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Hey guys. Ive been browsing around here for a while now looking for reviews on radars. I just registered because I just bought my first radar the Escort X50. Do you guys have any tips or tricks for me? Where is the best location to mount it? I tried behind my rearview mirror but it doesnt fit so I put it around midway that way it can pick up stuff from behind and has clear shot in the front.
Welcome to the board. Make sure it has a level and clear view ahead and behind the car. I think you made a great choice.
Doesn't fit, what do you drive!Quote:
Originally Posted by Mayur
The X50 is a long detector.
Welcome to the forum! You've made a great choice with the X50. Really one of the best performers out there.
The mounting position isn't all that critical but here's a link with some info. Browse around on the site a little too, there's lots of good info.
http://guysoflidar.com/detectormounting.html
The FAQ section might have a lot of new info for you.
I've had my X50 mounted low, high, and in the middle, and the only position of the three I'd strongly recommend against is in the middle. It makes it entirely too obvious that you have one, and even if detectors are legal where you live, that still makes it too easy for other drivers to see it and use you as a rabbit, and for cops to see it and play games with their instant-on gun (it's happened to me--cop was behind me at a stop light cracking up every time he pulled the trigger on his Ka gun).
Mounting it low, you sacrifice a bit of range, but in my experience, not much. Added bonus--you're more likely to pick up laser hits with a low mounting. Put it high (where I have it now), and you lose the laser pickup to a large extent, but you get better radar range. I have mine mounted directly in front of my rearview mirror, which kills rear laser detection, but AZ police aren't smart enough to laser you in the butt just yet. It gives me a great stealth mount, though--even with the cord dangling down, I've had people comment that they didn't even notice it up there until it beeped at them.
I drive a 2001 Toyota Corolla and I think the windshield is angled that way. I tried directly below the mirror and the radar would hit the windshield and the mount wouldn't stick on. I have put it as far up as I possibly can so it gives best range.
compu44: I've visited the link. Thanks for the tip
Also another question. Is hardwiring it better than using a smart cord?
Thanks for your help everyone.
Have you tried mounting here? Even though it's a little higher it has alerted to laser everytine + the radar reception seems to be a little better! 8)
http://img354.imageshack.us/img354/6...00142ub.th.jpg
or to the left of your rearview:
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...rDetector3.jpg
I recommed right below the rear view mirror you wont get any better detection on above the rear view or below the same actulllay below would be better the radardetctor sees clear from the windows from cars a head to up high sees at there roof which is not a clear
shot :? :lol: :wink: :roll
carlito
Where I live, the biggest threat is laser only, especially spring-fall, that's why I have it on the dashboard, the closest place you can get from either the front plate (Ontario has front plates) or headlights... and so far I got 3-4 real laser alerts 8)Quote:
Originally Posted by bcorby
Wow I'm a retard. I just found out that you dont need to keep the mount clip in all the way :lol:. I have it now set up above my rearview mirror on the driver side so I can see it better. I just have a question though. My windsheild is one of those windshields that has a tint on the top for a few inches. Would this matter at all to the functionality of my radar detector?
As far as performance, no. Really the main advantages are that with a hardwire install it's less obvious, especially if mounted high, which makes the detector a little prone to theft. Other than that, there really isn't any advantage over using the lighter cord.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mayur
Thanks for your help. I'm gonna have it hard wired because the cord is bothering me. I found a local shop that can do it for $45 out the door.Quote:
Originally Posted by compu44
Thanks for your help everyone.
Mayur
Cool! Enjoy the X50.
Here is my X50 with the cig ligher plug. Im really starting to get annoyed by it because it comes down right in front of my dash and gets in the way if I want to change a song or change the volume. I need to have it hard wired ASAP.
http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/2932/dsc002024af.jpg
UPDATE
I have found my digital camera and have now taken shots of my install with my direct wire setup. The place where I got it done had all the red ones labeled as Blue so they will have to order a new one for me so here are the pics with the red one there.
http://img286.imageshack.us/img286/6...23464no.th.jpg
My radar detector from driver side
http://img243.imageshack.us/img243/5...23412mr.th.jpg
My radar detector from passenger side
http://img243.imageshack.us/img243/2...23440ig.th.jpg
My direct wire SmartCord resting on the dash
http://img243.imageshack.us/img243/8...23456am.th.jpg
You can see the SmartCord flashing from the corner of your eye while driving
Have to love the X50 blue...you will enjoy it. 8) 8)
Already saved me out of a major ticket and even possible arresst. I was doin 85 in a school zone :PQuote:
Originally Posted by AirMoore
slow the fu*k down :evil:
Quote:
Originally Posted by TexasRed
uhhh yeah a big X2 on that! :evil:
It was a side street. I normally do 15 over, never more...unless its a side street :P
jesus here we go again. its a SCHOOL ZONE kid! slow down!! i couldnt care less that it was a side street, that has absolutely nothing to do with it.
15 over in the city? you're going to get tagged with laser and regret that.
85 in a school zone? what are you thinking. honestly. thats 65 over. let me say that again. 65 over in a school zone! you're going to kill some kid who darts out in front of a parked car and realize it when u see them in the street in your rearview mirror.
Such acts are not smart, and are certainly not advocated on this forum.
If this was on the highway or something, I would say why didnt you downshift and get it to triple digits?
x3, radar detectors are not a lisence to kill little kids... which going 65 over in a school zone will certainly end up doing.Quote:
Originally Posted by A-TownNavi
It was a high school and no teen is stupid enough to run out in the middle of the street. Also it was my school and I was running very late (already missed two class periods) I got a 2 hour detention because of that day :x And to get the facts straight I never drive that much over the limit. I'm sure all of us have gone a little crazy once or twice when time was an issue. Speaking of school zones, my dad was ticketed for speeding. He was going 4 over but cop said 14 over. You think he has any chance in court seeing as it was in a school zone?
I will tell you one thing, you get popped going that fast in a school zone I will buy your X50 from you, you won't be needing it w/o a DL. :roll: :roll:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mayur
Thats what you would think... the amount of stupid people in your school would suprise you:
There was a girl (15years old), who ran out between two cars to get across the street.... looked both ways but didnt see the van coming... anycase she was crushed by a van just outside my school... right in the school zone, be careful with what you think people will/will not do.
X2 man there is even stupied grown ups out there in the world. but ya young teens think they no everything and the older younger kids are the dumbest :lol: :)Quote:
Originally Posted by AirMoore
"It was a high school and no teen is stupid" enough to drive 85mph there....nuff said.
X3. I was in high school a couple years back, and I was every bit as invincible as you seem to think you are. 85 in a school zone is not "a little crazy." It's extremely stupid and dangerous, no matter how late you're running.Quote:
Originally Posted by carlito
Crap like this is a big part of why cops hate detectors. You should use your detector to drive responsibly at a safe, reasonable speed--not to go at suicide speed through a school zone. If this is how you're going to drive, I hope they catch you and take you off the road for a few years, and I pray it happens before you kill yourself or someone else.
Sure they are, because they don't believe anyone is stupid enough to drive a car at 85mph in a school zone. Nail some kid under those circumstances and you'd be talking about jail - for years - not a ticket, not a fine. That's worth not being late for a class?Quote:
Originally Posted by Mayur
X2. Ah the mentallity of a high school kid....Quote:
Originally Posted by hoosier
Lets admit it. Most humans are pretty stupid.
x2.Quote:
Originally Posted by aaseavey
I think you are giving him to much credit.Quote:
Originally Posted by aaseavey
hahahahaha :lol:Quote:
Originally Posted by davekr
Perhaps :lol:Quote:
Originally Posted by davekr
dude seriously slow down. I know what u were doing-i'm in highschool too, and i'll admit it, i'm a cocky ass bastard, but the fact of the matter is, like everyone else has said, some kid could have darted out in traffic; if wasnt a kid, then mabey a crossing gaurd, if not that then a jogger, or mabey even some old lady pulling out slow right past the crest of a hill. Have fun- hit up triple digits on the highway or whatever but u gotta keep in mind- the x50 is sick and all but its not a ticket to speed, nor will it save ur ass every time. and of course, everyone else, please pardon my french