medtech

So I hardwired my Passport recently (love it BTW).
Since I haven't seen this configuration before, I though I'd post.

First I mounted it to the mirror using the 5/8 mini-mount from Country Joy
Mirror Mount

Then I clipped out the little accent light in the mirror mount and used those wires to power the detector. Originally, I had planned to tap into the connector using the Invisicord.
Invisicord

You, can use any standard telephone line as long as the 2 middle wires are green-left and red-right.

Pics 1 & 2. Here is the base of the mirror mount. The cover is a clamshell. At the bottom you see the accent light (popped out). It it just a circuit w/ a small light. Cut it out.

Pics 3 thru 7 show the mirror stem and mirror mount. You will have to use a small piece of water line as a gasket for the mount (seen in pic 4). The mount goes on via 2 allen screws. It's best to get these on prior to re-mounting the mirror.

Pics 8 & 9 show it wired up. Brown goes to red (hot) and red/black stripe goes to green (ground).

Then just button it up and zip tie the cord to the mount.

peavynation

Dude, Medtech that's rockin, thanks for posting! I just got a 9500ix last week, and I too love it. Pretty awesome unit. I've been wondering just how to hard wire it and hide the power cord. This might be the perfect solution.

So did you leave the wires exposed like that, or were you able to wrap them up inside the mirror cover? I'm gonna try this out and see how it goes.

Thanks!

peavynation

Two questions:

Does the detector interfere with the night/day mirror switch on the bottom? I can't see from your picts (mine's an '01 and has the flip switch mirror bottom).

What's the part number of the bracket you got? I see a few different ones on the site, with no clear reason for one over the other (other than size, but there are also design differences I see).

Thanks.

perryinva

He has an auto dimming mirror, no flip switch. Sigh..that wouldn't fly in Virginia...

peavynation

Thanks Perryinva, I thought of that after I sumitted my post. I think I might design and cut my own, looks simple enough and I have friends with mills. $50 for one of those things?! Holy cow!

Yeah, radar detectors are illegal in Virginia, right? Luckily not so in CA. Yet. I also have to install a set of M27 Blinders I picked up. I'm not sure if those are legal anywhere, but I've not heard of anyone getting a ticket for one. They come highly rated from Radar Roy (an ex-cop who now plays both sides; he's a great guy with lots of good info) at radarroy.com.

Anyway, cheers!

medtech

I buttoned the whole thing up. I will post pics tonight of the final look (I didn't have my wife's camera this weekend and mine sucks).

The detector and mount does cramp the Auto Dimming mirror a bit, but not enough to be a problem. The regular mirror is much smaller and should be fine.

Look at your mirror stem. If it looks like mine, then you will want the 5/8" mount on the left of the linked page (I don't think there's an actual number).

I especially like these mounts b/c the detector is in an optimal position, and it's not behind the tint strip on the top of the window. It's also easy to reach, so no need for a remote cable.

gota911

Med, Nice job!

I would do this in the Honda, but since I have a hard time getting the Honda "up to the speed limit" I think a radar detector would be useless in the Accord.

Marc Gelefsky

Useless/Accord === Oxymoron

gota911

OUCH!!! But I can't argue against that logic.

Touche!

medtech

Tim,
Thanks.
You just need to do some mods. Headers, K&N CAI, coffee can muffler, LED ground effects, all on Ebay for less than a DIY PSE mod!

peavynation

Lol!! Totally! I'm so tired of seeing (and hearing) those things.

gota911

I have been looking at those items for my car, but my first mod will be a 12" diameter chromed chain link steering wheel and some fuzzy dice.

I just haven't decided if I want black-on-white or white-on-black dice. The choice is stressing me out! Maybe I shoud start a poll thread here to help me decide!

talkinghead

So, did you completely eliminate the "accent" light? Is that a switched power source?

medtech

Yes, it's gone. Don't miss it. It's on a circuit board. I suppose you could tap into it and save the light.

Yes that's a switched power source. Comes on as soon as you unlock the door, goes off when you lock the door. Otherwise it stays on for quite a while before shutting off.

akobari

I just bought a 9500ix escort, and I have a couple of questions. My
car is Lexus GS300, do you know if it fits. Other question, 9500ix
has a GPS receiver. which is it needs a clear view of sky right on top
of it, in order to receive the GPS signal. Will mirror stem block this
GPS signal or make it weaker than usual?

Thanks for any reply