alexb76

I just had my Escort 8500 hard wired about 2 weeks ago along with my mObridge Bluetooth, now it's mounted to the left of the rear-view mirror and looks fantastic.

However, ever since the install, either the detector is WAY MORE sensetive, or just throwing false alarms BIG TIME. Like for instance, there's nothing and all of a sudden there's FULL BAR K-band detection with detector BLASTING like crazy. It even sometimes detected Laser in areas I very suspicious of having Laser used (like in rush hour slow traffic).

Is the hard wire the problem? the location? approximity to microphone?

Anyone else noticed such erratic behaviour after hard wire?

Thanks

Mike in CA

I suspect it's in a location where it's getting a better signal. No reason hardwiring should make a difference. My V1 will occasionally suddenly go to full alert, then off; it's as if I've passed some microwave source located near the freeway. Also the LED taillights of some vehicles can cause false laser readings. With your detector down low on the windshield you might have been missing some of these sources before.

alexb76

Thanks Mike. Interesting... I thought lower actually was a bit better picking Police radar signals, but might be that higher picks up other sources of radar at a higher rate?

mdr2001

Alex,

Let me tell you about my experience. I have the 8500 as well. I went from the cigarette plug to direct wire in my last car. After a year or so, it started doing what you described. Laser was erratic at best (from nothing to full) and the radar would false alert on a regular basis.

After doing some internet research I found that many claimed the "unfiltered" power from the fuse box was causing minute voltage changes that were causing the false alerts. I did notice many more alerts when starting to accelerate from a stop vs just cruising.

The laser issue could be related to the voltage issue(if it is a problem). But many internet postings recommend taking the unit apart and cleaning the circuit board and sensor with denatured alcohol. This is very easy and did seem to correct the issue for a period of time.

I ultimately went back to the outlet connection and clean the internals every once in a while and the radar has not acted up. Many on the web say once the laser starts falsing, it needs to be calibrated by Escort, but I dont want to pay $59 for a repair that may not fix the issue. I have not had any sensitivity issues and still pick up radar accurately. Good luck...



Google search term: escort 8500 + false laser alert

alexb76

Thanks a lot... yet I am still confused

Is it the hardwire that's causing the issue (unflitered voltage), or is it that the actual unit is at fault, needs calibration, etc...? Also, the installer used an off the shelf wiring kit, and not one supplied by Escort, I don't that makes a difference, does it?

mdr2001

The wiring kit should not make a difference - don't laugh, but I made mine out of a regular phone cord (thanks google).

As for the root cause - I was never really certain. If I were you, I would do the cleaning(very easy and impossible to mess up- unless you use water). Once the cleaning is completed, use your existing setup. If the problem goes away - its a "calibration" issue. I would not send it in personally as mine works great.

If the cleaning does not fix the issue, I would then switch to the originally supplied power cord and retest. If the issue still persists and you are feeling adventurous - try the original cord and detector in another car to make sure its not surges in the electrical system of the P-car.

If all this does not fix it - i would say send it in...

alexb76

Thanks makes sense.

To clean it, is it simply opening it up (is it simple screws?) and making sure dust isn't in there?

mdr2001

:

Yep,that's pretty much it. Three screws and the unit inside is one piece. If you don't have denatured alcohol, just blow it out with some canned air or compressor attachment. Use a clean Q-tip to dust the board and sensors. Let me know how it goes

Cartronics.com

Cleaning the inside of the detector will do nothing. It is radio waves, and it can be full of dust and still work fine.
Higher up in the car is better, and Infinity 3rd tail will set off the laser detector. But be forewarned… laser detectors are useless, they only detect blue flashing lights will soon be in your rear view mirror if you are speeding…. only a jammer will defend against laser. Laser is targeted specifically at YOUR car. Without a jammer they will get a lock within 1 second.
The new location means you are simply getting more radar coverage and actually seeing the detector work better. One earlier poster mentioned a noisy power source. This can certainly cause false alarms though. It should be wired to accessory power (cigar lighter circuit).

alexb76

Thanks for clarification. I am indeed looking into jammers for Laser. I was quite surprised though that my detector shows Laser when stuck in traffic jam, doing even below speed limit, don't think cops would sit around traffic with Laser, so that is possibly a false alarm, no?

So, apart from detector better visibility now, should I change the wiring? I think it's straight out of the fuse box.

Edgy01

With an extensive professional background in radar, I can suggest that you should try some troubleshooting to isolate what is causing the 'increased sensitivity.'

Drive a route in which you can closely monitor the various alerts and alarms. If not too extensive you should be able to memorize what happens when. Run the route many times until you have a good handle on what is happening.

Then change your power source to that alternative. If you see marked differences in signal strength and type then you make have an inconsistent power source. I had no idea that Escorts were that power sensitive. I'v had both Escorts far back in the past but run a V1 these days. Both designs are superheterodyne which means that they can be affected by a polluting unit that is nearby. The superhet design of these units allows them to be much more sensitive to their prime frequency, but is completely unrelated to the power source levels.

Placement of an antenna is absolutely critical on radar receivers if you chose to maximize detection range. Radar is always line of sight, with additional signals that may arrive after bouncing off things like vehicles and the aluminum/steel in overpasses and buildings. But for primary signal reception, place the unit high in the car. You can easily cut several seconds of alert notification by mounting a radar receiver antenna near the front grill/bumper of the car (as in many remote installations). Several seconds of late notice translate to many yards of reaction time. Of course, for laser systems, the closer to where the suspect vehicle is lasered (e.g., headlights and front plates) is better--only you can determine from where you live as to where you should optimize your mounting location.

I have seen some units affected by poor connections. If the connection is not soldered together well, the unit can have a momentary power drop in a sharp bump and result in another BIT test that will look like a massive alert.

You can always clip on (with alligator clips) a multimeter and watch the power continuity during your test route to see if you are in fact losing power at all.

Many vehicles today have cruise control and or lighting systems that function in the laser's frequency band. The laser detector will sense these. I think Infinities and some GMC trucks use those types of cruise controls.

Mike in CA

I just don't buy the bit about "unfiltered power". The 12V socket that you'd be using if the unit wasn't hardwired is not a filtered circuit; it gets it's power from the same fuse panel you use for hardwiring. IMO, your issues are due to a more sensitive location and the fact that some taillights will cause false laser signals.

alexb76

That's my primary guess, but I will do a test run as Dan suggested with regular cord as well as the hardwire.

What I think actually is that I might have better reception now, AND that I might be picking up Laser from passing-by cars that might have some of these new non-sense technologies that emit laser (auto cruise control being one).

catchacab

There can be multiple causes of your issue. Questions: 1. What circuit is your 8500 and your mobridge wired into, and are they wired into the same circuit? 2. can you post a picture of where your 8500 is mounted now, and where it was mounted prior to hard wiring.

It is possible that EMI (electro-magnetic interference) is causing the issue. If that is the cause you can easily install a noise filter (call Escort Radar customer service and ask for Larry).

It is possible there could be a loose connection in the hardwire or a voltage issue on the circuit you are using. You need a voltmeter to determine it.

You may be experiencing laser falses due to Infiniti's laser assisted cruise control. K band falses can be due to radar assisted cruise control and lane change assist found in Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Porsche, and Honda.

It is also possible that your radar detector may need service. Radar detectors are very sensitive to changes in temperature, temperature extremes, EMI, and power surges. You should never turn your car on,or off when the radar detector is on.

If you have a friend with a Beltronics or Escort RD, swap, and see if there is a difference. You can also use your old cigarette adapter cord to power your 8500, keeping it mounted in it's current position and see if that makes a difference.

PM me with your progress or if you need more assistance