
piker28 Private First Class 15 Rep 123 Posts Drives: bmw 335xi Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: new jersey iTrader: (2)	It all depends on area. Normal thieves want your laptop not your radar detector. As others have said if I feel I will be away from the car for some time in a not so great area I just stick it in the glovebox.
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01-26-2015, 12:24 PM	#8
Bob Shiftright Save The Manuals! 64 Rep 491 Posts Drives: E91 Schleppwagen Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: PRNJ iTrader: (0)	My radar detector (main unit) is always hidden. If I want to make the control panel invisible, I just flip the lid closed. __________________ 2008 E91 36K, 6-speed, RWD, Alpine, Terra, Xenons, ZSP, ZCW, ZPP, PDC, CA, alarm, M shifter and M brake handle, Euro rear fog light switch, Euro aspheric mirrors, rear power outlets, Euro split armrest, Lidatek, remote V-1, Cocomats, beach sand, $10 clutch stop mod. 1998 Volvo V70T5 226K, 5-speed, original clutch (third clutch pedal!), aspheric driver's mirror, E-code headlights, IPD sway bar, strut tower brace & skidplate.
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01-26-2015, 01:11 PM	#9
ChipB First Lieutenant 54 Rep 373 Posts Drives: 2015 M4 'vert, 2014 X5 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Naperville, IL iTrader: (0)	I made the mistake of leaving my detector (V1) clipped to the sun visor while parked at long term parking at O'Hare Airport, and sure enough someone smashed the passenger side window and stole it. Lesson learned. Then my daughter had her Garmen GPS unit stolen out of the glove compartment of her car while parked on a street in a nice area of Washington DC. She had been careful to remove the GPS and the suction cup holder when parked, but apparently the marks that the suction cups leave on the windshield were enough to tip the thieves off to the fact that she must have some sort of electronics loose in the car. So they smashed one of the side windows and made off with it. __________________ F83 M4 convertible, F15 X5 xDrive35i Previous: E93 335i, E36 328iC, E28 528e, E21 320i
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01-26-2015, 04:53 PM	#10
moonsin First Lieutenant 19 Rep 341 Posts Drives: 08 E92 328xi Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: NJ iTrader: (1)	I usually just leave it on...If i'm at a shady area i take it out but if i were to go to those type of areas i wouldn't be taking my car anyways lol __________________ '08 BSM//SB PROGRESSION THREAD Bilstein/Eibach Pro-Kit, ACS Style Roof Spoiler, trunk lip spoiler,Aero lip, blackout grill/reflector, 19" ST8, Lightwerkz Custom Headlights, Muffler Delete, coded etc etc
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01-26-2015, 04:58 PM	#11
TrAcK TRaP bOrN To DiE 413 Rep 1,738 Posts Drives: 2011 E92 M3 ZCP Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: South Jersey iTrader: (0)	I always leave it on windshield no matter where I go..
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01-26-2015, 05:21 PM	#12
dbworld4k Banned 583 Rep 2,233 Posts Drives: '12 M3 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: YYZ iTrader: (5) Garage List 2002 BMW M5 [10.00] 2009 BMW 335i [10.00]	I have mine installed (and hardwired to the sunroof controls) way high up on the windshield, it's usually covered by the OEM windshield tint section and very hard to notice.
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01-26-2015, 05:31 PM	#13
melloww22 Captain 105 Rep 955 Posts Drives: 2011 335i E90 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: San Diego iTrader: (1)	Only when parking in bad neighborhoods
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01-26-2015, 06:03 PM	#15
1chanc3 Major 148 Rep 1,100 Posts Drives: 2010 e92 335i Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (0)	Thank you all for your responses. I will probably just leave it on and remove when I'm in a unfamiliar area. __________________ 2010 335i Coupe- Monaco Blue Metallic
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01-26-2015, 06:05 PM	#16
MORTON Major 352 Rep 1,403 Posts Drives: 08' N54 6SPD E90 Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Palm Coast, FL iTrader: (1)	I normally use cruise control because my radar is in the glove compartment and needs me batteries and I'm too lazy or forgetful to get some, so yes, I do it's hid all the time lol
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01-26-2015, 10:57 PM	#17
ny325 Brigadier General 895 Rep 3,141 Posts Drives: Jet Black E90 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Gridlock iTrader: (0)	I wouldn't leave anything out that would attract thieves.
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01-27-2015, 02:41 AM	#18
sankohuy First Lieutenant 44 Rep 385 Posts Drives: E92 335i Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: norcal iTrader: (0)	Those things usually attract unwanted attentions to your car. I only use my detector on the freeway, so when I'm in the city, I take it down and put it in the side door pocket. I put it back on when I'm on the freeway.
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01-27-2015, 07:28 AM	#19
Underground6t9 Lieutenant Colonel 317 Rep 1,735 Posts Drives: BMW 335xi, Lexus is250 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Eugene, OR iTrader: (2)	I just leave mine out.
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