Mounting Your Radar Detector
Whether you already bought or still haven’t purchased a radar detector, one of the biggest questions is where do you mount it. Do you place it high or low? Left or right? Concealed or visible? Do you use suction cups? There are many ways they can be mounted so let’s take a look at the best places to mount them and their pros and cons.
Deciding where and how to mount will depend on several factors including legality, functionality, and preference. Generally, your radar detector will have optimal detection if it’s placed as high up in the vehicle as possible. There won’t be a massively significant difference but it’ll help your radar detector have a better range even on varying terrains and other vehicles that might block signals.
If you’re going to use a dashcam, it’s best to place the radar detector still near the rearview mirror but below or beside it so as not to block the view of the dashcam.
There are several elements in your vehicle that can dramatically lessen your radar detector’s detection capabilities including the metallic tint across your windshield. So, it’s important to keep in mind to place your radar detector away from that. Ceramic tint, on the other hand, won’t affect radar detectors but will do on laser detectors and laser jammers.
Mounting Your Radar Detector for Optimal Detection
Best placed as high as possible in the vehicle for optimal detection, radar detectors are typically mounted on the front windshield and near or around a vehicle’s rearview mirror. In terms of whether you should point it up or down, you would want your detector to be level with the ground and pointed straight ahead. Completely straightforward and not aimed at the left or right.
Mount Types
There are several types of mounts including a suction cup, windshield mount, and visor mount. Choosing what to use is also important as it affects the line of sight, the direction of where the detector points, and how evenly leveled it’s going to be – contributing to the overall detection performance.
Are Mounting Radar Detectors Legal?
Another important thing to consider is whether your preferred mount is legal in your state. For instance, windshield-mounted radar detectors are illegal in California as it is a form of obstruction of view. This is further discussed in Are Radar Detectors Legal where you can get more information.
