superlubricity

Some quick pics of my "pseudo" hard-wired Escort Passport 9500i radar detector.

Instead of tapping into a power source, I used an aftermarket Cigarette Lighter Plug w/ Straight (Flat) Power Cord run above the headliner, down the passenger side A-pillar and into the glove box's switched 12V outlet.

The LED color matches perfectly with the mirror, the detector has a clear/level view of the road ahead and it is barely visible from the outside.

alexlev

Looks sweet . .

Spec_Davis

nice setup.

jaymoney92

how much did this cost to install?

superlubricity

Less than $15 for the cord and 10-mins of my time.

Sportstick

Could you please detail more (photos?) on the installation of the wire down the A pillar trim and into the glove box? Seems pretty tight on mine to try to push wire through...did you de-trim at all? Thanks!

joshg1001

also curious how you managed to run the wire. looks very good

side note: how do you like the escort? Im definately looking to get a radar detector soon, bonus that the color matches.

f8al

very clean! i might be adding this to my growing list of mods....

superlubricity

Not much to it and no "de-trimming" was needed. The power cord needs to be thin/flat and it can be easily routed along the outer edge of the A-Pillar all the way down to the underside of the glovebox.

It's a great unit. I'm a big fan of the GPS-based lockout functionality to minimize false threats.

Sportstick

I don't know the Escort, but I am a MAJOR fan of the Valentine V1... Directional arrows and bogey counters are outstanding features!

superlubricity

I agree, those are awesome features. I've owned three V1s in the last 10-years. If the V1 had the ability to lock out non-threats I'd have one on my windshield.

qwqwerertyty

looking great

may i know how did you run the wire up the A-pillar? Did you tuck it into the panel along the windshield edge?

I did a similar setup with my V1, but something is blocking the wire from completely going into the panel at the lower half section. I'm not sure if something's in the way or i just need to pry it harder..

would very appreciate your input

Teck

Clean setup. Did it the same way with my V1

Ron Jr

Nice and clean. I also went Escort but went with the Solo 2 so there is no cord to worry about.

Sportstick

Interesting....could you please tell me more about why you prioritize locking out non-threats over the direction and number of radar sources? Since you've had both units, I would really appreciate your insights! Thanks!

superlubricity

Sure thing. Here's a recap of my experience.

First off, the V1 is a fantastic and ultra-sensitive detector. Like I said, I've had three of them in the past 10-years. The range is fantastic and it saved me countless times. It does have the arrows, which are great and all, but I found myself not really needing to know where the threat was coming from. What I really wanted was to 1) know the threat was real and 2) slow down to the posted speed limit if it was. The V1 never delivered on the “Is it real part?”. It was always barking at me, proud to point me to various non-threatening radar-sources in the city or along the highway. Yes, it saved my *** a lot, but the noisy commute was getting to me.

I purchased a 9500i after reading some favorable reviews online. After one week, I knew this style of detector was right for me. The sensitivity was very equitable to the V1, but it shined because of its built-in GPS feature. I pass by six K-based RADAR Speed Limit signs each way on my commute. With GPS marking, I could easily lock out those specific non-threatening signals. The next time I would pass by, the system would be silent. When approaching one of these "marked" locations, the GPS icon on the display would start to rotate. This was essentially the 9500i saying, "I'm picking up the radar signal, but I'm not "bleeping" because you told me this exact location is not a threat". Simply awesome! The unit is quiet until an unknown threat is detected. When it detects something, it alerts me and I slow down. A few seconds later, I’m usually smiling as I drive by a LEO at the posted speed limit.

Note: The V1’s Bogey Counter is very similar to the 9500-series’ ExpertMeter. The ExpertMeter simultaneously tracks up to 8 radar signals and provides detailed information on up to 2 Ka-band, 2 K-band, and 4 X-band signals.

This is my real-life experience. Hope it helps.

burnteggroll

Thank you for the helpful insight... my old radar is too bulky for my C so i will be looking for one in the near future as i know i will encounter many policeman who will be waiting for me.. =)

Sportstick

Good discussion! Thanks! Closest anyone has moved me to thinking beyond V1.....but still love those counters and arrows!

BrabusMan

While the arrow and bogey counter are great, the V1 is totally out of date. The major + with the Escort 9500 is the ability to lock out non-threats, and IMHO, makes it the best radar on the market.

Sportstick

"Rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated"

http://www.007radardetectors.com/tests.htm

Is locking out false threats more important than actual detection?

superlubricity

I agree. My first-hand review is above.
The actual detection? A 95-yard touchdown and a 100-yard touchdown both get the job done. Your splitting hairs at this point.

For me, and many others, the negligible difference in sensitivity opens the door for other factors and features to influence the buying decision.

You should personally take a 9500i/ix for a spin and come up with your own experience. Escort offers a free 30-day trial. Who knows, you may end up loving it.

Sportstick

I may do that based on your review, which I appreciated, although hair splitting may be overstating the case on a forum where we measure chip retunes by tenth of a second improvement to 60mph!

I took issue with BrabusMan's unreasonable commentary on what is "out of date" and supplied facts to the contrary. I am glad he is happy with his detector, but his V1 slam reminded me of folks who buy Japanese cars because they are thrilled by features, while the German cars, while less leading edge tech, provide the best performance. Just did not want this discussion to wander from real facts and get carried away with overwrought emotion.

superlubricity

I agree 100% and well said.

Let's get back to my kick-*** install.

Sportstick

Absolutely! I've got my flat cord all set to find its way to the glove box!

qwqwerertyty

so how did you get the wire to go into the A pillar panel? =P
i really need some insight on this.. thanks!!