Hi,

I try to limit my real speeding to the track, but I understand that a shiny, bright yellow sports car is a bit of a cop magnet, and I may be more likely now than in the past to get a ticket for real minor speeding. I am looking for a radar detector that generally will let me know when it's time to be extra-careful. I've read a number of threads here and elsewhere about the relative merits of the 8500 X50, the V-1 and this little cordless detector. I understand that no detector is foolproof, either in the sense of no false positives, or absolutely giving adequate warning of a radar trap. I'm not too charmed with having a cord stretch across the cabin, or in paying to have a unit hard wired into the car, so I did some research into the S2, and it looks quite adequate for my needs, with the added benefit of allowing me to switch cars with it. Essentially, it looks like quite a competent unit.

Am I missing something?

Thanks.

--Mark

 

IF you REALLY want to swap between cars there are two options:

1. Get the Solo, and hardwire it to the primary car. Then run off of new batteries everytime you switch cars.

2. Get an 8500 x50 and hardwire kits for all your cars.

I went for option #2. There are those that claim the battery life of the solo is good and that you retain all your coverage until the warning light comes on. Frankly, I don't buy it. Either get the maximum protection, or don't bother.

 

I was scared about hardwiring my V1. It's really really really REALLY easy. If you're going to pay that much, get the 8500 and get the extra protection.

 

Is hard wiring the Excort just a matter of buying the $10 kit, connecting it to, say, the fuse box, and running the wire into the car?

What is the advantage of the Blue 8500 over the Red?

 

I'm not familar with the Escort kit, b/c I have the V1, but there's a good tutorial somewhere on this site on how to do it. Shouldn't take more than 10 minutes to do, if you have the right connector.

The difference between the red and blue I believe is only price. Their functionality is the same.

 

I really liked the Escort Solo S2 and X50 because of the size of our cars - I could not find a good way/place mounting it. I got the Passport SR7 instead (it turned out to be very cool)



Rear Reciever

Front Reciever

 

Yes...it is about that simple...but the kit is $30 not $10.

 

Hardwiring a V1 is so easy, you don't even have to modify the car's wiring at all.

In/near the fusebox there are three terminal connectors, one is hot only when the ignition is on. You can get a connector that clips onto this tab and ground the other wire nearby (on a bolt where everything is grounded from the factory behind and to the left of the fusebox).

It takes no more than 10 minutes to do and it's bulletproof. I would think that the Escort can be hooked up the same way. Battery powered units are said to be not as sensitive as hardwired units, and they are more expensive.

I'd go with two hardwire kits and the latest version of the 8500 (if you want an Escort)

 

This worked like a charm! Now I wonder what one does with the cord; is there any relatively easy way to keep it hidden under the dash, to emerge near the windshield, or at least something better than having this cord stretching from my left knee up to the rear view mirror?

Which raises the question of exactly where do S2k people mount these things? I assume just below the rear view mirror, to the right of center, but I thought I'd ask.

Thanks.

--Mark

 

I mount mine underneath the rear view mirror so it has a good view to the rear for laser.

The wiring is tucked under the plastic moulding that goes around the windshield and exits above the rearview mirror.

Otherwise, you could run the wiring along the dash-windshield to the detector if you want to mount it on the dash.

As for the wiring idea, either Modifry or Xviper came up with it. It was the nicest hookup solution I saw.