nickv

Hello,

I'm looking into buying a Passport 8500 but am concerned about dangling cords and such. Has anyone mounted and hardwired one in a W208? Ideally as high as possible would be great, perhaps directly under the rearview mirror?? Any suggestions or links you could provide would be great!!

Thanks!!

mmgrad

A few suggestions:

- Go with the Valentine 1
- Mount it to the right of the rear view mirror, don't mount it underneath
- Roof the wire along the roof line and down the pillar and hardwire it into the cigarette lighter

LowRydeR

I had the Passport 8500 for a month this year and did not work for me. Get a V1.

-Bruce

Safet

V1? I have the 8500 and it works great....VERY long distance notice!

(Let the 8500 vs. V1 debate begin! )

Safet

One thing though, the blackened out part of the window behind the rear-view mirror, I'd be concerned that might obstruct the view of any radar detector's sensors.

nickv

Okay I'm confused, do you guys mind telling me the benefits of each.

mmgrad, have you wired your radar detector to your cigarette lighter? Is there a way to wire it directly to the fuse box?

mmgrad

That is of course a concern. I would suggest putting to the right side of the mirror for the following reasons:

- No Obstruction from the mirror
- Usable sun-visor for Driver (most important)
- Higher Mount = Better Detection
- Higher Mount = Less noticeable to cops and thieves (you don't want to be a victim of senseless smash-n-grab)

nickv

I agree with this mounting methodology, especially because I don't plan on removing it when I am at work, home, or the gym, but if I go with the V1, will the front sensor work correctly?

mmgrad

There are always going to be debates about which is better. Overall, they are both very good. But I suggest you put the money into the V1. Its upgradeable when the time comes, and its pretty easy to use. Not too familiar with the 8500, but the V1 has a concealed display unit, and a remote volume control. Plus, instead of 'muting', it just drops the decibel of the tone so you don't FORGET about the threat around you.

Its pretty easy once you work your way into the back of the center dash/console. You just use a T-Tap (not sure if this is the name) and tap into the power line. Its got its own inline fuse so don't worry about shorts and stuff. And with the other line, just connect that to a grounded source.

And thats it. It will turn on when your car is on, and off when your car is off. Simple and Clean.

Ted Baldwin

HERE IS A LINK


Ted

Safet

Ted, I just got the 8500, who did your install? Thanks,

911Jose

also, dont use suction cups included with the radar detector. instead, use double sided thick foam tape.

mmgrad

Why do you recommend that?

I haven't had any problems with the suction cups....

My experience with regular double sided foam tape is that they split under pressure and from the intense heat in the cabin. What is your reasoning for the use of tape and what brand do you recommend?

GBD

mmgrad... They are probably using the double sided tape on the 8500's. I have two 8500's and they bob up and down while you are driving . A few months ago I bought a V1 and put the 8500's in my work trucks!! To me the V1 is a far better detector. I put the V1 in my 55 It does Not bob around the 8500. The 8500 is longer than it is wide, that's why it moves around. If anyone can give me a Fax # I will Fax you a copy of a post I did a few months ago telling color of wire to tap into. This connection is in the overhead console and comes on with the ign. switch. This works with the 8500 or the V1. Both are great detectors in my opinion.

karl k

Installed mine by MB dealership sub, - just like a previous suggestion:

Mount it to the right side of the rear-view mirror and hardwire to the cigarette lighter.

Safet, you've got the best: Escort 8500!

It is upgradable; but it is lightyears ahead of the competition. Upgrading won't be neccessary for years - lightyears.

http://www.escortradar.com/8500.htm


PS:
The V1 owners are just as enthusiastic about ZAINO...

...go figure!!?

Safet

I'm also thinking of adding an aftermarket Alpine or Pioneer DVD/Nav system, the one that has the live traffic updates to re-route you like say if there's a traffic jam along your suggested route...everything installed is around $3,000.

Safet

Zaino? Only Klasse goes on my car.

Ted Baldwin

Ted, I just got the 8500, who did your install? Thanks,


....................To do what I did you need the Passport SR7. This comes with a remote rear sensor and a remote front sensor which can be attached to your licencese plate fromfor the back and behind your bumper for the front. The display which is separate is then dissassemled and the small LCD is removed and placed nehind your rear view mirror. Unfortunately the SR7 cost me $800 and the installation was $250.


LINK


Ted

Safet

For another $750, I think I'll leave it on the windshield.

Thanks Ted

GBD

Karlk.... and I quote.... In the all-important test of radar range, Valentine One trounced Passport 8500 by 50 points to 31 in Car and Driver's most recent detector test. Final ranking: 97 points for V1, 73 for second-place Passport. I don't know what you mean about being enthusiastic. I have, like I said two 8500's and one V1. The V1 stays in my 55. Go buy a V1 and you will see the difference!! I've always had a Passport. In fact I have a older Passport in one of my trucks it's a 4600. So thats three Passports that I have. That gives me the right to give a unbiased opinion!! I LIKE THE V1 That does not mean the Passport isn't good, because I spend most of my time in one of the trucks. On a lighter note: Karlk... Check out Motor Trend's December issue on Mercedes-Benz CLK 320 Meets Honda Accord V-6 Coupe.. This is the 209 body style. I can't believe they are comparing these two!!

karl k

GBD - I go back further than the Passport 460.

I go back to the 1980s, when the "Fuzzbuster" was the FIRST radar detector
product -- also developed by Escort/Passport.

Honda manufactures quality product! I also owned two Honda del Sols. Those
Hondas were more reliable, fun and comfortable than the three SL500s, which I had
recently.

However, my present 2002 CLK55 AMG trumps ALL cars I ever owned and drove, -
reigned in by a healthy respect for its awesome power and supplemented by the
Escort 8500.

GBD

karlk... You really miss the point. So what you had a Fuzzbuster so did I. Like I said have both and see which one you leave in your car! Oh by the way I never said Honda didn't make good cars. I have a 55 also, and it's not all that. Usually no one will talk bad about anything they have, it's always after they get rid of it. If you like the 8500 good for you. Both detectors are top notch, I like the arrows and not just the beeping not knowing where the radar is, and knowing that it is the best radar detector money can buy. then if I get a ticket it's my fault.

karl k

Perhaps you missed my point(s)?

The arrows on the V1 are a gimmick!

The 8500 has radar bars and sound level intensity signals -- simultaneously!

Looking at the radar bars and listening to the sound level, you know instantly whether you are getting closer or driving away from a radar source.

What good does it do whether the radar is on the left or on the right side of the road? V1 Arrows provide useless information! Just a gimmick.

Additionally, the Escort 8500

1. has different sounds for different types of radar;
2. displays up to 4 different radar sources simultaneously; and
3. is smaller and integrates better with multiple car interior variations, than the bulky black box of the V1 - which is fine in a stealthy fighter toy model - under the christmas tree.

mmgrad

SO DOES THE V1, IN ADDITION TO THE ARROWS
SO DOES THE V1!!!
SO DOES THE V1!!!
SO DOES THE V1!!!
So far, other then an question of size... I don't see how you've proven your point.

The V1 displays the direction of the threat, represents it by both a bar for intensity & a tone for different types of radar or laser. It even shows you a count of how many threats exists, and in the case of multiple threats from multiple locations and/or multiple types of threats, it AMPLIFIES and ALERTS you of the most threatening one, while still showing you the others.

Therefore, your post was not successful to defend your precious Escort 8500.

karl k

One BIG V1 arrow is no substitute for up to four vertical radar bars, each showing VISUALLY and SIMULTANEOUSLY sources of potential radar threats and whether you are approaching or driving away from.

Additionally, mmgrad

Tnx for agreeing with my previous observation:

" 3. is smaller and integrates better with multiple car interior variations,
than the bulky black box of the V1 - which is fine in a stealthy fighter
toy model - under the christmas tree."

The Escort 8500 - simply put - is an industrial design triumph, - - similar in elegance and aesthetic appeal to the 2003 SL500.