[drjer1]

I have an Escort 9500i and am sick of the cigarette lighter plug-in. Talking to a local Electronics/Radio/Radar firm about hard wiring and they want $160 to wire it in--it seems steep to me (includes cord and mute control).

Also where did you wire it in from--the Local Audi dealer suggested that since the rear-view mirror is "hot" that I should mount it high. The installer suggested running from under the dash and mounting it lower. I checked and the lower install will clear the hood and be unobstructed.

Any experiences or suggestions would be appreciated.

08 S5, 6 sp, Ibis White w/Tuscan Brown, Loaded.

 

[Rezox]

Why not just buy an installed radar detector? I love my K40.

 

[houseofg]

Very few detectors have the full feature set of the 9500i. Plus, well, he already owns it! I would be interested to see what you end up doing, drjer. I have the same detector and am not terribly bothered by the cord because of the way the center console juts out and keeps the cord to the right side of the right edge (if that makes sense!) such that it's not blocking anything and doesn't move much. That said, a hardwire would of course be great. The dome light is a piece of cake to take down and mess with (a single screw in sunglasses holder!), so that's tempting.

 

[bb vign]

Here is the install thread for my V1 - would imagine it is similar for the Passport:

http://forums.audiworld.com/a5/msgs/20612.phtml

 

[drjer1]

houseofg and bb vign
Thanks for the constructive comments. I find the 9500i with gps is the most convenient unit since you can permanently silence a location and it is sensitive to all sources of tracking. I particularly like the feature that when it signals you it posts your speed on the display. I have had it for three months and it has more than paid for itself.
bb, the installation pics are terriffic--I am going to a "professional" installer here in Reno--he is charging me $100 for the install. I will try to take some pics of his progress.
My local Audi dealer suggested that I wire it into the mirror but the installer did not like that idea--too many things to go wrong. bb's installation looks nice and clean

 

[ShadyJC]

I actually love the idea of wiring it to the mirror, I had my Escort wired that way on my previous car... does anyone have any wiring diagrams for the mirror, or pictures of what's underneath that huge cover on the windshield?

 

[shivan150]

Anyone have a laser jammer wired to their A5/S5? And is the escort 9500ix considered better than the V1 for laser detection?

 

[houseofg]

Do let us know how it goes (with photos) drjer. I look forward to checking that out.

I remember seeing that install thread for your V1, bb... nice install. I also remember being somewhat alarmed by what looks like rust on the side there...??

Shivan just mentioned it, but did you see this new 9500ix, drjer? I received an email from Escort about it and was a bit perturbed. I've only read that email thus far but it sounds like it does some things that the 9500x should be able to do. But, so far as I know, we've never been enabled to use the update port ourselves for anything..

Here's the email text:

"Introducing the all-new PASSPORT 9500ix - the only radar and laser detector that incorporates ESCORT's new "AutoLearn" feature and the power of the Internet to keep you up to date and ticket free. It all starts with ESCORT's class leading long range radar and laser protection. We then integrate artificial intelligence through our new "AutoLearn" feature. This feature utilizes our patented GPS technology to identify and eliminate false alerts automatically. The only alerts you get are the ones that count!

The PASSPORT 9500ix also comes pre-loaded with thousands of safety camera locations, including red light and speed-based cameras throughout North America. You can also download updates, back up your data, and stay on top of new threats directly from our website."

 

[drjer1]

I had the Escort hardwired yesterday by a "professional" which cost me $100 plus $30 for the optional cable from Escort. No pics of the installation but the cleanest install was just over the speaker (tweeter?) in the left front corner of the dash. They wired directly into the fuse bloc and used a fuse in the bloc, eliminating the in-line fuse on the cable. There is plenty of visability as the hood slopes down and the Escort picks up signals up to 180 degrees. The "button" to shut off the sound or eliminate false "beeps" is mounted under the dash on the far left hand corner by the door. This provided the least amount of wire necessary for the install and they did not have to remove the upholstry, headliner, or air bag to get the wire in--I believe in the KISS method--less to go wrong. When the Escort is not plugged in, there is abour 4" of very thin wire showing (with a telephone type connector) but it blends right in with the black padding over the dash.
A service tech at the local Audi dealer suggested that I wire it in through the mirror but that would have entailed using "unknown" voltages and using the fuse for the auto-dimming and compass rear view mirror or having the in-line fuse in some strange location. He really didn't want to mess around with circuitry he had no wiring diagrams for and I appreciated his caution. You also have some location problems having the Escort up by the mirror--too long a cable. And you have to be aware of the visors if you offset up high.
I got the feeling it was a very straight-forward installation as I was across the street (in a casino, winning the money for the install!!). They told me 2 hours, I was back in 1 1/2 hours and the car had been done for a while.

 

[drjer1]

houseofg
Yes, I got the 9500ix notice--I sure do feel good having had mine for 3 months having paid $500 and Escort offering me $80 trade-in. The 9500i will be good enough for me for a few years--I'll probably wait until the RS5 comes out to get an ix. Of course I could have a verrrrrrry long wait!!
By the way, the 9500i has already paid for itself (at least twice over) based on saved fines and increases in insurance premiums.

 

[houseofg]

Glad the install went well, drjer. Would take some getting used to, having it in the left corner like that, but, if it picks up radar just as well there, it's probably a better position because it's not centerview (like I have it now). I couldn't live without that silence button because I get all kinds of signals leaving my garage downtown before GPS is ever picked up (i.e. no way to permanently ignore them). So, I use the button on a daily basis. Definitely worth the extra $30 to keep that option intact.

Haven't looked at the ix any further, but I still think we should at least be able to update via the port. I don't care much about speed cameras though, because they don't seem to be very popular in FL (unlike red light cameras, but I don't run lights!).

 

[drjer1]

Houseofg,
I understand about the location thing--I ran the coiled cable up from the lighter and kept the unit just below the rear view mirror before. Plus I am so right side oriented that it just doesn't feel natural but I am sure that I will get used to it. I am sure that you are aware but if the "signals" you get are from building installations (alarms, door openers, etc.) you can eliminate them permanently by pressing the button 3 times--good old gps.
To the best of my knowledge, we don't have permanent speed traps in Nevada and I have not seen a red light camera here. I got nailed by one about 7 years ago in L.A. 0.7 seconds late through a light. Ticket: $251.00, 3 years of insurance increases: $900.00. Since Las Vegas is 5X larger than Reno, they probably have all the latest techie goodies but the town is so crowded you can't drive too fast. Give me Reno--in 5 minutes I can be in the desert or the mountains--speed or curves!!

 

[houseofg]

Speaking of latest tech, I was horrified to see that the Tampa police have laser detectors. This week, I got a laser alert on the road (Bayshore) that I use every day to go to and from work. The cop had it pointed right at me. I don't really speed on that road, so not a big deal in that sense, but that means they have the technology around town! Crap...

You must not have caught (or I hurried through the explanation) that I am coming out of my garage downtown when I get these alerts. The GPS takes forever to kick in because of the tower buildings. So, I go past 3 or 4 garage arm and door sensors before GPS kicks in..thus I cannot block them out permanently.

 

[drjer1]

I understand. In the mornings, I usually travel 2 to 3 blocks before I get the message. Tall building and canyons wreck havoc with gps and cel phones, and the tunnels get Sirius. At least you know the spots. I got hit once by a laser--the alarm sound really woke me up having not heard it before. I think it was in New Mexico.