Blendmount for Valentine One (review & pics)
 

I was looking for a better alternative for the suction cups and ended up buying the Blendmount.

Thought I'd post up some thoughts and of course pictures for anybody that is interested.

First of it's made very solid, it's not just a bended piece of steel.
It's made out of small different components that are bolted together with little allen screws.

You get the mount, a little tube with two allen wrenches and back up screws, a couple of tie rips and some instructions (in case you can't figure it out yourself). No, the V1 wasn't included :driving:

http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/a...ndMount-01.jpg

You take of the top piece that comes with the V1 and take off the suction cups.
Then you use the small bolts and nuts to attach the bracket.

http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/a...ndMount-02.jpg

Then you simply loosen up one of the half circles and put it around the stem (you don't need the rubber piece to make it fit, it's for smaller stems.
Angle it the way you like it and tighten all the screws.
Added one of the tie rips to keep the wire tucked in.

http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/a...ndMount-06.jpg

I put mine closely under the mirror and a little behind it, so it would be less obvious (I also have the remote display, so the V1 never lights up).

http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/a...ndMount-05.jpg

(I know I still needed to trim the little tie rip)
Because it's not on the window with suction cups, it's less obvious from the outside. I had to angle and flash to show this picture.
One other benefit I thought of while installing, was that I can finally put up my window sun screen without taking off the V1.

http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/a...ndMount-03.jpg

In summary, I should have bought this the same day I bought my V1, it's definitely worth it! :tup:

Wow that thing is pretty pricey for just the mount. Looks good though

I had something similar in my G. Looks great. I got to get me a Valentine. Should of never sold my last one. What's the cost of the bracket?

I was thinking the same thing originally, that's why I didn't get it right away.
But it's very well made, plus all American made if that's important to anyone.

I figured compared to all the other money we spend on cars, it's a small price to pay for the convenience and looks. Actually it's a small price to pay to get rid of those irritating suction cups.. :)

$79.95 if you use the coupon code "friend" (got added automatic in my case).
This is the one I got and fits the touring mirror, don't know if the stem for the normal mirror is different.
BlendMount 2000 Series Mount for Valentine One radar detector, BV1-2000

A little high for just the mount. Plus $20 for the 8' cable I need. Oh well. We had a guy on my350 website that made them with a Z in them for $20. I think I have pics somewhere.

The Z emblem was facing out the windshield. But he made them at his shop.
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/e...Z/100_1497.jpg

Those were a good deal for sure, but I like the adjustments on this one, so I can tuck it in nice and close behind the mirror and get it fully level.

I agree with that.

Well for a cheaper alternative, I have the one from Country Joy Crafts:

Mirror Radar Mount for the Valentine-1 Radar Detector

Although I don't think they make the stationary mount that fits our cars anymore. Only the 23mm size will fit, so looks like only their "Super Z Mount" will work.

Either way, these mounts along with hardwiring are definitely worth it.

:iagree: That's for sure, I hardwired it right away, but I should have gotten the mount right away as well.

Looks pretty good!

Thanks!

Now the only thing I need to do is find a better spot for the remote display. I had it attached with double sided tape on the underside of the dashboard (say above my knee, where the little temperature sensor is).
However it keeps falling off and it's not the easiest place to press the mute button.

So I was maybe looking at putting it next to the gear lever, but I'm not sure yet.

Anybody have any good ideas where to place it (without having to cut into my dashboard)?

IMO, buying the concealed display and mounting that in the front cabin is a better alternative (if you want to pay out the extra cash, that is).

Then, you can mount the detector itself farther back toward the hatch- on the roof or whatever.

Either way, very clean install, OP.

http://www.musclecars.net/parts/part...0282255597.jpg

Why do V1 products look like they are directly from the '80s? It's time Valentine updates some of his product lineup.

they dont want to rid the KITT or was it KITTT (?) look. :icon14:

(i have two units...)

Yeah, he doesn't seem too big on modernizing the exterior, but he definitely pays attention to making the unit work well.

That's the display I have and I was looking for tips where to put it without making holes in my dash. As I wasn't happy with the current spot.

The reason I still wanted to keep the V1 at my mirror was for better forward range. I feel you lose much by putting it that far back.

Anyone? Still trying to find the best spot for the above display.

I got the blendmount for my V1 and it works perfect.. like the fact that I can dismount the detector without leaving suction cup marks!!... even more convenient is the power cord from the mirror!!

I think I will be ordering these things very soon. The power cord for the mirror looks so much cleaner than the factory cord. My wife is always bumping the power cord, and I don't always catch that it's turned off right away.

Got my mount w/ invisacord for my V1. Its awesome. Highly recommend it.

I found the solution for my display.

If you take of the little swiffel mount that's on the lighter adapter, it's a perfect fit to clamp in the vent.

I put on a little athletic tape to make sure it fit snug and it stays in place without any problems. :tup:

http://i888.photobucket.com/albums/a...t/022055f4.png

Any issues with rattling? I assume the stem is the same diameter as on the base mirror. I've tightened the allen screws pretty much as far as they'll go, but still have slight rattling on some roads.

Must not be the same diameter, mine is pretty solid.

Did you take out the little rubber ring?

Yeah, I had trouble connecting the top screw already, so I doubt I could fit it with the rubber ring. It feels solid, but unless the road is smooth, I still get the slight rattle. The roads do suck around me though :ugh:

Maybe the rattle is from the mount part that came with V1? That's a little loose, so I put a little tape in between, to tighten that up....

I had to back the screw out almost til it fell out before I put the mount on with the spacer attached.. then it was pretty difficult to screw in, but managed to tighten pretty good.. no rattles whatsoever..

For the guys with the rattles see if your radar unit is actually hitting and vibrating off the mirror, mine does, i just havn't had the time to go mess with it.

The bottom by your homelink buttons, not the stem.

Did you keep the rubber piece in? I took it out and it still seems pretty tight.
Just used a little black tape around the stem to protect the plastic.

I have the concealed display and the mount from country joy for my V1. The problem is the mount does not fit on the 370Z because my old car had a different stem size.

Now the fact that I NEED to get the super Z mount from country joy for 60+shipping vs the Blendmount for 80+shipping is what kills me. The Blendmount is more adjustable in terms of depth which is cool, I just wish these mounts weren't so expensive.

My biggest issue with the mirror on the Z is that it is so high and does not adjust lower, I am tall so I want to have the thing lowered if possible. At my height I have to crouch down a bit to get full vision of everything really far back. If i just glance at it I have a smaller sight range.


*edit* ordered the Blendmount, it'll be here in a week, going to use my concealed display and mount that next to pillar. Coupon code for 10 off took care of the shipping charge.

For anyone considering this upgrade, just an fyi the mounts are on sale for 75 plus free shipping. Definitely a good time to pick one up!

spammmmmmmmmmerrrrrrrrr

Does the rubber on the front of the V1 unit still touch the windshield? I had a Blendmount in my Z06 and got rid of it because in the Z06, it did not, and it vibrated all over the place compared to the rock-solid suction cup mount.

I have the other one (non-blendmount) and mine does not touch the screen at all.
Mine will rattle a little if it sits in the hot sun for more than 4 hours as the plastic heats up and expands a little it seems. Not a huge issue as after you just touch the unit it stops.

On the hiding the unit. I have been researching taking the v1 concealed unit and ripping out the hardware and mounting it in the rearview mirror and mounting the v1 unit in the rear middle. This would provide a good bit of front radar detection and the same rear detection. Only thing I am still researching is the controls so you can have quick access.

Just an example of what it could look like:
http://stealthmirror.com/MirrorImage...val_On_800.jpg

that's cool. i like the fact that the mute button is within reach. :tup: how i have mine next to the cluster up on the glass i need to reach over to mute. not a huge deal but im a lazy guy so. :icon17:

On my vette I mounted it high up and ran a 5% tint strip. Keeps it a ton cooler, its invisible, and works great.

these detectors can withstand heat like hot potato's. in the summer time it gets SUPERHOT... like so hot i can't hold it in my hand. but that's normal operating temp for it. no issues the last 7-8yrs of ownership. :)

Does the mirror vibrate more with the V1 mounted there? It did in my 'vette, and I promptly removed it and installed it with the suction cups and was much happier.

Not really. Get it above 120*F and it will glitch out in many tests I have seen. You may have gotten lucky, but you are operating beyond the parameters it is made for and you need to keep that in mind. I run a 5% ceramic tint strip to keep mine cool. Works very well.

Has anyone tried the V1 attachment that powers it from the OBD-II port? The accessory also provides a dial to keep the unit quiet when you are travelling under a certain speed that you set.