My past two cars had car specific radar detector mounting brackets available. Any XF/XFR products out there? Can a zip mount cord be used out the rear view mirror for power?

What are you guys using to avoid suction cups and cig lighter power?

 

I have not got mine in "permanently" yet, but it tucks up next to the mirror pretty nice with the standard visor clip- hard to see outside the car and right where you need it for Alert. The sunroof certainly has a power source up there. I will probably get into it next week.

 

Hey RosewellJag

I have mine mounted to the sunvisor and hard wire into the passenger side fuse box using a fuse connector. You can't see it from out side the car, but it all depends on what type of detector your running. Look up Need4spd thread on this subject.. He has a Pastport which the display is in his cup holder.. I have the 9500IX with the smart cord hardwire set. I mounted the 2nd display beside my center console.

 

Red,

Thanks for the info. What is the easiest method and route from the visor area to the fuse box below?

 

I posted on here somewhere how I did my Escort Redline and Escort Live Direct Wire install with an external speaker in my '11 XFR. I'm actually in in the process of deciding whether to add the Escort ZR4 Laser Shifters to my Escort Redline setup, or potentially using the or Redline in my other car and switching to one of Escort's "discreet installation" options (Passport 8500ci Plus or Passport 9500ci), or even looking at some other option altogether. I definitely want to add some type of laser defense, but I'm not sure what will work best overall, and in conjunction with the wiring I've already done. Plus, taking the window-mounted Redline down everytime I park somewhere besides my house is getting a little tiresome.

 

Valentine One or bust (literally!)

 

The countermeasure conversation is really subjective, and also depends on where you live/drive (radar and laser detection varies significantly by state, municipality, etc.). But, whatever the case, I really wanted Escort Live, which only works in conjunction with Escort/Bel setups, and the Escort Redline was supposed to be their most powerful windshield-mounted radar detector, since it has two antennae. I added the Escort external speaker, since I frequently have my windows completely down and stereo way up, and hate the Escort Live app pausing my music with alerts.

But, one drawback of the Redline is that it's so sensitive, it's almost unusable in-town (where I am 99.9% of the time) without Escort Live's integrated GPS feature to block out the false alarms. I'm not sure why Escort didn't make an ultra-version of a windshield-mounted detector with both the dual antennae extreme performance of the Escort Redline and the GPS technology false alarm lockout ability of the Passport 9500ix, rather than making several models with different strengths & weaknesses. The Redline/Escort Live combination has been working great for me, though, aside from the fact that I always have to take the Redline down when not parked in my home garage (I even take it down in my office parking deck).

I went with a windshield-mounted option, so I could easily switch it between cars. But, I now want to add laser defense to my XFR (got a nice bonus check), and a fully-discreet, fully-integrated total package would be nice for several reasons. After talking to Escort, though, it looks like my only option for fully-discreet, fully-integrated Redline-type radar performance with laser protection is their Passport 9500ci, which costs $1,700. But, it's no secret that Escort's ZR4 Laser Shifter (which comes with the 9500ci) isn't as good as some other brands of laser jammers, namely the Laser Interceptor brand option. Hence, my dilemma.

So, as it stands, I've got to decide whether I want to do one of three things (unless another option presents itself);
1) Add the Escort ZR4 Laser Shifter to my existing Redline for a fully-integrated setup for $450
2) Add the Laser Interceptor brand laser jammer to my existing Redline for the "best" overall performance for $550 (starting price for the "basic" Laser Interceptor sensors)
3) Remove the Redline and install the Escort Passport 9500ci (with included ZR4 Laser Shifter) for a fully-discreet, fully-integrated setup for $1,700

However, with any of the above options, I'm trading off something fairly significant. It would probably take me a full day to install any of the laser jammer options, so that's not a factor, but, depending on which option I choose, hardwiring my Redline into my RRSS could take a little time and cost a little bit extra for a direct wire kit, etc.

If only Escort/Bel just made a better laser jammer and/or sold the 9500ci without the ZR4 Laser Shifter (obviously, at a cheaper price), it would be a much easier decision. Grrrr...

 

4) Remove the Redline and install the Bel STiR Plus AND Laser Interceptor laser jammer for the "best" fully-discreet setup for $1,850+ (price includes starting price for the "basic" Laser Interceptor sensors)

OK, so there's another option... I just learned that the Bel STiR Plus is essentially the Escort Passport 9500ci without the pre-packaged Escort ZR4 Laser Shifters (which are crap, apparently). So, the STiR Plus costs $1,300 instead of $1,700, like the 9500ci. And, the STiR Plus and 9500ci both have the dual antennae radar detection like my window-mounted Redline, but they're both installed detectors, i.e. not window-mounted. So, I can take the money I'd save and buy the Laser Interceptors for the best fully-discreet performance. This sounds like the best option for me.

Now, I just have to decide if I really want to pay $1,300 (in addition to the $550+ for the Laser Interceptor jammer AND the $500+ I already spent on the Redline), just so my Redline isn't window-mounted (which is really what the Bel STiR does)?

 

I use the blend mount bracket. But in my new car I just bought another new Valentine 1 radar and the blend mount, SAVVY, and Bluetooth module and come to find out I cant use a radar in my new car due to the laser/radar collision system in my car so I have to sell it.

All of it is brand new ( 1 week old so far) with warranty, receipts , boxes, etc direct from Valentine one if anyone wants to save a few bucks contact me . $500 firm , comes with everything I mentioned and the Blend Mount with store receipt . Valentine One Radar Detector Mount
https://store.valentine1.com/store/basket.asp
https://store.valentine1.com/store/default.asp

 

Big Cat - how did you handle the power issue? I can't do the cable running down from the mirror to the dash...

 

Just tap into the overhead console. You can find the appropriate information if you search this forum.

 

For a Stealth Radar System If the V1 is not your choice since it is a dash type mount/portable my first choice would be the full blown K40 RL360i/G5 K40, RL360i radar detector, front and rear radar detector | K40 Electronics
I got real creative with these on installs and is super easy and stealth.

 

I'm putting on a Passport 8500ci plus for $800--this is essentially the 9500 without the laser shifters--and I like it because it's just one button/display dongle versus the separate dongles of the 9500. And then I'm putting in a laser Blinder trio HP-905.

I have the 9500ci in my C63 AMG and I can tell you it doesn't work for laser jamming. It detects lasers just fine lol. It's let me down a couple times. Promised I would not buy Escort's laser jammers ever again, hence I'm going a different route this time around with my Jag XFR-S. Escort makes a great installed detector, though--that one really is tops.

Ultimately, paying ~$1000 (~$800 plus install) to have the installed look (for an 8500ci plus) versus ~$500 for a nice detector but the cluttered look... I think a lot of people would spring for the $1000.

 

I am curious as to how you used the blend mount on the XFR. In looking at my 2013 it didn't seem possible. Were earlier XFR mirror setups different? Any idea if the mirror can be tapped for power using the cords that blend mount sells?

 

The 8500ci Plus doesn't have the increased dual antennae radar detection range or sensitivity of the 9500ci (or the STiR Plus or Redline), which is why it's so much cheaper.

 

After an exchange of pictures and a call with Blend mount, they suggest I try the custom BMW mount. The BMW mirror setup is very similar so I will try it. I also ordered their MirrorTap for power. We'll see what happens.

 

My Laser Interceptor Quads should arrive via USPS tomorrow, so I'll try to take some pix and document the install for everyone. I'm still on the fence about whether to keep using my Redline, or order the Bel STiR Plus.

I wanted to buy the Passport 9500ci over the Bel StiR Plus, in addition to the Laser Interceptor Quads, because the 9500ci display is blue and matches the Jag XF's blue accent lighting, rather than the red display of the Bel STiR Plus. But, I didn't want the Escort ZR4 Laser Shifters that come with the 9500ci and drive the cost an extra $400 over the STiR Plus. But, Escort/Bel won't sell the 9500ci without the laser shifters, even though that's exactly what the Bel STiR Plus is (except for the color difference). Plus, selling the Escort ZR4 Laser Shifters to someone else isn't really an option, because the 9500ci won't accept additional laser shifters. To further complicate matters, for some reason, Escort/Bel offers payment plans on Escort products, but not Bel products. I'm really trying to keep my wife from seeing that I'm dropping another $2K on my car by spreading out the charges, but Escort/Bel doesn't really want to cooperate.

On a side note, I spoke with Cliff, the president of Laser Interceptor, and, as authorized dealers for Escort/Beltronics, they offer a 10% discount off Laser Interceptor products AND Escort/Beltronics products when purchased together. Cliff even said that if I order the Bel STiR Plus at a later date, he'd credit the 10% off of the Laser Interceptor Quads I've already purchased, in addition to the 10% off of the Bel STiR Plus. So, it looks like I might be going that route at some point soon...

 

~$900 price differential in the installed 9500 vs 8500 versions; ~$160 price differential in the non-installed versions... and this large differential is due to antennas in the installed versions?

 

Well that didn't work out at all. Clamp worked on mirror stem but had angle/clearance issues with the plastic cover around the mirror electronics. BlendMount says Audis have same issues. They will have a modified mount next month so I will wait and see if that works.

 

No, sorry for making it sound like that's the only difference. There are other differences between the 9500ci and 8500ci Plus, which you can see on the Escort website, but I'm not sure they're significant enough to justify the price difference (it's very subjective, as most things like this are). I haven't quite worked out Escort/Beltronics' overall strategy, but it gets fairly frustrating to get exactly what you want, rather than what Escort/Beltronics wants you to want. But, for sake of simplicity, the Passport 9500ci is supposed to be Escort's best product and the STiR Plus is the same thing for Bel (same company, nowadays), but the STiR Plus' display is red instead of blue, and the STiR Plus doesn't come pre-bundled with Escort's ZR4 Laser Shifters, which cost an additional $400 for the honor of continually getting destroyed by the Laser Interceptor jammers in every review and test. And, since I already have the Escort Redline radar detector, I don't want to "downgrade" my detection performance by switching to a radar detector with anything less than the dual antennae radar detection to which I've grown accustomed, and both the 9500ci and STiR Plus have. I've ruled out the 9500ci, but I'm still on the fence about whether to spend another $1,300 on the STiR Plus. It's discreet and has the built-in GPS and some other nice features which my Redline doesn't have, but I pretty much offset the lack of built-in GPS by using my Escort Live Direct Wire setup. For me, I guess it really boils down to whether I want to drop $1,300 on the coolness factor. But, hell, if any of us made "practical" decisions, we'd probably all be driving some other type of cars.