Hi guys,

I have a Escort Passport 8500 X50 radar detector. I am thinking about having it professionally installed on my dash.
What do you guys think about this? How will it look? Will it void any warranties?

thanks!

 

i have my v1 hardwired next to the rearview mirror. Took my cousin all of 15 mins to install. we used the add-a-fuse kit, where you just use one of the existing fuses in the fuse box as power, he tucked the wire underneath the weather seal, you can't see the wires at all.

 

That model seems alright, but many people live by the 9500. I would go w/the Red 8500 if you choose that model. I have this installed in my car & love it: http://www.cobra.com/index.cfm?fusea...&category_ID=3 Many of the features are the same as the 9500, but I bought it for $250 off of eBay & it works great! The unit is able to mark false alarm locations so it wont go off every time you pass a store. It also tells you where red light cameras & speed cameras are, as well as silents itself when your RPMs are below a certain level. No warranties will be voided any way you go!

 

A quick question: Do you guys switch to new radar detector every year or so??? I have a Cobra but it's been almost 4 years. I was wondering if I need a new one.

^ the New Cobra looks promising! but I think i'm going to shell out a little more for the V1

 

Don't buy a cobra. The Escort 8500 x50 or 9500 or Valentine 1 are the only ones you should even consider.

I really wanted to mount my 8500 x50 above the rearview like some people have theirs mounted on here (the pictures I've seen that were posted in my thread last week look like V1s). However the 8500 is too long for that, so it's right below the rear view.

The best place for radar detecting is higher. If you put it on the dash you will lose sensitivity. The best place for laser detecting is lower. If you get hit with laser, you're boned anyway unless you have jammers.

 

I have an 8500 and I ended up mounting it right below the mirror like you say. Its very subtle, and I like having it there.

Btw, the guys at Car Toys explained and showed the new Escort 9500ci custom installed detector/jammer to me the other day. Wow it seems nice, detectors and jammers behind front grill and above rear license plate, nicely hidden. Just a small integrated display and control somewhere on the dash or midconsole gives you all info you need. Sooo sweet. But it was like $1500 plus installation...

 

I don't see why buying a Cobra is a bad idea... mine is doing just fine. I previously had a Bel Vector & it has given me an error code about once every 6 months w/o being in direct sunlight. It fries when in direct sunlight, where as my Cobra is perfectly okay. I only paid $250 for my Cobra & I am completely satisfied, especially w/that price.

 

Because Cobra makes some of the worst falsing detectors with the least radar and laser detection range in the world. Look how poorly a brand new Cobra performed compared to a brand new Valentine One. The Valentine One has 4 to 10 times the detection range of a Cobra and it doesn't cost much more than a crappy Cobra.

http://guysoflidar.com/august-2007/r...ctor-test.html

 

dont ever buy a cobra. they have been proven to be the worst radar detectors when you compare them to valentine, escort, bel and even whistler. spend 309 for a new escort 8500 x50 or just wait till one pops up cheap on ebay for 150 buy it now like i did. works great.

but never buy a cobra...ever.

might as well have a black cardboard box sitting on your dash with RADAR DETECTOR scribbled on it with pen. they serve the same purpose

 

V1 is the ONLY way to go, once you used those arrows you'll never go back

 

I have the Escort 8500 x50
the cost is worth it to because I know I have saved that much in tickets by now and I've had it a year.

Definitely worth it!

 

get an 8500 x50 and a zr3 or zr4 laser jammer

thats what i have on my lancer

 

+1 for Valentine 1
I have mine clipped on to the passenger side sun visor, then ran the cord down the a pillar tucked just inside, then it runs down the inside of door jam to go behind glove box and I have the end pop out right where it plugs into the cigarette lighter- it took me 5 minutes to run it through there myself, no need for professional install

 

I had the bel sti one it worked very well but..the speaker blew out in the damn thing and i think someone stepped on it so it doesn't work anymore at all....if i get another one it will be a V1

 

I guarantee that if you do, you'll wonder why you never got one before