| nota4re |
Hello all,
I read through some posts and couldn't find a definitive answer on easily finding power for a radar detector install near the top of the windshield. I just completed the install of a V1 and it was much simpler that I had expected. Here are the steps;
First I removed the courtesy light/homelink trim piece. There are four screw hoding it up. Two can be accessed in the sunglass holder and the other two are under the plastic lens. To reomve the lens, there are two tabs that you need to gently pry against with a small screwdriver. In the pic below, one of the tabs is just near my index finger. These two tabs are distinguishable with the lens in place.
Release these two tabs, pivot the lens down as shown and it falls right out. Note: This is the only pic I have of the V1 in place. Note that it is high on the windshield as near as possible to the rear view mirror. Being high, the V1 had the best vantage point to pick up the radar singnal through the rear window and secondly, being high is the least obtrusive to your forward vision.
OK, the next step is the wiring. I opted to drill a very small hole and use a sheetmetal screw for the ground. Hint: While drilling, place a small magnet next to the drillbit and you won't drop any metal debris down onto the console, etc. Accessory switched power is also readily available in this location. It is the orange wire going to the mirror. I used the small tap-in connector supplied with the V1 to splice in. You can see all ofthe detail in the following picture.
You can see that te ground wire is in place. Notice the red (power) wire is tapped into the orange wire near the harness plug. Also note the routing of the flat telephone cord that goes to the V1. You can squeeze this wire through the small opening in the headliner up against the windshield. This is the same opening that is used for the mirror wiring. There is just enough space between the two sheetmetal pieces to tuck up any excess wiring and, in the case of the V1, the small power block. It fits very snug and will not rattle.
Finally, here is one last pic of the wiring just before I tuck the module back up into place.
So, that's it. A very easy job. It took me less than 30 minutes and it should be less for you! |
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| xcel |
Hi Nota4re:
___Nice install and instructions. Please take a final install pic w/ the V1 in its semi-permanent resting place …
___While you were up there, did you see anyway to run a PS2 width cable (mouse that is, not the game console) through the headliner and down to the electronics of the X? I am going to attempt to install an HP iPAQ 2215 based i.Trek GPS receiver under the dash above the Radio controls in a few minutes but would really like to install it above the mirror if I could run the cabling. When BlueTooth receivers are available with twisted pair 12 V wiring, your instructions will be as good as gold for us PDA based NAVI users!
___Good Luck
___Wayne R. Gerdes
___Hunt Club Farms Landscaping Ltd.
___Waynegerdes@earthlink.net |
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| nota4re |
xcel,
I can snap & post another pic of the V1 as soon as the wife returns with the MDX.
Regarding the running of cables up to this loc, you should have no problem. I have done several nav and video install in the past (although none in the MDX) but it shouldn't be difficult. Remove the piece that I did as well as the visor which serves to hold the headliner up where it meets the windshield. Next, remove the A-pillar garnish (Honda's term) and then you can route down the a-pillar to under the dash. Yo'll find other wires here and potentially a drain tube for the SR. You can zip tie your wires to the wire harness or drain tube. However, be careful not to pinch the drain tube closed. I hope that helps. |
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| cardingtr |
| Your camera, is that a Canon S230? |
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| nota4re |
| The predecessor - S100. Great, great camera. Point and shoot. Built like a brick house (all metal case). |
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| hammermdx |
nota4re,
Great job and pics. You may want to drop the V1 down a bit on the windshield.....it should be just below the tint line to work best. |
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| xcel |
Hi Nota4re:
___I tore the radio out to install the GPS Receiver underneath the dash as well as the Panavise mount along the right side of the Trip Computer screen. After watching SAT signal strengths fall by ~ 10% while under the dash I thought I may as well try hanging the Receiver up where you placed your V1 for the best reception …
___I just finished up installing the GPS Receiver above the mirror and on the opposite side of the rain sensor as well as running the cabling across the passenger side headliner, down the A-Pillar trim, behind and below the glove box, and underneath the radio just above the DVD RES head unit. This job was a SOB at ~ 4 hours to get everything out and back in … It was worth it as I now have a total stealth PDA based GPS receiver attached to the HP iPAQ 2215 which is itself hanging from a Panavise mount. I did have to get a 6’ PS2 extender as the i.Trek was short by ~ 2’ so that was about an hour waste of time :( Installing the A-Pillar’s rubber edge seal back over the A-Pillar trim piece took the longest since I broke one of the three plastic connectors underneath of it. Now that it is back in place, it looks like no one had ever touched it. I hope it stays that way. All I have left to do now is come up with a solid way of double sticking the receiver to the side of the mirror trim. I have some off-white double stick tape but I need black double stick so it will be invisible to anyone taking an interest of whatever kind.
___Anyway, thanks for the idea as I am a very happy camper now … My wife is too given she hated all that cabling hanging out all over the place ;)
___Good Luck
___Wayne R. Gerdes
___Hunt Club Farms Landscaping Ltd.
___Waynegerdes@earthlink.net |
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| nota4re |
Hey, xcel, sounds like you did a great job.
I would recommend the black 3M double stick tape. It is available here (CA) at Home Depot stores and I've even seen it in the hardware section of Walmart. This stuff is great. It's black, thin, very gummy and sticks like a son of a gun. |
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| jatharp |
Wayne
I've got a roll of 3m double face tape 3/4" wide, I'll bring along today. No use you buying a whole roll. See ya about noon.
Yes I've got the yard/pond pics IN the MDX.
I've also got a couple of extra Acura hats to sell if anyone is interested. |
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| xcel |
Hi All:
___Here is an out of focus pic of the GPS Receiver in its final resting place to the left of the mirror. The house across the street looks nice however :3: For the Panavise holding the PDA, follow this link.
___Nota4re, thank you for giving me the confidence to take down the front of the headliner and A-Pillar trim.
___Jatharp, thank you for the black double sided tape!
___Good Luck
___Wayne R. Gerdes
___Hunt Club Farms Landscaping Ltd.
___Waynegerdes@earthlink.net |
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