ZuMBLe

iTrader: (1)

I got my Passport 8500 today and I ordered the direct wire kit from Escort. I want to mount the detector right next to the rear view mirror under the visor. BUT! That is right behind the factory tint band. Will it kill performance that much? Where else can I mount it? I want the install to be good performing and as stealth as possible. Suggestions? Pictures? Suggestions on wiring the direct wire kit? Thanks!

maximum810

I did the direct wiring with my V1. It sits underneath the rearview mirror, not really too concealed, but at least it doesn't get in the way of anything. I don't think it would kill performance mounting it behind the factory tint, but having the radar behind the visor disables you from folding your visor out all the way. One thing about the direct mounting....I use the reading lights as my power source to the radar detector, and the lights still work when your car is off, meaning that the radar detector will still stay on after you shut your car off untill you turn it off.

ZuMBLe

iTrader: (1)

One of my issues with mounting it under the rear view mirror is the wiring. Don't you end up with wires hanging down when the detector isn't there? I won't have the detector mounted there 98% of the time. Probably only use it on long trips and not so familiar highways. Do you have pics of your install?

I'm a radio hobbiest and I know radio waves have no problems passing through glass. Especially at 24ghz! Thats super microwave. But! Thats only if the tint doesn't have metal in it. Does the factory tint strip have metal? Anyone know? I know the tint would kill laswer performance. But if you get hit by laser, you're pretty much toast anyway.

EDIT! For those who care, check this out.
http://www.valentine1.com/lab/MikesLabRpt2.asp

Maxima does pretty well. But the tint kills most of the detector's sensativity. But they are talking laser.

ZuM

maximum810

Yeah, you will see 7" of phone cord looking wire hanging down from the mirror when the radar isn't there, but my radar is there whenever I drive, so it doesn't bother me. You can always tuck the wire away around the passenger visor. Drop me an email address if you want pics.

Mishmosh

iTrader: (3)

I recently moved the 8500 into the tint region, right below my visor. Some say that laser performance is compromised. But with a visor organizer covery the detector, I can leave it up there all the time and not worry about theft or having it seen when I get pulled over.

That said, I recently got a speeding ticket (first in 6 years!) with the po po using laser. The alarm went off but I reacted slowly to it and was nabbed going 75mph. Reason I reacted slowly was I was following other cars in heavy traffic and don't know why the cop arbitrarily picked me out of the crowd. I don't blame the 8500 but more that the cop needed to fill his quotas for the month. The 8500 has saved me countless of times.

Word to the wise: if the 8500 reads and sounds LASER, take action immediately because the thing has yet to false and the reaction time is short... probably shorter if mounted behind the factory tint. You literally have 1-2 seconds to jam the breaks.

MaxEffect414

iTrader: (2)

If your radar goes off when you get hit by radar in which time is already hit you and got your speed, no need to hurt your pads.....

Radar works like this.....

If your radar beam comes in contact with another beam from a cop that has his mounted detector it will pick it up and give you a warning and tell you how strong the signal is getting (how close you are) in the three ranges oh radar.... X/K/KA also known as (superwide)

Lasar units work differently, first off it is very hard for a lasar unit to pick up a correct reading at night, in low visability, fog, or hard rain, because the beam of lasar has a harder time getting through the interferance.
So that leaves us with daytime nice conditions and it can be done at night if the weather is good.

So back to lasar....The cop must get your car in range and then point the beam gun at you all while you expensive lasar detector isn't picking up anything yet.

Then he must click the fire button to send the beam and let it bounce off your car while another reciever is picking up the impact point all with-in a sec.

Then your expensive lasar detector that's taking up screen space goes off but by that time, your speed has already been detected.. IE-Ticket.

It works great for the radars though.

The best kinds to get is a jammer which jams there radar and lasar by by showing up on there screen as Three 0's.

Sorry it's so long but anyway, it's good knowledge....

Trance

asianpr3082

Well what i heard the tint will effect even when u have tinted windows it will also effect it's performance I don't remember were i read it but I did some major research for radar detectors and worked for Circuit City and Best Buy for couple years each

jcy98maxse

iTrader: (8)

I have my 8500 mounted at the lowest point on the dash. It basically sits on the dash, the wiper is directly in front of the radar. So far I have no troubles picking up the regular X/K/Ka bands, I have yet to detect laser. I figure with a laser, when the detector goes off, more than likely they already know how fast you are going, unless they are really far away...

Velcro

The less reflestive surface on the front of your car the less chance of getting a ticket. But who wants a dull maxima?

ZuMBLe

iTrader: (1)

The way I understand it about laser is that if you get hit directly you're pretty much toast. What you're hoping for is that the maybe someone else was hit and you can detect the reflection. The chances are slim though.

ZuMBLe

iTrader: (1)

Sucks that you got a ticket. Did you notice any decrease in radar detection range while having it behind the tint? How far was the cop when he hit you with laser?

ZuM

Mishmosh

iTrader: (3)

Yeah I think there is a decrease. You have very little reaction time when it comes to laser and now it may be a no-winner... I'll have to see. I'd say the cop was around 500-700 ft from me. And yeah, you are hoping the detector picks up scattered laser signal. If the cop sparingly uses the laser to detect speeds of only those cars he thinks are going fast, you have very little chance.

DFWmax

Mine is also mounted there too, it actually sits about 2 inches from the dash, just above the view of the wipers, right in the centerline of the car. I read that most of the laser shots are taken from the license plate (reflective), and with the laser beam spread being so small, it is best to put the detector as close to the license plate as possible.

the police in fort worth, dallas, grapevine, coppell, hurst, bedford all use laser - mine has gone off plenty of times, so i know that my detector is picking up the signal. however, i dont know for sure whether it is scatter from the police scanning someone else, or from me getting scanned.

tommy

Prodeje79

I would like some more info/pics on hard wiring my V1 near my rear view mirror. Mine is currently directly to the left of my mirror. I have the concealed dispaly as well and never mounted it either.

My directional detection has not worked properly since like the first month i got it. BAck in June.... Any one else experience this? I think I am going to send it in.