OK, my Christmas was great this year and I got lots of Bestbuy gift cards. I decided to get the Escort 9500i with GPS location. This thing is really sweet. I always wanted a Valentine1 but after reading the reviews on this radar detector, I was sold! Anyway, got it home and the coil power cord was in the way of the nav unit and it just looked like crap. Can't have that in my TL. I orderd the optional wire harness and got it in. Just thought I would share some pics of the install just in case any of you out there want to do the same thing. I am good for one speeding ticket a year so this has already saved my ass this past week. I would recommend this unit to anyone who drives as much as I do. Anyway, enjoy the pictures!

 

the radar is too low. i have the 8500, and always make sure i can see it clearly from my back window. according to the manual it needs to be like that so the rear sensor works

 

So how hi/low should it be? Is up by the mirror to high?

Wouldn't that remote mute button be better off down next to the cigarette lighter? It’s a cleaner look and can be concealed if you get pulled over or if you ever have to park in a part of town that taking down the radar would be prudent (thereby not functioning as a sign to a would-be thief that there is likely a radar/quick cash in the car). Plus it seems like awkward/dangerous place to put that remote mute button.

 

i have mine a little below my rear view.... works amazing from there

 

I dont know.. the exposed cable and the fact you need to stick your arm through the steering wheel to hit the mute doesn't appeal to me.

I just fab'ed mine into the empty cover next to the VSA, and routed the wire to the radar which sits next to my rear view mirror.

 

I thought putting the mute sensor below by the vsa as well. I thought that would be a great spot but I do a lot of night driving and shut the radar lights off using the remote as my guide. I thought about the mute steering wheel problem......I will test it out and if it doesn't work out there I will find a better spot. Any of you guys have pictures of where you put the remote? I put the radar close to the review mirror and it was to high for me to get to the buttons. I went outside the car and looked in the window to see if the rear sensor had clearance and it does. It looks lower in the picture than it actually is. Please put the pictures up if you have them.

 

I have seen pictures on here of people putting that remote mute button down in the cubby next to the cigarette lighter. Easy to reach and out of sight with the lid closed.

 

Someone (I think darksom1, but could be wrong) posted that they've got their detector in the upper left corner and that it works well. Makes it easy to run the power line into the A-Pillar as well.


All the milies you do J, I bet that thing will save you a few bucks.

 

my detector is at eye level to the left of the mirror. wiring up inside the top liner, and around to the a pillar.

 

the 9500i is great, good choice
my dad got it for me for xmas

 

OK, I drove the car around today and I wasn't feeling the locations so I am going to spend the time this weekend and put it in the compartment where the 12 volt outlet is. I never use that spot for anything anyway. I am also taking the advice of everyone and I am going to mount it up next to the rearview mirror. Thanks everyone for your advice as it was well taken in this case. Bearcat, this will save me money in the long run. Are we still on for the shock swap? What date is good for you? I should be getting mine this week but I know you won't get yours for a while. Let me know.

 

Yeah, still good. I don't have RELEASE date yet, but my order is in.

Send a PM when yours arrive.

 

I put mine in the upper cubby next to the hinge on the left side with the mute button on top. It works great, right near the shifter nob. Also I didn't have to drill anything, I just ran the wires out the top of the opening on the left side, works great. I thought about the lower cubby, but is a stretch to reach. 3M doublesided tape works great. I'll post a pic when I get a chance to take one. Also I mounted the detector on the left side of the mirror, but up pretty high, almost above it, still takes just a glance to see it. If you put the remote in the cubby, make sure you have enough room to close the door and also watch out for the close latch. GL.

 

OK, so I had some time today after work and I figured I would reroute the mute wire and the unit. Here are the pics. I ended up using the extra plastic cover next to the mirror button. I am a lefty so this works for me. Having the radar up high looks great. Hides the wire nice and it is out of the sight. I like it. Thanks guys for the tips. Also is a picture of my Stiletto Sirius radio. Gotta have it.

 

WOW!! You're a lot younger than I expected. Are you sure you're *tall* enough to drive?


Install looks much cleaner, running the power that way.

 

LOL!! Just got my permit last week. That's my seven year old son always at my side. He loves to help daddy out with his car project. He will be our shop forman when we install the springs. I will PM you when I get them.

 

Thats exactly where I have my 8500 man. Love it there

Not sure what the front of the 9500 looks like, but with the 8500, used a sharpie to blacken around the edges of the case so its less visible from the front, makes a big difference

 

Hey,
I was thinkin of just getting power from the cabin light cluster in the headliner. Anybody know how to get the cluster out without taking down the headliner?

How does the A-Piller cover come off if I want to run the wire down that route?

 

There are tutorials for that in the 3g garage sansui. It's very helpful.

This is my install, mmade how does yours stay in place?

 

I like that a lot and that is what I am going to do. That look's great. I used my dremil tool and lightly sanded the edges on the opening until it was shaped like the mute control. Sits in there nice and tight. I like the cover mod and I am going to go that route. Thanks for the pictures.

 

i went ahead and cracked the remote thing open and took the board out. i also saved the sticker on it so i can stick it back onto it after i hotglued the board into the empty space...i drilled three holes and stuck it through, and glued it down. then stuck the sticker back on...

 

Same here. They say to mount it as high up as possible but so the radar has a clear view out of both windows. Looks good. I'm debating on that 1.

 

nice installs guys... i just got my 8500 (under $200 with my best buy discount). Location on my 328xi is kinda tough, so i just Velcroed it to the dashboard. mounting it next to the rearview either caused it to cover up the sensor with the sunroof controls ect or if i move it over more to the drivers side... my fat head gets in the way.

i might try the hard wire kit and just mount it a little lower and run the wires around the top of the windshield but i'll probably need some extra wiring.