first post

[QuickTrigger]

Forget a $50 RD; you'll end up gettig a garbage Cobra RD. Bump your budget up $20 and get the refurb Escort 8500. Also, forget about POP. That is rarely used. Where are you located?

What does that escort give over say the 695.. i found a refurb on ebay for $149

The refurb unit is a good RD for its cost. Prob one of the best for under the 200 dollar mark. The others are bel V 955, Whistler pro SE series.

Please do not look into the lower end cobras, or anything cheaper than 150 (new).
And for cheaper detectors i would personally suggest buying a new one cause you never know how the previous owner took care of the unit. And the new ones come with warranty.

[Radar]

Check out these stickies for standard information:

http://www.radardetector.net/forums/...ead-first.html

http://www.radardetector.net/forums/...-glossary.html

[Solidjake]

I go to PA once in a while and I only encountered Ka and K. An 8500 with do a good job and you can find one used from $80 and up. Good luck.

[markm75]

So just to conclude (and thanks for the input)..

The best bet, based on benchmarking at least..

Is the escort 8500 refurb (non x50) for around $149 ebay..
or Beltronics v955...($150)

And these two are probably not worth exploring:

Beltronics V940] $119
or
Whistler XTR-695 (unless an SE model?) $138


**Also, no matter which detector i get.. does anyone know if i can somehow splice into the rear view mirror power cables which are there (for backup camera as well), so i can avoid unecessary wiring and put near the visor area (maybe not right on the visor, because when flipping due to sunlight, i would say this isnt effective?)? My car is a 2010 equinox ...
Thanks again

[Solidjake]

The X50 you can get for $150. You can find the regular 8500 for $100 +/- on craigslist.

[Smarthead2006]

Pa, i got to say sucks for all the little towns that are not aloud to use radar!

state police are just a pain! with there radar!

[snoopyc4]

So just to conclude (and thanks for the input)..

The best bet, based on benchmarking at least..

Is the escort 8500 refurb (non x50) for around $149 ebay..
or Beltronics v955...($150)

And these two are probably not worth exploring:

Beltronics V940] $119
or
Whistler XTR-695 (unless an SE model?) $138

You are correct so far. Forget splicing. Hardwire your RD to your ignition so that when your car turns off, so does your RD. Here is how:

http://www.radardetector.net/forums/...-detector.html

[markm75]

So just to conclude (and thanks for the input)..

The best bet, based on benchmarking at least..

Is the escort 8500 refurb (non x50) for around $149 ebay..
or Beltronics v955...($150)

And these two are probably not worth exploring:

Beltronics V940] $119
or
Whistler XTR-695 (unless an SE model?) $138

You are correct so far. Forget splicing. Hardwire your RD to your ignition so that when your car turns off, so does your RD. Here is how:
]

Nice link.. i'm hoping to somehow avoid opening up the dash though.. if i can route the wires there i guess ill be ok..

Now its a matter of placement.. i have this black antenna dotted material that consumes about 2" from the hood of the car on windshield (not tint).. i'm guessing if i can squeeze the detector to the right of my visor up there and aim it down, this will be effective, rather than putting it directly on dash or using suction cups?

I didnt want it on the sunvisor for those times you have to flip the visor down in sunlight etc..

Someone on that youtube video mentions this:

"If you have a rearview (inside) mirror that has a power cord running to it, you can use an Invisicord or Stealh Cord to get power to your detector. Mirrors that are auto-dimming or have garage openers usually have an external power cord.

Both the Invisicord or Stealth Cord plug into the connector on the power cord. You just need to find the switched wire(switches off with ignition) and a ground wire on the power cord connector.

Sounds more complicated than it is. "

Is it really this easy though.. if it is, i can just tap into the power plug up there without splicing? Or are you saying, this may stay active if you shutoff the key.. the mirror power..

[markm75]

Thanks for the help to this point guys..

I managed to score a passport 8500 (not the x50) for $98 plus shipping off of ebay.. i hope that it lasts me a few years at least.. it is a fraction of what they were new

I'm guessing that i want to order the escort wiring kit, to go directly to the fuses for ignition.. and also.. would i want the visor clip, so i can clip it to the top of the ceiling right by the window (not on the visor)? Or some other clip..

B0003NN83U wire kit from amazon
B0003NN81M visor clip from amazon