2020 Supra MKV recommendations

[flipcoin]

This question was posed in one of the Supra forums and since it also directly applies to me, I'll repost here.

I'm puzzled by the response it received. If you have to use all non-TX heads, are we loosing DragonEye cm?

OP:

Have a favor to ask of those that have their MKV's already (mine won't be here until December/January). What is the measurement from the ground up to the bottom of the nose? I am planning my laser jammer install and the AL Priority TX head has to be mounted at least 22" above the ground (something to do with a vertical firing diode causing interference). It specifically states on their website that the TX emitter cannot be used on Lambo's or other "low slung" sports cars. The TX head is useful for areas that use the Dragon Eye laser. My plan was to mount the TX emitter in the center of the MKV (below the nose) and then two RX heads on either side of it. It looks like the MKV would have the perfect placement side to side due to the three front grill spaces but then this height issue came up.
Appreciate the help!

Response:

As to your AL Priority jammer question, I bought 3 standard heads (non-TX) due to the front of the Supra being only about 16 inches high in the center (the sides under the headlights look to be only about 13 inches high maximum, maybe less). The honeycomb grills almost fit the jammer heads. Might be able to heat gun the grill area a bit and squeeze the heads in, then glue or 3M tape, not sure yet. Of course need to make sure they are level and straight ahead. Trying to figure out how to easily get through the firewall to run the cables inside, under the dash area. Have to also look around for a good power tap. You can always call Tom at AL Priority with your questions.

OP:

Thanks for taking the time to measure and answer my question. It looks like I'll be ordering the non-TX heads also.
I found the video below that shows how to access a hole in the firewall, I've seen a better video from one of the guys installing a piggyback tune but the video below shows how to do it also. I'm still researching where to get the power though.

 

[sdrawkcaB]

This would be a good thread for Tom @BestRadarDetectors to chime in on. He's the USA distributor and retailer of ALP. Any support questions or issues would inevitably end up at his desk.

If you go with the 3 head option, Yes, you can still defend against DragonEye Speed Laser (DESL) and DragonEye Compact (DETC). The Tx is a nice option, but not the only option. Since your car has a smaller physical profile on the front, 3Rx heads should do just fine.

Unlike the Tx head, the Rx heads do not have a minimum height requirement.

Only TX Sensors have a minimum height requirement.

You WILL need to make sure the heads are aligned properly. Side to side, and vertical alignment too. The most likely issue is that you could possibly get some off-ground reflections feeding back into the sensor system, causing you issues. You will need to test thoroughly against actual LIDAR guns. If you get punch through issues, then you may have to aim the heads slightly upward 1 to 3 degrees, and then retest. Generally speaking, the heads should be completely level, and should only ever been angled upward if testing shows issues with the system defeating itself via ground reflection.

@Vortex has some excellent reference pages for general guidelines and considerations when planning out an installation. I would recommend you have the interested parties review these pages, and of course, they are always welcome to come on over to RDF. If in doubt, call up Tom @ BRD / ALP U.S.A. He likely has already taken phone calls about ALP systems installed on the new Supra MKV.

ALP Setup Guide Part 3: Proper Head Placement - Vortex Radar

In the last section we covered what areas of our vehicle a police officer will target with their lidar guns: Headlights/taillights, grill, and license plates. Knowing this, we need to make sure that our laser jammers fully protect these target areas. Front Installs Lidar jammer heads each cover...

www.vortexradar.com

ALP Setup Guide Part 4: Proper Head Installation - Vortex Radar

In this section we’re going to cover how the heads should be physically installed in your vehicle. Here’s the overall idea: They should be installed horizontally, not vertically. They should not be installed behind any bodywork or grills. The receivers and transmitters both need a clear line of...

www.vortexradar.com

Finally, bootmod3 that engine!

 

[Vancity23]

Thats a tough front end install. Please post pics after curious to see what it looks like...

 

[sdrawkcaB]

One more thing... Look into using Sugru to mount the heads to the grill. It's a moldable silicone adhesive, and has been really popular amongst forum members for helping mount heads in all sorts of positions and otherwise would-be-tough surfaces.

 

[flipcoin]

Thats a tough front end install.

My thoughts exactly - this install isn't a slam dunk. With that said - let's open this up to some different mfg.'s. In my locale, the (parking sensor) heads need to be as discrete as possible. Initially I was focused on ALP, but I think the ALP and the TMG heads are too obvious - specifically to my car's front end. I've seen some bullet heads - hell I'd even consider (gulp) (gasp) (choke) Escort's wireless heads. I think the wireless needs to be shown some love - well maybe not Escorts'...but other mfg.'s should adopt this option; and/or at least use Cat 6 for control wiring so ya don't have to do surgery every time you need to repair and/or update hardware.

 

[Dragons]

Take a look at Stinger, they may well fit the bill. More expensive than ALP but gives you more options for your install.

 

[Vancity23]

My thoughts exactly - this install isn't a slam dunk. With that said - let's open this up to some different mfg.'s. In my locale, the (parking sensor) heads need to be as discrete as possible. Initially I was focused on ALP, but I think the ALP and the TMG heads are too obvious - specifically to my car's front end. I've seen some bullet heads - hell I'd even consider (gulp) (gasp) (choke) Escort's wireless heads. I think the wireless needs to be shown some love - well maybe not Escorts'...but other mfg.'s should adopt this option; and/or at least use Cat 6 for control wiring so ya don't have to do surgery every time you need to repair and/or update hardware.

Yup I will be curios to see how you get them mounted. I may move my current Tmg heads on BMW M2 and that area below my headlights is a bunch of wacky angles too...

 

[flipcoin]

Take a look at Stinger, they may well fit the bill. More expensive than ALP but gives you more options for your install.

OK - took a look at Stinger- shitski...$10K for a full-blown system & install - ouch! They are the one's with the "bullet" heads I'd seen, and from what I researched have good to great hardware. But reading their users' forum, their firmware suxs. Apparently they lost their head engineer, and all suggestions/issues/complaints have gone unheeded over the last couple of years. Even Vortex says "The Stinger VIP is still honestly hard to recommend right now.". A highlight is that they do use fiber for their cabling. Why other Mfg.'s don't adopt this baffles me.

Dragons, thank you for the suggestion; they do fit the bill in the discretion arena.

But too high cost + unsatisfactory performance = no-go for me.

So, back to square 1. All ideas and suggestions welcomed...

Post automatically merged: Dec 6, 2019

This would be a good thread for Tom @BestRadarDetectors to chime in on.

How do we entice Tom to chime in pray tell?

 

[Dragons]

Dragons, thank you for the suggestion; they do fit the bill in the discretion arena.

I'm not suggesting the VIP, rather the stand alone Freedom laser system, I'm unsure where you get $10k from, but that's total BS.
The VIP needs a lot of work on radar, however they have quite satisfactory results on Laser, it's still a little behind the ALP but not by much.
Cost with a Freedom (not including installation) to cover the front of your car is closer to $1400.
Then just choose an RD to go with.
My Stinger laser has saved me many times now, off axis saves have been a huge one due to installation flexibility.

 

[romclean]

We don’t have dragons in southeast Texas. The stalker xlr will be the most dangerous lidar gun in our region and it’s used quite a bit.

Lidar guns used
Stalker xlr
Prolaser 3/4
Prolite
Truspeed
Ultralyte

Radar guns used
Stalker dsr2 34.7 (most common)
Kustom signals golden eagle 35.5
Decatur 35.5
K band here and there so you will need good filtering.

 

[sdrawkcaB]

How do we entice Tom to chime in pray tell?

The following is my personal opinion based on my observations and experience:
Tom's a true gentlemen. Unlike other vendors here on the forum, he doesn't swarm new members trying to peddle his wares right in their new member introduction posts. From what I've observed in my short time here, he always responds to technical support inquiries quickly on the forums. You may have to reach out to him to initiate a sales discussion, as I think that is his typical modus operandi; his way of avoiding a conflict of interest in his participating here. He's a good guy. Definitely get in touch with him.

 

[flipcoin]

I'm not suggesting the VIP, rather the stand alone Freedom laser system, I'm unsure where you get $10k from, but that's total BS.
Cost with a Freedom (not including installation) to cover the front of your car is closer to $1400.

I can't find a Stinger Freedom Laser for sale anywhere except on an Aussie website? On StingerUSA, can find a couple of standalone laser bundles - differences being interface... and some of their combo's are $8K+...

Can you please point me in the right direction?

TIA

 

[romclean]

Did stinger ever fix their issues with the stalker xlr guns?

 

[flipcoin]

We don’t have dragons in southeast Texas. The stalker xlr will be the most dangerous lidar gun in our region and it’s used quite a bit.

Lidar guns used
Stalker xlr
Prolaser 3/4
Prolite
Truspeed
Ultralyte

Radar guns used
Stalker dsr2 34.7 (most common)
Kustom signals golden eagle 35.5
Decatur 35.5
K band here and there so you will need good filtering.

LOL - that's the kind of details I was trying to extract from you in the local thread

Now, I sense you're trying to help guide me here and I'm a little slow...can you be a bit more specific?

Post automatically merged: Dec 7, 2019

Did stinger ever fix their issues with the stalker xlr guns?

..and there it is - the part I was missing...

Post automatically merged: Dec 7, 2019

Did stinger ever fix their issues with the stalker xlr guns?

From Vortex - latest/current review (I think):

Unlike Stinger’s previous gen laser jammers, these ones actually work well and they are able to consistently jam newer guns like the Stalker XLR or DragonEye.

While I’m not a huge fan of the Stinger VIP radar detector, their new laser jammer is the real deal. It costs roughly 2x the price of an ALP so it’s typically something people go for when looks and aesthetics are the top priority.

 

[romclean]

Have you thought about running the escort max360ci unit for radar and alp for lidar?

 

[Dragons]

I can't find a Stinger Freedom Laser for sale anywhere except on an Aussie website? On StingerUSA, can find a couple of standalone laser bundles - differences being interface... and some of their combo's are $8K+...

That would be with the VIP, find a stand alone laser, you need 3 RX/TX each on the front and rear, going by Australian prices its around $2kAUD