Stealth Mount Review: A Quick Release Radar Detector Mount With Power Pass Through

Introduction

Radar detectors are useful, but the constant plugging and unplugging of power cables when you take the unit down can get tedious. The Stealth Mount is a quick release mounting accessory designed to solve that problem. It lets you mount and unmount your radar detector in seconds while handling the power connection automatically through the mount itself.

The idea is simple: instead of dealing with a power cable every time you remove the detector, the Stealth Mount passes power directly from the mount into the detector. When you pop the detector off, the power cable stays attached to the mount, not the detector. This makes it much easier to take the detector down when you park or want to store it out of sight.

What Is the Stealth Mount?

The Stealth Mount is a radar detector mounting system that combines a quick release dock with a power pass through. The mount consists of a base that attaches to your car, a coupler that accepts power input, and a receiver adapter that connects to your specific radar detector model.

The power flows from your radar detector’s hardwire cable or mirror tap into the coupler, then through the mount and into the detector. The connection uses a traditional RJ11 cable, so it works with most existing hardwire setups. Once the two pieces are connected, you no longer need to handle any cables when mounting or unmounting the detector.

The mount is designed to work with a variety of radar detector brands. Adapters are available for Escort, Uniden, and Valentine detectors. This means you can switch between different detectors on the fly, which is particularly useful if you are testing multiple units or want to swap detectors between vehicles.

How the Quick Release Mechanism Works

The quick release mechanism is spring loaded. To remove the detector, you push it backward against the spring, then pull it down and out of the mount. To reinstall it, you slide the detector into place and push it up until it clicks and locks.

There is a plastic lip on the front and back of the receiver that helps secure the detector in place once it locks. This prevents the detector from accidentally falling off the mount while driving.

One thing to note is that the Stealth Mount does not use magnets for the main connection. Instead, it relies entirely on the spring mechanism and the plastic locking lips. This is different from some factory mounts, like the Escort Easy Mag mount, which uses magnets to hold the detector in place.

During testing, there were occasional instances where the detector did not lock all the way into place. When this happens, the detector does not power on because the power pins are not fully connected. This is more noticeable with detectors that power on quickly, like Uniden units. With Escort detectors, which take longer to power on, you might not notice the issue immediately.

Power Pass Through and Compatibility

The power pass through is one of the main appeals of the Stealth Mount. The coupler accepts an input cable from your radar detector’s hardwire cable or a mirror tap. It uses a standard RJ11 connection on both sides, so it can connect to the base and supply power.

The mount offers a few different ways to connect to your car. You can choose a traditional suction cup mount, a double stick tape mount for a more permanent installation, or a rearview mirror style mount that clamps around the mirror stem. The rearview mirror mount includes removable padding pieces so you can adjust it to fit different mirror stem sizes.

For Valentine V1 Gen 2 detectors, the setup works a bit differently. The V1 normally uses a suction cup mount where the detector can slide around. Because of a raised bump on the V1, the standard adapter cannot slide onto the mount. Instead, you connect the V1 to a sun visor mount. You remove the sun visor clip and attach the adapter to the sun visor mount, then connect the V1 to this modified mount.

To aim the detector once installed, you use an Allen key rather than a thumb screw. You loosen the screw, adjust the detector angle, then tighten the screw back in place. The mount uses a GoPro style adapter, so you can use a variety of different mounts and extension bars.

Mounting Options and Fit Considerations

The Stealth Mount comes with several mounting options. The suction cup mount is very sticky, stickier than factory Escort or Uniden suction cups. There is also a double stick tape mount for a more permanent installation, and a rearview mirror clamp style mount.

One of the advantages of the Stealth Mount over some factory mounts is the direction of removal. With the Escort Easy Mag mount, you have to lift the detector up to remove it. If the detector is mounted high and tight above the rearview mirror, this can be difficult because the detector hits the headliner. With the Stealth Mount, you push the detector in and pull it down, so there is no issue with the headliner getting in the way.

However, there are some fit considerations to keep in mind. The Stealth Mount makes the detector stick forward a bit more than factory mounts. This can block the side visibility of interior dash cams and can get in the way of the rearview mirror. With factory mounts, the detector sits farther back, so dash cams have better visibility.

The developer of the Stealth Mount suggested a few workarounds for this issue. One option is to reverse the suction cup mount so the connector is toward the back and the latch is toward the front. This slides the whole assembly back a bit, which can help with dash cam visibility. Another option is to use extension bars, which are available in different lengths, to push the detector farther away from you.

Testing with a longer extension bar helped with dash cam visibility but created new issues. The detector started blocking rear visibility and could bump into the rearview mirror, potentially scratching it over time. A shorter extension bar helped with the rearview mirror clearance but dropped the detector down where the rearview mirror could block radar reception.

Buying Advice

The Stealth Mount is a well thought out accessory that solves a real problem. If you frequently take your radar detector down when parking or want to easily swap between different detectors, the quick release mechanism and power pass through are genuinely useful features.

Before buying, consider your specific vehicle setup. The mount works best when there is enough room between the headliner and the rearview mirror. If your car has limited space, you may need to experiment with different mounting options and extension bars to find the right fit. The mount is also a bit plasticky, and there is some vibration and play with heavier detectors like the Escort models.

When ordering, you will need to choose your mounting solution, the main dock, and the receiver adapter for your specific detector brand and model. Some receivers vary by model, such as the Uniden R3, R4, R7, and R8, so be sure to specify your detector when ordering.

Conclusion

The Stealth Mount is a clever solution for radar detector owners who want a cleaner, faster way to mount and unmount their detector. The power pass through eliminates the hassle of dealing with cables, and the quick release mechanism makes it easy to take the detector down when needed.

There is definitely room for improvement. The detector sits a bit farther forward than ideal, which can interfere with dash cam visibility, and the locking mechanism occasionally needs a nudge to fully engage. But the core idea is solid, and the variety of mounting options gives you flexibility to find a setup that works for your car.

If you are looking for a quick release mount that handles power automatically and supports multiple detector brands, the Stealth Mount is worth considering.