Radar detector and Cigarette 12V?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 416
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From: Lone Star State.
W211 2005 CDI, X166 2013 350 BT, 997.1 2008 C4S
Radar detector and Cigarette 12V?
Hi all. I finally bought myself a Escort X50 (yes, I know about the V1) but have come to the conclusion that the cigarette lighter in my 2005 W211 does not serve as a 12V power supply. Is that a correct assumption? I've done the searches and it seems as though some electrical modifications are required. I don't feel comfortable doing this. Can anyone give me some suggestions. Currently I'm running the cord from obviously the windshield all the way back to the rear 12V supply behing the cnter console. Have I missed any other places to hook into for my power supply? If not, maybe a hardwired radar detector is in order and if anyone could recommend a place in Dallas.
Best
Jay
Best
Jay
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From: Sacramento
'08 AM Vantage V8 - '03 E500
Why do you conclude that the front lighter isn't a proper 12V power supply? We've used it to operate and recharge an XM MyFi receiver with no problems at all. The current capacity of the lighter socket can't be an issue, since any electronic gadget I can think of will draw less current than the coil of a cigarette lighter.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Dallas, TX
sold - w211 e320, f250, rx7 race car
I had mine done at CarToys on Greenville Avenue/Caruth Haven in Dallas.
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From: NW Ohio
2008 335 vert, 2004 MDX
Here's a picture showing the wire that carries switched 12v to the cigarette lighter.
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w211/104516-v1-install.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w211/104516-v1-install.html
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 416
Likes: 2
From: Lone Star State.
W211 2005 CDI, X166 2013 350 BT, 997.1 2008 C4S
Thanks all for the replies. It seems I have a blown fuse but it still does not make sense to me as the light around the cig lighter is still lit!?
Regardless, I'm getting it hardwired @ Car Toys locally. Any suggestions where best to place it as I've heard issues with it having a problem picking up radar if it placed too high due to interference.
Jay
Regardless, I'm getting it hardwired @ Car Toys locally. Any suggestions where best to place it as I've heard issues with it having a problem picking up radar if it placed too high due to interference.
Jay
Last edited by saffrontiger; Sep 28, 2006 at 12:16 PM. Reason: sp mistake
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: NW Ohio
2008 335 vert, 2004 MDX
Havent' heard that one before. You want your detector as high as you can get it to increase range and give your unit some help in "looking" over the next hill. Mine is just to the left of the rearview mirror on the windshield.
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Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 292
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From: Canton (North Metro Atlanta), Georgia
2003 E500
Thanks all for the replies. It seems I have a blown fuse but it still does not make sense to me as the light around the cig lighter is still lit!?
Regardless, I'm getting it hardwired @ Car Toys locally. Any suggestions where best to place it as I've heard issues with it having a problem picking up radar if it placed too high due to interference.
Jay
Regardless, I'm getting it hardwired @ Car Toys locally. Any suggestions where best to place it as I've heard issues with it having a problem picking up radar if it placed too high due to interference.
Jay
What are they charging you for this service?
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 292
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From: Canton (North Metro Atlanta), Georgia
2003 E500
Check out this article on RadarBusters.com's website. Radar Roy was a sherrif for 20 years, and they just did the 2006 testing.
He'll tell you to mount it as low as possible because it's your headlights, windshield, front license plate that they are shooting a lazer at. Interesting read:
http://www.radarbusters.com/support/...detector/2.asp
He'll tell you to mount it as low as possible because it's your headlights, windshield, front license plate that they are shooting a lazer at. Interesting read:
http://www.radarbusters.com/support/...detector/2.asp
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 490
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From: Dallas, TX
sold - w211 e320, f250, rx7 race car
Check out this article on RadarBusters.com's website. Radar Roy was a sherrif for 20 years, and they just did the 2006 testing.
He'll tell you to mount it as low as possible because it's your headlights, windshield, front license plate that they are shooting a lazer at. Interesting read:
http://www.radarbusters.com/support/...detector/2.asp
He'll tell you to mount it as low as possible because it's your headlights, windshield, front license plate that they are shooting a lazer at. Interesting read:
http://www.radarbusters.com/support/...detector/2.asp
I'm convinced the Passport or any detector for that matter is useless at preventing a laser ticket. The laser beam is so narrow that even if it does trigger your detector you have no time to react and are already busted. I got a laser ticket in my Tahoe and it didn't even set the Passport off. I guess my point being Radar Roy didn't convince me to mount it low. CarToys had actually mounted it low initially and I had them move it up next to the mirror. Radar is such a wide beam that personally I don't think it matters if it's high or low to detect radar. IMO the only way to counteract a laser ticket is to get a jammer which is a whole other thread. I looked into it and just never got around to doing it.
I think I paid around $100 even. The hard wire remote display is about $30 and then they charged me $70 or so for install with taxes/shop supplies and all that junk.
Senior Member
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From: Canton (North Metro Atlanta), Georgia
2003 E500
$100 seems fair for the efforts.
Yeah, alot of the research could be viewed as objective. I've got a handful of tickets myself (hard to admit), and I think a laser jammer is going to be the next step. Your really relying on the guys in front of you (weather a car length or a mile away) at getting zapped first to set your's off to give you notice....however, that doens't happen very often in my case.
Yeah, alot of the research could be viewed as objective. I've got a handful of tickets myself (hard to admit), and I think a laser jammer is going to be the next step. Your really relying on the guys in front of you (weather a car length or a mile away) at getting zapped first to set your's off to give you notice....however, that doens't happen very often in my case.
Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 93
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From: Houston, TX
'05 E500
I'm convinced the Passport or any detector for that matter is useless at preventing a laser ticket. The laser beam is so narrow that even if it does trigger your detector you have no time to react and are already busted. I got a laser ticket in my Tahoe and it didn't even set the Passport off.
I admit that you don't have much time to react, but you can detect it even if it's not aiming for you.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 490
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From: Dallas, TX
sold - w211 e320, f250, rx7 race car
I am very surprised to hear this. Mine went off twice for laser, and the first time, the car on my left (slightly ahead) got pulled over. The second time, the car infront of (about 100 ft infront) got pulled over.
I admit that you don't have much time to react, but you can detect it even if it's not aiming for you.
I admit that you don't have much time to react, but you can detect it even if it's not aiming for you.
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,149
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From: NW Ohio
2008 335 vert, 2004 MDX
Check out this article on RadarBusters.com's website. Radar Roy was a sherrif for 20 years, and they just did the 2006 testing.
He'll tell you to mount it as low as possible because it's your headlights, windshield, front license plate that they are shooting a lazer at. Interesting read:
http://www.radarbusters.com/support/...detector/2.asp
He'll tell you to mount it as low as possible because it's your headlights, windshield, front license plate that they are shooting a lazer at. Interesting read:
http://www.radarbusters.com/support/...detector/2.asp
More importantly, if they're aiming at you plate already, you're dead unless you have a jammer (and I'm not sure how well they work honestly). I want to catch any scattered laser when they shoot a guy in front of me so I have my unit mounted high to increase my chances. I've had two ticket saving laser warnings in the last two years. I also got nailed by laser once for a ticket (stupid move, pulled into the left lane from behind a semi doing 85 and got nailed at 1/4 mile. No chance
) To my knowledge, I've had no problems with laser range.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,149
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From: NW Ohio
2008 335 vert, 2004 MDX
For anyone using Escorts, do your detectors give false laser warnings from GM SUV third brakelights? Every time I'm behind a newer GM SUV in traffic the third light sets my V1 off. The wavelengths of laser and the third light must be pretty close.
Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 93
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From: Houston, TX
'05 E500
I mount them toward the bottom of the windshield, but just obove the wiper blades as I read some where the blades might block the signal from being detected.
