Radar Detector Placement Question
Thread Starter
Former Moderator
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 105,828
Likes: 152
good point...i was wondering..if you put it to the left of the rear view mirror, will the rear view mirror get in the way of its visibility? I'm sure it's minimal at best, but i thought i'd ask.
also, i'm looking to hardwire it...
is the directwire smartcord what i need?
http://www.escortradar.com/accessories.htm
$35 w/shipping?
anyone know where you can get it cheaper?thanks again
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 79,195
Likes: 18
From: Home
The smartcord is going to run ~ $35. You can get by with just phone cord and a fuse holder, but then you don't have the mute or remote indicator.
In my other cars I placed the remote displace at the base of the a-pillar. It is MUCH easier to wire in there, and I have found that it offers a wider range of visibilty of alerts as I will have SOMETHING flashing red at me across my entire field of view. It is nice and stealthy on the S where it is though.
I placed it right of the rearview (obviously) and I prefer it that way. I can hear and see it just fine with no issues or problems. I often drive alone, but when I drive there is ALWAYS someone in the drivers seat. In case of an accident, I would rather NOT have the radar hit me in the head. (Sure it may hit my passenger if I have one, but screw'em right?
j/k)
In my other cars I placed the remote displace at the base of the a-pillar. It is MUCH easier to wire in there, and I have found that it offers a wider range of visibilty of alerts as I will have SOMETHING flashing red at me across my entire field of view. It is nice and stealthy on the S where it is though.
I placed it right of the rearview (obviously) and I prefer it that way. I can hear and see it just fine with no issues or problems. I often drive alone, but when I drive there is ALWAYS someone in the drivers seat. In case of an accident, I would rather NOT have the radar hit me in the head. (Sure it may hit my passenger if I have one, but screw'em right?
j/k)
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,584
Likes: 1
From: Baton Rouge, LA
i found an old phone cord and bought some fuses and a holder for $5 at the Shack. i also bought some crimp on connectors for a couple bucks. somewhere, there's a nice guide on wiring... i'll dig it up.
as far as mutes go -- the square button on the right is a mute. so i just use that... definitely turn off the automute on the 8500 though -- as it has gotten more than a couple people in trouble (muting a true signal before the first couple chirps were heard.)
does it block my mirror view a bit? well, depends on how close you push it up against the mirror. to give you an idea -- if i close my left eye, no part of the detector covers the mirror. if i close my right eye (left open) a corner of the detector is in the mirror. very minor imo.
here's the link to the wiring guide for the 8500 using a standard phone cord.
http://forums.s2ki.com/forums/showthread.p...?threadid=32749
edit:
also -- read through Pete's thread ( http://forums.s2ki.com/forums/showthread.p...&postid=1638328 ) and linked in his sig. we had a very good conversation there w/ loads of solid info.
as far as mutes go -- the square button on the right is a mute. so i just use that... definitely turn off the automute on the 8500 though -- as it has gotten more than a couple people in trouble (muting a true signal before the first couple chirps were heard.)
does it block my mirror view a bit? well, depends on how close you push it up against the mirror. to give you an idea -- if i close my left eye, no part of the detector covers the mirror. if i close my right eye (left open) a corner of the detector is in the mirror. very minor imo.
here's the link to the wiring guide for the 8500 using a standard phone cord.
http://forums.s2ki.com/forums/showthread.p...?threadid=32749
edit:
also -- read through Pete's thread ( http://forums.s2ki.com/forums/showthread.p...&postid=1638328 ) and linked in his sig. we had a very good conversation there w/ loads of solid info.
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 79,195
Likes: 18
From: Home
I have never had it fall, but I get nervous fiddleing with the detector while driving. The suction cup mounts have been very good for me, but I don't like muting or changing settings while driving. I am afraid it is going to fall into my hand and then I will have to drive and juggle at the same time. And if any of you have ever seen me drive, this would be a VERY bad scenerio!
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,826
Likes: 0
From: New Slowmyrna Beach
I have mine mounted just like RUexp67's. My detector fell a couple of times, at speed. Not fun. So I took some clear packaging tape (the good stuff) and attached a small piece (about 2 inch square) on the top of the detector over the dismount button. With a solid adhesion the button is always lifted, and the detector never falls, even while hitting bumps at speed. And nobody knows the tape is there. 
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,584
Likes: 1
From: Baton Rouge, LA
ahh... no, mine never fell off the bracket from the button failing...
my whole suction (should that be sucktion?) cup assembly just loses it.
actually -- truth is, it usually is 1 cup that goes, and the 2nd will hold everything for a good long while. (long enough to get into a position where i can safely push the loose cup back into place.)
what i did learn though, is that if one gives -- take the whole thing down when you get home, and clean the cups. cause if you don't -- at some point -- both cups will lose it at the same time!
speaking of which - is this only me? i know the humidity and temp swings have a lot to do with the problem... but has anyone else had this issue?
and do you guys occassionally clean the suction cups? what do you do?
i generally use some rubbing alcohol to clean off the surface oils and dirt, then soapy hot water, let them soak for a while in the hot water (to regain pliability), then dry, and they end up as good as new.
i've thought about putting them into a slow boil before as well....
my whole suction (should that be sucktion?) cup assembly just loses it.
actually -- truth is, it usually is 1 cup that goes, and the 2nd will hold everything for a good long while. (long enough to get into a position where i can safely push the loose cup back into place.)
what i did learn though, is that if one gives -- take the whole thing down when you get home, and clean the cups. cause if you don't -- at some point -- both cups will lose it at the same time!
speaking of which - is this only me? i know the humidity and temp swings have a lot to do with the problem... but has anyone else had this issue?
and do you guys occassionally clean the suction cups? what do you do?
i generally use some rubbing alcohol to clean off the surface oils and dirt, then soapy hot water, let them soak for a while in the hot water (to regain pliability), then dry, and they end up as good as new.
i've thought about putting them into a slow boil before as well....