Justin Posted April 17, 2006 Share Posted April 17, 2006 Well I shelled out the massive $59.99 for the radar detector today, and just got it home and started voiding the warranty. What I am in the progress of is removing the speaker from the PCB and soldering in a 1/8th mono jack. The case has an existing plug in the case where on other models the jack would go .. so easy as 123. The speaker is getting mounted behind the ear pad in my helmet with a dot of crazy glue and will have a short lead with a plug. I'm also going to mount a duck case to my windscreen to hold the detector up high. I'll post a report and pics when its done. Eventually when I have the funds to shell out for the shure e2c's or etyomics I will plug it into the priority port on my audibox ... till then will just have it wired to the helmet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2equis Posted April 17, 2006 Share Posted April 17, 2006 The speaker is getting mounted behind the ear pad in my helmet with a dot of crazy glue I'm pretty sure Crazy Glue (Cyanoacrylate Glue) will eat the foam in your helmet. Try silicone or "Zap-A-Doo" glue available at any hobby shop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Posted April 17, 2006 Author Share Posted April 17, 2006 The speaker is getting mounted behind the ear pad in my helmet with a dot of crazy glue I'm pretty sure Crazy Glue (Cyanoacrylate Glue) will eat the foam in your helmet. Try silicone or "Zap-A-Doo" glue available at any hobby shop. duh ... good point lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Posted April 19, 2006 Author Share Posted April 19, 2006 Just an update ... the modification is done! First I removed the speaker from the board, then I soldered a 6 or 7 inch lead to the speaker with a female 1/8th inch jack on the end. The lead tucks neatly behind my helmets cheek/ear pad, and the speaker sits in the cutout for the ear. I then soldered a longer lead, 3 ft or so to the PCB, the lead has a male 1/8th inch jack on the end. Hop on the bike, plug in the lead, easy as 123. I fired up the bike, put in my earplugs and gave it a test run. Works like a charm, volume is loud enough to be heard with the plugs and bike noise. Anyone who wants a very decent detector cheap, I highly recomend the 795. This mod is easy and makes it usable on a bike. Next project will be adding a small LED to the speaker lead and mounting it just inside the visor, for visual and audable warnings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardCranium Posted April 19, 2006 Share Posted April 19, 2006 Very cool. Is that detector a decent one? That price is pretty fecking good. That for new? I want a detector but dont really want to shell out 3 bills for an 8500. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Posted April 19, 2006 Author Share Posted April 19, 2006 Very cool. Is that detector a decent one? That price is pretty fecking good. That for new? I want a detector but dont really want to shell out 3 bills for an 8500. It was rated best performance/price of any detector by radartest. It doesn't have alot of bells and whistles, but it has a very strong reciever, coming close to the top models in picking up threats early. I didn't want to shell out $300 bucks for the top end ones, so I picked the best permance for value I could find. Its on closeout now at radioshack, was $79.99, now its $59.99 ... call around to your local RS's and see if they have one. But yeah, for the price, its performance is great, it just doesn't have alot of features, like a headphone jack ... thats why I did this modification, to make it a viable bike unit. Took about 15 minutes of actual work and about $5 in parts. btw .. heres the link... http://www.radartest.com/article.asp?articleID=10051 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bpg Posted April 21, 2006 Share Posted April 21, 2006 cool, that Bel 795 seems to offer a LOT for the $$! I wonder if one could do a similar mod to light an LED bank on the top edge of the windshield or something similar (I'd like to mount the detector itself in the nose-piece for security/weatherproofing)... Any word on the seat shipment? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IcePrick Posted April 22, 2006 Share Posted April 22, 2006 cool, that Bel 795 seems to offer a LOT for the $$! I wonder if one could do a similar mod to light an LED bank on the top edge of the windshield or something similar (I'd like to mount the detector itself in the nose-piece for security/weatherproofing)... I just bought two of these, and would also like to do a "stealth" installation. Any thoughts on how much the plastic would interfere with reception of the radar signal? I like the LED light idea at the windscreen rim. The aftermarket LED options look good, but can one maintain the audio output as well? Where are our EE's? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RXX Posted April 22, 2006 Share Posted April 22, 2006 We had a long thread a year or so ago about this, and a few members had theirs mounted in the cone. Directions indicate that the less attenuation the better, but it must not be that bad, since they are usually mounted behind the windscreen anyway, and that is no thinner than the nosepiece. Also, since it is enclosed, the plastic over the sensor might be able to be removed, and that would negate the attenuation effect. Sounds like a plan to me. I may buy one to hide underneath. If I do, I will run it with my passport & give a real life side by side comparison. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bpg Posted April 22, 2006 Share Posted April 22, 2006 We had a long thread a year or so ago about this, and a few members had theirs mounted in the cone. Directions indicate that the less attenuation the better, but it must not be that bad, since they are usually mounted behind the windscreen anyway, and that is no thinner than the nosepiece. Also, since it is enclosed, the plastic over the sensor might be able to be removed, and that would negate the attenuation effect. Sounds like a plan to me. I may buy one to hide underneath. If I do, I will run it with my passport & give a real life side by side comparison. best to hurry if you want the $60 radio shack deal for the Bel Express 795 - they're starting to run out (mine had to be ordered from another store).. Any details on getting remote LED from these would be sweet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Posted April 24, 2006 Author Share Posted April 24, 2006 here is a PM I just got on this, though the info might be helpful to others. Hey, I'm new to modding my xx. I have an '03 XX and was wondering how you ran the power for your detector? I was wondering if you would send/post some pics so I could try to follow your work. Also do you have an opinion on the nose cone installation? Do you think it would give you the same signal detection quality as when mounted up above through the windscreen? Hey, Sorry, my camera is out of whack so I can't get you any pics right now. Doing the modification is really easy assuming you have a soldering iron. Simply open up the case, its 2 screws, one is hidden behind the sticker for warranty reasons. Snip the speaker off the circuit board, leaving half the leads on the board, half on the speaker. The solder the ends of a wire with a 1/8th mono plug on the end to the leads on the board and run the end of the wire out of the hole in the case where the headphone jack goes on other models ... they have it blocked off with a plastic plug, but it pops right out. Next step is to solder a short lead with a 1/8th mono jack to the speaker leads. Once done you can tuck it behind the ear cavity of your helmet and leave the lead hanging out of the bottom. I didn't nead to secure it in any way other than putting it behind the snap out pads and snapping it in. As far as in the nose cone, I wouldn't as it will get whet and any blockage reduces its function somewhat .. plus I look down to see the lights when I get a warning. Mine sits in my map pocket of ny tank bag. As for wiring I have a lighter plug mounted on my upper fairing, so I just plug it in. Justin Soon as I get my camera up and running will snap some pics to add. Also, after doing a 1200 mile trip this weekend I have to say the detector does an astounding job for $60, it caught all threats early. But keep in mind that a detector is not the end all of radar evasion, its just a backup. Keep your eyes open, most radar threats will be seen before they get you if you are paying attentiom... but the 795 is a great backup for the ones you can't see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bpg Posted April 24, 2006 Share Posted April 24, 2006 thanks for the update/advice/instructions! thanks for the update on the seat too, looking forward to it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danzig69 Posted April 25, 2006 Share Posted April 25, 2006 For your info, here is a remote led, no wire http://www.radarbusters.com/products/acces...rcyles/hard.asp I never use it. We just need to know what is the signal needed to trig the H.A.R.D. SYSTEM. and/or want kind of signal go out by the "RJ-11" connector on these radar detector: Escort 8500, Escort 8500 X50, Escort Solo 2, Beltronics RX65 Beltronics E795 Radar/Laser Detector Catalog #: 22-1712 www.radioshack.com Out-of-stock 24 april 06 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Posted April 25, 2006 Author Share Posted April 25, 2006 Beltronics E795 Radar/Laser Detector Catalog #: 22-1712 www.radioshack.com Out-of-stock 24 april 06 You have to call aound to your local Radio Shacks, assuming you have them up there ... they are a closeout item, and selling quick at that price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bpg Posted April 25, 2006 Share Posted April 25, 2006 Beltronics E795 Radar/Laser Detector Catalog #: 22-1712 www.radioshack.com Out-of-stock 24 april 06 You have to call aound to your local Radio Shacks, assuming you have them up there ... they are a closeout item, and selling quick at that price. yip - I think I just snagged the last one in NW PA - gonna pick it up on the way home Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AbsXero Posted April 25, 2006 Share Posted April 25, 2006 Can you hook up an led to the speaker leads? So...do the same mod justin was talking about but hook a led up to it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bpg Posted April 25, 2006 Share Posted April 25, 2006 That's what I'm a-wondering... I do have a bank of 4 LEDs that I could experiment on, but I'd like to know that there's a remote possibility that it'd work before cutting wires, LOL! Too bad the unit doesn't have an earphone jack to begin with... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Posted April 26, 2006 Author Share Posted April 26, 2006 Can you hook up an led to the speaker leads? So...do the same mod justin was talking about but hook a led up to it? I don't think you can if I recall correctly, note that on replacement LEDs for standard auto bulbs that there is always a circuit board involved, meaning that you can't just simply plug in any power and it will light up, i think the power going to the LEDs has to be regulated to a certain range ... don't quote me on it, but as I said, I think the answer is no ... and I wouldn't test it using a new detector, there is a possibility that the LED just wired in may create an open circuit and fry something, I don't think it has a nominal impedence like a speaker does, so if it has no impedence, then it would suck more power and possibly be damaging. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bpg Posted April 27, 2006 Share Posted April 27, 2006 Can you hook up an led to the speaker leads? So...do the same mod justin was talking about but hook a led up to it? I don't think you can if I recall correctly, note that on replacement LEDs for standard auto bulbs that there is always a circuit board involved, meaning that you can't just simply plug in any power and it will light up, i think the power going to the LEDs has to be regulated to a certain range ... don't quote me on it, but as I said, I think the answer is no ... and I wouldn't test it using a new detector, there is a possibility that the LED just wired in may create an open circuit and fry something, I don't think it has a nominal impedence like a speaker does, so if it has no impedence, then it would suck more power and possibly be damaging. hmm.. The LEDs I have are on a circuit board already, it's a pulsing brake light from my last bike. VERY obnoxious and noticable, LOL! But the problem still remains of identifying what type of power is going through the speaker wire, what kind of power is needed by the LEDs, and how to convert one for the other... Hmm, I have an EE buddy who may be able to do some sleuthing on this... In the mean-time, suggestions are appreciated by anyone who's messed with this kinda stuff! (I know just enough to be dangerous, hee hee!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justin Posted April 27, 2006 Author Share Posted April 27, 2006 Can you hook up an led to the speaker leads? So...do the same mod justin was talking about but hook a led up to it? I don't think you can if I recall correctly, note that on replacement LEDs for standard auto bulbs that there is always a circuit board involved, meaning that you can't just simply plug in any power and it will light up, i think the power going to the LEDs has to be regulated to a certain range ... don't quote me on it, but as I said, I think the answer is no ... and I wouldn't test it using a new detector, there is a possibility that the LED just wired in may create an open circuit and fry something, I don't think it has a nominal impedence like a speaker does, so if it has no impedence, then it would suck more power and possibly be damaging. hmm.. The LEDs I have are on a circuit board already, it's a pulsing brake light from my last bike. VERY obnoxious and noticable, LOL! But the problem still remains of identifying what type of power is going through the speaker wire, what kind of power is needed by the LEDs, and how to convert one for the other... Hmm, I have an EE buddy who may be able to do some sleuthing on this... In the mean-time, suggestions are appreciated by anyone who's messed with this kinda stuff! (I know just enough to be dangerous, hee hee!) Let me know if you find anything out, as a flashing LED near the visor would be an added benefit! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iceman_40 Posted April 27, 2006 Share Posted April 27, 2006 hmm.. The LEDs I have are on a circuit board already, it's a pulsing brake light from my last bike. VERY obnoxious and noticable, LOL! But the problem still remains of identifying what type of power is going through the speaker wire, what kind of power is needed by the LEDs, and how to convert one for the other... Hmm, I have an EE buddy who may be able to do some sleuthing on this... In the mean-time, suggestions are appreciated by anyone who's messed with this kinda stuff! (I know just enough to be dangerous, hee hee!) I'd be very interested if it works. Unfortunatly I asked a friend that does electronics alot told me there wouldn't be enough voltage to light the LED's... I hope he's wrong Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tvking Posted April 27, 2006 Share Posted April 27, 2006 Got mine today. They had another one and a store a couple mile away showed 2 in stock. I'll pick up another one if somebody can't find one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flitemdic Posted May 30, 2006 Share Posted May 30, 2006 Justin- damn fine mod! :icon_thumbsup: Now to get it to work with the sportvue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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