I got a speeding ticket within hours after getting my 2012 after not having one in 12 years! I guess I attract more attention in my TL vs. my old 325. I did a search to see if anyone has installed an Escort QI45 or Bel RX45 and nothing came up. Before I purchase I want to make sure that it fits in the grill.

Has anyone done it? Pics?

 

I don't have either of those radar detectors, but I do have a Passport 9500 IX. It mounts right next to the rear view mirror right on the border of the blue tint and regular glass, it can't be seen from any angle and hard wires into the back of it. It saved my butt two hours after buying it from a red light camera and a cop parked just past it. So it was worth it.

 

I just picked up a 9500IX as well. I'm guessing you used the StealthCord or something similar to wire it to the back of your rear view mirror power cord? Would you happen to remember which wire was the 12v and ground? Also, do you think the 8-inch StealthCord would be long enough?

Thanks.

 

I did get the Stealth Cord, but I opted for the 12 inch, but even that is cutting it close, you should probably get the 18 inch, it will give you a little bit more room to play with. The 12v "hot" wire is the one on the passenger side of the connector. The ground is the center wire. Just push the wire ends into the corners of the plug, they will make contact just fine, then as an added measure, zip tie the cord to the rear view mirror cord. It will be good for the life of the car.

 

What'd you guys pay for your 9500ix's?

 

I have the 9500ix, 8500 and a V1. The V1 sits on a shelf collecting dust as the other 2 get all the use. Though id love to have the stealth mount qi45 or sr7 systems

 

I paid $465 for mine on Amazon and $16.95 for the Stealth Cord direct from their website. They really are the best out there. From what I have read in some other threads, the V1 falses a lot, but the 9500IX eliminates the false after three passes.

 

Mount it to the mirror (www.blendmount.com). Worth every penny. They also sell the mirrortap cable.

 

Where do you guys mount your detectors? Right now mine is sitting just to the right of the rear view mirror, pretty much level with where the window tint starts fading in. I'm not sure if there's any degradation in performance with it that high and with the tint.

midnight_tl - thanks for the advice. Unfortunately I already ordered the 8 inch cable a few days ago because how I have the radar detector mounted is very close to the rear view mirror. It really doesn't leave me much option to move it around though.

 

I'm with Avmike. I just installed my Escort 9500ix with the blend mount and 8" mirror cord. Works great, only took about 15min to install including time figuring out which cord was hot (red) and which was ground (black, center) with my multimeter. Very clean professional install just below the rear view mirror. Worked flawlessly this weekend on a 4 hr road trip. No vibrations or adjustments needed after original setup.

 

I have the same mounting setup. Blend mount is very nice and clean.