Ok, so after a year with my radar detector cord hanging right in front of my HU's IR port I had enough. I went to Radio Shack and spent a total of $14 on parts. I ran the power cable from where the cig. lighter is where I spliced into, up through the dash, behind the gauge pod, up the A-piller, tucked it inside the headliner, dropped it at the rear view mirror,used a small, black zip tie to attatch it to the arm that goes from the headliner to the mirror, an let it hang with just enough slack to reach the detector. Put a small in-line fuse holder on the power wire where it's spliced into the cig. lighter, and put everything back together. That's it!!!! Took about 45 min to do, and looks much better than just having a cord plugged into the lighter.

Sounds exactly like what I want. Just a few questions... I'm assuming you are mounting the detector on the top. Do you think the stock tint will affect the laser detection? also, did you go with windshield suction mount or visor clip?

I just use the suction cup. I like that I can put it dead in the middle of the windshield so I get no blind spots. From my understanding, tint doesnt affect the detectors.....

So you didnt really hardwire it? Cuz it still has to be plugged into the cigarte light adapter, or am I miss understanding?

No, you don't have to plug it into the lighter. The wires are spliced into the existing wires behind the lighter. The lighter is now free to be used by something else now.

cool!Time for me to do that!

I'll try to post RS part #'s of what's needed tommorrow...

Can we see some pictures?

I did the same thing with an aftermarket garage door opener. I hardwired it for power, then used a Nissan switch from a junkyard and put it in where the Seat Heater switches would go, and hid the circuit board inside the clock housing. Now it looks totally factory, without some ooglie garage door opener hanging out.

I've got pics if anybody cares.

Jack

Hmmm, an early version of HomeLink! Cool!

That's what I was going for. Dealer wanted $387 for the Homelink Visor - I spent about $35 including a new garage door opener.

Jack

I really need a digicam. I'l try to do it the old fashioned way today, and scan some pics in. I've been meaning to snap som pics of the stuff I've been doing...

No -- do it the REALLY old fashioned way -- commission a hungry artist to make pencil sketches of it and then have them delivered to us via chariot.

I think the Tint DOES effect the sensitivity of the detection. Since you mount it in the middle of the windshield (so do I) you have no problems.

What parts did you get at radio shack exactly?

Dead center of the windshield? doesn't that look kind of funny? Also, I prefer to have the suction cups hidden from view. Once had my car broken into and although the car was searched, nothing was taken... not even the stereo. Because my suction cups were clearly visible on my windshield, I was guessing that they were looking to lift my detector...

I don't think it does. But hey, that just me OK heres the list of parts:
qty.2 273-1641 6ft Adaptaplug cord.( these have 1 male, 1 female end. attatch the 2 of them to make 1 12ft. long cord. Cut off the male end that will be spliced into the cig. lighter wires.)
qty.1 2731711 Adaptaplug ( Note yours may be diferent, depending of what size adapter is needed to fit your detector.)
qty.1 270-1238C Inline Fuse holder 9 also get fuses to fit.)

Tools needed are a phillips screwdriver, wire stripper, electrical tape, and a small black zip tie.

For those of you with Escorts, they sell accessories on their website. Got a power cord (not the Smartplug cord $20) for only $10. There is a different power cord for older models as the power plug is now a telephone-style jack. S/h is a reasonable $2.50, you can get stuff like a case, visor clip, etc. and it is all shipped out fast. Well done, Escort.

I was going to get a Passport 8500 and hardwire it, but rather than spicing into my cigarette lighter wires I was just going to run to a fast near your left leg. I ran my black lights there and there's numerous fuses including 3 for telephone, DTR, etc. (things that arent on my car). That way you are going into a fuse and don't have to add one and you can run the wire straight up the Apillar.
-hype