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My power(phone) cord for my Valentine is wired into the power source for the map lights/sunroof switch. The cord is hidden in the gap at the top of the windshield to the right of the rearview mirror, and I mount the Valentine on the windshield just to the right of the mirror. And Kurt G, I use only the Valentine unit itself, and not the remote , which may be what you're thinking of.
In answer to the questions asked by Hans Franke and (through offline EMail) by Lon Opsahl, I don't know which wires are connected where, or whether they're connected to the map light power, or the sunroof power, or which are positive or negative. Sorry, but I'm not a tcchnical type, and all I did was tell the dealer what I wanted. He said OK, and hooked it up. It's been in place more than 5 years now, and has worked flawlessly as a power source during that time. And in response to what Lon's dealer apparently told him, I've had no problems with fault codes, or ignition switch problems with this installation.
Also in response to Hans Franke, I too move my Valentine from car to car. I have an identical power cord installation from the power source for the map lights/sunroof in my Jaguar XJ8. The Jaguar dealer did this hookup, and it too works flawlessly as a power source. In addition, I live in Virginia where radar detectors are illegal, so I don't have it on the winsshield at all instate.
In answer to addirional questions asked by Kurt G, my Valentine is one of the early models, but was upgraded by the factory about a year ago. So far as I'm concerned the major plus of having the upgrade done is that it will stay in the sensitivity mode it was in when the car is turned off, and not default to the highway mode. So that's a real benefit around town when you're in and out of the car a lot. The minus is that it is if anything TOO sensitive, particularly in the highway mode. Now if there are a number of service stations etc at interchanges it'll pick up signals from them. So far as the "efficiency" of the Valentine is concerned, I think it's the best one out there. I haven't tested them all, of course, but I've owned three different detectors and this is the best. Kurt, I've been using the Valentine for more than 5 years now. It will pick up radar signals from miles away, depending of course on the terrain. If radar IS IN USE anywhere around you, over a hill, around a bend, front, side or rear, it will pick it up, show you the direction of the source, and tell you how many radars are being received. All in ample time to warn you to slow down. BUT the key is "IN USE". The radar HAS to be on for the Valentine to warn you. No radar detector provides a warning against instant on. If the cop sees you, targets you, and shoots, it's too late and you're toast. I've heard that if you get a hit, and are quick enough, you might be able to slow enough to avoid the radar reading, and thus the ticket, but that might be just urban legend.
I mentioned a bit ago the sensitivity of the unit to burgler alarms etc. First, in my experience this is much less a problem with the Valentine than the other two I've owned. What you have to do is to get the thing, read the instructions carefully, and then use it. You'll soon learn which signals are real and which might be false alarms. And, believe me, when you're the target there won't be ANY question in your mind, whether it's XBand, KBand or Laser.
Sorry for the length of this post, but I hope this responds to all the questions people asked. If not, or you have anything additional, please let me know and I'll do my best to respond.
Al Carr
'93 850 CiA
blk/blk
Dinan engine/transmission chips
Remus exhaust
K&N Filters
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