Radar Mounting

[abirmaher]

Hello,

I just purchased a Passport 9500ix and was wondering for anyone out there who has a radar mounted in their 1 how you did it?

Since the 12V plug is way back in the arm rest I'm not sure what to do to get the power over to the windshield and keep it looking neat. I was thinking just to get an extension cord. If anyone has any other ideas or can post pictures I would really appreciate it.

Thanks

[BFD99]

hard wire it to the sunroof power, that's what i did on my 8500 Escort. There is a DIY in the DIY section here.

[abirmaher]

Don't really want to hardwire it... not for now at least... was looking for something less invasive. But i have considered it.

[audimotion]

I agree with BDF, just hard wire it. Seriously, its the best way to go. I bought my 1er with the 9500xi cord already hard wired. I just went out and bought the unit and couldn't be happier. Everytime I use the detector in another vehicle I fight that damn cord.

[abirmaher]

How does that affect warranty? Also I got one of those new smart cord live things.. would i still be able to use it w that?

[davefromfla]

I used an Add-A-Fuse for my V1. Just plugs into an accessory fuse slot in the fuse block, and you run the wire up the A pillar post and over to where you want to mount the unit. No cutting or splicing. Used the same one in a previous Infiniti G35. Available at Pep Boys or other auto parts stores.

That said, it is not difficult to splice it into your sun roof wiring- did that in a previous E46 M3.

[tangfj]

one other alternative you could consider is a straight cord.

https://www.escortradar.com/store/st...cord-blue.html

it won't give you the live connectivity but it should be cleaner looking than the coiled cord.

[BFD99]

No worries on warranty, It's a simple T-Tap to power and the ground has a loop on the wire end that you remove a screw and add it to it. Super easy to do and completely reversible. I have no visible wires on mine.
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=209491

[f1rst 1]

There's another option for mounting (if you do get it hardwired)made by Countryjoycrafts that no one on these forums has bought yet but supposedly works....follow this link to the thread. They make a Valentine 1 and 9500ix mount
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=213766

btw..good choice on the 9500ix, I had one in my car already, bought a V1 for my wife's car and immediately sold it and bought another 9500ix

[TX78666]

Originally Posted by BFD99

hard wire it to the sunroof power, that's what i did on my 8500 Escort. There is a DIY in the DIY section here.

+1

Not really what I would call "invasive." I also agree re; the warranty. As I understand it, not much (anything?) can void the warranty, unless it can be demonstrated that whatever it is caused a failure. Even then, I think the warranty is only void with respect to that issue. So, if your sunroof stopped working, they may be able to demonstrate that you caused it, but that wouldn't void the warranty when your hpfp went out. All in all, I think it would be very difficult to demonstrate that this DIY caused much of anything in the way of problems down the road, and I don't really think they would try to do so, unless they genuinely believed it, as in the sunroof example.

I could be wrong. I'm no attorney, but that is my take.

[RoundelM3]

I have my R2D2 mounted to the left of the rearview mirror, low enough so the laser lens is just below the tint band (otherwise, laser can't be detected). I had my tint shop wire it in to the power source in the center of the windshield header, where the overhead lights are. Did this in both cars...have just a little "pigtail" hanging down far enough to reach the detector's power plug. Easy to remove and tuck the pigtail between the windshield and the header to keep it from showing. Zerp dealer hassles.

[IDBMW]

Originally Posted by 135-dmc

I used an Add-A-Fuse for my V1. Just plugs into an accessory fuse slot in the fuse block, and you run the wire up the A pillar post and over to where you want to mount the unit. No cutting or splicing. Used the same one in a previous Infiniti G35. Available at Pep Boys or other auto parts stores.

That said, it is not difficult to splice it into your sun roof wiring- did that in a previous E46 M3.

+1 I use the Add a Fuse and hide the wire under the A pillar trim, across the top under the headliner.

[JefryHorizon]

Another factor to consider while mounting the 9500 is a "clear sky" view according to Escort since the GPS transceiver is located right on top of the unit specifically between the release button and control buttons to my understanding. I haven't had the chance to test reception and accuracy of the GPS if mounted directly under the rear view mirror unit yet, hopefully the effects aren't crippling.

[ken1137]

Originally Posted by tangfj

one other alternative you could consider is a straight cord.

https://www.escortradar.com/store/st...cord-blue.html

it won't give you the live connectivity but it should be cleaner looking than the coiled cord.

+1...I used this in my 328 and hid the wire in the seams (windshield and passenger door) going to the glove box. The 328 made it easy b/c there was power (flash light) in the glove box. You can still hide the wires through the 135 glove and plug into the lighter. I also have this set up in my wife's MDX so I can use my 9500 when I borrow her car.

I am currently hard wired in my 135 and I highly recommend this type of install.

FYI...my 9500 mounts next to my review mirror and I have no issue with the GPS. The GPS only goes out when I go through tunnels or in the City.

[lcrain]

Ahhh, the age old escort vs. v1 debate will always make its way into any thread about radars...

[JimD]

The file I attached is for an early version of the BMW Portable gps installation (the one based upon the Garmin nuvi 360). It directs you to tap into power at a connector in the drivers footwell area. You could use this to put an accessory outlet into the panel right in front of that or you could run power up the A-pillar and across the windshield to the rear view mirror area if that is what you want.

The accessory outlet in the panel seems most appropriate for this tap in. I mention this because you seem reluctant to hard wire. This would work best if you wanted the radar to the left of the instruments - wouldn't have too much wire hanging around.

Jim

[JefryHorizon]

Originally Posted by ken1137

FYI...my 9500 mounts next to my review mirror and I have no issue with the GPS. The GPS only goes out when I go through tunnels or in the City.

Thanks for that bit of info, one more thing less to worry about.

[bozola]

I have the 9500ix hard wired to the fuse box by running the wire across, down the A Pillar and to the fuse box. I am NOT a DYI guy, but I was able to do this easily and in about 1 hr. It's suction cup mounted with their 'super' suction cup right underneath my rearview mirror. No GPS issue. This radar detector just rocks. It's tight, right and works like a champ. Follow instructions highlighted in threads above.

[shodanusmc]

Buy the Solo. No wires, no fuss, no muss.

[brownfield]

Originally Posted by BFD99

No worries on warranty, It's a simple T-Tap to power and the ground has a loop on the wire end that you remove a screw and add it to it. Super easy to do and completely reversible. I have no visible wires on mine.
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=209491

I love you for posting this. I just ordered a 9500ix today and was wondering about this. I will definitely doing this when I find some free time.