seanvree

Has anyone hard-wired a laser detector?

looking to buy the Escort Passport Max 2

Any tips?

Xzer0

Is it legal in your state? I think that it is illegal in some states, and no, I have not heard of a wired laser detector.

what do you need it for?

getto

Radar detectors are illegal in VA and Washington DC.
I am having a K40 RL360i Radar Detector installed in my C300.

swagger_jacker

I have the Passport Max and its a nice unit. When you say hardwire what do you mean by that? Hook it up as to not sure the cig plug? If so they sell a cable that works just for that reason, simple 2 wire install. If youre looking for a built is hidden system with laser shifting i would recommend the Passport 9500ci system. Yes its expensive but one of if not the best out there. all can be hidden away as to not be seen but still be effective, and yes it is legal in washington state.

equetefue

I have a 9500xi and love the unit.

Xzer0

Do you guys use it to see if there are any cops nearby? or what do you exactly use it for? (i'm just curious)

CO2010

I've been using Waze a lot lately which works pretty well.

swagger_jacker

Xzer0: Depends on what you are using. I use my detector to know when cops are around and whether they are actively measuring speed. I don't drive everywhere speeding but sometimes they will nail you just for being in front of the pack. The difference between radar and laser is 1 (radar) lets you know when a cop is around using his radar and looking for someone, usually you have a good chance to slow down, and not really 100% accurate, they could be pointing towards you but actually getting the speed from a car close to you. 2 (laser) no matter what you're screwed. laser is just that, laser, it will pin point your car and they have the speed instantly. All the detector does is tell you youre screwed. A laser jammer (or legally "shifter"), blocks the laser and sends back a false reading to the gun showing "error" or "000" which in turn allows you to slow down. When the cop resets the gun the shifter will then turn itself off "thus making this legal" so he can get a reading on you. As far as why use it??? just helps even the playing field. Gives you a fighting chance, no matter if youre a speed demon or the casual 5-10 mph over. It seems expensive at first but pasy for itself quickly. Hope that helps.

seanvree

Thanks for your replies guys.

yes, it's legal in my state.....


When I say "hard-wired" I mean, wiring to the internal electrical system of my C300 so that there isn't a power cord running to the Cig lighter.

I had a Nissan titan previously that I did this with, I wired it to an instrument cluster for power above the rear view mirror. I could still take the detector out by simply unplugging the wire from the actual unit itself.

thanks what my goal is.

swagger_jacker

OK, thats what i thought. Its simple. just power, ground to an acc system of some sort. Maybe behind the cig lighter, or look into blendmount with mirrortap cord to mount to rearview mirror and wire into it aswell. http://www.blendmount.com/index.html

Not sure if they have anything for the benz yet but they might have something to work.

seanvree

yeah, just talked to Blendmount, they didn't have anything for MB.

Wondering where the rest of you guys mounted the actual unit.

getto

swagger_jacker
very good explanation

KeepRtPassLeft

Don't drive fast.

notabenex

I have Laser interceptor as laser jammer combined with Genovo one as radar detector with GPS database of Red light cameras. Also using onboard Camera. Everything hide and hardwired.

seanvree

Right, so what "kit" did you use to do the hardwire? Looking for specifics on how to do this.

notabenex

I let the shop to do it, so I don't know exactly.

swagger_jacker

seanvree: I dont have a jammer but i have a camera and detector. Depending on the detector and camera you get you can buy a hardwire kit for them. My detector is mounted on the windshield just above the center dash, and i have a hardwire kit that has the cable run between the dash and window, to the drivers A pillar, under the dash and to the center console connected to an ACC circuit (cig lighter). The camera is the same way, mounted high on the windshield behind the rearview mirror, run into the headliner, passenger A pillar down under dash and connected to an always hot circuit. I can get pictures later if you want.

theclutch

You seem to have great experience in hardwiring. I also want to hardwire my V1. But I need to do so from the fuse boxes - either from the one by the passenger floor OR the one by the driver side dashboard facing the door.

First question: would you happen to know how to access the fuse box by the driver side door without scratching it? I.e. - got a clue where I can strategically place a screwdriver to pop things off without scratching it? I just didn't want to force it and break pins...

Second question: Per chance, got a clue which fuse slot I could "tap" into? I have a volt meter so I can eventually figure out which is an ignition on wire.

The reason why I need to go into either of the fuse boxes (vs the trunk or headliner) is because I use the "Concealed Display" module. I don't like the lights going off at the top of the headliner since it's easily visible from the back. I'd rather the V1 be totally blacked out and have the display routed to the Concealed Display module which I'll have along the dash somewhere.

Thanks in advance for any help!

GrussGott

This thread might help if you haven't figured it out yet - if so, please post the details!

Kartergreg

Read this thread

https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...ml#post6737764

I used socket #217.

theclutch

This certainly helps - thanks! Per chance, can you tell us (pics are better) how you pryed the driver side fuse trim so that no damage would occur?

Kartergreg

OK, hate to admit what I did. Used a paint can opener and slid it under the lip of the fuse door and pulled. Very simple. No damage. Just did it again for some pictures.

theclutch

OMG... you rock! I wouldn't have thought of the paint can opener which I have!!!

flycaster

I don't have my 2017 C300 coupe yet, but I'm all in for installing my V-1 when the car is ready for delivery. As I see you have a 2016 C300, I'm assuming that the fuse boxes are in the same place...driver side of dash??? If that be the case, then I'm figuring to use a switched fuse from there, run the wire up the A pillar and then along the underside of the headliner to the right side of the driver's visor. I find that the V-1 can sit nicely clipped on to the underside of the visor...did that with my ATS.

Another possible alternative would be wire tap into a switched wire in the overhead console. Would be a shorter run of wire, but there may be problems accessing the overhead console. And if one can get in there and there is enough room for the V-1's transformer (there was enough room in my Z4,) all I would need was to find a switched wire. Anyone have any ideas about this approach???

Kartergreg

Pretty much what I did, but mine sits behind and slightly below the rear view mirror and not attached to the visor.