I just hardwired my escort 8500 x50 in, and mounted it just below the rear view mirror. It seems like it is kinda in my vision. I will drive a day or two and see what I think of it. I also am concerned if there is adequate line of sight to the back of the car as the rear view mirror is very close to blocking the rear laser sensor.
My question is: What will other mounting locations do to the detection of the radar? Now, I know that this has been discussed a little bit, but I was wondering if anyone had any opinions from experience.
Two locations I am considering is:
1. Mounting it lower, almost just a little above the center speaker.
2. Mounting it in the lower, driver side corner, so it is really out of the way, but easy to view.
I would appreciate any and all opinions on this.
Thanks,
Mike

 

My V-1 is just to the right of my rear view mirror. Works great up there plus the wire hides under the headliner and driver side pillar.

 

Thanks for the reply. You have it directly to the right or below and to the right? Any complaints from passengers (in regard to it being directly in their line of sight)?

 

It's directly to the right and no one has ever commented about it being in way.
I like it in this position for 3 reasons.
First, it's easy to hide the wires and second it does not obstruct the driver’s view of the road. The third reason is it seems to work better when it’s higher on the windshield.
Before it was hard-wired I had it 1/2 way up the windshield directly under the rear view mirror. In this position, it was in the way and it also missed a couple laser speeding traps. Fortunately for me I was not speeding at the time.

 

i have my escort 8500 on the front window too, it's a little under the rearview mirror, to see if it the rear sensor is working just stand behind the car and see if you can see the radar, if you can your all set

 

It's close. From some angles, I can see it. From others, I cannot. I might try to mount it an inch lower, but I have a feeling I will mount it lower in the dead space kinda by the center speaker. It seems like it would still have a clear shot to the back that way as well...

 

Posting pictures would good!

 

I have a radar detector, and I've concluded that the only thing it's good for is avoiding photo radar traps. Everything else I've run across is instant on stuff. If you're speeding by yourself, you're going to be caught. If you're smart and have a lead car that's speeding so that you can catch the stray rays off of him, it doesn't matter if you have a radar detector, he's the one that's going to be caught.

 

In answer to your question about positioning of your unit you might try searching for units that are mounted inside the front of the vehicle and the alarm and lights are mounted in the car for the driver to see, usually in the dash itself.

I'm not too familiar with the actual unit you are using but I hate to see people get misled by salesmen when it comes to this equipment so if you don't already know I can tell you that any "radar" detector or "laser" detector that claims it can detect laser is bogus.

When a laser is put on your vehicle that is it your done. Game Over. It does not send out a signal like radar.

The only way to stop laser is to "actively" jam it. "Passively" jamming laser does not work either. Jamming it is legal in most states.

I'm not going to tell you where you can get this equipment but you don't have to look too far. Also it is reasonable in price, about 3 speeding tickets.

Regular radar is still detectable of course. If you still come across it in your part of the world.

I no longer post the names of companies on here because I get accused of spamming and just trying to sell equipment. Sorry but you will have to do your own research if your interested.

Best of luck.

 

Hi

So how did you guys "hard wire" your detectors? Did you use a lead from the mirror or run the wires down the windshield column? etc.

Thanks

 

I ran my wires to the fuse box at the driver's side kick panel. Ended up placing the radar detector lower. Just is a lot more out of the way. We will see how my range is in the next week or so.
Thanks for everyone's response.

 

It is not as wide as a radar, but it is not as small of a "spot" as a laser pointer.

Don't get me wrong, I think the chances of you picking up laser when they are hitting another car is slim, but it does happen, especially in traffic.

The detectors look for a pulse pattern that the lidar guns use to detect the speed, the detectors rely on either the idea of some kind of refelction off another car, or the more likely way, the detector picks up the pulse pattern just from seeing it where it leaves the gun, just like if someone aims a laser pointer in your direction, but not actually at you, you can still usually see where it is leaving the pointer.

In my experience, luckily, probably 95% of the time I see cops running either radar or laser, they are using radar... the other thing, the cops have to be stationary to use laser...

In my experience, a radar detector, A GOOD ONE, like the 8500 (what i have), or the V1, can and does, help you avoid getting caught... of course the best way to not get caught is..... don't do it...

 

Has it really helped you avoid getting caught? I have an 8500 and it just really doesn't help. Everytime I've driven by a cop with a radar/laser gun pointed at traffic, it hasn't picked up any signal at all. I'm assuming he's using instant on technology.

Other than that, I pick up radar from cops that leave it on as they drive. But even then, I usually spot the cop before the radar gives me enough warning. The other day I drove by a photo radar van and it didn't warn me until I was about 1 block away from it.

I admit, one time it helped me when I merged onto the freeway at night, and I didn't see a cop behind me with his radar on. If my radar detector wasn't going off, I would have sped off. I guess even that one time it saved me makes it worth the money. Just don't let a radar detector fool you into thinking it's a free ticket to speed.

 

I assure you it has helped me numerous times...

There have been many times where I'll just get a.... blip.... blip...... blip.... and it goes away.... then 10 seconds later... blip...blip.. goes away... then... blip..blip.blip.blip.bliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii iiiip. he was running instant, just happened like three days ago... i picked him when he was hitting other cars in front of me... other times... i have just gotten it very weakly... a blip every other second or something... and it just keeps getting stronger and stronger.... then up ahead i finally come up on a cop on the side of the road....

a lot of cops do leave their radar guns on, and they just watch it as they drive by...

I have a radar gun, and it is pretty easily to see/hear when you find someoen speeding... the radar guns all (i think) have a tone that they play, which is actually the "real" difference in the doppler effect, and that tone varies with target speed, the higher the pitch, the higher the speed... so even if he is just driving down the road, he can hear when someone is going faster than everyone one else has been doing...

 

Running a 8500, positioned directly behind my rear view mirror with a remote by my speedo. Out of sight and not obstructing my view, nor do I have to worry about this denting my cranium if I have to stop quickly or am involved in an accident. Let's be realistic here, if you're a vicitim of instant on radar nothing will help you. Mine was just returned from the factory for a tune up etc. They included both new power cords and all the new updates for a grand total of $49.00. Truly a bargain.

 

Hey guys, I have a bit of a problem with my 8500 x50.

IT seems to fall down a lot.

I live in FL and not sure if its the heat or what. I have replaced the suction cups like 3 times with new ones, and it stays up for around a month and then one day I will get in the car and it will be down.

Now my radar is getting all beat up as well as my car because it’s hitting shi* as it falls.

Any ideas/tips on getting it NOT to fall? I have it hard wired so it’s not the cord pulling on it, and I am sure when I hang it the suction cups are on good.

 

Mine falls down every once in a while as well. I guess I just deal with it and put it back up. If someone has ideas on how to keep it from falling, please let us know.

I have kept the detectpr positioned in the center bottom section of the windshield. It is much more out of the way, and it still detects well. I do have it high enough where it should be able to scan out the rear window as well.