Uniden R7 Radar install with Mirror Tap

StrykerRan · 09-18-2019, 03:14 PM

Hi- just had my Uniden R7 installed with a Mirror Tap (first time). I wasn't comfortable separating the mirror cover so I went to a local stereo shop to have it installed for $50. As you can see from the pics, the tabs are quite brittle so be very careful using a simple pry tool to separate the seam.

I used the "second from the smallest" tap size. So others can save some money and buy that exact size. I recommend getting the 15" (I got the 10") so you can route the cable easier, say to a blendmount underneath the rear mirror. Any slack can easily fit inside the mirror cover.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Follow the install instruction of Mirror Tap and remember to ziptie the cable to the X5 wiring harness so that it is intact and won't tug on the mini taps if the radar was to fall down.

This BMW, 2019 X5 4.0 seems to retain power in the mirror as well as the cigarette lighter socket for about 5 mins. So after 5 mins, everything will shut off. I have my dashcam and Amazon Auto Echo plugged into the cig.

Total install time 20 minutes which includes 5 mins for the unit to shut down after locking the vehicle.

Hope this helps potential owners of this vehicle.

scottjays · 09-18-2019, 04:20 PM

This is great info! thanks for sharing. I plan on using my current blendmount from my F15...hoping it fits my G05 M50i on order.

StrykerRan · 09-18-2019, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottjays

This is great info! thanks for sharing. I plan on using my current blendmount from my F15...hoping it fits my G05 M50i on order.

Thanks.

Please share pics when you're done. Blendmound is looking for $139 for the R7 to work with the X5.

x5randy · 10-24-2019, 11:20 AM

Looking for a new RD and I'm almost ready to give on waiting for the V1. I know only 2 more weeks

since April that is.

Anyway, do you have gesture control? If so do you have any issues or is the R7 high enough to miss that interference?

What about BSM alerts?

Finally, have you considered installing the remote mute button?

Thanks

Thumbs · 10-25-2019, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by x5randy

...
Anyway, do you have gesture control? If so do you have any issues or is the R7 high enough to miss that interference?
...

<Edited> After reading other posts I understand it a bit more, the theory is that reflected light from the various in-car cameras is causing the laser false alerts.

http://bestride.com/wp-content/uploa...bmw-my-pic.jpg

jrlv2av8 · 12-11-2019, 03:46 PM

Pretty much same as above, same wires worked, $43 combo mirror mount and cord worked fine, large leads worked best in mirror plug/harness.

emargul · 12-29-2019, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrlv2av8

Pretty much same as above, same wires worked, $43 combo mirror mount and cord worked fine, large leads worked best in mirror plug/harness.

Thanks so much your pics were a huge help.

mir604 · 12-29-2019, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrlv2av8

Pretty much same as above, same wires worked, $43 combo mirror mount and cord worked fine, large leads worked best in mirror plug/harness.

Do you mind posting a picture of the backside of your mirror mount when its installed. Just want to see how it wraps around the mirror from the backside. I am doing an install on an e70 35D and want to ensure that this bracket will work with my car as well. Can you also DM me the link to the bracket you purchased. I want to make sure the one I purchased is the same one. Thanks

radmjk · 02-01-2020, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrlv2av8

Pretty much same as above, same wires worked, $43 combo mirror mount and cord worked fine, large leads worked best in mirror plug/harness.

I just noticed this is a different cover than I have, maybe because of driver assistance? Can anyone confirm that the cover can be removed similarly? Thanks [IMG][/IMG]

tturgut · 11-02-2020, 09:36 PM

Hi, how difficult is it to do this?
I guess all you need is a radar detector and the connections from amazon.
1) Local stereo shops to install?
2) total cost?
3) gesture control? (Not really necessary , I can turn it off. but are there any other interferences or is this the only one?

thanks!

Therealmatzaman · 04-22-2021, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by radmjk

I just noticed this is a different cover than I have, maybe because of driver assistance? Can anyone confirm that the cover can be removed similarly? Thanks [IMG][/IMG]

Did you ever figure out how to remove the larger cover?

radmjk · 04-25-2021, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Therealmatzaman

Quote:

Originally Posted by radmjk

I just noticed this is a different cover than I have, maybe because of driver assistance? Can anyone confirm that the cover can be removed similarly? Thanks [IMG][/IMG]

Did you ever figure out how to remove the larger cover?

Yes, look back on this thread for your answer. Good luck!

Mando · 10-14-2024, 01:56 PM

Has anyone done this on a xDrive45e?
I am not sure if the mirror assembly is the same as the 40i which is what is shown here. Thank you
I am out of my league on this but driving 1200 miles coming up pushes the need to do it

e61it · 10-14-2024, 02:43 PM

Stryker Ran, are you able to deploy the driver's side sun visor effectively with the uniden in place? Thanks in advance for your reply.

snareman · 11-17-2024, 06:13 PM

Looks nice. I did a fuse tap with my X3 and put the RD in the lower left corner of the window. It wasn't super hateful to do, but I HATE doing this stuff. I tried to go to a local shop just to pay someone to do it and they didn't have a clue how or where the fuses were, etc. I need to figure it out for my X5 so I can put my RD back in. The RD/Waze combo works pretty well for finding cops.

sharkymcpeterson · 01-12-2025, 10:52 AM

So you turn the car off and leave it sitting for a few minutes so the car goes to sleep completely then you can start the instal?

StrykerRan · 05-10-2025, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e61it

Stryker Ran, are you able to deploy the driver's side sun visor effectively with the uniden in place? Thanks in advance for your reply.

Sorry, don’t know why I didn’t get notified of your ask.
Yes, I can still use it to block the sun. See picture. And I also flip it down when parking at odd places as it seems to hide it from the front view a little better too.

StrykerRan · 05-10-2025, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sharkymcpeterson

So you turn the car off and leave it sitting for a few minutes so the car goes to sleep completely then you can start the instal?

Not sure how safe it is but installer did it while car was just switched off without waiting

StrykerRan · 05-10-2025, 01:19 PM

Picture of radar with visor down. I used that larger suction cup holder as the skinny with two smaller suction seems to fall off frequently with the hot and cold seesaw.

sharkymcpeterson · 05-12-2025, 09:26 AM

Yeah I got mine installed, the wire tap is so much cleaner and my blendmount is perfectly designed.

StrykerRan · 05-12-2025, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sharkymcpeterson

Yeah I got mine installed, the wire tap is so much cleaner and my blendmount is perfectly designed.

Could you also share your pic. Want to see how’s yours looks like.

sharkymcpeterson · 05-12-2025, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StrykerRan

Could you also share your pic. Want to see how’s yours looks like.

Yeah here’s a pic-

09-18-2019, 03:14 PM	#1
StrykerRan Private 68 Rep 86 Posts Drives: BMW X5 40i Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: NYC iTrader: (0)	Uniden R7 Radar install with Mirror Tap Hi- just had my Uniden R7 installed with a Mirror Tap (first time). I wasn't comfortable separating the mirror cover so I went to a local stereo shop to have it installed for $50. As you can see from the pics, the tabs are quite brittle so be very careful using a simple pry tool to separate the seam. I used the "second from the smallest" tap size. So others can save some money and buy that exact size. I recommend getting the 15" (I got the 10") so you can route the cable easier, say to a blendmount underneath the rear mirror. Any slack can easily fit inside the mirror cover. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Follow the install instruction of Mirror Tap and remember to ziptie the cable to the X5 wiring harness so that it is intact and won't tug on the mini taps if the radar was to fall down. This BMW, 2019 X5 4.0 seems to retain power in the mirror as well as the cigarette lighter socket for about 5 mins. So after 5 mins, everything will shut off. I have my dashcam and Amazon Auto Echo plugged into the cig. Total install time 20 minutes which includes 5 mins for the unit to shut down after locking the vehicle. Hope this helps potential owners of this vehicle. Attached Images
	Appreciate 8 radmjk262.00 DNGRTOM128.00 Cooltones248.00 ladra30.00 Blekp17.00 doctorwizz70.00 jackson0555.50 G-Mann557.00 Tweet Quote

09-18-2019, 04:20 PM	#2
scottjays Starfleet Command 465 Rep 840 Posts Drives: 2020 X5 M50i Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: SoFla iTrader: (0)	This is great info! thanks for sharing. I plan on using my current blendmount from my F15...hoping it fits my G05 M50i on order. __________________ 2020 X5 M50i Phytonic Blue w/ Black Merino 22" 747M wheels,
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-24-2019, 11:20 AM	#4
x5randy New Member 5 Rep 10 Posts Drives: 2019 X5 40i Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	How do you like the R7? Looking for a new RD and I'm almost ready to give on waiting for the V1. I know only 2 more weeks since April that is. Anyway, do you have gesture control? If so do you have any issues or is the R7 high enough to miss that interference? What about BSM alerts? Finally, have you considered installing the remote mute button? Thanks Last edited by x5randy; 10-24-2019 at 11:23 AM.. Reason: add line
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12-11-2019, 03:46 PM	#6
jrlv2av8 Registered 9 Rep 2 Posts Drives: 2017 M4 Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: us iTrader: (0)	2020 G05 X5 & R3 Mirror tap Pretty much same as above, same wires worked, $43 combo mirror mount and cord worked fine, large leads worked best in mirror plug/harness. Attached Images
	Appreciate 6 emargul217.00 DNGRTOM128.00 radmjk262.00 SmartSaves505.50 ladra30.00 Clk Group124.00 Quote

11-02-2020, 09:36 PM	#10
tturgut Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: BMW X5 50i M Sport Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: Illinois iTrader: (0)	cost? who can do it? Hi, how difficult is it to do this? I guess all you need is a radar detector and the connections from amazon. 1) Local stereo shops to install? 2) total cost? 3) gesture control? (Not really necessary , I can turn it off. but are there any other interferences or is this the only one? thanks!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-14-2024, 01:56 PM	#13
Mando New Member 3 Rep 22 Posts Drives: BMW X5 F15, BMW 228i, Porsche. Join Date: Aug 2023 Location: Indiana iTrader: (0) Garage List 2022 BMW X5 [10.00]	Has anyone done this on a xDrive45e? I am not sure if the mirror assembly is the same as the 40i which is what is shown here. Thank you I am out of my league on this but driving 1200 miles coming up pushes the need to do it
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-14-2024, 02:43 PM	#14
e61it Second Lieutenant 133 Rep 223 Posts Drives: bmw 545it Join Date: Jan 2021 Location: pnw iTrader: (0)	Stryker Ran, are you able to deploy the driver's side sun visor effectively with the uniden in place? Thanks in advance for your reply.
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11-17-2024, 06:13 PM	#15
snareman Leave the gun. Take the Canoli. 10808 Rep 8,604 Posts Drives: 911 & X5 ///M60 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Ohio iTrader: (0)	Looks nice. I did a fuse tap with my X3 and put the RD in the lower left corner of the window. It wasn't super hateful to do, but I HATE doing this stuff. I tried to go to a local shop just to pay someone to do it and they didn't have a clue how or where the fuses were, etc. I need to figure it out for my X5 so I can put my RD back in. The RD/Waze combo works pretty well for finding cops. __________________ Current: 2025 X5 M60 Retired: 2023 M8 \|\|\| 2023 X3 M40 \|\|\| 2021 M4 \|\|\| 2018 M4 \|\|\| 2017 M4 \|\|\| 2014 435 \|\|\| 2009 335 \|\|\| 2007 335
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01-12-2025, 10:52 AM	#16
sharkymcpeterson Captain 1356 Rep 1,399 Posts Drives: BMW X5 G05 Join Date: Feb 2022 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	So you turn the car off and leave it sitting for a few minutes so the car goes to sleep completely then you can start the instal?
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05-10-2025, 01:19 PM	#19
StrykerRan Private 68 Rep 86 Posts Drives: BMW X5 40i Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: NYC iTrader: (0)	Picture of radar with visor down. I used that larger suction cup holder as the skinny with two smaller suction seems to fall off frequently with the hot and cold seesaw. Attached Images Last edited by StrykerRan; 05-10-2025 at 01:23 PM..
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05-12-2025, 09:26 AM	#20
sharkymcpeterson Captain 1356 Rep 1,399 Posts Drives: BMW X5 G05 Join Date: Feb 2022 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	Yeah I got mine installed, the wire tap is so much cleaner and my blendmount is perfectly designed.
	Appreciate 0 Quote