9500i passenger side visor mounting options?

Hey all, I did a forum search and attempted to find another thread to post this to, but no luck. Escort sells a visor clip that is totally worthless. Once the clip is hooked to the 9500i, and the clip and unit is then slid onto the visor, the unit ends up jammed up against the underside of the visor, making the buttons completely inaccessible. This is a TERRIBLE design. I miss the clip my old Whistler came with, which offset the unit down about a half an inch, making the top of the unit fingerable (see the image below). I don't care for the custom RVM mounts being sold and still want to visor mount the unit. At this point I'm thinking of taking both clips to a machine shop (I still have the Whistler clip) and having a machinist cut a hole in the Whistler clip to match the hole in the passport clip (size and location). Would appreciate any other suggestions. Thanks!

Here is the awesome Whistler clip: http://www.delonixradar.com.au/radar...er/index.7.jpg

And here is the cheesy passport clip: http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...CL._SS120_.jpg

Welcome to the forum! Yes that Whistler clip is way better. If you could get someone to cut it right that would be ideal. Have you thought about just using the suction cups and putting it all the way at the top of the windshield by the visor in the same spot? Would that work? Do you have a tint strip that would hide the suction cups?

Get 2 Escort visor clips and attach the 2nd one to the bottom of the 1st by self tapping screws or heavy duty double sided tape. Now you will have plenty of "fingerable" space.
You could also use this same method with your old Whistler clip. You may want to get some felt to prevent scratching the top of the RD from the Escort clip.

"Have you thought about just using the suction cups and putting it all the way at the top of the windshield by the visor in the same spot? Would that work? Do you have a tint strip that would hide the suction cups?"

I want to get the unit off of the windshield altogether. I previously found the visor to be a decent place (Whistler), and after rigging a temp mount and testing, surprisingly the 9500i does not lose GPS signal, even with the roof over it! I do not have a strip of darker tinting along the top of the windshield so signal interference is not expected.

Comment: would be nice if they added a gps signal strength bar graph in the future. But if it says "gps connected", well I guess it is.

Suction cups are fine, but my experience has been, with all suction mounted electronics (rd, gps unit, etc.), that severe daytime temperature differences as well as changes in atmospheric pressure, along with a slow flattening of the cups, will inevitably cause the unit to fall and require a constant re-mounting. It may be different with THESE cups, but I guess I'm stuck with the old way that worked for the past 8 years.
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"Get 2 Escort visor clips and attach the 2nd one to the bottom of the 1st by self tapping screws or heavy duty double sided tape. Now you will have plenty of "fingerable" space.
You could also use this same method with your old Whistler clip. You may want to get some felt to prevent scratching the top of the RD from the Escort clip."

Good idea. I looked at the two of them (clips) and know of a couple of liquid welding products at the hardware store that probably would work great. I might buy a drimmel (sic) tool and machine the hole myself. The tape idea is probably a no-go unless the adhesive can withstand (e.g.) 130 degree internal temperatures (summer) without failure. The felt idea won't be necessary if I can rig the 9500i to the Whistler clip, as the Whistler clip allows the unit to be suspended without external contact with the housing.

Escort specifically does not list that clip as an option for the 9500i because they worry having your 9500i mounted so close to the roof of your vehicle will cause GPS reception complaints. I can't say I've noticed any GPS problems when I've visor mounted mine (rubber bands), but do know they specifically don't list that visor clip for the 9500i for that very reason.

I recently ordered one of these myself...

http://www.countryjoycrafts.com/Conn...arDetector.htm

I haven't received it yet, but the people around here who are using it seem to be very happy with it. Of course you're still going to find what I have with mine mounted just under my RVM, the buttons would be better placed on the bottom of the 9500i than on the top of it. At least its not very often that you even need to use the buttons on the 9500i though.

As far as strong tape, tape technology has advanced considerably in the past couple years. 3M has "VHB" tape on the market that has been designed to replace screws, rivets and welds for fastening steel and other materials in industrial and construction applications. Discovery channel or History channel one just had an episode not too long ago about modern adhesives and they were showing this new tape by 3M actually connecting a semi to a trailer and not pulling apart. They used the same tape to attach the outer glass skin on the new Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai.

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Originally Posted by Esoterica

Escort specifically does not list that clip as an option for the 9500i because they worry having your 9500i mounted so close to the roof of your vehicle will cause GPS reception complaints. I can't say I've noticed any GPS problems when I've visor mounted mine (rubber bands), but do know they specifically don't list that visor clip for the 9500i for that very reason.

I recently ordered one of these myself...

http://www.countryjoycrafts.com/Conn...arDetector.htm

I haven't received it yet, but the people around here who are using it seem to be very happy with it. Of course you're still going to find what I have with mine mounted just under my RVM, the buttons would be better placed on the bottom of the 9500i than on the top of it. At least its not very often that you even need to use the buttons on the 9500i though.

As far as strong tape, tape technology has advanced considerably in the past couple years. 3M has "VHB" tape on the market that has been designed to replace screws, rivets and welds for fastening steel and other materials in industrial and construction applications. Discovery channel or History channel one just had an episode not too long ago about modern adhesives and they were showing this new tape by 3M actually connecting a semi to a trailer and not pulling apart. They used the same tape to attach the outer glass skin on the new Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai.

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ahhh. Yes, THAT tape. I am sure it would do the job and withstand extreme conditions. As to the rvm mount, I researched that solution extensively. The stem on my 2001 pathfinder rvm comes almost straight down to the top.
I'm not sure the mount is long enough to project the rd down to the underside of the rvm. I may actually throw my hands up and go that route. If I do, then I'll measure and go through the motions before ordering. But my whole reason for wanting to get the thing up out of the way is because underside-visor mounting is way less noticeable and less likely that a leo will see it when approaching the V-hicle on the driver's side. Also makes it less noticeable to thieves it would seem.

Their site says "Plain Escort Mount will NOT fit the 3/4 or 23mm in the following cars: Nissan Pathfinder 2003". The 2001 and 2003 are the same style, which didn't change until like 2006. I think it's the mirror stem configuration I described. I may call them to see what they think AFTER I do some research and throw said hands up. Thanks for the advise :D

I have definitely seen some weird RVM mounts in some vehicles that that option would not work at all with. That 3M VHB tape is crazy expensive too, specially since you'd have to buy an entire roll just for a little 1/2 inch long piece. Having the rest of that roll on hand and itching to use up could potentially be a dangerous temptation to apply it to other uses where such permanency may not be a good idea, particularly if you have a woman around who likes to utilize items found in the kitchen utility drawer to repair things around the house. Tape always seems to be their first favorite choice. Once she learns of the potential of such tape you could find your toilet seat permanently fixed in the down position and items she regularly has to pick up after you permanently mounted where ever you left them laying last.

You can machine some custom metal parts with only a cheap vise, a dremel tool and a small block of aluminum if you had enough motivation. You could probably easily make a custom mount that would work with your RVM neck.

As far as anti theft, I wouldn't count on a high mount being a secure alternative. Security through obscurity only seldom works.

I use the stock clip on the passenger side and it works fine.

GPS works better with Choke.

I can access and feel the buttons but I can't see them.

You can't blame escort because they don't recommend the Clip but just offer it for folks that want this option.

That Whistler Clip looks interesting though.

If you're gonna have a machinist do some work you might try to get an offset also done so it's mounted as close to the windshield as you can get it.

9500i -

In addition to the 3M VHB tape (which so far is an "untried" solution), you can also go the route of MEM-TEK's advice here:

http://www.radardetector.net/viewtop...gh+temperature

:)

Also, even after many, many years of detector usage, I'm still a suction-cup user. :oops: I currently re-mount twice per year, during the spring-to-summer weather change and once again at the fall-to-winter change.

I do find that, at least with my local conditions and vehicles, that temperature is key (that, and, of course, a CLEAN windshield mounting surface).....however, certainly YMMV.

One thing I do to my above-eyeline/eyeline accessories is to "safety tether" them to something - typically, since my devices are close to the interior RVM, I use a small Zip-Tie to effect such tethering to this stalk. You may also find this useful/helpful.

:)

One of the main reasons I mount on the visor is someone seeing it not for temperature.

That goes for cops and goes for theives seeing it.

I never take it down.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TSi+WRX

9500i -

In addition to the 3M VHB tape (which so far is an "untried" solution), you can also go the route of MEM-TEK's advice here:

http://www.radardetector.net/viewtop...gh+temperature

:)

Also, even after many, many years of detector usage, I'm still a suction-cup user. :oops: I currently re-mount twice per year, during the spring-to-summer weather change and once again at the fall-to-winter change.

I do find that, at least with my local conditions and vehicles, that temperature is key (that, and, of course, a CLEAN windshield mounting surface).....however, certainly YMMV.

One thing I do to my above-eyeline/eyeline accessories is to "safety tether" them to something - typically, since my devices are close to the interior RVM, I use a small Zip-Tie to effect such tethering to this stalk. You may also find this useful/helpful.

:)

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RE: http://www.radardetector.net/viewtop...gh+temperature

wow. just, wow. that's the place! and I don't have a tint strip so I think I can just remove the suction cups and epoxy the metal suction cup mount directly to the windshield to the left of the rvm, then hardwire it. it's a perfect spot.

i just got back from a 900 mile road trip and the 95000i worked flawlessly, except for the last leg when i got nailed by a leo gunning from the side of the road. arg! 77 in a 60. but when i told him the TRUTH, that i was heading home to survey tornado damage in my neighborhood from last night, he smiled, handed by dl and ins card back and said drive carefully. sweet. very kind of him, and thankfully only a few shingles and limbs displaced at my house.

back to my earlier comment. does anyone see a problem epoxying the suction cup mount directly to the glass? thx.

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Originally Posted by passport_9500i

back to my earlier comment. does anyone see a problem epoxying the suction cup mount directly to the glass? thx.

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If you don't want to use Superlock Fasteners (Heavy Velcro) like in the thread, i used a peace of plexi glass and mounted it with double sided tape. You could even super glue the suction cups to the plexi glass.

http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/9744/cimg1812le0.jpg

rgr. thanks! i found that with the cups removed, and the cup "plate" flush against the glass will only allow maybe one click on the first notch on the mount, but with the cups on, all notches can be used as per normal. me thinks me will glue the cups to the glass. i prefer that over velcro as the cup mount is bendable metal and can be easily leveled. too easy. thx again ;)

^ Glad your place saw only minimal damage! Indeed, that was very kind of the officer.

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As for epoxying the suction cup - I'd start out with something less
"permanent" ( although I'd *imagine* that the epoxy could be easily scraped-off, and the residue removed with something like Goo-Off ? ).

Some here have had good success using anything from lip-balm to clear vacuum grease (silicone).

Maybe that'll get you the adhesion that you need, without having to resort to a true adhesive?

The 3M superlock VHB fasteners which I use allow the bracket's height to be adjusted simply by pulling the bracket/VHB sandwich loose from the two strips applied to the glass and then repositioning the bracket. The VHB stuff is so strong that you do not need to remove the bracket to adjust its angle. The VHB stuff sandwiched around the suction cup area of the bracket also allows the RD to click in place to the third click position yet remain level.

Question - MEM-TEK, have you ever tried to remove that particular fastener from the ceramic-dots area on your (or others') windshield?

I'm quite interested in using it to relocate my detector, however, just as I was about to do the deed, I noticed on the package that the bond is intended to be permanent, and that removal may leave residue or may otherwise permanently damage the surface.

Your thoughts?

I used regular heavy-duty packing tape once and it left a shiny residue on the dots. Any adhesive will stick ridiculously well to the dots.

^ That's what I fear, particularly of the 3M VHB-type adhesive.

I wonder how well the dots would take to laboratory-grade acetone as a cleaner.....

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TSi+WRX

^ That's what I fear, particularly of the 3M VHB-type adhesive.

I wonder how well the dots would take to laboratory-grade acetone as a cleaner.....

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I would start off with rubbing alcohol first, then go stronger.

^ No doubt! :lol:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TSi+WRX

Question - MEM-TEK, have you ever tried to remove that particular fastener from the ceramic-dots area on your (or others') windshield?

I'm quite interested in using it to relocate my detector, however, just as I was about to do the deed, I noticed on the package that the bond is intended to be permanent, and that removal may leave residue or may otherwise permanently damage the surface.

Your thoughts?

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Yep. If you peel very slowly and rub your thumb along the gap as you are peeling, then usually you can remove the VHB adhesive without any problem. It just takes several minutes of work and patience. If any torn residue is left, then I have found that soaking the residue in isopropyl alcohol works rather well when followed up by the thumb rubbing method. You could use denatured alcohol, but denatured alcohol is "hotter" and could possibly damage the appearance of the ceramic dot finish. VHB can be fully and cleanly removed -- it just takes some patience.

Cool!!!

Thankyee! :D

After reading all the helpful posts, I went to Radio Shack and bought both the Superlock Strips and the Supermount tape. Both purport to have a tensile strength of 4 lbs. per square inch!

After reviewing both products and my options, I went with the Superlock fasteners. At first I was concerned that the suction cup mount (with cups removed) might not provide enough surface area for maximum adhesion. Boy I was wrong. The package says to wait 72 hours before hanging or mounting any gear that will be attached, but I don't think it needs it. Will wait anywho. I found the Superlock strips to cut quite cleanly with an exacto knife around the edges of the suction cup mount for a nice trim job. Planning on wiring it in manana :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by passport_9500i

After reading all the helpful posts, I went to Radio Shack and bought both the Superlock Strips and the Supermount tape. Both purport to have a tensile strength of 4 lbs. per square inch!

After reviewing both products and my options, I went with the Superlock fasteners. At first I was concerned that the suction cup mount (with cups removed) might not provide enough surface area for maximum adhesion. Boy I was wrong. The package says to wait 72 hours before hanging or mounting any gear that will be attached, but I don't think it needs it. Will wait anywho. I found the Superlock strips to cut quite cleanly with an exacto knife around the edges of the suction cup mount for a nice trim job. Planning on wiring it in manana :)

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VHB is weird stuff. 3M's formula for VHB is so highly proprietary that only a few people at 3M know the formula. There was even a segment on "How Its Made" about 3M VHB tape and its applications. I have read their tech bulletins about various VHB applications. One thing is key -- VHB is designed to flow into the microscopic crevices of whatever surface it is applied to. Just before applying the weight of a radar detector, simply use finger pressure to "re-press" the Superlock VHB strips against the surfaces and then apply the weight of the radar detector or whatever is to be adhered by the Superlock strips. 3M says that the application of some weight is actually beneficial for VHB to strongly adhere to a surface since the VHB under load (weight) will then flow into the microscopic crevices.

I've had my two RD brackets mounted above my rear view mirror with Radio Shack Superlock VHB fasteners since late last summer. We are talking a solid six months now and throughout the winter where outdoor temperatures in my area reached near zero. So far -- no signs whatsoever that the VHB is loosing its grip to either my windshield or to the RD brackets. VHB is simply amazing stuff.

My 9500i is up and running. very cool. had to go by my local car stereo/alarm installation outfit for audio related parts today and they had the Escort Shifter ZR3 in stock. After talking to my tech guy and doing some research I decided to have them install it next week. It's not the best jammer, er, "shifter" on the market but fine for my needs. But that's a different story and forum thread :)