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I've seen some guides online for hard-wiring a radar detector into the electrical system of the car via the moon-roof line or similar. But what about concealing the detector itself.

I'd like to disassemble the detector, carefully de-solder the components, lengthen connectors and expose the minimal sensor components in the windshield, and hide the bulk of the unit in the roof or something.

Anyone done this? Thoughts?

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@uosef - I'm sorry, but I don't believe this is the place to ask questions about illegal modifications. – Iszi Jun 19 '11 at 14:44
The modification isn't illegal. – uosɐſ Jun 19 '11 at 14:54
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Well, the modification would be legal in some places, so the question could be of general interest. I think the issue of doing the wiring is on-topic, but the issue of how best to conceal the hardware is off-topic. – William Cline Jun 19 '11 at 18:27
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don't know about manually disassembling a unit, but there are companies that sell detectors which are designed to integrate with the car, just as you described. You might want to be careful though because detector receivers actually generate RF signals which can be picked up externally. So if they are illegal where you live and they detect you have one anyway, your whole car might end up impounded. – DXM Jun 20 '11 at 2:40
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+1 to help offset the downvotes. Legality is irrelevant. – qes Jun 20 '11 at 17:43
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closed as off topic by NoCarrier Jun 21 '11 at 7:29

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1 Answer

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I'm no electronics engineer, but a radar detector is a radio receiver. It will have tuned circuits, and it is entirely possible that changing the length of a connecter to an antennae may affect the operation of the circuit. It is also entirely possible that it will have no effect.

That would/could be one of the main issues.

Also, for laser detection, sensor placement is very important - but you do say you already intend to place the sensors in the windshield.

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