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      05-13-2012, 02:37 PM   #45
whostorm05
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I'm seriously debating this. I currently do not have a radar detector either. I'm thinking about going with the Valentine 1 or the Escort Passport 9500ix along with this LI unit.

I'm assuming the dual version is front only and the quad version is front and back. My fear if I don't get both front and back protection is a popo who's sitting on a freeway on-ramp and hitting folks from the rear. If you have plenty of people around you I'm assuming the radar detector should pick it up? But if there's no one around you and he hits you I'm assuming you'd be SOL?

Any idea how hard of an install it would be on one of our 1 series? I'd more than likely pay an installer to do it. I'm debating swapping out grills sometime in the future, I'm assuming I could fairly easily unmount / remount them assuming I pay close attention to where they are installed.
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      05-13-2012, 06:30 PM   #46
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Cooler - should I reach out to them directly to get a combo price for the LI (BMW quad) and the 9500ix red (both with and without Escort Live)?
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      05-13-2012, 06:40 PM   #47
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Quote:
Originally Posted by whostorm05 View Post
I'm seriously debating this. I currently do not have a radar detector either. I'm thinking about going with the Valentine 1 or the Escort Passport 9500ix along with this LI unit.

I'm assuming the dual version is front only and the quad version is front and back. My fear if I don't get both front and back protection is a popo who's sitting on a freeway on-ramp and hitting folks from the rear. If you have plenty of people around you I'm assuming the radar detector should pick it up? But if there's no one around you and he hits you I'm assuming you'd be SOL?

Any idea how hard of an install it would be on one of our 1 series? I'd more than likely pay an installer to do it. I'm debating swapping out grills sometime in the future, I'm assuming I could fairly easily unmount / remount them assuming I pay close attention to where they are installed.
That is the exact reason I went with quads instead of duals. Never know when a cop is hitting people in the rear instead of the front. I've had my V1 for a few years now and picking up Laser is really random because I don't think it travels exactly like radar so it seems to be difficult for radar detectors to pick it up.

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Originally Posted by whostorm05 View Post
Cooler - should I reach out to them directly to get a combo price for the LI (BMW quad) and the 9500ix red (both with and without Escort Live)?
Sent you a PM.
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      05-13-2012, 07:27 PM   #48
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Just paid. Got the Quad version along with a Escort Passport 9500ix Red version. Had to pay extra for 2 day shipping since I'm in a time crunch to get it installed before a 2300 mile road trip in a few weeks.

Does any have aftermarket air scoops installed behind the grills on their car? I wonder if these sensors are going to fit between the grill and those scoops? I can't remember how much room there is in there.
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      05-13-2012, 08:06 PM   #49
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Yep, My diodes are mounted in front of my aftermarket air scoops. In fact, I also fed the cables through one of them. GL.
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      05-13-2012, 08:09 PM   #50
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Yep, My diodes are mounted in front of my aftermarket air scoops. In fact, I also fed the cables through one of them. GL.
Cool, good to know. I noticed in your pic that you have them installed in the third opening from the headlight. Would they fit in the second opening?
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      05-13-2012, 10:12 PM   #51
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Cool, good to know. I noticed in your pic that you have them installed in the third opening from the headlight. Would they fit in the second opening?
The pics are from GaryS but I have them in the same position. I assume you could try but it was just easier to mount them in the 3rd opening.
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      05-14-2012, 11:13 AM   #52
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Those of you who have already installed this unit, about how long did it take? I'm calling around to get some install estimates today.
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      05-14-2012, 11:40 AM   #53
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Wow, just got quoted 9 hours to install @ roughly $100 an hour since I'm not buying the unit from them.
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      05-14-2012, 12:39 PM   #54
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Wow, just got quoted 9 hours to install @ roughly $100 an hour since I'm not buying the unit from them.
That seems a bit much, I would keep calling around.
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      05-14-2012, 12:45 PM   #55
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Maybe I'm oversimplifying the install. 4 wires to a central processor - power wire to the central processor and a switch. Mounting the four sensors. Placing the central processor somewhere and wiring up the switch.

Seems like a 4-5 hour job max?
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      05-14-2012, 01:16 PM   #56
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The more I think about this the easier it makes me think it would be to just do it myself.

How's the best way to run power to it? I'm assuming you have to tap into something which only has power when the ignition is on and not straight to the battery.

How hard was it to get the front cables through the firewall? I'm not even worried about mounting the switch right now, I can do that with friends once I get back to Indiana. I'd just like to have it up and running by then.
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      05-14-2012, 01:33 PM   #57
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I'm so torn...

I'd been looking at these LIs plus the 9500ix for the 3000km road trip I've planned for this summer, so appreciate cooler2442 pulling together this group buy. But the $1500 to protect me against things I shouldn't be doing (and probably wouldn't with wife and dog in the car) is enough to pay for the exhaust and intake I'd like to add to the car next.

Yeesh - life's tough choices (aka. first-world problems).

Cheers,
Bryan
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      05-14-2012, 01:52 PM   #58
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Quote:
Originally Posted by whostorm05 View Post
The more I think about this the easier it makes me think it would be to just do it myself.

How's the best way to run power to it? I'm assuming you have to tap into something which only has power when the ignition is on and not straight to the battery.

How hard was it to get the front cables through the firewall? I'm not even worried about mounting the switch right now, I can do that with friends once I get back to Indiana. I'd just like to have it up and running by then.
Maybe Ken or Gary can chime in when they see the thread since they have already installed them. I'm hoping it is easier than 9 hours as well.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Canucker View Post
I'm so torn...

I'd been looking at these LIs plus the 9500ix for the 3000km road trip I've planned for this summer, so appreciate cooler2442 pulling together this group buy. But the $1500 to protect me against things I shouldn't be doing (and probably wouldn't with wife and dog in the car) is enough to pay for the exhaust and intake I'd like to add to the car next.

Yeesh - life's tough choices (aka. first-world problems).

Cheers,
Bryan
Yup, it is a bit rough if you have to buy a radar detector as well. But if you wanted to save a bit you could always go with the BMW LI Duals for 500$ and then a detector for 400$ to make your total 900$. Then just hope no cops are hitting anyone with laser in the rear lol.
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      05-14-2012, 02:10 PM   #59
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Quote:
Originally Posted by whostorm05 View Post
The more I think about this the easier it makes me think it would be to just do it myself.

How's the best way to run power to it? I'm assuming you have to tap into something which only has power when the ignition is on and not straight to the battery.

How hard was it to get the front cables through the firewall? I'm not even worried about mounting the switch right now, I can do that with friends once I get back to Indiana. I'd just like to have it up and running by then.
I tapped into the cigarette lighter power line instead of the ignition. Simple...just have to remove the center console and buy t-tap connector and use the female end to connect to the 12V wire (black & red). You can also use the grommet or rubber (3" diameter) piece to get through the firewall (i'll post a pic later but its the same one you use to connect the p3 gauge to the DV valve). Once you pull off the underside of the dash it is in the upper left. I used a thin long piece of fiberglass (3/8" diameter from Home depot) to shove the cables through to the cabin. My previous pic shows where i mounted the ECU. Hope this helps. Install is very simple and took about 1 hr, 2hrs total is you include the amount of time it took to secure the diodes to the grilles. That was a PITA to figure out but could be done in 15 minutes. Keep in mind I do not have rear diodes installed so this might take another hour or two. I have the Stealth coating from Veil on my rear plate so I assume that is adequate for now.

Note...I did not connect the sound to the stereo speakers or radar detector. My 9500ix always alerts me when I am tagged with a laser gun.
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      05-14-2012, 02:25 PM   #60
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OK...here is a PDF showing how to get to the cigarette power line. Looks like you dont have to lift the center console. I tapped the same line further under the ashtray.

Cigarette lighter power line:
Ashtray power line.pdf

How to get through the fire wall The 2nd pics shows the location:
Name:  Tap through.jpg
Views: 650
Size:  92.8 KB

PS: the pics are from P3cars regarding their boost gauge, which is another excellent mod.
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      05-14-2012, 02:32 PM   #61
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Thanks Ken - that helps. Do you have any pics of your front diode installation?
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      05-14-2012, 02:34 PM   #62
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Quote:
Originally Posted by whostorm05 View Post
Thanks Ken - that helps. Do you have any pics of your front diode installation?
I'll remove a grille and take a close up...maybe post by tomorrow.
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      05-15-2012, 07:05 PM   #63
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Here are some pics of the install:

Name:  grille.jpg
Views: 660
Size:  31.5 KB Name:  grille2.jpg
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Size:  28.0 KB

Name:  grille3.jpg
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Size:  22.8 KB

Arrows show cable connector
Name:  cable.jpg
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Size:  36.0 KB

Arrows show the two cables through the firewall,
opposite side of post #60 step 13.
Name:  to cabin.jpg
Views: 580
Size:  19.4 KB

Note...it is important to mount the diodes at the same height from the ground, and in perfect alignment from the left to right side of the car. It is a bit tricky but as you can see adjustments can be made.
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      05-15-2012, 07:26 PM   #64
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ken1137 View Post
Here are some pics of the install:

Attachment 691654 Attachment 691655

Attachment 691656

Arrows show cable connector
Attachment 691657

Arrows show the two cables through the firewall,
opposite side of post #60 step 13.
Attachment 691658

Note...it is important to mount the diodes at the same height from the ground, and in perfect alignment from the left to right side of the car. It is a bit tricky but as you can see adjustments can be made.
Ken, thanks for the pics! Do you happen to have higher resolution versions of the pics you could email me if I msg'd you my email address?

What did you use for ground when connecting the CPU?
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      05-15-2012, 07:41 PM   #65
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Quote:
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Ken, thanks for the pics! Do you happen to have higher resolution versions of the pics you could email me if I msg'd you my email address?

What did you use for ground when connecting the CPU?
Yes, I can do that...pm me your address. The unit comes with a ground wire...I connected to the harness behind the ashtray. There are a few areas available for ground purposes.
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      05-15-2012, 08:05 PM   #66
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Yes, I can do that...pm me your address. The unit comes with a ground wire...I connected to the harness behind the ashtray. There are a few areas available for ground purposes.
Sent. Very much appreciate it.
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