When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I am looking to buy a Uniden R3 radar detector for my 2018 Z06. I would like it to be powered using the rear view mirror. Those of you who did not do your own installation, who did you use, how much, and are you happy with them?
Its really not that tough of an installation. I had no clue what I was doing but after researching on the internet I found Wiretap and Blendmount which made the installation go pretty smooth.
Last edited by Steve Garrett; 04-09-2018 at 10:49 PM.
Just received my R3 on Saturday, the Blendmount specifically for the C7 part# BNR-2027 and the mirror tap kit part# MTX-1010 for my 17' Grand Sport. It's the same part of your Z06. I watched a few youtube videos, read a few threads on the forum and was kinda scare to do it and finally gave it a shot.
First off, taking the plastic cover and the mirror cover off was the easy part. The hardest part for me was inserting the tap into the connector. There was no room to easily insert the tap in. I ended up broke both the positive and negative taps. The kit came with four different size taps. Only the smallest one will fit so I cannot use the other three. I sent the seller an email and they're sending me the replacement taps no extra cost.
Will try it again next week but that was the most frustration part of the installation. Read a thread somewhere that suggest to use a dental pick to create space for the tap. Will see.
West Coast Corvette wants something like an hour labor, which is around $120 to install.
BTW, if you haven't order your R3, I ordered from Beach Camera via Amazon and they sent me a one time $15 off. PM me if you want the coupon code.
Just received my R3 on Saturday, the Blendmount specifically for the C7 part# BNR-2027 and the mirror tap kit part# MTX-1010 for my 17' Grand Sport. It's the same part of your Z06. I watched a few youtube videos, read a few threads on the forum and was kinda scare to do it and finally gave it a shot.
First off, taking the plastic cover and the mirror cover off was the easy part. The hardest part for me was inserting the tap into the connector. There was no room to easily insert the tap in. I ended up broke both the positive and negative taps. The kit came with four different size taps. Only the smallest one will fit so I cannot use the other three. I sent the seller an email and they're sending me the replacement taps no extra cost.
Will try it again next week but that was the most frustration part of the installation. Read a thread somewhere that suggest to use a dental pick to create space for the tap. Will see.
West Coast Corvette wants something like an hour labor, which is around $120 to install.
BTW, if you haven't order your R3, I ordered from Beach Camera via Amazon and they sent me a one time $15 off. PM me if you want the coupon code.
I appreciate the information. I called West Coast Corvettes and they said they only do it for the Escorts. I'm tempted to try it myself but if there's a way to screw things up then I'll find it. Let me know how the rest of your installation goes.
I appreciate the information. I called West Coast Corvettes and they said they only do it for the Escorts. I'm tempted to try it myself but if there's a way to screw things up then I'll find it. Let me know how the rest of your installation goes.
I think these two videos are very helpful. Check it out.
I don't think you can break anything if you're a little careful. I'll be out of town and won't be able to try it again until a few more weeks, but I can't wait to try it again.
Here's a few tips I learn.
1. Move your car outside the garage and take the top off before install. That way, you have good sunlight and can see behind the mirror much better.
2. When you tap the wires, make sure the key is out of the ignition to avoid a short in case you touch multiple wires.
3. Most of the instructions to pry open the mirror cap start at the bottom corner. I found it's easier to pry from the top corner. Use a small flat driver.
4. Wiring. The purple wire on the mirror is the hot wire, which connects to the red tap wire. Black to black on both. One mistake I made the 1st try was connect the taps to the mirror side wiring. Wrong - make sure you connect to the wires from the roof side.
For me, tapping the wires and making it tight fit was the most difficult part and ended up breaking both taps. If you have questions, ask. Hope you have better luck than me. We can compare notes in a few weeks.
Good luck and go for it. No one is more careful on your car than you.
Just received my R3 on Saturday, the Blendmount specifically for the C7 part# BNR-2027 and the mirror tap kit part# MTX-1010 for my 17' Grand Sport. It's the same part of your Z06. I watched a few youtube videos, read a few threads on the forum and was kinda scare to do it and finally gave it a shot.
First off, taking the plastic cover and the mirror cover off was the easy part. The hardest part for me was inserting the tap into the connector. There was no room to easily insert the tap in. I ended up broke both the positive and negative taps. The kit came with four different size taps. Only the smallest one will fit so I cannot use the other three. I sent the seller an email and they're sending me the replacement taps no extra cost.
Will try it again next week but that was the most frustration part of the installation. Read a thread somewhere that suggest to use a dental pick to create space for the tap. Will see.
West Coast Corvette wants something like an hour labor, which is around $120 to install.
BTW, if you haven't order your R3, I ordered from Beach Camera via Amazon and they sent me a one time $15 off. PM me if you want the coupon code.
I am still trying to figure out which detector I want. The range of the R3 has been the best. The new Max 360c is smaller, has good range, more automated than the R3 in terms of updates and false alarms, and the arrows which everyone likes. It's super expensive but I'm leaning towards it. I don't know.
I am still trying to figure out which detector I want. The range of the R3 has been the best. The new Max 360c is smaller, has good range, more automated than the R3 in terms of updates and false alarms, and the arrows which everyone likes. It's super expensive but I'm leaning towards it. I don't know.
The R3 has the latest firmware release just a few days ago. I upgraded the firmware using my laptop and it was a piece of cake (but I'm an IT guy). Config setting was easy as well. Haven't had a chance to use it yet. You're picking the best of the best so I don't think you will go wrong with either one. Good luck.
For me, tapping the wires and making it tight fit was the most difficult part and ended up breaking both taps. If you have questions, ask. Hope you have better luck than me. We can compare notes in a few weeks.
[/QUOTE]
What about using some electrical grease, vaseline, (or spit?) to lube the taps so the fit easier? According to the videos, they are easy to break.
[quote=LA88C7CE]
For me, tapping the wires and making it tight fit was the most difficult part and ended up breaking both taps. If you have questions, ask. Hope you have better luck than me. We can compare notes in a few weeks.
When you broke the taps did the pieces get stuck in the plug? If so, then how did you remove them so you can insert another tap? I appreciate all the help.
Its really not that tough of an installation. I had no clue what I was doing but after researching on the internet I found Wiretap and Blendmount which made the installation go pretty smooth.
Ok. It's done! No need for dental picks or removal of the PDR plastic cover. Wear a pair of latex gloves and pull the back cap off the mirror. The gloves give you a good grip and you don't have to worry about scratching anything. Nor did I separate the wire harness. Use the smallest taps. The job is a bit of a PITA. I'm not as young as I used to be so contorting my body to get a good angle to remove, replace, and see made me sore. And speaking of seeing, my eyes aren't as good as they used to be. Work outside if you can. You'll need plenty of light and a good pair of reading glasses. Putting the rear cap back on took the longest. The wire harness snaps in via a set of guides. Trying to get the harness lined up with those was very difficult. That was the biggest strain mentally and physically. I did not bend the wires. I angled them a little bit to fit back into the hole in the roof that the wires from the harness came from. The Uniden R3 did not come with a USB cord; so before I got too comfortable with everything, I went and bought one. Updating to the latest firmware might have been one of the hardest parts. I didn't have right drivers so first I had to get those. If you want to do that then Google it. There's a good video and links to the Uniden website. Which reminds me, Uniden's website is not easy to navigate or find things. It's all done and came out awesome.
Just received my R3 on Saturday, the Blendmount specifically for the C7 part# BNR-2027 and the mirror tap kit part# MTX-1010 for my 17' Grand Sport. It's the same part of your Z06. I watched a few youtube videos, read a few threads on the forum and was kinda scare to do it and finally gave it a shot.
First off, taking the plastic cover and the mirror cover off was the easy part. The hardest part for me was inserting the tap into the connector. There was no room to easily insert the tap in. I ended up broke both the positive and negative taps. The kit came with four different size taps. Only the smallest one will fit so I cannot use the other three. I sent the seller an email and they're sending me the replacement taps no extra cost.
Will try it again next week but that was the most frustration part of the installation. Read a thread somewhere that suggest to use a dental pick to create space for the tap. Will see.
West Coast Corvette wants something like an hour labor, which is around $120 to install.
BTW, if you haven't order your R3, I ordered from Beach Camera via Amazon and they sent me a one time $15 off. PM me if you want the coupon code.
Great advice. Thanks.
How long of cable option did you need for the mirror tap kit? Sorry. No need. I looked up the correct part # and it comes with a 10" cord
Last edited by Pizz; 03-26-2018 at 04:11 PM.
Reason: stupidity
Ok. It's done! No need for dental picks or removal of the PDR plastic cover. Wear a pair of latex gloves and pull the back cap off the mirror. The gloves give you a good grip and you don't have to worry about scratching anything. Nor did I separate the wire harness. Use the smallest taps. The job is a bit of a PITA. I'm not as young as I used to be so contorting my body to get a good angle to remove, replace, and see made me sore. And speaking of seeing, my eyes aren't as good as they used to be. Work outside if you can. You'll need plenty of light and a good pair of reading glasses. Putting the rear cap back on took the longest. The wire harness snaps in via a set of guides. Trying to get the harness lined up with those was very difficult. That was the biggest strain mentally and physically. I did not bend the wires. I angled them a little bit to fit back into the hole in the roof that the wires from the harness came from. The Uniden R3 did not come with a USB cord; so before I got too comfortable with everything, I went and bought one. Updating to the latest firmware might have been one of the hardest parts. I didn't have right drivers so first I had to get those. If you want to do that then Google it. There's a good video and links to the Uniden website. Which reminds me, Uniden's website is not easy to navigate or find things. It's all done and came out awesome.
After seeing this thread, I bought the Blendmount bracket and the Mirror power kit. Today was install day.
A couple things I learned:
1) Inserting the pins in the back of the connector works best when you angle them towards the center of the connector a bit. I spent 1/2 hour trying to put them in straight, without success. I took a break and thought about it, then figured out that angling them would help them slide in. Mission accomplished
2) In my car, I wanted the vertical adjustment up all the way, to put the RD as high as it could sit. This is best done BEFORE you install the bracket. The unit sits far enough back from the mirror that I can still get to the volume and menu buttons
The pick is a little blurry, but shows the final install location:
Now I'm waiting on the Amazon data cable to do the latest Uniden update.
I also use the R3 at the same time as the Waze app. Waze works to alert you to units that may be sitting with their radar off, waiting for you to get real close before they tag you.
Now I'm waiting on the Amazon data cable to do the latest Uniden update.
I also use the R3 at the same time as the Waze app. Waze works to alert you to units that may be sitting with their radar off, waiting for you to get real close before they tag you.
Glad to see another success DIY installation. The R3 is dead on accurate but I almost got pulled over by laser on the way to Pahrump from Vegas.
After seeing this thread, I bought the Blendmount bracket and the Mirror power kit. Today was install day.
A couple things I learned:
1) Inserting the pins in the back of the connector works best when you angle them towards the center of the connector a bit. I spent 1/2 hour trying to put them in straight, without success. I took a break and thought about it, then figured out that angling them would help them slide in. Mission accomplished
2) In my car, I wanted the vertical adjustment up all the way, to put the RD as high as it could sit. This is best done BEFORE you install the bracket. The unit sits far enough back from the mirror that I can still get to the volume and menu buttons
The pick is a little blurry, but shows the final install location:
03-12-2018, 08:10 PM
Where to go for Radar Detector Installation
Thanks!
