Received my Passport 8500 today, couple questions to ask . . .

[LowRydeR]

I just got my Passport 8500 today, I'm really excited and hope it'll save me from some tickets. I noticed that the wiring of the detector is not long enough which makes the interior of my car looks pretty ghetto by showing the wires. Anybody can help me to hide those wires maybe buy something extra to extend the wire? Any suggestions will be helpful, I live in Orange County, California, a specific shop will help too. I put on my Passport 8500 on my car right away when I just got it. I start driving around, hope it'll detect some cops. When I just left my house, made a left turn, I saw a police car passed right by me, I was like . . . . "WTF..." Is this normal because the cop didn't have the radar gun on? Or this is a malfunction of the radar detector? I followed him about 5 minutes and my passport was still doing nothing... After 5 more minutes, it starts beeping and it showed 2 bars on the bottom, says "K", but I didn't see any cops around. What # of bars Passport has and how far was I from the the cop with just 2 bars? Next, it showed "X" and 3->4->5 bars, I didn't see any cops around where I was driving. What are those letters stands for, and how far was I from the cops when the bars showed. Anything would be helpful, I just want to use this thing correctly. Thanks guys, I appreciate it your help. P.S. How does the mute button work? I pressed it and it still beeps.

To remove this ad, register today or login if you already are registered!

[awiner]

Originally posted by LowRydeR


I put on my Passport 8500 on my car right away when I just got it. I start driving around, hope it'll detect some cops. When I just left my house, made a left turn, I saw a police car passed right by me, I was like . . . . "WTF..." Is this normal because the cop didn't have the radar gun on? Or this is a malfunction of the radar detector? I followed him about 5 minutes and my passport was still doing nothing...

Yup.. Got that right. The radar will not detect anything unless there are radar signals to be detected. Here in the City of Los Angeles, there are only a small percentage of officers that use radar. And unless the radar gun is on and measuring, no radar will be emmited, therefore, nothing will be picked detected.

[LowRydeR]

Thanks for the information, I would like to know how the radar detector works also.

[karl k]

LowRydeR:

1. Read your previous thread - in detail:

http://forums.mbworld.org/forums/sho...?threadid=2447

2. Read the instructions.

3. Mount it in the center of the windshield and plug into the cigarette lighter.

4. Get to know the signals in defferent environments and situations.

5. Call Escort 800 #

6/7/8/9/10...read & experience!

& ENJOY

[Clay Fulmer]

Howdy,

Why did you opt for the Passport 8500 when, for a few dollars more, you could have gotten the real deal: The Valentine 1?

When Escort was run by Cincinnati Microwave in the 70's through the early 90's, they made some wonderful detectors.

This new stuff is built like a kid's toy.

[karl k]

Clay Fulmer

Why is your profile BLANK?

You can use the edit feature and tell is more - if you choose.

[LowRydeR]

Karl, I called Circuit City today for wiring the radar detector, the labor is rediculouly high and I do not want to spend so much money on wiring the detector.

Can you tell me how to do this with a less amount of money?

[kingman18]

hard wire it to your cigarette lighter, and run the wires so they are hidden. not too difficult.

why do you want it hard wired might i ask?

[karl k]

Kingman wrote

hard wire it to your cigarette lighter, and run the wires so they are hidden. not too difficult.

good advice...I also mentioned it in my earlier post...also mentioned to call MB if they have a sub, who might do it. $40 is reasonable. But if you want to do it, here are the steps:

1. Call Escort 800 # (previously listed) and order the "hardwire kit". It has a fuse in it. You'll have it in 3 days.

2. I had my 8500 mounted to the right side of the rear view mirror. Use suction cups and bracket that came with unit. Apply a 2" long X 3/4 " wide strip of velcro to the center top of 8500. This attaches to roof top fabric and keeps 8500 from vibrating.

3. Run (hide) wire behind top roof where it meets windshield and down the "b" pillar to the cigarette lighter wires. The cigarette lighter does not light when the key is withdrawn.

Good luck!

[Mike]

I have had to remind my wife many times that it a radar detector, not a police detector.

[LowRydeR]

Originally posted by karl k
Kingman wrote

good advice...I also mentioned it in my earlier post...also mentioned to call MB if they have a sub, who might do it. $40 is reasonable. But if you want to do it, here are the steps:

1. Call Escort 800 # (previously listed) and order the "hardwire kit". It has a fuse in it. You'll have it in 3 days.

2. I had my 8500 mounted to the right side of the rear view mirror. Use suction cups and bracket that came with unit. Apply a 2" long X 3/4 " wide strip of velcro to the center top of 8500. This attaches to roof top fabric and keeps 8500 from vibrating.

3. Run (hide) wire behind top roof where it meets windshield and down the "b" pillar to the cigarette lighter wires. The cigarette lighter does not light when the key is withdrawn.

Good luck!

Karl, any picture you've taken on the radar detector? It'll help, thanks.

[karl k]

Sorry, no digital camera...yet.

My unit is mounted to the right side of the rear view mirror, with a 3/4 " space between mirror and 8500 (so that you can manipilate the sound/on/off wheel with your thumb).

The body of the 8500 has to be horizontal - not tilting! - and the center has the velcro strip, which I described before.

This facilitates a firm mount, attaching the 8500 under the CLK roof fabric and secures the unit.

This mounting method also provides enough space, for you to reach the 2 bottons on the top.

Are you becoming familiar with the operation of the 8500 under varying conditions?

Again, best of luck!

[Flashman]

Congratulations on your purchase. I've used Radar Detectors since the mid-80s and I must admit that the Passport 8500 is the best unit I've ever owned (for a number of reasons).

1. Wiring -- You can purchase direct from Escort a hardwire kit that includes a longer straight cable and fuse. Then you can have any local stereo place hardwire it to your fuse box. I recommend you wire it to a fuse that shuts down when car is off, so it doesn't drain your battery.

2. Detecting Police -- A lot of police only turn on radar unit when actively using it. Others drive around with it turned on. The unit only detects the radar when it use, not that they have one. However, be aware that most police units will also pace you or watch you from a high vantage point with a stopwatch and catch you without radar (this is known as VASCAR). Always keep your eye on your rear view mirror and watch for those 'measuring' white strips on the road that cops use for VASCAR readings.

3. A lot of automatic door systems use the K band. Practice will teach you to tell them apart. If you are driving a regular route, it will become really evident. Two dots is a really weak signal.

4. A lot of older automatic door systems use the X band. 3->5 is pretty strong, but usually meaningless. Again, practice and experience will make you more comfortable reading it. Note that the Passport uses an intelligent system to assign importance. If there is a K and X frequency at the same time, and you are in the plain display, it will display the stronger frequency. If you have expert display mode on, it will display both.

5. Read the Passport manual, it is very well written and explains all the bands and signals. Basically, X is most likely a store or similar. K is 50/50 store or cop. Ka is pretty much a police radar with few exceptions.

6. Mute Button - I use the one at the lighter plug all the time. It works great. However, if the signal STOPS and starts again, it will sound again. Pressing mute only works for the current signal. I also believe that if you have multiple signals, mute works for the current/most powerful signal. Pressing it again, drops one by one until all signals are muted.