Radar Detector Light Alert

[Brighteyesue]

In the not too distant past, there was a discussion about a way to have a light alert you when you radar detector was going off. It was connected from your helmet to the detector wirelessly.

I can not seem to find it in a search and may have been lost in the crash. Does anyone recall where I can find this product?

[rgatling]

Here's a link...

http://www.cyclegadgets.com/Products/product.asp?item=HARD

[eddiemack]

It's called the HARD system. There's a module that plugs into your radar unit, and another module you wire into your helmet. If I remember correctly it is only for the Passport or Valentine radar detectors. Look here:
http://www.radarbusters.com/products/accessories/motorcycles/hard.asp
I use it with the passport 8500 X50 and highly recommend it.

[redst05]

The system I think you are thinking of is H.A.R.D. There are many places that have this system on-line. But here is a link of a place I use a lot. http://www.aerostich.com/catalog/US/HARD-System-p-16322.html
I hope this helps out :D

[Blue STreak]

I've used the H.A.R.D. system. Nice idea, but battery life really sucked, especially if you forgot to turn it off when removing your helmet. And if you forget to turn it on, or the batteries die in the middle of a ride, then you have no warning.

I replaced it with one of these, which works very well:

http://www.marcparnes.com/Visual_Alert.htm

[ToroGuy]

... the HARD system...
I use it with the passport 8500 X50 and highly recommend it.

+1

Regarding the battery issue, it's the helmet receiver unit that you gotta remember to turn off. My HARD transmitter is wired always hot. My routine is to turn off 8500 X50 BEFORE removing my helmet. That causes the receiver to flash if I've forgotten to turn the receiver off. With this process, I'm still on the original battery since Christmas using the HARD system 4 - 6 times a week.

[seiseman]

I've used the H.A.R.D. system. Nice idea, but battery life really sucked, especially if you forgot to turn it off when removing your helmet. And if you forget to turn it on, or the batteries die in the middle of a ride, then you have no warning.

I replaced it with one of these, which works very well:

http://www.marcparnes.com/Visual_Alert.htm

+1 on this unit. It really grabs your attention. For night I made a little thingy from tinted plastic that goes over it. If you don't do something to dim the unit at night it can be blinding.
Steve E :03biker:

[nm6r]

Audio into ones Autocom is attention getting without being distracting, day or night. There are no batteries in the helmet to die and leave one without radar detection. One also knows what band is being detected as well.

Ray
http://www.frontiernet.net/~st1300rider/smile04Bikerwheelie.gif

[HankSTer]

I have a Marc Parnes visual alert, it's a great product. Maybe I need to give it mroe time, but when using it the other day, I kept looking at it to see if it was blinking... not a good thing, I need to be watching the road.

I'm still trying to work this out, but I agree with Ray, the Best, for sure, is an audio alert. On that note, the 2 attachments show how the visual alert looks, and also what I discovered when I cut away the foam on my Arai cheekpads. yup, that's an indentation already there to mount speakers :)

Regards,

[Brighteyesue]

Today I bought an Autocom system. I still need the cords for my Passport Escort and Zumo, but they should be in within a week or so.

Thank you everyone for the feedback and info.

[GRN]

Today I bought an Autocom system. I still need the cords for my Passport Escort and Zumo, but they should be in within a week or so.

Thank you everyone for the feedback and info.

Great choice... the RD audio alert gives you a lot more information... and the autocom just plain rocks.

[Brighteyesue]

I cant wait to get it installed and everything integrated. :D

[bygdawg]

Audio into ones Autocom is attention getting without being distracting, day or night. There are no batteries in the helmet to die and leave one without radar detection. One also knows what band is being detected as well.

Ray
http://www.frontiernet.net/~st1300rider/smile04Bikerwheelie.gif

I have a J&M and can't get this to work without buying the Intergrator. :(

[Highrider]

This is for Steve -
You don't need to put a filter on the Marc Parnes unit, being it is controlled by the voltage from the audio output, you can turn it down or off using the volume control.
By the way, I am currently testing the HARD display I have been using for the last 3 years, with the Marc Parnes unit. I think the HARD display is more effective, but I need an alternative to the battery issue for every day riding. When on long trips, I have had the HARD unit last 2 weeks without changing batteries.

[nm6r]

I have a J&M and can't get this to work without buying the Intergrator. :(

Here is another solution. (http://www.frontiernet.net/~PitStop4u/ps4u-002.html) :cool:

Ray
http://www.frontiernet.net/~st1300rider/smile04Bikerwheelie.gif

[bygdawg]

Cool. Does it require batteries? Also, would the radar detector just override my music in my headset or just mix in with it when it goes off?

Thanks,
bygdawg

[nm6r]

No batteries. The audio sources mix. Just like in a car, set the radar detector audio level to be heard over the music.

Ray
http://www.frontiernet.net/~st1300rider/smile04Bikerwheelie.gif

[barefoot]

Don't mean to hi-jack the thread, but I have two questions for HankSTer - where'dya get that RD mount and what throttle lock are you using?

Thanks,
Jim

[HankSTer]

Don't mean to hi-jack the thread, but I have two questions for HankSTer - where'dya get that RD mount and what throttle lock are you using?

Thanks,
Jim

Hey Jim ;) luv yer sig quote... remember the pitcher catfish hunter? when asked what he did with all those millions he made, said he spent 90% of it on wine, women and song... and wasted the other 10%.

that mount is from turbo tom (do a search on this site and you'll find him). Be sure to order the "reverse mount". The vista cruise is an everyday item, but for the yamaha or Honda, can't remember. But look at the pic more closely, you'll see the home made bracket at the bottom. It simply screws into the switch housing and keeps the thing in place. PM me if you want more info ;)

On a side note... the pic in the beginning of this thread, is how my system is set up now, and will stay that way. It really seems that any other kind of alert, is just expensive. Be it autocomm, your own speakers and amplifier (assuming you wear ear plugs), or custom molded in ear speakers which arent cheap, or or or...

I'm just going with the visual alert. Better then nothing!!

Regards and best wishes,

[barefoot]

Sorry to counter two answers with two more questions, but 1. why "reverse" and 2. I'd love to see how you fitted a vista-cruise to the ST (I've used one before, but on a different bike, I know that it requires modification to work on an ST), is there a thread where you described your version of the vista install?

Thanks!
Jim

[HankSTer]

Sorry to counter two answers with two more questions, but 1. why "reverse" and 2. I'd love to see how you fitted a vista-cruise to the ST (I've used one before, but on a different bike, I know that it requires modification to work on an ST), is there a thread where you described your version of the vista install?

Thanks!
Jim

Jim, no problemo,

this is the link for Turbo Toms site: http://www.turbocity.com/product_info.php?cPath=64&products_id=599&osCsid=340ab62b34574b0c049cd1e0580d538f

the 'reverse' thing is confusing to me too. The important thing is just to make sure Tom knows you want the one (he only shows one version on the site) that has the 'plate' sticking towards the back. Thats the one that can be mounted to an ST with a stock windshield.

Yes I did do a write up on taht install, check this thread:

http://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10739&highlight=flawless+vistacruise

don't let people making fun of my cat bother you in that thread ;)

Regards,

[pepollock]

Aerostich has "Marc's Visual Alert", three super-bright LEDs encased in a plastic block. About a 10" cord plugs into your Valentine or Escort 8500. I have the LEDs attached on the inside of the windshiled with velcro, as far up as the cord will reach with the 'screen all the way up. This puts them close to my line of sight where they are hard to miss. $60 at aerostich.com.

[seiseman]

[quote=Highrider;200393]This is for Steve -
You don't need to put a filter on the Marc Parnes unit, being it is controlled by the voltage from the audio output, you can turn it down or off using the volume control.
...quote]
It's been a while, so the memory is a little fuzzy, but on my Passport 8500 I think it was either "on" or "off"- Volume control did not affect the brightness. Also, the detector is mounted in a weathertight box and is a real pain to access. I have it wired into a keyed circuit so I don't have to access it to turn it off or on.

Steve E :03biker:

[jnsgardner]

I bought the HARD unit from Cycle Gadgets but couldn't get used to it being so close to my eye whether it was on or not. I got the Marc Parnes unit and mounted it in the upper right vent opening. I couldn't be happier. It just sits there when I'm not using the 8500 and does a great job of alerting me when I'm touring with the detector on.

[lawmanuk]

I have a Marc Parnes visual alert, it's a great product. Maybe I need to give it mroe time, but when using it the other day, I kept looking at it to see if it was blinking... not a good thing, I need to be watching the road.

I'm still trying to work this out, but I agree with Ray, the Best, for sure, is an audio alert. On that note, the 2 attachments show how the visual alert looks, and also what I discovered when I cut away the foam on my Arai cheekpads. yup, that's an indentation already there to mount speakers :)

Regards,

HankSTer, saw your pics, where did you get the radar mount for yor bike? it looks pretty good.

[Brighteyesue]

Today I bought an Autocom system. I still need the cords for my Passport Escort and Zumo, but they should be in within a week or so.

Thank you everyone for the feedback and info.

4/4/07 STILL waiting and not patiently any more