I have a Passport 8500 X50 radar detector in my car right now and it's plugged into the cigarette lighter socket. I want to hardwire my radar detector in my stang when I get it so I don't have the factory cord hanging in sight. Has anyone hardwired a radar detector in an 05 Mustang yet?

 

i'd be interested to hear about that as well.

although i never speed.



lol.

 

Ya...I just go with the "flow of traffic".

 

I did mine. Just pull the cover off where the 2 interior lights are between the sunvisors. There is a small hole in the roof panal for a small sheet metal screw for the ground wire, and use a tester to locate the hot wire with the lights off. Use a connector so you don't have to cut any wires. I forgot what they are called. There is plenty of room between the bracket and roof so not to worry about hitting the roof...

 

Thanks for the advice, hot4rd... but, can you be a little bit more specific? Maybe a "Hardwiring a radar detector for dummies" version. So, I cut the actual cord from my radar detector and there will be three wires in there? Or is it just a ground and a hot? And where exactly do we connect the wire(s) from the radar detector? Any particular wire(s) to tie into?

 

I go with the flow too it seems to work. Don't make yourself a target when there aren't alot of other cars around, be smart. Only one ticket since 1988.
20% discount on insurance is sweeeet

 

I also would love an explanation of that..

 

From my experience as soon as that radar detector starts go off you've already been nailed. Same thing goes for when you pop over a hill and the cop is sitting there. Everyone slows down but he already knows how fast you where going.

 

That's not true, at least not in my case. I have a $400 radar detector, and in the 5 years I have had it, I haven't gotten a ticket yet. And I always, and I mean always, speed. I am always the fastest car on the road. Many of the times it goes off, I can't even see the cop yet, so he can't see (or clock) me. Invest in a good one. It will pay for itself in a few years by saving you money in tickets and insurance. It has literally saved me thousands of dollars. I can't even tell you how many times it will go off, I will slow down, and then I will watch as a cop pulls the car that was next to me over.

 

Hey, that may have been me! Seriously, about 6 years ago I was driving like 90mph on I-10 in Texas headed for Vegas, following another guy who was doing the same and then BAM, out of nowhere a cop pulled up behind me and pulled me over.......not the guy in front of me! That stinked.

Hardwiring the Radar sounds like a good idea though. Anyone recommend a really good detector in the 3-4 hundred dollar range?

 

Does anybody have any experience with concealed radar detectors? I'm getting a convertible and do not want to have any part of the detector other than the detector panel visible. Is there a good place in the grill or below the bumper to mount the receiver? It's understood that mounting the receiver as high up as possible is permits better reception.

Mounting a conventional detector on the dash or up near the rearview mirror is not what I want to do.

 

Valentine One is definitely the way to go...4 hundo...can't beat the arrows. I've heard the new Escort is very good as well...and a little cheaper if I recall (350?).

The good detectors shouldn't be mounted in the grill because they provide 360 degree protection...mounting there would keep them from being about to pick up a signal behind you.

 

afcop13... I would definitely recommend a Bel. I have been using a Bel for the last 5 years, with no complaints. I can't find the model that I have on their site... might not make this exact one anymore. I know also with mine you can send it back in every year or so and have them reprogram it with the latest codes. Here is the Bel website...

http://www.bel-tronics.com/

And as far as something more concealed, check out Bel's remote radar detector...

http://www.beltronics.com/vectorlrremote.html

The radar antenna mounts under the hood. Hope this helps.

 

I have a Passport X50, which you can get for 300 bucks at Best Buy. I like the Valentine One, but cannot see paying 100 dollars more for the arrows.

I got a ticket last year doing 83 and my radar went off. The ticket was my fault because I wasn't paying attention scanning for troopers at the side of the road. I was doing roughly 95 mph and when the detector went off I threschold braked down to 83, which is what he clocked me at. My Passport has saved me too many times to count and I won't drive without it.

 

that is a lot for arrows, but they are nice.

does the x50 have a "bogey" counter so you know how many signals you're picking up?

 

I too would like to know how to do this. Also where to place the radar detector it so it’s not visible to others or to cops. Pictures would be cool as to the place.

Also has anyone confirmed if the dot matrix actually blocks at all? I emailed V-1 a while back and my response was

"The dark tint band on some vehicles is known to reduce sensitivity, especially if it’s a metallic film. I suggest testing the unit using a stationary source (supermarket automatic door or speed warning trailer) to determine sensitivity loss."

I don't think its metallic film but I always forget to look when ever I’m at the dealership (Don't have mine yet).

 

Anyone know whether or not they are legal in Washington State? Is so which brands?

 

Acadian, well i'm not too bright myself, only about 2 watts but here goes. I went to Radio Shack and bought a plug the same as what is on the cord that goes into the radar detector. My radar has a ground and hot wire. The ground goes to metal. With the cover off you can get at the hot wire real easy,it goes to the light bulb. Use a tester that has a wire with an aligator clip on the end that is used for a ground,the other end looks like an ice pick. The tester has a light in it and will light up when you touch a hot wire.,splice the other wire from the plug to that wire. I didn't cut the cord so I can use it when I put the radar in her car. After reading this I might have made it more complicated?????? Well I'll post it anyway.

 

Is the hot wire to the interior lights switched on by the ignition, or is it always hot? If it is always hot, I'd have to find another source.

 

Hey, that may have been me! Seriously, about 6 years ago I was driving like 90mph on I-10 in Texas headed for Vegas, following another guy who was doing the same and then BAM, out of nowhere a cop pulled up behind me and pulled me over.......not the guy in front of me! That stinked.

Hardwiring the Radar sounds like a good idea though. Anyone recommend a really good detector in the 3-4 hundred dollar range? [/b][/quote]
Wow the same exact thing happend to me on I-40 going through Texas on my way to Vegas. I was following a Viper and I got pulled over what the heck !!!!! :scratch: