[carl_lazlo]

I'm interested in finally getting a radar detector and would like the opinions of the members here. I know that the V1 is a standard in performance and I like how you can get the remote face for it to make it more stealth, but I have also heard great things about the new passport. I don't remember the model number of it, it's the once that has the built in GPS.

I would like to go with the passport due to the GPS and built in red light camera database, but how can I make it more stealth? I don't want the big, curly power cable hanging down the middle of my windshield. Do they make a remote face for the passport? To the people that already own one, how did you mount it and get power to it?

I was thinking of mounting it right nest to the rain sensor on the top of my windshield. The rear view mirror would mask most of it.

Thanks!

[bkM3]

Originally Posted by Takashi

V1 sells a stealth display kit where you can mount the display away from the radar detector.

If you are looking for Stealth install, why don't you consider the "build in" models offered by Beltronics and passport? Those are definitely more stealth than having a big piece of plastic on your windshield.

those cost upwards of $1500

OP, i have the 9500i (the passport with the gps) and i love it. i am having it hardwired today which means there will be no visible wires because everything will be routed in the headliner and will be powered through the fusebox. this is a much cheaper option than getting a stealth unit.

[MusclezMarinara]

i run a passport x50 my company installs them came out great

full stealth with laser shifting

depending on model i can get them way cheaper than 1500.

[carl_lazlo]

Originally Posted by bkM3

those cost upwards of $1500

OP, i have the 9500i (the passport with the gps) and i love it. i am having it hardwired today which means there will be no visible wires because everything will be routed in the headliner and will be powered through the fusebox. this is a much cheaper option than getting a stealth unit.

Yes, that's the one I was thinking about. Do you have any information about hard wiring it?

[fruition3000]

I have the new passport. I bought a direct wire and didnt lift any panels to install it. I went from the windshield down the driver side of the car, under the footwell, under the panels next to the armrest and bought a cigarette lighter adapter to connect to pos and neg wires. So its basically just a long cable that connects to the cigarette light in the armrest console. The only wire you see its about 4 inchs long by the driver side column. Most people just buy an add a fuse kit and go down the passenger side of the vehicle then into the glove box

[fruition3000]

Here is one suggestion for the add a wire kit
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=128982

Here is a suggestion for wiring it
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ht=add+circuit

I did mine and it took like 45mins with no tools to hide the wire and I didn't life any panels

[issabmw]

Also interested in a detector, does the passport have direction which radar is coming from like the V1?

[issabmw]

Also, what does this laser shifting do?

[Mech_Man]

I shopped last fall for a new radar detector and came to the conclusion that the two top units were different in where you're biggest threat was:

The V1 was best if you do more open-road, and the direction-detection, and being able to detect more than one, and (when I checked) a slightly longer detect-range, were most useful.

The Escort 9500ix (with the GPS) had these advantages:
The GPS (which locks onto satellites faster than my Garman!) has the upgradable database for speed-traps, red-light cams, and lets you memorize locations to warn, or to ignore.
Also, it is much better at filtering out false-positives from old speed-detection equipment used for permanent road web-cams and Dept of Transport average speed sensing systems. This is pretty significant and why I upgraded, as my previous detector had many, many false positives from the fixed DoT systems.

So if you are an Interstate warrior, you probably would get better protection from the V1, but if you spend most of your driving in the city, then the 9500ix is much more useful.

As always, there's no simple answer to this simple question.

[E92-Lighting]

Originally Posted by Mech_Man

I shopped last fall for a new radar detector and came to the conclusion that the two top units were different in where you're biggest threat was:

The V1 was best if you do more open-road, and the direction-detection, and being able to detect more than one, and (when I checked) a slightly longer detect-range, were most useful.

The Escort 9500ix (with the GPS) had these advantages:
The GPS (which locks onto satellites faster than my Garman!) has the upgradable database for speed-traps, red-light cams, and lets you memorize locations to warn, or to ignore.
Also, it is much better at filtering out false-positives from old speed-detection equipment used for permanent road web-cams and Dept of Transport average speed sensing systems. This is pretty significant and why I upgraded, as my previous detector had many, many false positives from the fixed DoT systems.

So if you are an Interstate warrior, you probably would get better protection from the V1, but if you spend most of your driving in the city, then the 9500ix is much more useful.

As always, there's no simple answer to this simple question.

+1. especially the last paragraph, it should sum it up

[Javier]

I used to have a passport and recently changed to a V1.

Both are great, the V1 alerts to EVERYTHING but thats the price you pay for more protection.

the passport has better false alarm canceling, and the gps traffic cam thing is cool, but there aren't any traffic cams where i live so don't need it.


in the end i can't live without the directional detection of the V1, those arrows really help alot. I'm always driving on the highway and its extremely useful to have the arrows plus the bogey counter that tells you how many threats there are.

there are circumstances with the passport with more than one threat from different directions, that i would have just ignored it thinking that it was a cop that just went by when in reality there is another one up ahead. The V1 alerts you to new threats and their direction. It has saved my ass plenty of times.

I recomend the V1 hands down.

[stimpy]

Originally Posted by Javier

I used to have a passport and recently changed to a V1.

Both are great, the V1 alerts to EVERYTHING but thats the price you pay for more protection.

the passport has better false alarm canceling, and the gps traffic cam thing is cool, but there aren't any traffic cams where i live so don't need it.


in the end i can't live without the directional detection of the V1, those arrows really help alot. I'm always driving on the highway and its extremely useful to have the arrows plus the bogey counter that tells you how many threats there are.

there are circumstances with the passport with more than one threat from different directions, that i would have just ignored it thinking that it was a cop that just went by when in reality there is another one up ahead. The V1 alerts you to new threats and their direction. It has saved my ass plenty of times.

I recomend the V1 hands down.

Exactly the train of thought I went through when I bought my V1. I wish there was a combination of the two but since there's not, I went with the 'overprotective' V1

The combination of the bogey counter & directional identifying has saved me plenty.

[jopa489]

I have an Escort SOLO S2 clipped to the passenger visor. The V1 is nice and all, but I really like the cordless S2. Pretty stealthy just clipped to the visor, and mounted in the perfect position for front/rear protection up there. I've had it for years, there's probably better stuff out there now. Honestly, detectors don't matter much anymore. With laser, the detector alone does you no good.

[JayKay335i]

Just pick up a V1. Unless you live in an area with traffic speed cams (where I am in AZ now) you dont need the GPS function IMHO. I used the V1 in the tristate and loved it. Makes highway driving nice.

[bspaceman]

V1. /thread.

[JayKay335i]

Call V1 and ask for a reconditioned unit.

[stimpy]

Originally Posted by JayKay335i

Call V1 and ask for a reconditioned unit.

Good advice, I forgot to mention that in my previous post.

They knock off like 50-75 bucks on their 'reconditioned' units which are typically just returned units due to their 30 day money back guarantee (trial period).

[Inspired]

Originally Posted by stimpy

Good advice, I forgot to mention that in my previous post.

They knock off like 50-75 bucks on their 'reconditioned' units which are typically just returned units due to their 30 day money back guarantee (trial period).

wouldnt it have scratches and cosmetics defect on it then?

For $50 i rather just get a new one..

[stimpy]

Originally Posted by twinturbo335

wouldnt it have scratches and cosmetics defect on it then?

For $50 i rather just get a new one..

You can ask when you call but typically it's just a returned one that is in perfect shape.

But yes, buying new is always an option

[RoundelM3]

I've got a wired-in Beltronics 995...have always liked Beltronics over the past 15 years or so. My experience is that other than a few bells and whistles (like the directional arrows, etc.), the $200 detectors are as effective as the $400-$500 units. That said, here's a hint: if your car hasa tint-band on the windshield, be sure you mount your unit below that tint bandl; otherwise, the laser detection will not work. Ask me how I know.

[JayKay335i]

Originally Posted by twinturbo335

wouldnt it have scratches and cosmetics defect on it then?

For $50 i rather just get a new one..

If I didn't order it my self and received it, I would have never known it was a reconditioned model. Looked brand new, casing, packaging, everything.

[6spdcoupe]

Big fan of the 9500ci. Installed several with zero complaints. Easy to hide in the ashtray as well.