nerdy acura guy

Recently I upgraded my 2004 TL to a 2009 TL. First things first, I decided to get my radar detector hard wired so I could loose the ugly power chord.

For anyone else with a 4G TL that wants to hard wire their radar detector, the small recessed area by the driver's right knee is a PERFECT spot to locate the mute button that is on the end of the smart power chord for the RD. See pics below.

Radar Detector:


Smart Chord with Mute Button:


Close Up of Smart Chord with Mute Button:


The actual power to the RD comes into the unit from the headliner. Only about 2-3" of cable is exposed - just enough to get to the RD unit. I did not do the install, so I will not attempt to explain the process to the DIY crowd. The reason for this thread is to show where to put the mute button. Without the mute button near your right knee, you have to look up to see the RD unit and find the mute button amongst 4-5 other buttons - bad idea at 75+ MPH. Props to So Cal Auto Sound in Costa Mesa, CA for the professional and affordable install.

BTW - There are a number of threads that provide instructions on how to hard wire radar detectors (see link HERE), but I decided to have a local shop do the job to ensure I didn't bend or break any of the plastic or metal trim pieces. Job was just $45, so well worth it.

jnc2000

I'm trying to decide the location for mine... but I use that spot for my wallet.

nerdy acura guy

So do I. My wallet is really skinny (less than 1cm thick when fully stuffed), so they both fit.

kooty-sentinel

I put mine right next to the TCS and Headlamp Washer Button where there's an empty hole. The depth of the button is perfect... all you need to do is wrap the remote in electrician's tape 3 or 4 times (can't tell once it's in the slot) and it fits perfectly snug, and looks completely in-place.

Mr Marco

OP,
Your detector is mounted too high. Lower locations are better for laser. I can't really tell from the pic, but that looks like a Escort 9500. If so you may also experience poor GPS reception mounting it above the rear-view mirror.

LaCostaRacer

I have my detector mounted high like the OP. It's seems pretty easy just hitting mute on the detector itself so I skipped installing the remote mute. I have an Sti and the mute button is front mounted which works very well in this setup. The high mount doesn't affect laser performance from my experience- I have had it this way for 4 years now and it works great. The stealth factor is huge in my book and the detector is easy to read and hear.

Mr Marco

"Can I mount my detector on my sun visor?
We generally do not recommend mounting detectors on the sun visor because the dark tint at the top of most windshields significantly reduces laser detection range, and the GPS-powered features of the Passport 9500i will not function if satellite reception is blocked. So, we do not include a visor mount as a standard accessory. While not recommended, we do offer an optional visor mount that can be seen by clicking this visor clip link.
As a rule of thumb, a lower detector mounting position is better for laser and a higher position is better for radar. But, in most vehicles, the difference in height between the top and bottom of the windshield is not enough to make any perceptible difference in radar reception. It's best to mount your detector where it has a clear field of view front and rear (plus a clear view of the sky for the Passport 9500i), and where you can see it without obstructing your own view of the road."
https://www.escortradar.com/faq.php

nerdy acura guy

Mr. Marco - I appreciate the feedback on my radar detector placement.

You expressed concern that the high position on the windshield could impact two performance characteristics of my Escort 9500ix: 1) Laser Detection, 2) GPS Reception. I'm afraid I would have to disagree with your assertions.

1) Laser Detection
- Mike Valentine, Founder of Valentine One Radar Detectors: “For the best chance of early warning, I suggest mounting high.” Source
- Why Mount High? Laser is a very narrowly focused beam: 18" wide beam at 500ft; 36" wide beam at 1000ft). Source
Windshield mounted laser detection is unlikely to register this narrow beam even if the beam is directed in the vicinity of the detector. To exacerbate things, many law enforcement officers are taught to aim at the license plate to secure more consistent readings. This makes beam scatter detection anywhere on the windshield very unlikely. Finally, the laser detection on radar detectors is virtually useless – by the time the radar detector registers the laser signal, it’s too late - you’ve already given the law enforcement officer a reading. Laser jammers and shifters are the only effective countermeasures against laser, but they’re illegal in CA and other select states.

2) GPS Reception.
- The Escort 9500ix has a visual and audio warning when the GPS reception is interrupted. In driving with this detector in the high position for 6 months, the only times these alerts occur is when I am in a covered area (parking garage, etc). Clearly this is a non-issue.

Howard804

I have a Valentine with a Remote Display since I live in a state where Radar Detectors are illegal. The main unit is mounted on the passenger side visor with a clear view front and back and is almost invisible from outside the car (it remains dark when the remote unit is plugged in.) The remote unit is mounted/taped to the underside of the little door that pops up on the bottom of the dash covering the small dash compartment, just forward of the gear shift lever and center console.

Everything is prewired using the black 4-wire telephone cord Valentine likes to use with the main power unit tapped in at the fuse box under the driver's side dash. Pulling the wire across the headliner and down the A-Pillar from the main unit was easy and hides the wire well.

Back to the remote unit, I drilled a very small hole at the back-top of the dash/center console compartment to snake the wire through and behind the dash. I used a thick double-stick (with the white edges painted with a felt-tipped Sharpee to hide the tape when the door is open) to mount the unit to the underside of the pop-up door. In this position the small display faces forward (below the window where prying law-enforcement eyes can't see) and in this position it is easy to hit the mute button when the unit goes off. When the door is closed it hides the display nicely providing some security. Overall, a very neat and simple install. Hope that helps.