Bluetooth radar interface / detector solutions

LonestarCBR · Post by **LonestarCBR** » Sun Sep 08, 2013 6:56 pm

Can anyone help with a good Bluetooth interface for a radar detector? Currently using a Valentine 1 in both cages, could use one of those on the bike, or buy new. Have been considering an Escort Solo 2 or 3 with an earphone. Of course I'm open to any solution that performs well. The V1 picks up a lot of falsies, but never misses the real thing either. The arrows are great in a cage, but will be less help on the bike where I won't see them as we'll.

Post by **Dragonfly** » Sun Sep 08, 2013 8:08 pm

I use the H.A.R.D. system from http://www.legalspeeding.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;, its a helmet mounted LED that flashes when my radar detector goes off ( Escort ).

Post by **fixxervi6** » Sun Sep 08, 2013 8:25 pm

What he said, however, the HARD doesn't give you much warning with the V1, I don't know if it's because I have an older unit or what, but the radar will start blipping, but it won't transmit to your helmet until the signal strength starts to climb.

I'm thinking about upgrading to the newer unit to see if it fixes that issue, I noticed the problem when Dragonfly would pick stuff up before me. It wasn't the unit picking it up sooner, it's that the HARD doesn't trigger until the signal climbs on the V1, which sucks because it can cut into your warning time.

Post by **Dragonfly** » Sun Sep 08, 2013 9:21 pm

I've used the Escort 8500, Escort 8500 X50, and the Escort 9500i, all three have served me well. And will continue to serve me well. The V1 is pretty cool with the arrows and all, but on the bike I'm not to worried about where the signal is coming from as I am about not getting the signal. If my detector goes off I'm not gonna be looking down to see where the signal is coming from, I'm gonna be slowing down and scanning way ahead of me looking for Roscoe P. Coltrane hiding by the side of the road.

The range and sensitivity on the Escorts is really good. As Fixxervi6 has attested, we've been saved a couple of times. So as far as picking up signals its done very well. As far as durability, my 8500 fell off after an unexpected and unintentional wheelie. I went back and picked it up, it had some road rash and the display was all weird (looked like Russian writing) . I sent it in to Escort for repairs along with $80. A couple weeks later got it back, road rashed case was still on there but internals were replaced. As I said earlier I'm still using it and its about 12 yrs old and still works flawlessly. Out of the three I have the 8500 X50 has the best range and sensitivity, therefore I use it on the bike. The other two are in the cages.

Rhino · Post by **Rhino** » Mon Sep 09, 2013 7:27 am

Yeah, on a 2-lane twisty back road, it doesn't matter where the signal comes from. If it hit you from behind, you'll know it by the flashing lights soon enough.

LonestarCBR · Post by **LonestarCBR** » Tue Sep 10, 2013 8:19 am

I assume the H.A.R.D. system provides the same warning (color) for all types of warnings based on what I'm reading, yes? It would be way cool if it provided different colors for different bands. I think my real issue is I want the audible alerts, which of course tell me all I need to know for the most part. I may have to stick with an earphone, but I'd love for that to be wireless / Bluetooth.

That being said, the V1 probably isn't the best to use in the H.A.R.D. application, it falses enough that I'd eventually end up ignoring it because I couldn't decipher what was what, or I'd actually resort to continually obeying the speed limit (not in my DNA, which takes me back to ignoring...and tickets).

Maybe it's time for a new detector - Escort Redline, or 9500, which by all accounts perform as well as the V1, and false less. I can't use the arrows anyway, which are very handy in the cage, but useless if you can't see them on the bike. I can't mount it high enough on the Speed Triple unless I go with ape-hangers.

I really want to talk myself into a Solo, for convenience sake, but I'm just not sure the performance is up to snuff. The laser jammer applications from Escort look to be the trick, but I'm gulping at $1000+ when adding in a new top-line detector to round out the protection.

Does anyone have any experience with the Adaptive unit? I'm reading where the sensitivity on the 2.0 version is much better, but I'm pretty much a stickler for maximum performance (protection), for the money I choose to spend, and I can't convince myself this is it.

Finally, if anyone has pictures of their install, I'd love to see them, especially if something unique. I have the ability to build custom mounting hardware if necessary also.
Thanks, Lonestar

Post by **fixxervi6** » Tue Sep 10, 2013 8:40 am

HARD flashes only red, there is one out there that gives you different colors based on band but it's huge.

Check out dragonfly's install, he has the newer version

I have my V1 mounted so that I can see it, basically, if I get a blip in my helmet, slow down then look at my V1 for band/direction.

Post by **Dragonfly** » Tue Sep 10, 2013 7:49 pm

Cheetah is the one your thinking of. Its a large unit that mounts on the bike and to the detector and a small unit in your helmet.

Post by **Dragonfly** » Tue Sep 10, 2013 7:51 pm

I think DemonDuck has the Adaptive unit.

Post by **Polokid69** » Wed Sep 11, 2013 3:15 pm

Dragonfly wrote:I've used the Escort 8500, Escort 8500 X50, and the Escort 9500i, all three have served me well. And will continue to serve me well. The V1 is pretty cool with the arrows and all, but on the bike I'm not to worried about where the signal is coming from as I am about not getting the signal. If my detector goes off I'm not gonna be looking down to see where the signal is coming from, I'm gonna be slowing down and scanning way ahead of me looking for Roscoe P. Coltrane hiding by the side of the road.

The range and sensitivity on the Escorts is really good. As Fixxervi6 has attested, we've been saved a couple of times. So as far as picking up signals its done very well. As far as durability, my 8500 fell off after an unexpected and unintentional wheelie. I went back and picked it up, it had some road rash and the display was all weird (looked like Russian writing) . I sent it in to Escort for repairs along with $80. A couple weeks later got it back, road rashed case was still on there but internals were replaced. As I said earlier I'm still using it and its about 12 yrs old and still works flawlessly. Out of the three I have the 8500 X50 has the best range and sensitivity, therefore I use it on the bike. The other two are in the cages.

I went to BestBuy and looked at the detectors like yours but man those things seem huge to go on a bike!

LonestarCBR · Post by **LonestarCBR** » Sat Dec 28, 2013 9:15 pm

Well FINALLY, it's about done. I'm using one of my Valentine Ones I already owned, then added the V1 audio adapter (I'm till both baffled and miffed at why the V1 doesn't come with a headphone jack form the get-go - hell, Bluetooth also while I'm wishing), along with a SMH10R Bluetooth helmet intercom, SR10 Bluetooth radio adapter, and a custom built aluminum bracket (the toolroom at work built it).

I think the mounting bracket would fit any 2011-2014 Speed or Street Triple as you see it here (maybe others?, with at least the fly screen installed, though the smoke visor adds protection and stealth). Of course the aluminum bracket itself will fit any of the newer chassis V1s, though you'd have to find different mounting points/options specific to the particular bike. All in all a sweet and effective setup. Though it takes more pieces of this and that than I'd like, I have to say, mission accomplished.

The mounting system itself is rock solid, no flex or shake. As for the detector, it's not going to fall off, it's captured by the tight profile fit, the set screw, and of course the power plug-in. The set screw is fairly redundant, but if anything, it basically keeps someone from yanking it out while sitting parked (you gotta know how to get it off).

I'm running all of the Sena stuff off the batteries. Apparently there may be some issues hardwiring both the radar detector and the SR10 at the same time that creates some type of communication issue. Sena confirmed this. One more battery to charge along with the headset, but not a biggie.

The V1 audio is just about immediate, no lag like I've read with the H.A.R.D system. And it will blast your ears riding around town, so hearing at speed on the highway, and with earplugs shouldn't be a problem. Alerts are heard just like you get using it in the cage sans adapter, so you know by sound what type of alert you're getting...which helps when you don't have time to look down to see what type it is. This was my #1 priority - check it off the list. And of course there are the arrows. The nice part about the arrows, if you haven't used them, it is let's you know where the threat is coming from. Couple that with the strength, and counting of bogies, and you're about as informed as you can get. In other words, it's a lot easier to know when I can kick the pace back up, though I may still be getting an alert.

As mentioned above, the bracket is cut specifically to the profile of the V1, so it's a snug and secure fit. There is a spring loaded set screw that locates in the speaker hole. You don't need it for this application as the audio adapter provides the primary sound through it's own speaker, or the headphone jack that routes to the SR10 Bluetooth audio adapter, which of course routes the wireless sound to the headset. No wiring between rider and any of the hardware...check that off the list also.

So I've got phone and radar in the headset as it stands now. I have not tried the entire setup with intercom between other riders yet. Question - would others be able to hear the radar alerts or phone conversations if on intercom? I'm guessing not, but don't know for sure.

The bracket is still the aluminum silver which actually matches the bezel on the instrument cluster, though I'll probably be powder coating both it and the mounting tubes black, to match most of the other black on the frame, dash and detector. The mounting tubes are machined steel, and will rust. One nice thing about these, there are several more of this type of screw locations that will allow for some solid and less conspicuous mounting options for a camera down the road.

The V1 audio adapter isn't pictured, but will sit on top of the front of the V1 itself via velcro, which will still leave the V1 usable for the cage. I didn't have Velcro to fasten it, just used black tape for the ride and it was sitting a little cock-eyed. I'll have a pic later once I have the final adapter mounting nailed down.

Below are some photos of the setup, and in two or three subsequent posts, due to the photo limit per post.

LonestarCBR · Post by **LonestarCBR** » Sat Dec 28, 2013 9:19 pm

2nd set of pics...

LonestarCBR · Post by **LonestarCBR** » Sat Dec 28, 2013 9:21 pm

3td set of pics...

Post by **milesmiles** » Sat Dec 28, 2013 11:22 pm

man that could not have turned out any better. Nice job!

Post by **DarcShadow** » Sun Dec 29, 2013 8:35 am

I believe there is a way to share you phone call on the intercom but it's not automatic.

On the power issue. You can probably install line filters on the power to get it to work but probably more hassle than it's worth.

LonestarCBR · Post by **LonestarCBR** » Sun Dec 29, 2013 10:10 am

Yes, I think you hit the nail on the head. It would take someone with more electrical savvy than me to pull it off.

Post by **Dragonfly** » Sun Dec 29, 2013 1:02 pm

http://www.frys.com/product/5276207#detailed" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

You can try this to resolve you power supply interference issue. I have been installing these on my bikes for quite a few years, along with high output stators. I run power outlets with radar detector, GPS, power for camera, charge my phone all at the same time.

LonestarCBR · Post by **LonestarCBR** » Sun Dec 29, 2013 8:18 pm

Thanks, good info.

Post by **DarcShadow** » Sun Dec 29, 2013 8:27 pm

That is one good looking mount.

LonestarCBR · Post by **LonestarCBR** » Mon Dec 30, 2013 6:48 am

Well, we do like to over-engineer when we build something.

The aluminum bracket profile was burned on a wire EDM, and of course the tubes were more simple machining.

Originally the bracket also had an integrated pocket for the audio adapter that kept is captured (no Velcro) and also theft-proof. But, it was just too dang tall, and we had to shave it off. Plus, at that point, it was heavier than I wanted. We've done a lot to reduce weight; note the rectangle window in the bottom - strictly weight savings. I thought we were going to do more, on the top in particular, probably not so much on the sides, since those contain the slide profile for the snug fit. However, the windscreen/dash mount in conjunction with the mounting tubes are rock solid, so it's probably okay on weight now.

We were going to engrave the Triumph logo in the top front edge, but I wasn't sure where the V1 audio adapter was going to mount, and I didn't want to waste that time only to cover it up. However, as it stands now, the adapter will sit on top of the exposed detector itself, so that's not as much of an issue, but it's still somewhat hidden. Knowing what we know now, and second generation may be in the works, as we now have a better idea of where to integrate the audio adapter portion of the bracket. I'm not sure if we can add it to what we have now...maybe if someone is good at welding aluminum. We had a guy once...he died.

I've considered recessing the adapter into the dash, but I need to add a 12V/USB charging port, and it will fit nicely there. Also, I need a clock/thermometer (the dash clock is useless, unless you have young eyes and the correct light). So, I'm not sure if I have space to accommodate everything at this point.

I really don't think I want to know how much this thing cost to build...there was a lot of trial and error (man hours), and a small chunk of aluminum. However, I'm fairly certain if I posted this setup on one of the Speed Triple or Triumph forums I'd get some inquiries on supplying them. One thing is for sure, it's pretty hearty...in the event of a nuclear apocalypse, there will only be cockroaches and this mount left standing.

Fort Worth Motorcycle Riders