Escort Radar Detector Install

[Doug Nash]

Thanks to all who helped me find the pin plug in the rear view mirror. Mine was wrapped to the mirror wiring past the end of the connector so I could not see it. Just carefully exacto'd the sticky cloth type tape to expose the plug. The Dodge wiring in the plain bag clipped right in nice and tight.
I have attached some pics of the install. This is a 7500 model that I had left over. I have a 9500 ix coming. Uses same plug and windshield mount. Edit: Not sure why the mirror looks jacked in pic3; its not and adjusted properly. Bad camera angle perhaps.
I like the unit up high where it cannot be seen easily. Two things with the dots on the windshield interior; the suction cups do not stick. For the left one on these dots I cut a piece of 3M clear 10lb tape. Put this on the suction cup on the dots. That allowed me to have it close enough to be over the right side of the mirror. Nothing touches or rubs so I put a small piece of velcro on the mirror top and detector bottom. It is solid as a rock with the tape/cup, suction cup and velcro. Also I did not spend $$ on the shorty wiring Escort and others offer. There is a channel on the top side of the headliner at the windshield large enough to run your fingers into so I just laid the long stock line in there and cut it back to splice to where the black with red stripe and black wires are just exposed.

Also, I was able to find a new in the packaging (the cardboard type such as sold at Best Buy) on Ebay for $300. and $8. for delivery This is a savings of $149. off list price plug the sales tax. Got it on the third auction I had marked to watch. Escort offered me $50 off on a trade-in but that was still $427. with tax. This is about 1/2 of one speeding ticket not to mention the ins rates jack-up. Need to have some help in the beast!







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[lochnessmonster]

Nice write up Doug!! Thanx for this.

[Doug Nash]

Welcome. Beauty of these forums is to cut down on stumbling and fumbling around with projects done by others!

[lochnessmonster]

So true!!!! It's an awesome opportunity for the exchange of valuable information.

[FrgMstr]

Damn 9500ix are near worthless in any kind of traffic now days as they pick up tons of false positive signals from collision avoidance systems. These are especially bad on the new Tahoes, Suburbans, Escalades and the like.

I talked to Escort about this two days ago. They told me they have an update on the way that should fix this but there was no ETA. And it is not exactly a new problem, so I am not sure if it will ever happen.

Anyway, just FYI.

[Viktimize]

Damn 9500ix are near worthless in any kind of traffic now days as they pick up tons of false positive signals from collision avoidance systems. These are especially bad on the new Tahoes, Suburbans, Escalades and the like.

I talked to Escort about this two days ago. They told me they have an update on the way that should fix this but there was no ETA. And it is not exactly a new problem, so I am not sure if it will ever happen.

Anyway, just FYI.

I'm sure that is a simple matter of just programming the unit to ignore certain frequencies. My V1 goes bat shit crazy when I am behind an Audi, or a new Denali. PITA!!


Unit placement is always a toss up in the Viper. Placing it high means you lose rear coverage quite a bit since the roofline blocks its view now. But mounting it below the mirror means you lose some front coverage distance.

I need to get this same install done before our road trip at the end of the month. Just need a phone cable to hack up.

[FrgMstr]

I'm sure that is a simple matter of just programming the unit to ignore certain frequencies. My V1 goes bat shit crazy when I am behind an Audi, or a new Denali. PITA!!


Unit placement is always a tool up in the Viper. Placing it high means you lose rear coverage quite a bit since the roofline blocks its view now. But mounting it below the mirror means you lose some front coverage distance.

I need to get this same install done before our road trip at the end of the month. Just need a phone cable to hack up.

The issue is that these systems are using the exact frequencies that the police are using on both K and Ka. Escort is struggling with this. I was told that Valentine can be shipped back for an update with a fix, but I have not verified that.

I use the Blendmount on mine and have really good results as far as range even though it is below the mirror.

[Ninjakris]

I run a escort 8500 with the provided wire tap as well. I keep mine on the right side of the mirror, but basically the same idea. I also found the two small suction cups wouldn't do the job by themselves on the glass. I bought the single big suction cup from escort and it works like a champ. I'll show some picts when I get back in town.

[darbgnik]

The issue is that these systems are using the exact frequencies that the police are using on both K and Ka. Escort is struggling with this. I was told that Valentine can be shipped back for an update with a fix, but I have not verified that.

I use the Blendmount on mine and have really good results as far as range even though it is below the mirror.

I dont think theres room for a blend mount behind the Gen V mirror. I have one in my Ram and really like it though

[Redx]

I dont think theres room for a blend mount behind the Gen V mirror. I have one in my Ram and really like it though

Whats the stem like on the gen v? I have a blendmount on the gen iv and works awesome, with mirror tap as well with the passport max. The max isn't really picking up as much false positives as my old X50 for sure, but the one thing I don't really like about the max even at full volume is still pretty quiet in my car with top down and exhaust.

I picked up a al priority and will use in conjunction with this, but if I were to do it again I would have gotten the bell stir plus with the al priority integration module and the radar mirror for a stealth install.

[darbgnik]

The stem is pretty well completely buried by the bulk of the mirror. Couldn't tell you the size.

The mirror on my Ram was pretty chunky making the blend mount install a bit of a pain, but it's got nothing on the fatty in the Viper.

[Ninjakris]

I tried my blend mount from my gen III, and it wouldn't work on the gen V. Additionally, the mirror position is a little different on the new car and having a radar directly below the mirror blocked my view out the windshield too much. Placing the detector on the left or right seemed to work best

[TexasTonka]

Sorry to resurrect an old thread but can someone shoot me instruction on how to wire up an escort radar detector using the factory wiring plug? I assume you need to splice in the escort telephone jack looking connector on the factory wire harness extension? No idea how to do that but willing to cut some wires up and try it.

[darbgnik]

I bought one similar to the first link. But be careful, the wire in these ends are very thin and fragile. I cut the ends shown in the picture off, and soldered the wires together.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/For-Escort-Radar-Detectors-Mirror-Wire-With-Fuse-8500x50-9500iX-Max-Max-2-/171676511247
I also used the stick on mount and stuck it to the plastic box below the rearview, like this one:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/One-Escort-Permanent-Windshield-Mount-For-Escort-Passport-MAX-Radar-Detector-/181447559775

The wired plug connects behind the cover behind the rearview. IIRC, you get that off by squeezing the sides and pull it out starting at the top.

[TexasTonka]

I bought one similar to the first link. But be careful, the wire in these ends are very thin and fragile. I cut the ends shown in the picture off, and soldered the wires together.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/For-Escort-Radar-Detectors-Mirror-Wire-With-Fuse-8500x50-9500iX-Max-Max-2-/171676511247
I also used the stick on mount and stuck it to the plastic box below the rearview, like this one:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/One-Escort-Permanent-Windshield-Mount-For-Escort-Passport-MAX-Radar-Detector-/181447559775

The wired plug connects behind the cover behind the rearview. IIRC, you get that off by squeezing the sides and pull it out starting at the top.

Oh okay, you guys are using a wiretap, I thought everyone was using the OEM power connector that came with it from the factory to plug in thier radar detectors. Good links, thanks.

[darbgnik]

Oh okay, you guys are using a wiretap, I thought everyone was using the OEM power connector that came with it from the factory to plug in thier radar detectors. Good links, thanks.
I did use the factory wiretap, I just soldered it to the wire in the link. That way, one end plugs into the car, one end plugs into the detector.

[TexasTonka]

I did use the factory wiretap, I just soldered it to the wire in the link. That way, one end plugs into the car, one end plugs into the detector.


Okay very cool. Being a novice at electrical issues, do all the wires match up with like colors or how did you solder it together correctly? I woudl like to do the same.

[darbgnik]

If you use that wire in the link it is labeled which is positive and negative. And if memory serves me the jumper with the car has red positive and black negative. IIRC......

[lochnessmonster]

I bought an Escort "Smart Cord". Mounted the unit (the little silence button/red/green light box)on the far left vent with velcro, then ran the wires up the "A" pillar and along where the windshield and headliner meet. Joined up there with the factory "pig tail". Very clean install. I'd leave the cigarette lighter cord alone. I use it in my other vehicles.