Thanks for the pictures, diagrams and instructions!

I'm planning on purchasing an Escort 8500 just for my new Z (when I finally get it)

My biggest concern about radar detectors is that they should be hidden away whenever I get pulled over. I've never gotten out of a speeding ticket when the cop had seen my radar detector.

 

Funny I just ordered my 8500 yesterday. I went with it because the "Laser shifting" option they have. I'll be getting that piece as well since cops are going buck wild with Laser here in Washington State as of lately. The Escort ZR3 works only in conjunction with the Escort 8500. Wiring will be interesting (leave it to the professionals!) but it should be awesome protection against LIDAR (see link below for more info on ZR3 Laser protection).


ZR3 LIDAR shifter

 

Fellow Radar Researcher...

Tons of stuff out there isn't there?! It's INSANE!!! You never know who to trust so finally I decided it was either V1 or 8500. Both are at the top of their game. V1 - probably the better of the two but the additional ZR3 laser shifter functionality with the 8500 pushed it just a bit over. Less is always best and the integration on the 8500 and ZR3 make it a better deal in my mind. For everyone's info - laser shifting is 94% successful - this is a must get with the rising popularity of laser.

BTW - 8500 and ZR3 = $800 roughly (maybe $850 with a ZR3 install)

ZRX = $1500... re-dic-ul-ous... especially considering you get the same thing with the ZR3 and 8500 combo. Which ever way you go I think Escort is on to something with this LIDAR protection happy shopping.

 

I got two words for ya -- Valentine One. Beats the stuffing out of every other detector year after year...

 

IMHO - V1 is awesome and the extra features are great but the difference between 8500 and V1 comes down to price - spec for spec they are too close. I have never met an unsatisified V1 owner and I have never met an unsatisfied Escort 8500 owner.

I know the V1 owners are a proud bunch... no doubt it's awesome. I like the boggy detector myself... the arrow is very helpful no doubt! Rear detection is the best period. Now there are some issues with the display coloring that I'm sure Mike will fix and no... V1 does not suck... 8500 however is almost neck and neck with performance. My last 8500 got stolen ...

 

I made the mistake once (and only once!) of being sucked into an inflammatory thread and I promised never to get into one again - here is a totally objective thing I found on ask.com about high end radar detectors.
Totally objective on MY end, anyway, maybe the guys that wrote this are V1 haters, but it sure doesn't sound that way...
Cheers.
http://www.ask.com/main/metaAnswer.a...903165938&amt=

 

...sorry about the link.... try this
http://www.radartest.com/DS4HEM.html
Good info, and it should work this time

 

I used to swear by my old Uniden radar detectors... However in the past ten years cops out here in Southern California have toned down their radar usage (at least on the roads/freeways I go on). Anyway I decided that when I get my new Z, I'll be spending so much cash on the insurance that having a good radar detector to avoid one ticket would be worth the price and hassle. Anyway I read the article at http://www.radartest.com/DS4HEM.html a few weeks back and I chose the Escort 8500 over the V1 just because of size and fewer beeps. I didn't like the idea of a radar detector beeping when I passed grocery stores.

 

I have been doing local driving, so the range is kind of hard to determine, since there are lots of interferences. Eveything seems to be same as before, it did detected K band with no problem... So I would say no difference when mounted behind the black dotted shades...So far..

 

I did almost the same as apexi, 'cept I mount just below the rear view, in the center of the windshield to stay out of the black dots and clear shot of rear hatch. And i squeezed the rj-11 down in front of the dash in the far left corner. Ran the last few inches toward the v1 under the cover of the automatic dimmer wire, and mounted a remote audio control just north and to the right of the trunk release. Finished off with zip ties and super lock fastners. Same trick with the fuse panel, but grounded to bosch bracking system cover bolt.

 

I think that if you mount your radar detector behind the black dots you are limiting it's range for laser, and probably radar. The dots are there to limit the amount of light and laser is just light. If you go to the Valentine One web site (http://www.valentine1.com they have a study on the effects of putting the detector behind the sunscreen of the windshield. The reduction can be up to 50%. This doesn't sound good to me.

 

It's been a couple months since your install.........How well is it working? Do the suction cups stick well to the dotted surface? Do you still feel that your "Detectability" hasn't been decreased significantly? I ordered my V1 yesterday, and am still planning to copy your install. (well actually you got your car earlier)

Would you recommend I do anything differently?

 

Just a couple of comments from me since I also have a V-1 installed. Mine is just off to the side enough that the detector windows are to the left of the "dots". The suction cups do not stick well to the dots. I took a razor blade and smoothed them off in a small area and applied a drop of crazy glue to hold it in place. One suction cup is on the dots and the one on the left is on regular glass. I also had to change the smaller suction cups that come already attached to the bracket with the two larger ones that come separate with the V-1 kit. So far I have noticed no problems with detection either front or rear.

 

Thanks for the updates!

I hard wired my V1 this afternoon.....AND it works!

Doc, I'm not sure I want to use super glue..........maybe later.

Mine is currently up way high, just to the left of the dots. I couldn't get the suction cups to stick to the dots.

I ran the wire just like apexi.......used a bank card.

A question on those Mini-Fuses.......is the top prong the "IN" side, or is the bottom one hot? My tester's point couldn't reach the female slot. Probably a moot point, but I'd rather connect to the protected side of the fuse. I did like the removal tool that "ejects" the fuse.

 

away from the center dots. They WILL definately affect Laser but not radar.
And if your away from the dots, the suction cups work just fine.