9500CI on my 2004 Audi S4

[sub1427]

Okay, so just finished my 9500CI, turned out great! I was lucky enough to have a garage to do the job in considering it took me 5 hours. I installed the display custom behind the mirror where the compass used to be, if the radar is off you dont even see where it could be (and the autodim still works) My one concern is that I have a buddy who works at a high end custom install place that does professional installs for Escort and he recommended I put the receiver behind the plastic bumper. Seems like there would be no way it could be as sensitive then if it had a clear unobstructed view of the road... I've read mixed reviews but I think I should move it so it can see better. Any thoughts?

[snoopyc4]

Yes. Your buddy is wrong. Placing the antenna behind the bumper is a bad idea. It should have a clear view of the road. Even the 9500ci's owner's manual says this.

[trailtow]

clear view of the road FTW!!!!

[sub1427]

What a jerk, taking all these people for rides; hooking up their systems not even to their full potential. I'll let him know, his explanation was radar can travel through plastic because it was a different wavelength. It still didnt make sense to me, even radioactive gamma rays lose strength when traveling through objects, granted it may not be much but its something!

[ELVATO]

Yes they (radar waves) can pass through, but they do get somewhat diminished in strength. This happens more so if you have metallic paint.

[djrams80]

It is possible to get maximum performance from a radar antenna mounted behind a bumper, but it is very rare and there are many conditions that must be met. Most installers have no clue what those conditions are, so it is very risky to attempt this without proper knowledge. The person that I personally consider to be the local expert on remote antenna mounting, MetalFlame, states these conditions here:

http://www.radardetector.net/forums/beltronics/51791-sti-r-behind-bumper-cover.html#post632600

Remote receiver can be mounted behind plastic bumper or grille,without loosing detection,but plastic must be flat,not curved.
Also,I don't know if this holds true for circular polarized radars,but horizontal grille slats reduce detection range more than vertical slats.

Avoid mounting behind:
*bumper that's made from/with carbon fibers,Poly-Carbonate
*things made with graphite,teflon,lead
*metallic paint or old paints with lead
*any metal objects
*thick grilles

Some of the newer BMW models,AUDI's and VW's have have very "bad" bumpers,that don't pass Radar signals well.VAG cars have bumpers from PPP-EPDM which attenuate radar signals.

Bumpers made with/from PP,ABS+PET, ABS, ASA, EVA, PS will pass Radar signals.

Another VERY important thing is to ALWAYS mount radar receiver at least 2-3 inches behind the bumper or any other (plastic) obstacle.

[lunker325]

I just moved my 9500ci antenna from behind my bumper, and the sensitivity went way up. It now has a clear view of the road and it is picking up way more signals.

[focalcivic]

Okay, so just finished my 9500CI, turned out great! I was lucky enough to have a garage to do the job in considering it took me 5 hours. I installed the display custom behind the mirror where the compass used to be, if the radar is off you dont even see where it could be (and the autodim still works) My one concern is that I have a buddy who works at a high end custom install place that does professional installs for Escort and he recommended I put the receiver behind the plastic bumper. Seems like there would be no way it could be as sensitive then if it had a clear unobstructed view of the road... I've read mixed reviews but I think I should move it so it can see better. Any thoughts?

You said in the mirror, did you have to etch it?