DIY: radar detector hard wire

[HondaFREAK]

that's what I would wonder...I'd rather hardwire into the dash, have the unit sit up on the dash somewhere and the wires with the buttons somewhere either near the trays in the center console or near the side-mirror adjustment.

[CZ-75]

I did this for my V1 Friday night while watching 20/20 during the commercial breaks. Simple and easy.

[sweger]

im using this to do my GPS...hopefully it doesnt blow anything

[benmunger]

Originally Posted by faziwazi

how do you have access to the buttons?

I dont use the mute button that often. I use it so little that i would wrather have it hidden away, clean.

[subee13]

Just use the mute button on the unit. Not a big deal. I tested all those wires and it pisses me off every time i open a door it shuts off. I wish it was a constant power instead. Oh well.

[Coop]

Anyone have any idea where i can actually purchase the 3M Dual Lock locally? I have tried Walmart, Home Depot, CVS, Auto Zone, and O Reilly. I am trying to find, with no luck. I may have to call them. Thanks.

[kkim388]

Originally Posted by Coop

Anyone have any idea where i can actually purchase the 3M Dual Lock locally? I have tried Walmart, Home Depot, CVS, Auto Zone, and O Reilly. I am trying to find, with no luck. I may have to call them. Thanks.

I got mine off ebay.

[Coop]

anyone have any xtra dual lock they wanna sell?

tedesj, is yours velcro or actual adhesive double stick tape? i dont want to get the wrong thing.

[kkim388]

Originally Posted by Coop

anyone have any xtra dual lock they wanna sell?

tedesj, is yours velcro or actual adhesive double stick tape? i dont want to get the wrong thing.

This what I got. Works perfect!!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...9199157&rd=1,1

[Coop]

Originally Posted by kkim

This what I got. Works perfect!!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...9199157&rd=1,1

I just bought. Thanks. I just wanted to make sure i was getting the right stuff.

[tedesj]

There is a lot of 24 strips on Ebay. I used 2-3 to mount my RD.

Perhaps someone can buy these and redistribute to the list if people have problems finding this material.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Lot-of-24-3M-DUA...QQcmdZViewItem

[jmacksi]

I just purchased an Escort 8500 X50 last week and have been using it in my Si. Very pleased so far - excellent range on the warnings.

I'll be tackling this hard wire as soon as my materials arrive. I ordered the hardwire ($10 for the non smartcord version - no sense wasting $20 for leds and a mute button you won't be able to use) and an extra bracket with suction cups ($4) direct from Escort.
http://www.escortradar.com/shop.htm
Total was $15.50 shipped. I ordered the extra bracket because it didn't raise shipping, plus this way I can use the EZpass velcro strips on the bracket that will stay in the Si, plus have the original bracket with suction cups if I need to take the RD to another vehicle.

PepBoys carries the 3M Scotchlok Self Stripping Tap Connector 558 (that little red clip in the picture). Unfortunately they only come in boxes of 18 which cost $6.
Here's the description from the 3M website:
"Specially designed for the smaller wire gauges used on todays vehicles. U.L. listed. Permits fast and effective tap wire connections on 22-16 AWG strand or solid wire in automobiles, boats and RVs."

Can't wait to see how it all looks. Not a bad mod for about $20 (assuming you already have the $300 detector)

Does anyone know if the adhesive on the Ezpass velcro poses a threat to the dot-matrix stuff? Will it rip off the little dots if I need to remove it later?

[benmunger]

Originally Posted by jmacksi

I just purchased an Escort 8500 X50 last week and have been using it in my Si. Very pleased so far - excellent range on the warnings.

I'll be tackling this hard wire as soon as my materials arrive. I ordered the hardwire ($10 for the non smartcord version - no sense wasting $20 for leds and a mute button you won't be able to use) and an extra bracket with suction cups ($4) direct from Escort.
http://www.escortradar.com/shop.htm
Total was $15.50 shipped. I ordered the extra bracket because it didn't raise shipping, plus this way I can use the EZpass velcro strips on the bracket that will stay in the Si, plus have the original bracket with suction cups if I need to take the RD to another vehicle.

PepBoys carries the 3M Scotchlok Self Stripping Tap Connector 558 (that little red clip in the picture). Unfortunately they only come in boxes of 18 which cost $6.
Here's the description from the 3M website:
"Specially designed for the smaller wire gauges used on todays vehicles. U.L. listed. Permits fast and effective tap wire connections on 22-16 AWG strand or solid wire in automobiles, boats and RVs."

Can't wait to see how it all looks. Not a bad mod for about $20 (assuming you already have the $300 detector)

Does anyone know if the adhesive on the Ezpass velcro poses a threat to the dot-matrix stuff? Will it rip off the little dots if I need to remove it later?

it wont rip off the dots...

[Repo buyer]

Just one note I used telephone wire for the x50 and learned two things.
1. green and red wires are swaped on some telephone wires.
2. the detector will not work if you reverse power it.

If you use telephone wire instead of the provided power cord it saves alot of room and hassel just remember to look at the wire color and compare. If you are looking at the detectores wires:

Green = ground
Red= power
Yellow= mute
Black= LED (requies resitor)

[japs52]

ALL OTHERS ARE PRETENDERS.....V1 RULES THE WORLD

[nwsi07]

"Our Overall Preference

Throughout these tests, we found ourselves favoring the comparison of both the RX65 Pro and V1.

And, in fact, although it’s not practical for most, we enjoyed driving with both radar detectors in operation – they appeared to get along quite nicely. If one alerted while the other remained silent, we would feel more assured that we could disregard the alert. If both alerted, we were more inclined to react immediately. This too, applied to our match-ups of the V1 and 8500 X50.

Taking everything into consideration- if we had only to pick one radar detector to take with us on our trip, it would be the Beltronics RX65 Pro."

-Bob & Lisa (aka: The Veil Guy & Veil Gal)
http://www.laserveil.com/en/ultimate.../introduction/


RX65 FTW!

[Drew303]

OK, I guess im not following the write up. My radar detector is a little older and I just have the cigarette lighter plug in. What do I connect it to?

[Hostage46]

I havn't had a ticket in over 10 years, and I don't drive like a little old lady! Last week I got my second in six months in my '06 Navi Sedan, the first was on the maiden voyage on the way back from the dealership

So I did a little research and concluded that while Valentine looks good, and the newest Escort product looks phenominal. I just picked up a new 8500 X50 for $210, excellent value.

This little mod ought to round it all out nicely. Good heads up to get the straight wire, can't see putting the remote switch up inside the headliner.

Cheers from Big D...

[Hostage46]

Originally Posted by iknowmysh1t

turns out the tape thing only lasted overnight. got in my car today and the suction cups didnt hold up. anybody else got any ideas on how to do this without glue?

I noticed I could feel the dots through the single layer of tape, so the suction cup can't get a good seal on the "rough" surface.

I had this problem and am trying few layers of tape ...

[nwsi07]

Why not silicone a small piece of plexi-glass to the dotted area, then mount your detector suction cups to that?