Hooksta

Man, I am loving my new 2006 Acura TL, however, my trusty Escort X50 blue is experiencing several episodes of laser falsing in it. I took the unit out and drove with it for two days in my wife's Subaru and "old trusty" worked flawlessly. Put it back in the TL and laser falsing again. Anyone else having this kind of trouble? Should I go buy a Valentine...will that work better?

Oh and for what it is worth...the Escort never did this for 2 years straight in my 2003 Nissan Maxima....only the TL so far is causing this.

Thanks!

bmui1561

Hmm that is strange, I have the same exact detector and it works great. How do you have it hooked up and where do you have it placed?

Hooksta

Mounted just to the left of the radio which is just to the right of the dash, about 3" above the windshield wipers. It is also a pain because the X50 only comes with that coiled power cord. It "wants" to be stretch right across the radio/Nav system which is aggravating. I also tried a small extension outlet but now there is not enough spring in the cord to effectively and easily push the remote MUTE button.

I realize that I can turn off the (Laser) portion of the detector and of course I am assuming that would work. But if I have to, I think that would be total B.S....plus I don't like the cord setup. Well I guess it is because of where Acura put its cigarette adapter. Our other two cars that it worked perfectly in (also Japanese cars) have the cigarette lighter located on the drivers side so the cord made a straight line up the dash.

My TL has Nav, the bluetooth (which I assuming everyone has in the 04 and up Acura's), VSA, and LED taillights. These are the only things I can think of that make my car different from the others. And as mentioned before, the detector works perfect in our other car to this day...just as it has for the last two years in my Maxima. So it is definitely not happy with the Acura.

Hooksta

Bump....anyone having this problem or is only my Acura that doesn't like Escort? Let me guess, everyone here uses Valetine...so I should buy one of those.

rimz

i've been planning on buying the blue 8500 x50 for quite some time now...just waiting to have that much extra money to blow then i'll have it...

this is just a huge shot in the dark, but do you have the back-up sensors installed on your car? ...i think those use some type of laser and if that's the case, your radar might be picking them up...

i've never heard of this problem, but would like to know what it is...

Rpappi

[QUOTE=Hooksta]Mounted just to the left of the radio which is just to the right of the dash, about 3" above the windshield wipers. It is also a pain because the X50 only comes with that coiled power cord. It "wants" to be stretch right across the radio/Nav system which is aggravating. I also tried a small extension outlet but now there is not enough spring in the cord to effectively and easily push the remote MUTE button.
[QUOTE]


wire it into the mirror and have the wire come down instead of up. it wont be infront of your navi

Hooksta

Nope, I haven't installed one single thing aftermarket yet. And if I have back-up sensors that were dealer installed...well I sure haven't heard them do anything. So my guess is I don't have them.

But to your point...the X50 has been a fantastic radar detector and has worked perfectly in every car I have put it in EXCEPT the TL. I mean it hasn't falsed when I pulled up next to a TL in my old Nissan...maybe it would have had I tailgated one for twenty minutes it might have done it. Plus it looks nice and the blue version goes nicely with the TL linterior ights.

If it means anything to you, the Escort hardly ever faults (prior to the TL). Even those pesky store alarms only went off far and few between. And the alert ramps up on X and K band. The pain in the butt about having LASER falses is that everything is calm, your driving WAY OUT OF TOWN and suddenly WWWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!! enough to scare the heck out of you. And you just love driving this nice, peaceful car, just waiting for the LASER scream. If I don't buy a Valentine or hear of a fix from this board I will likely turn off the Laser alert on the Escort. You can at least do that...but why spend $300+ on a detector that can't use laser?

dragonlord

I've got the exact same set-up, and I have NO false Laser alarms. I just used it Sunday going to Akron, and it saved me 5-6 times with Ohio State troopers out in force with laser. I would call Passport and see about servicing the one you have.

And I agree about the short coil cord, I should have ordered the hard wired X50!

Texas

Talk to Escort tecks.............

Hooksta

You have an 06 Acura with Nav with a Escort X50 and it is not falsing? I am wondering why my Acura would cause mine to false and not yours? Man that is frustrating.

Regarding contacting Escort, I have already been thoroughly coached through posts I have read...hold times around 30 minutes with the one step fix all send it in for 30 days and we will refurbish one back out to you for the low price of $60 or more dollars with no guarantee we will fix anything. Besides I doubt they would know why an Acura causes there unit to fault while Nissan, Subaru, and Toyota's I have used this in extensively (and very recently) do not.

I would prefer to sell it or give it to my wife for her Subaru and try a new (under new warrant) V1. This way I get a better cord/power setup and my tech support would be free if the laser falsed with it. I never read about V1 people complaining about their radar detectors. At least in my internet searches there are about 9 complaints to 1 against the Escort over the Valentine.

I am/was just hoping to find another experiencing the same problem...surely its not just my Acura. I did find a guy with a Honda Accord experiencing the exact same thing with his X50 as me on another forum.

AdamNJ

Have you tried mounting it anywhere else? I have mine at the top of the windshield to the right of the rear view mirror. It's worked great for 1 year and 9 months. I have it hardwired into the car. I recommend you do the same to get rid of the 'cig outlet' adapter...it's not hard to do (search the forum). My favorite part is I never have to turn it on/off as I have it wired to accessory power, so it's always on when I'm driving.

Hooksta

Yeah I followed somebody's link on hard wiring either the V1 or the Escort...both looked like you could do it...I just can't remember where I saw that. It looked like a small connector (one end a telephone cable connection and the other two wires...normal red black). I think the idea was to hook it into the map lights. There were cars that this was successfully installed on listed as well, it was just the TL wasn't on the list. Glad to hear you were able to do it.

Also if you or anyone has a link where someone took photos while they installed that would be awesome!

joed40

I have the same setup. One thing to think about. Exactly where are you getting these alarms in relation to traffic lights, I discovered that some folks, where I live, have purchased a laser that operates on the same frequency as the laser controlled sensors on the traffic lights that can be operated by emergency vehicles to turn green as they approach. This allows them to halt all crossing road traffic as they approach that intersection. Apparently some folks have purchased these to assure them green lights and no stopping on there way to their destination.

Just something to think about or consider.

Hooksta

Unfortunately most of the false readings occurred in a town of 1200 with NO traffic lights at all. Also, it continued falsing as I took back roads (as in 15 miles without coming to a town of 200) to visit family members over Christmas. I would be going around a curve with nothing but trees, grass, hills, and possibly deer within 2 miles of me and it would false. But like I said before, put it our Subaru or my old Maxima and it didn't happen once in 2 years....not once!

x420actionx

Yea recently i've been getting random laser readings on my x50, but strangely they all happen in the same areas, sometimes different, and I also noticed that laser will go off when I have my x50 in my hands and pointed towards the navi screen while its on.....something to think about

I just turned off the laser feature, no problems, since cops very rarely use laser out here

ddayton217

I have a Escort Solo S2 and it works great, plus no cords!

Hooksta

Sorry you are also experiencing problems, but I can't help but feel better that I am not the only one. I haven't exhausted all the when and how it happens yet so I appreciate your post.

montyburnz

I have the exact same problem with my TL and my X50 red. My X50 was great when I first got it but about 1.5 years after I got it, it started to false. First in my 2003 Accord. It would go off if I honked the horn or turned on the wipers. In my 3G TL it goes off when I do a hard acceleration. Probably due to the DBW. I called Escort and they said it needs to be sent in to be recalibrated. But since it's out of warranty, it'd cost me money. I decided against it and just turned off Laser.

Hooksta

BINGO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It does seem to occur more when I am accelerating...I can't say that I have been doing "hard acceleration" though. I don't understand the DBW system enough to know if that is the cause. I ordered a Valentine today and gave my wife the Escort X50. My hopes are the V1 won't have this problem...but if it does then I will turn off the laser as you did on the Escort. Just glad to know I'm not crazy.

datboijoe

same shit happen to me i have the blue x50 and when i accelerate the laser goes off. tried moving it around to a different location and it still went off so best bet for me was to turn the laser off.

Juiced_Acura_Kidd

I have an 05 TL and had the escort x50 since I got the car. It only started giving me false laser hits like 2 months ago but it started to happen right after I hit a pothole and the radar dector fell off the windshield and hit the dash hard. It was a loud bang. Since that day its been giving me false hits randomly. Could be once, twice, or three times a day or even none. I figured something internally got screwed up when it hit the dash. Also that was the same week when I installed my viper 5900 2-way alarm with remote start so I was thinkin It might be something on that. I dunno...

Hooksta

Must have been a whale of pothole. Well if it makes you feel any better my unit has never been dropped. In fact, I bet if you drove with it in another car it wouldn't false anymore. At least this is true in my case.

The V1 showed up today...I have to figure out what mode to run it in (All Bogeys, Logic, or Advanced Logic)....Advanced logic sounds like what I should put it in.

I am going to miss that little mute button on the smart cord. It's a long reach for the mute button on the TL dash. I would mount it under the rear view mirror but (1) I don't know how to hardwire it in to the rear view mirror or interior lights and (2) I just can't stand having wires hanging around, and (3) the Valentine guys said make sure the detector was out of view of the Navigation system.

jhan1102

I have Beltronics Pro RX65 Radar Detector. I get the Laser alert when I point my unit towards the LED clock above the Nav.

dragonlord

After I went to my sister-in law's house last night, my X50 blue will now only say "service required". AAARRRGGGHHH. I drive too many highway miles to be without it.

jastor3759

Sounds like the antenna went out of it. My X50 Blue did the same thing over a year ago.

dansmith2004

I have an 06 TL without Nav. Ever since I bought the car, I've had to keep the laser turned off on the x50. Thanks to that, I got laser'ed 85 in a 70 from a Monroe city cop on 94. I was clueless at first because my detector never went off... then I remembered I had the laser turned off.

I've had the x50 for about a year and a half, maybe two. Never had the problem in my Accord.

Dan

dragonlord

I've got to send mine in for service- .

How comw you didn't make the last meet?

jcondon

I have an 2004 TL non/Navi and a Escort x50 red. The detector is 3 or 4 years old (guessing). I too have had a ton of false Laser hits. I ended up turning it off about a year ago. I think I even posted about it on this forum somewhere.

Now since I got a new Cellphone late this summer I even get the occasional false X-radar. Yes I know many alarm systems and things give a false X detection but, it really does seem like it has gotten much worse since I got my new phone.

Either that or this thing is just getting worse and worse. I too thought about sending it in for service but, didn't want to be without it for too long. I sometimes turn the volume way down which I guess isn't the greatest of ideas. I am thinking I will notice the flashing red led but, who knows.

Perhaps just buy a new one or something.

Hooksta

Now we are getting somewhere....so LOTS of people having trouble with their X50 and their TL. Now I wonder what it is...

I really appreciate everyone's feedback so far.

Laxplaya11385

here's a solution:

sell your X50 and get a V1
(this is in no means a nasty response)

I've had a V1 for a year and 1/2 and i have had no problems.

NBP04TL4ME

I have an 04 TL with Navi and an X50 blue and am coming up on 3 years with no issues at all in my car. However when we take my wife's 04 Honda Odyssey on long trips and accelerate (like out of the toll booth), we get the laser falsing as well. Anyone have any ideas? Might it have something to do with the current generated by the alternator during acceleration.

Also what is the "DBM" as mentioned here:

It does seem to occur more when I am accelerating...I can't say that I have been doing "hard acceleration" though. I don't understand the DBW system enough to know if that is the cause. I ordered a Valentine today and gave my wife the Escort X50. My hopes are the V1 won't have this problem...but if it does then I will turn off the laser as you did on the Escort. Just glad to know I'm not crazy.

dansmith2004

DBW is the Drive-By-Wire system, you can read more about it at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drive_by_wire;

I notice problems with my X50 more so when I'm accellerating too, once i get past about 2500rpm it does it it would seem. Maybe I should try wrapping the radar detector in tin foil and see if that makes a difference for the laser issue ;-)


I called Escort today and they said I could send it in and pay $59 for them to repair it; what they would do is add additional shielding the rep said. He said they may have to do it more than once to get it to a level where it won't pick up interference from the TL. It takes 10 to 15 business days for them to do it. The $59 isn't a problem, but going without a radar detector for three weeks would kill me (or my driving record)

Dan

indianghetto69er

i think its the laser in the cd player... just a guess, i had my escort passport on the floor and i was picking it up to put on the winshield and it went off like crazy when it was pointed at the radio... it was fine after i mounted it on the winshield tho

dragonlord

I plugged mine in today and now it's working fine. I've never had an issue while accelerating.

flipper2001

I been using the X50 for almost a year and never had a problem, its in my 07 now, but I had it in my 05 and no problem there either. just the freaking coiled cable blocks the navi and I still havent been able to figure out good spot yet. For the rear detection to work the unit needs to 'see' out the back window so it needs to be above the seats and lower then the rear view mirror.

dragonlord

I mount mine right above the center channel speaker, just below eye level and run the cord along the indentation to the tright of the center stack. It doesn't interfere with the navi screen.

pileosnafu

Some booths has a laser device mounted in them to check for car or to help trigger a camera if you run it.


I have owned a V1 since 2000 and have never had a problem with it, save for maybe it triggering to early, such as over 4 miles away. Some survey devices that I use at work, The new Infinity adaptive cruise control system (uses laser to see other cars) and at night if I cover the laser device.


Odds are that unless the cop lasered the car infront of you at just the right angle you would miss the 6 foot wide beam that was being emitted from the device. And you would have gotted tagged anyway. I find it very rare to be forwarned about the a laser best advise is here though How to mount a laser

Why not get the V1 Conceled display, works great, you can mount it anywhere, I placed my by the VSA button (In my 04 Accord , can't wait for my TL-S) , I can even trigger it with my knee with practice. I mounted my V1 above the mirror ran the wire in the roof, just tucked it in with a butter knife, lol , then down the piller and around the dash, never removed anything. sorry for the long winded reply just thought i'd cover some info

Hooksta

I did the same thing (with the butter knife) Mine V1 is running from the cig lighter around & under the dash and around the dash inside the door up to the front dash. I am actually considering order the "motorcycle" audio unit. It is similar to the your concealed display except it doesn't have the visual alrerts. It appears there is room for me to put the unit in the area next to the cigarette lighter/power area in my TL.

Two reasons I think this will work better than the concealed display is (1) this unit won't steal or pull my visual alerts away from the main unit (which is in my eye line) and (2) the phone cable hooks in the back making it probably an easier fit for where I need it with the TL.

pileosnafu

Honestly. I never have the sound on, I use all visual. I have found that on long highway drives the sound scares me and could be worse then just the fact that there was a cop and I was only doing like 80 in a 70.

Hooksta

Bump for the guys just asking about Escort's and TL in similar thread.