Hooksta

I recently purchased an Escort 9500ix and was curious if anyone had found ways to improve the setup from the suction cups, coiled wire across the dash, setup.

I have done several searches and haven't come up with anything for the current gen TL. I like the idea of the mirror mounts and hardwiring, BUT I also want access to the "mute" button found on the smart cord. Anyhow I figured there are some very creative and clever people that have come up with so cool solutions.

Appreciate your input!

Hook

CarrieLynn

iTrader: (2)

I hardwired mine with the smartcord. I removed one of the extra switches to the left of the steering wheel and mounted my mute button there. I',ll snap a few pics for you tomorrow

Hooksta

Greatly appreciated. I look forward to seeing your work!

sockpuppet

Sounds like a better setup than mine, though mine works. My mute is wired and mounted to the little "pocket" (I'm certain there's a better word for it, but it's escaping me) right by the driver's right knee.

My power to the detector (9500ix) comes out at the rearview mirror, and I've got my suctions cups placed so that the detector screen is visible just below the right hand side of the mirror...minimal blockage.

Mr Marco

^ Perfect! Pics?

012TL-GLM

I'm interested too. I have a Beltronics unit mounted under the mirror via suction cups, but I hate the way it looks with the wire hanging down. I found some fairly expensive mirror mounts on Amazon but didn't want to spend any money without knowing it would work properly

dwest1023

My top of the line passport is clipped to the sun-visor. I ran the power cord to the header and then down to the fuse box where I connected the power. I know the visor is not the best place to mount the detector, but I did not want it mounted on the windshield. It does the job. My miata is a remote shifter type and all is well there. that was professorially done.

Hooksta

I was thinking about how that "pocket" would be a perfect place for the mute button. I have some interest in one of those "mirror mounts" and tapping into power there. I read something about "invisicord" or something. The issue there is how to route the smart mute remote from that location. Perhaps when it's on a mirror mount you can reach it easily.

Just looking for as many ideas (and photos) as possible because I'm there are some clever people on here.

Mr Marco

Had mine mounted to the bottom mirror with a costom made black plastic clip. Very effective. However you must drill pilot holes into the back side of the mirror and not hit the glass in the process. Now I just use "The Force" to locate the LEO's ahead. Funny how effective it is on every roadway (or it could be that I have learned every hiding spot on my journey).

sockpuppet

Yeah...the "Force" doesn't work for me. Just when I think I know all of LEO's favorite spots, they find a new one. Add to that the fact that even though I know where the speed on green cameras are, I always forget. My 9500ix has saved me a few bucks, notwithstanding the initial cost.

WolfieRules

Anyone have Pics of their setups, I'm intrigued, would like to see what these 'options' look like, please.


Thx in advance

Hooksta

Bump...really surprised no photos so far. I'd expect the absence of a radar detector setup photos in a Prius forum, but not a TL forum.

willmosley

I have an Escort 8500 X50 mounted under my rear-view mirror with a BlendMount. It was absolutely perfect and rocks. You can find it here:


I then got the MirrorTap power cord. Yeah, it's overpriced, but it's clean. The only downside is I now have to reach up to hit the mute button...so I usually don't ha. You can find it here:


It is a very clean install and looks awesome. Yeah, it was a little pricey but is completely worth it. There is absolutely no rattle in my radar detector even over bumpy roads. The company that manufactures both of these products even contacted me directly for pictures, information, and to check to see if I was completely satisfied.

Hooksta

Can you confirm that you have a current gen TL with the auto dimming mirror? I have a 2013 TL with Tech...just trying to make sure the mirror is the same size for the mirror mount.

With the 9500ix I am assuming I shouldn't have to hit the mute button very often. It is my understanding that it will block false signals by the third pass automatically (built in GPS). Like your 8500, it should also "AutoMute" after the initial alarm as well. (I don't get it until next week...Christmas gift).

Would love to see a photo if you would be willing to share. Definitely like the no rattle, no wires showing mirror mount (no falling off the suction cups) idea.

Thanks!

sockpuppet

Yeah...I think I promised pics of my set-up, but I haven't been on the ball enough to get good photos of my "mute" placement. Sunrise here right now is not until 8:49, and sunset is 4:17, and during those hours, my car is parked in a parkade, with lighting poor enough that pics don't really work, at least not from my phone. I'll get something up soon.

sockpuppet

Yes, that's essentially how it works. From my experience, I don't have to mute during my drive, however I have to mute it everytime I leave my parkade. The GPS is good, but it takes a bit to lock on, particularly in a downtown core. If I plug in the detector as I pull out of my spot, the automatic parkade door will always set it off, since there's no GPS signal underground. If I wait until I'm past the parkade door, then the first "blocked" signal while light it up, since it's only a couple of blocks away, and the detector hasn't locked on to GPS yet.

Great machine, though. Little weak on laser, but unless you have a jammer, no radar detector will save you from a laser ticket, except perhaps on the odd occasion.

willmosley

Yep, I have a 4th generation TL. It's a 2009 with the auto-dimming mirror and everything. If you order the original products from Blendmount, they will consult with you to determine everything. They were extremely helpful and I am extremely satisfied. Extreme. Did I say extreme? Ok, I will have to set up a URL of my image..if this doesn't work, then let me know.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/...2016.23.56.jpg

Blaze9

I did a hardwire of my 9500ix on my TL, Venza, and Camry by myself. It's 100% straight forward. The Camry and Venza required my dremel to cut into the front of the button area. For the TL you have to cut off the back party of the empty button. In all three I used JB Weld to hold the module correctly. TL it's not required since it's a pretty good fit, but it wiggles without an adhesive.

http://imgur.com/a/26PlL/

I added a new switch to the setup as well. I go through the DC/VA area all the time so I added a on/off switch right next to the detector's switch. Get a new pic soon. I also enlarged the opening a bit so the module lays flat now, instead of a bit bulge as in those pics.

What you need is the following: Straight Cord - Blue (Blue matches TL interior. Also comes in red) and this Fuse Tap.

The fuse box is right under the steering column. Take off the cover, and remove one of the fuses which turns on w/ the car. I forgot what I have mine hooked up to, but it's something related to the Nav/Audio system. This will create a new line. Simply hook up the rest of the cables and you're good to go. Routing the wire is pretty straight forward too. You can -slowly and carefully- slip the wire just a bit into the driver side A pillar without lifting the casing. It goes it pretty easily if you start at a corner and slip in the wire.

Blaze9

Updated the album with the new pics.

Radar On:


Radar Off:


The switch is conductive, not physical buttons, you just tap/swype on it to turn it on/off. Also added some Velcro to the inside to make the fit a bit more snug, now there's no movement at all of the module.

Hooksta

Impressive! Thanks for sharing!

Blaze9

No problem. Any questions hit me up.

Cap'n Preshoot

I put an Excort 9500IX in my wife's TL using a bracket originally known as an Ultimount. It is currently being sold by Amazon, search for "MirrorMount" - it's not eligible for Prime, but ships from Performance Package. I have since bought a second one for installation in my Dodge Ram.

This product has been greatly improved since the original model and the original vibration problem has been fixed. Highly recommended. $34.95 @ Amazon.

For hardwiring it in, I obtained a short piece of black telephone cord with an RJ11 connector on one end. On the other end I just cut back the insulation and "tinned" the leads with a soldering iron. (you use the two center leads). I made the connection to the back of the rear view mirror by simply pushing the wires into the back of the mirror plug and then pushing in a toothpick to hold it & then breaking off the end of the toothpick. It results in a tight connection that won't fall out. Finally I used a black miniature ty-wrap to fasten the piece of phone cord to the mirror cord (for strain relief). I did consider soldering the connection at the mirror plug, but just jamming the wire into the back of the mirror plug and wedging it with a toothpick is plenty tight (and easily un-done).

I'll leave it up to you to figure out the polarity of the wires. What I know is that you will not hurt the 9500IX by hooking the wires up backwards. It just won't work if wired backwards.

I did not waste the $24.95 on a hardwire kit. as I do not need a "remote" mute button or a remote on/off control.

Hope this helps someone.

Blaze9

Resonance might cause the toothpick tips to fall out over time. I would definitely add something more (solder or electrical tape). But you don't need the hardwire kits, and can very well use a small RJ11 cable and be fine for a direct, button free connection. I think I'm gonna add that mirror mount as well to my setup, as the change in weather has been causing my suction cups to come off frequently the past few months.

012TL-GLM

I just installed the blendmount kit - very clean and simple. I have a beltronics detector. The only issue (not a big deal) is the power cuts when moving in and out of reverse, I imagine it has something to do with the backup camera?

Hooksta

I'm still sitting on the fence, or possibly not motivated enough yet to go through with it. I have it mounted on the windshield just to the right of the nav screen with the coiled smart cord going down just right of all our radio/climate buttons to the power outlet next to the gear shifter.

Blaze9

Wait for the weather to warm up a bit and then do it. Takes at most an hour if you have all your parts already. I had to buy fuses cause I only have a 2.5A fuse which tripped when I first turned it on. If you do a direct wire, you don't even need fuses or any additional parts aside from a tiny RJ11 cable.

Skier4lyfe303

iTrader: (32)

Well I don't have a 9500ix I do have a 9500ci that I custom installed. The power wire is connected to the power outlet that is on the silver trim. The power wire is a yellowish color and the ground is black. I installed the buttons on a little mount (which I previously had in my 3G TL) in the pocket, the LED is above the info display and the display is in the mirror. I also installed a smart cord live, which I put on the inside of the panel located above the passengers feet; the USB cable for the 9500ci is routed here too.

Here are the pictures (sorry two of them suck):

Blaze9

Is that a custom display? Link to that if you have it? I was gonna get one of the STi (same thing as the 9500ic basically, sister company) hardwired kits along with laser shifters. That display would be sick.

Skier4lyfe303

iTrader: (32)

That is a custom display that I built. I installed the radar display behind the mirror in side of the housing and routed the wire very close to the stock wire location.

There are also two websites that offer similar installations but they charge $500 while requiring you to send your stock mirror and radar display. One does an etching process which removes material out of a mirror:
http://www.stealthmirror.com/
The other says a special process that no one else has:
http://www.radar-mirror.com/

I would also be willing to install the display, PM me if your interested.

Blaze9

That is really, really cool. The ic costs so much to begin with... Looking to get a Blinder (was thinking about adding a 9500ic + ZR4 shifters, but they're not the best on the market). The ix is a great standalone for now, so I'll probably run that with the Blinder.

ATLBuckeye

This is awesome man. Any way we can get some interior pictures of the mirror housing to get a better idea of how you did it?

Skier4lyfe303

iTrader: (32)

^ I have some pictures from when I installed the display in the mirror but they are not what you are looking for, they consist of the mirror and not the housing.

martinkasinn

Great ideas.. Love the relocation of the mute near the TRAC button. Good idea.

ATLBuckeye

I'd still love to see them. This was a really cool project man. You did a great job.

Skier4lyfe303

iTrader: (32)

Here is a picture of the housing I was able to find(I put the display above this white frame):


Another pic of the back of the mirror showing the cord coming out:

Blaze9

Very cool. You said you did the etching yourself? How was that done? I'm sure it requires special equipment and all, but a very nice DIY project.

Also, how's the 9500ic working for you? Have you ever had a V1 or a 9500ix? I know people say the coverage/protection/readings are incredible, but in all honesty I get amazing readings on my ix already. I can't imagine it getting better.

Skier4lyfe303

iTrader: (32)

No etching was needed. The auto dimming mirrors are actually two way mirrors, so light can go through them from the back (inside the housing) but not from the front (drivers view).

During the day the setting has to be on Max brightness for the screen to be visable, at night low or medium works. Both settings are with the auto dimming mirror turned on. The radar screen is a little brighter (very minimal if anything, I have 15% tint) when auto dimming is turned off.

I should have a solution for getting the screen brighter that I will be testing soon.

As for the 9500CI, its awesome! Laser Jammer's are illegal in Colorado (where I live) so I have them turned off (cops rarely use laser here anyways, maybe 1/10 times in the areas I drive). I have only owned this radar and cheap ~$100 cobra radar detectors that tend to go off everywhere, so I don't have any quality radars to compare it to. I got a great deal on the radar ($1100 new on eBay) and this is the second vehicle I have had it in, so for me its definitely worth the money.

Blaze9

Oh wow. That's awesome. I didn't know they were 2-way mirrors. Thanks for the huge tip, I will def use that later on when/if I do upgrade to a built-in system.

I've never owned a cobra or any of those "Cheap" detectors either. I did my research and bought my ix when it was released. It's been amazing. They basically are the same unit, except the ic has external recievers, resulting in better protection. But thanks for your insight!