Adding escort 9500ci radar detector - advice, how to ?

[dmlgc]

Originally Posted by archwerks

There'r always compromises between stealth, protection from damage/theft & unobstructed performance. Each has his own reason(s).
here's my way.
Front units:
Green tape shows location of mounting screws for the supplied brackets of rec'r & left & right shifters.

Agree according to the radar purist you should drive a small car and have all of the detector/jammer gear mount on the hood for max performance,
I'll settle for a little less performance.

Cool so you're going with all in the center grill. I was thinking of putting the shifters in middle grill and detector in bottom grill. speedtraphunter had his placed behind his front bumper (ok for detector) on drivers side (not going to do that, he has 5 series so different car). I've been working mostly on where to place the shifters, grill in fog lights or middle. Thanks for posting the pics.

[archwerks]

IMHO mounting it higher is better as it gives u longer range/earlier detection.
behind a grill will give u protection from sand, rock & other highway debris kicked up by traffic.
My rear shifter is mounted on the upper edge of the black rear licence plate holder,. so it looks like a light housing for license plate illumination (stealth) & high enuf away from people damaging it, if they bump into my bumper when they park. ( Mind u i park far from the madding crowd to avoid door dings anyway) .
& bcse i live in Canada/snow country, mounting it away from moisture kicked up by my own rear wheels is important, due to freeze thaw cycle. Even concrete & stainless steel is no match for ice & road salt! Nothing is waterproof forever in the Canadian winter, but i want to prolong the inevitable water damage to the plastic housings as long as possible.
the only absolute guarantee of not being caught by smokey is to absolutely Not speed over posted limit...but hey we live in the real world! Even Smokeys in my country break much more serious law!
Make sure u install all of these equipment away from car components requiring service unless u don't mind paying the BMW service mechanic extra money to deal with non OM equipment!
I know my 9500 works bcse fr.time to time, cars w/radar or laser operated cruise control, gets shifted, when driving past me.
Imho, Kahunacanucks' rear units are prone to damage when backing into snowbanks/ curbs/ parking by other drivers.
& why did the installer bother to put in the stealth diodes/concealed alert indicator, then put the display on the odometer, where Smokey can see it directly when standing over u.

Drive safely & n Joy!

[kahunacanuck]

We don't get snow banks on the wet coast, so not a concern, and they are more protected than the pic indicates.

I wanted the display there for the escort, but the Blinder only has an led for visual indication, so we figured you might as well add the escort led there if you are running all dark. Jammers/detectors are not illegal in my neck of the woods, so if I have a cop standing at my window, I don't really care if he sees it or not.

I went with the Blinder for the jamming duties as it is superior to the Escort in that area...

[shenard]

Originally Posted by kahunacanuck

We don't get snow banks on the wet coast, so not a concern, and they are more protected than the pic indicates.

I wanted the display there for the escort, but the Blinder only has an led for visual indication, so we figured you might as well add the escort led there if you are running all dark. Jammers/detectors are not illegal in my neck of the woods, so if I have a cop standing at my window, I don't really care if he sees it or not.

I went with the Blinder for the jamming duties as it is superior to the Escort in that area...

Got it. Thanks for the feedback. What is the street price for the Blinder? I know the Escort 9500ci can be found for around $1000.

[chuck92103]

Originally Posted by dmlgc

Escort 9500ci is best detector on the market and it comes with ZR4 jammers (separate units). This is not the normal suction cups in the window unit. It is meant to be hidden , which is why I bought it.

After spending weeks in the radar forums I found that when it comes to the jammer part (everyone agrees the detector is best on market and wish escort sold it separately) there is considerable difference of opinion on the escort ZR4 jammers.

Seems folks that have them say they work fine others don't have them say they don't (although their opinions are usually based on experience with the ZR3, previous generation) The Blinder jammers have a very good reputation, you can go nuts with this if you want. A lot of the purist on the radar forums run 2 and 3 radar detector/jammers. I'm not willing to turn my car into radar central, just want simple edge.

Better than Valentine 1?

Radar detectors are pretty worthless in my neck of the woods, but I thought Valentine was the bomb. No more?

[dmlgc]

Originally Posted by chuck92103

Better than Valentine 1?

Radar detectors are pretty worthless in my neck of the woods, but I thought Valentine was the bomb. No more?

After spending weeks in the radar forums I came to there are two camps , V1 and escort. From what I could gather the 9500ci just one upped V1. But I don't want to start a religious argument if people like V1 go with it , if you like escort go with it both are very competent detectors.

ok I'll byte why are detectors worthless where you live ? I grew up in SoCal (Del Mar when I was young, then hollywood then hermosa beach), the reason I went with the 9500ci was a "demo" I personally observed visiting one of my little brothers riding in his hybrid SUV. He lives in Burbank.

[dmlgc]

Originally Posted by archwerks

IMHO mounting it higher is better as it gives u longer range/earlier detection.
behind a grill will give u protection from sand, rock & other highway debris kicked up by traffic.
My rear shifter is mounted on the upper edge of the black rear licence plate holder,. so it looks like a light housing for license plate illumination (stealth) & high enuf away from people damaging it, if they bump into my bumper when they park. ( Mind u i park far from the madding crowd to avoid door dings anyway) .
& bcse i live in Canada/snow country, mounting it away from moisture kicked up by my own rear wheels is important, due to freeze thaw cycle. Even concrete & stainless steel is no match for ice & road salt! Nothing is waterproof forever in the Canadian winter, but i want to prolong the inevitable water damage to the plastic housings as long as possible.
the only absolute guarantee of not being caught by smokey is to absolutely Not speed over posted limit...but hey we live in the real world! Even Smokeys in my country break much more serious law!
Make sure u install all of these equipment away from car components requiring service unless u don't mind paying the BMW service mechanic extra money to deal with non OM equipment!
I know my 9500 works bcse fr.time to time, cars w/radar or laser operated cruise control, gets shifted, when driving past me.
Imho, Kahunacanucks' rear units are prone to damage when backing into snowbanks/ curbs/ parking by other drivers.
& why did the installer bother to put in the stealth diodes/concealed alert indicator, then put the display on the odometer, where Smokey can see it directly when standing over u.

Drive safely & n Joy!

The higher vs lower argument is slugged out on the radar forums all the time from what I observed. The "higher" camp says longer range, "lower" camp says can be blocked by vehicle in front of you, lower allows waves to come under that vehicle. So whatever suits you I'm going lower as that's what was recommended by the escort rep that monitors the forum recommended for my car (I took pics of front and posted them) after a lot of discussion in the forum.

So from my standpoint this is the old "measure twice cut once" type of approach. I spent the time doing the research as all cars are different and lots of factors come into play when placing modern (technology advancements changes the rules) detectors/jammers,
light car vs dark car , plate no plate,etc.

What I did get was no matter where you place the 9500ci (except behind metal) you will get exceptional results from the detector. lots of arguments on the jammers but that seems to be more related to placement.

[dmlgc]

Originally Posted by shenard

Got it. Thanks for the feedback. What is the street price for the Blinder? I know the Escort 9500ci can be found for around $1000.

be careful where you buy from there is a warning on the escort website about knock off's and a notice that escort will not honor the warranty . they even have list of companies that they know of.

[archwerks]

Bona fide seller will have unit with serial # for warranty registration.

[dmlgc]

I spent this weekend crawling around looking at where I would place shifters/radar . shifters will go into fog area ok ( will require use of additional brackets that came with unit), would like to put radar in bottom grill but can figure out how to get access, center grill just pops out but bottom doesn't.

Biggest problem is as I expected getting wires through firewall and into into glove box area, still haven't found easy way to do this yet.

[Kojak]

Better get that thing installed post haste. I lived in CA for 15 years and of the 7 speeding tickets I got during that time, 5 were in Los Gatos e.g. where you live!

[twinsprings]

Great to have feedback on issues I'm dealing with. I just took delivery and want radar protection also. Sorry don't have a lot of experience so can't help with installation.
Seems like two choices:
1)concealed vs windshield. Like the idea of concealed, but would prefer less money and avoiding non attractive mods
2)V1 vs Belscort.
V1 is all about range, more falses, no laser shifter (unless separately installed)
Bel STi-R + ZR4 = Escort 9500Ci (top of the line)
Do the laser shifters work, do they stay in adjustment, do they need to be shunted?
Is the Escort Redline better than V1?
Will any of the above give me a substantial edge over my Escort Solo S2 (the ultimate in convenience)
Any help is appreciated, be safe and best of luck on the road!

[dmlgc]

Originally Posted by Kojak

Better get that thing installed post haste. I lived in CA for 15 years and of the 7 speeding tickets I got during that time, 5 were in Los Gatos e.g. where you live!

Agreed cops around here are terrible but since I know about them not my biggest threat. Most of my tickets come from chp on I5 going from my house down to visit my brothers in SoCal. It's turnig out to be harder tan I thought (Mainly getting wire into glove box area).

[dmlgc]

2)V1 vs Belscort.
this is a religious argument and 9500ci or V1 seem to be top of the line and I think either is fine , personal preference.

Do the laser shifters work, do they stay in adjustment, do they need to be shunted?
yes from everything and one I communicated with they do their job, mine aren't installed yet so can not personally vouch, but have seen them in action on my younger brother's car.

Is the Escort Redline better than V1? (see above)
Will any of the above give me a substantial edge over my Escort Solo S2 (the ultimate in convenience)
not familiar withh this model so can't say.

[shenard]

Originally Posted by archwerks

Bona fide seller will have unit with serial # for warranty registration.

Yes. I ended up buying from an authorized dealer that was listed on Escort's website. Still about the same price as EBAY prices but with serial number and assurance of warranty which is pretty important when you are spending over $1000 for a radar/laser unit.

[shenard]

Originally Posted by dmlgc

Biggest problem is as I expected getting wires through firewall and into into glove box area, still haven't found easy way to do this yet.

Haven't looked under the hood or under the dash area yet, but can you run the wires through the steering column linkage? I just got my 9500 today and am thinking about installing myself as well so I will start looking around.

[shenard]

Originally Posted by kahunacanuck

I had my install (Escort 9500 CI with Blinder M47 Jammers) completed by Audio Video Unlimited here in Surrey, very happy with the cleanliness of the install!
Main control:

Main display (green right led is Escort, right is Blinder)

Blinder jammer on right side (he made a custom bracket):

Escort front ride side in middle grill:

Rear jammers (another custom bracket):

Radar Unit (I wanted it as high as possible):


Haven't truly tested it yet...

Can you share any more real world experience on how the unit has been working for you in the past two weeks? Have you been picking up radar alerts with plenty of heads-up notice mounting the radar unit so high? How about laser? Have you been hit yet and had to hit the disable button and turn it off so cop could get your reading?

[kahunacanuck]

Haven't driven on the highway at all, so no laser experience. Radar is awesome, huge lead time...and I am busy marking off the doors and other things that would regularly set off my old ones...they don't go off anymore thanks to the GPS. Very happy so far...

[Jblackbelt]

Hi guys,

Hope the 9500ci's are still serving you all well. We have it on my 750Li xdrive and love it. With the arrival of our X6 35i we are trying to figure out where to put the USB port in the vehicle. We were going to put the display and controller in the ashtray above the cupholders. We just haven't figured out a place for the USB. We have to make sure it does not violate any lease terms. Where did you guys mount yours?

Thanks

[archwerks]

Originally Posted by Jblackbelt

Hi guys,

Hope the 9500ci's are still serving you all well. We have it on my 750Li xdrive and love it. With the arrival of our X6 35i we are trying to figure out where to put the USB port in the vehicle. We were going to put the display and controller in the ashtray above the cupholders. We just haven't figured out a place for the USB. We have to make sure it does not violate any lease terms. Where did you guys mount yours?

Thanks

Lots of info on this site if u search. Advice to get prof. help as these new cars r full of electronics!

There r people who install in Bentleys, Ferraris, AM, R8s, GTRs, 911s, M5 &M6s,
Let them do it, so it's out of the way of other mechanicals & not void ur warranty.

[dmlgc]

Originally Posted by Jblackbelt

Hi guys,

Hope the 9500ci's are still serving you all well. We have it on my 750Li xdrive and love it. With the arrival of our X6 35i we are trying to figure out where to put the USB port in the vehicle. We were going to put the display and controller in the ashtray above the cupholders. We just haven't figured out a place for the USB. We have to make sure it does not violate any lease terms. Where did you guys mount yours?

Thanks

I don't have to worry about lease so i could put it anywhere I wanted. Ended up on passenger side just below below dash it's not visible unless you stick your head up under there. there already was the indent not sure what it was for, just had cut the square in the middle out enough for port.

Since you have to worry about lease it will have to go in glove box.

[kahunacanuck]

Mines under the dash below the steering wheel...it is easy to find, but invisible to anyone else...also can be removed with no marks.

I second getting a pro install...

I was getting a lot of false warnings from behind and noticed whenever a Nissan was behind me was when i got it...it only set off the Escort, not my Blinders. So my installer did a slick job of putting metal tape he painted black over the rear Escort Laser Jammers...no more falses and I am still protected.

Other than that it has worked great...no tickets!