saffrontiger

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

DWP

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.

mbuskuhl

Check out this thread https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w211/150946-where-hardwire-radar-detector.html

I had mine done at CarToys on Greenville Avenue/Caruth Haven in Dallas.

lkchris

Get the battery powered Escort.

xraymd

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

Nickc0844

I hear ya my friend. It funny, I just turned the insert over to where PASSPORT reads upside down, and it works just fine until I get it hardwired.

saffrontiger

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

xraymd

??????

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.

Nickc0844

What are they charging you for this service?

Nickc0844

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

mbuskuhl

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.

Nickc0844

$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.

FirstMB

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.

mbuskuhl

What kind of detector do you have? Where is it located? I have never had mine warn of a cop because of laser (I've got the Passport 8500 aka Escort X50). Radar yes - it has saved me many times. The laser has gone off about 5 times and I could never figure out why, never once did I see a cop when it did and I usually don't keep it at the speed limit. The past few months the screen has said "Service" or something to that effect. I just turn it off and then back on and it's fine. Does anybody knows what this mean? It's almost like it's telling me it needs a software update?

xraymd

Well, I guess if you want to increase laser sensitivity and lose radar sensitivity, go for it. At least where I am, I see radar probably 10 times for each laser encounter.

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.

xraymd

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.

FirstMB

The first of the two incidents I described happened when I had the old Escort. I don't think there's a model. It's the one before the 7500. Then, the second incident happened when I have the 7500. I have also have the 8500 X50, but I haven't encounter a laser yet, it's rare in Houston...at least my area of Houston.

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.