How hard is the installation for the Escort Passport 9500 or the 8500? Is there a writeup anywhere?

 

I installed My valentine 1 very easy... just mount your detector high and to the side of the mirror, run the wire across and down the pillar into the fuse box and tap it into a fuse. I think I tapped it into a 10 amp red fuse. (cant remember exactly) the pillar just pulls right off with friction clips.

 

put mine on top of dash drivers side in the corner.ran wire under the door trim to a ground and hot to fuse box in passenger side foot well.ran it along the inside of the dash over the pedals and behind the radio.fused the hot side.

 

I noticed you said the 9500 or 8500. If you are undicided, go with the 9500i it has GPS feature that allows you to lock out false warnings.
It is more expensive but worth it.

 

+1

 

As far as location goes, I'm experimenting with my Bel STi as we speak. I initially had it at centerline about 4" above the dash to clear the hood scoop but it stuck out like a sore thumb. I've moved it to just to the left of and a tad abovethe rear view mirror. This gives me both a clear shot forward and rearward. When I'm happy with the location I'll hardwire it.Let us know where you finally mountyours and how it's working for you.

 

Thats where I put mine too. Works great there. The higher it is, the better.

 

If your RD includes laser, you'll lose somealerts to laser hitswith it mounted higher since laser is such a tight beam and the LEO's will be aiming low at headlights, foglights, license plates or any other surface perpendicular to their position. Mounted high, you may only pick up some backscatter (if you're lucky). Laser is tough to pick up due to this so I'm not too concerned about the percentage of laser shots I may miss having it mounted high, especially since laser isn't being used too widely in my area (yet).

 

who even cares about laser warnings, because once you see the warning, your hit, he has your speed. Your ****ed...

 

Thats not fully true, A lot of times when they shoot a beam, it may not give them a reading, it will just make a clicking sound that tells them to try again, but the signal was still shot and if that sets off your radar you have approx 2seconds at the max to slow down. Its true you really dont have much reaction time, but if you train yourself to that sound (which sounds like a missle lock in my oppinion) it will become second nature to brake quickly. It has happened to me twice, both times I was speeding (since they dont even bother lasering you unless they think your speeding). One time I hit the brakes fast enough and was probably lasered going 4-5 over, I wasent pulled over. The 2nd time I was going about 90 on the HWY and the laser rang, I hit the brakes and he pulled me over clocked at 80 mph. I still got pulled, but took the ticket down 10MPH vs just going by. What im trying to say is you cant just say once you hear it your F**ked. If you react fast it can save you either from a ticket or reduce the fine.

Let me give you another example: Here in MI in my county, 25+ is reckless driving, If you were going 25 over and were able to brake 10mph less, you just picked up a speeding ticket instead of reckless driving