I am the STIG!

V1 Install?  Ok.. I know what your thinking… Just stick the V1 on the windshield, plug it into the cigarette lighter and drive away… great if you want to have an annoying cord in your field of vision and give away to others that you have a radar dectector…  The solution… HARDWIRE into the MINI’s power grid.

This will help with cord management, visibility, unclutterness, and being able to be as stealthy as possible.  Stealth is a key factor in being able to keep those who like to tail, from following, and the theives from wanting to crack open the MINI.  There are several ways of install, here’s mine (an aid to help others)…

Tools Needed:
V1 with flat power cord
Visor clip, Suction Cup Mount (Optional Pending Method of Install)
Screw driver (wrapped in tape for protection)
Industrial Strength Velcro
Tie Wraps or Velcro Tie Bands
Add-A-Fuse Circuit with (2) 5 amp fuses (not mini size)
Electrical tape
Female electrical connector
Crimper

The Method and Install

I have found the most easiest and painless method of hardwiring the V1 is using the add-a-circuit method where you utilize an existing fuse slot (located on the drivers side foot well) and expand it out.

Add-A-Circuit

The first thing you do is remove the knee bolster and side fuse panel in order to gain easy access for the wiring. Before any work on the MINI can happen, you will need to cut the connector off the add-on-circuit and put a female electrical connector that will match the red lead of the V1 power adapter.  They sell these connectors in bulk at any store such as Walmart, Radio Shack, and the like.  This will be the only time you use your crimper tool (honest).  Once done, your ready to start the wiring in the MINI.

With the fuse panel open, look for a switched 5amp fuse circuit.  Many who have done this recommend going with fuse socket #36.  Use the fuse puller or needlenose pliars to pull out fuse 36 then place the fuse in the add-a-circuit along with another 5A fuse. Push the add-a-circuit into the fuse 36 socket and route the cord up the panel and into the open area under the dash.

Installed with (2) 5amp fuses

The next step is to take the V1 power adapter and secure it using velcro somewhere under the dash area.  Take the red lead from your add-on-circuit and connect it to the V1 adapter. A little electrical tape wouldn’t hurt around the connection.  Take the ground from the power adapter and connect it to a bare metal connection of your choice. Once done, use zip ties or velcro (works nice since it sticks to the existing MINI’s wire harness) and wrap up all your cords.  That is all the electrical work needed.

The next step is to run the flat power cord from the V1 to the power adapter. Estimating a little extra and starting at the rear view mirror, tuck the wire between the windshield and the headliner and route the cable to the a-pillar down to the crack between the dash and the a-pillar.  A flat head screw driver helped me tuck the wire but make sure you cover it to help prevent scratching or piercing the cable sheath.  I had to pull the a-pillar out a little to help tuck it behind.  Again, this will also be between the windshield and pillar.  When the door is open, on the side of the dash, there is a plastic piece that comes off.  Here is where you store the extra cord and route to the power adapter.  Just use a tie wrap device and tuck the excess cord in the cubby, and connect the power cord into the power adapter.  Put the side dash cover back on, knee bolster, and fuse cover and the wiring is finished.  The last step is choosing how you will place your V1 in the window.  There are three methods, velcro’d to the headliner, turing the visor clip around and clipping it to the headliner, and using the suction cups.  All work and each one has distinct advantages.  Just place in window, hook up power cord, start MINI, drive off… FAST !!!

Overview of Install

Grounding Point

Side Dash Access

Stealthy

Whats that in my rear view mirror?

The Result

Success and flawless…The final pictures speak for themselves.  I am however playing around with the three different mount methods.  I hope within the coming weeks I am able to settle on one.  Till then… I’ll be motoring on.

As many know, I have driven German roads and have gotten accustomed to driving my MINI at higher speeds.  After 3 years of this, it was time to arrive back in America where there are speed limits and state troopers are trying to fill a quota.  I will not confirm or deny that I speed here in America, but, one thing is I do tend to have a lead foot.  Its an honest mistake, one I try to correct, several times over.  That’s where the Valentine 1 comes in…  It just so happens that I was in the market for a Valentine 1 just in time for the holidays, however, as fate would have it, a fellow THMMC member posted a thread selling his brand new V1 for a fraction of the cost.  I had to jump on this as I knew I was one of few MINI owners that didn’t have one.  Its now just been a couple of days and I can’t believe I drove without one.  This is a truly magnificent device that tips the odds in your favor when stretching out speed limits or living out your smokey and the bandit dreams.

Now if you live under a rock, or have no idea what a Valentine is, here’s a brief overview… Mike Valentine invented the Escort radar detector and worked for many years at Cincinnati.  He left CM and sold his stock for many millions of dollars. He then patented two features that, at the time, were not in radar detectors: directional indicators and digital bogey counter. Then he started a company to build the best detector on the market more or less as a “retirement hobby”… which he’s been doing for about 10 years. The physical appearance of all his detectors hasn’t changed much since he started. But he constantly upgrades the electronics and firmware, and offers an upgrade path for every unit ever sold. (from blimeycabrio.com)

By comparison here’s what its like owning a V1…

Driving without a radar detector is like having sex with a prostitute without a condom.  You are almost guaranteed to get an STD or have the hooker get knocked up.  With the Valentine 1, its like wearing a condom, significantly reducing the chance of pregnancy and any chance that you will contract some horrible disease, and if you do, at least you did everything you could, short of absenance.

Speeding along the highways, of which many are designed for twice their rated speed limit, is exactly the same thing.  Without it, I was sure to get caught and get my license taken away.  But with it, I now have reduced my chances.  I am not admitting that I speed, but there are occasions that I may not notice how fast I am going and need a reality check in the form of beeps, rather than sirens behind me.

The Valentine 1 gives me a security feeling, a safe feeling.  Its a heighten sense of awareness I never had.   If I need to over take a trucker that seems to wanna do 5 under, yet overtaking him will require an extra speed burst, I feel confident on making this maneuver without worrying if there’s an LEO shooting off radar.

My initial impressions of the V1 is amazing.  This device gives you more information that any other device I have see or used.  It truly gives the driver full control on how to proceed.  Its all in the arrows, but with that the device also gives you “bogey” counter, type of radar used, and signal strength.  Its at this point the user deciphers the information and adjusts his or her driving style accordingly.  This is achieved by packing not one, but, TWO radars in a sleek device, one for the front, and one rear to help scan all around your vehicle to precisely locate each radar threat.  This information is relayed to the driver in both directional arrows and bogey counts. The V1 is the only device that does this.  Even the case is made out of magnesium to help deter from radar detectors detectors and radar wave junk.  This coupled with the technology that is crammed in this little device makes me wonder why I hadn’t got one sooner.  This device makes NASA seem like a kids after school program.

Where I noticed the V1 shine was when I went home on the open highway.  Less junk and more funk… Where I knew if it went off beeping, I knew to slow down and start playing my more strict rules.  If its all clear, and the V1 was quiet, then my foot was able to stretch out a little.  Where the V1 might not be as useful would be in the city.  The main reason is due to congestion and traffic.  Its gives you great awareness, but in reality, the traffic made for slow driving and stop lights made it even worse.  However, even though the V1 picked up every sliding door around, it still was able to pick a sheriff sitting at a church.  However, in all likely, he would have pulled you over for running a stop sign rather than speeding.  Users may be inclined to ignore many of the warnings in the city, but this would be ill advised being that this device will pick up everything, leaving it up to the driver to decide.  For me, I live in a rural area, where corn grows and cows feed, so the V1 will come in handy when high tailing it back to civilization.  Since I travel to Raleigh, go on Tarheel MINI’s adventures, and visit family, it was rather easy to justify the cost of the V1.

I have to say I am proud to have this in my MINI and will be using everyday.  Its an expensive toy, but, its one that I am sure will pay its self off in both the near and distance future.

Look for the install write-up shortly.