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      01-28-2014, 11:10 PM   #1
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Built-in Radar Detectors / Laser Jammers

So, I've been considering potentially installing a built-in radar detector and also a laser jammer system - looking at the Escort 9500ci along with something like the Blinder HP-905 Compact (seems to have better ratings than Escort's shifter). I wanted to solicit any feedback from the board here on experiences.

I've never gone for a built-in system before, so I'm wondering how difficult/easy they are to install... and is it worth the price. I'd probably opt to have a shop do it regardless as I just don't have the time to tinker these days (that's what a baby does to your life!). Also, any experience with the laser jammers (blinder or otherwise) would be interesting. From the reviews I've seen, it looks like the HP-905 is pretty well invisible to numerous types of LIDAR systems when installed appropriately (thinking 2 or 3 heads).

Anyway, thanks for the feedback guys.
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      01-29-2014, 01:58 AM   #2
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heyhey

I recently got myself 9500ix with AL Priority Jammer. I heard AL is the most sensitive jammer in the market so i chose AL. I work in automotive industry and have some friends in Europe that distribute these radar and jammer. They also recommended AL is the best jammer in the market.

I have B8 A4 and F10 528xi. My daily is A4 so I have radar and laser set up on the A4, but the install was quite easy. I don't know how you would DIY laser install as you need to hardwire this into your fusebox. F10's fusebox is in the trunk. I think there is another one in the glove box compartment, but the wires are bit short to play around with. Overall, I was able to DIY it on my A4 and am very satisfied. I am going to set one up on the 5er sometime in the summer as well.

I love my radar and jammer. Here are 2 occasions where my jammer came in handy.



you can hear my jammer first and then my 9500ix warning me of a laser alert.



my buddy in the 335i was driving in front of me and got caught.

Anyways let me know if you have any questions
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      01-29-2014, 11:33 AM   #3
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Thanks for the feedback - I'd probably have someone install it for me, like I said... not enough time to mess around with it, especially if it'll be more difficult. If I got a stand-alone detector, I'd probably look at the Escort MAX (heard good things), but it looks like the 9500ci (essentially the 9500ix but built-in) is the most the newest Escort offers for built-in detectors.

Does anyone know if there's any benefit to have the detector and jammer "integrated" like Escort does with their shifter...? I wouldn't think so as the jammer should always be jamming regardless of whether there's something detected (which would be too late)?
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      01-29-2014, 02:44 PM   #4
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I heard good things about the MAX as well. But from what I heard from dealers of radar/laser parts is that you need a very good jammer, but you can survive with a budget radar detector. I was told to get a budget radar detector around $200 from dealers and they told me that ppl really don't need all the features in the expensive devices. I still went with 9500ix due to the GPS capability. I live in a city and work in a city so there are so many false alarms. With GPS function, you can weed out these false alarm. I really like it.

I am not sure about the integrated radar + jammer device. But make sure you do run radar and jammer all the time. even if you buy a laser alert radar detector, it wont help with laser. Im sure you know it
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      01-29-2014, 04:10 PM   #5
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The feedback I've been reading elsewhere on the net also suggests that installing a built-in detector or jammer on a BMW (or most upper-end brands) is something that should be done by a professional due to the complexity (immobilizers/alarms, fuse boxes in the trunk, etc). That said, has anyone with an F10 installed a built-in detector or jammer? What was your experience? I wonder if my BMW dealer would do it - I'd feel much better about them doing it than an indy shop, I think.
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      01-29-2014, 04:16 PM   #6
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I have a Escort 9500 ix and Blinder HP-905 in my F10 and it is a good setup. I was using only the radar detector for a while but a jammer is a must lately as many cops around where I live started using laser guns more often.
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      01-29-2014, 06:02 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hufington View Post
I have a Escort 9500 ix and Blinder HP-905 in my F10 and it is a good setup. I was using only the radar detector for a while but a jammer is a must lately as many cops around where I live started using laser guns more often.
Did you do the Blinder install or have a shop do it? Any details on the process?

Is the 9500ix hardwired and did you do this as well?

Thanks for the info!
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      01-30-2014, 08:48 AM   #8
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I've got a hard wired Valentine 1 and a Laser Interceptor BMW specific jammer installed as well.

My wife has escort products in her car, and I find them to false too often, especially with Audi/etc radar cruise control systems. I don't have that issue on the valentine 1.

Installation of both was done by me - its a simple install - the "hardest" part is running the wires to the jammer heads, which is not hard at all.

https://www.laser-interceptorusa.com...ory&path=59_67

I respectfully disagree with the opinions on other jammers mentioned above - I'm pret-ty positive that Laser Interceptor is the best.
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      01-30-2014, 09:47 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by superbuick View Post
I've got a hard wired Valentine 1 and a Laser Interceptor BMW specific jammer installed as well.

My wife has escort products in her car, and I find them to false too often, especially with Audi/etc radar cruise control systems. I don't have that issue on the valentine 1.

Installation of both was done by me - its a simple install - the "hardest" part is running the wires to the jammer heads, which is not hard at all.

https://www.laser-interceptorusa.com...ory&path=59_67

I respectfully disagree with the opinions on other jammers mentioned above - I'm pret-ty positive that Laser Interceptor is the best.
super - thanks for the feedback. Right now I'm considering the following detectors and jammers:

Detectors:

1. Escort 9500ci or 9500ix
2. Escort MAX

Laser Jammers:

1. Laser Interceptor
2. Blinder HP-905

So, on the detectors, the 9500ci has the advantage of being built-in, and it's also one of the few detectors that's still "stealth" to the Spectre RDD. I don't drive in VA or DC often (where detectors are illegal), so I'm not sure if that should matter much to me. Essentially, I'd be considering the 9500ci largely because it's built-in; however, it comes unnecessarily bundled with Escorts' own Laser Shifter (jammer), which I'm not keen on due to poor reviews. The 9500ix would otherwise be the counterpart choice, which would require me to hard-wire it. Lastly on the detectors, I'm considering the Escort MAX, which seems to have phenomenal reviews - great range, GPS block-out, etc. But again, it's dash-mounted like the 9500ix.

On the laser jammers, I've seen very strong reviews of both the LI and Blinder 905. The Blinder has very nice, compact heads as opposed to the LI's larger (more obtrusive) heads. However, the LI, as you mentioned, has a BMW specific model that allows the heads to be mounted vertically for our kidney grills... that's a plus. And from what I've heard on other forums, it sounds like LI has FAR superior support for their product in the form of firmware updates and customer support. So, I'm currently leaning slightly towards the LI for the BMW-specific mounting profile along with the better support. The price seems reasonable (around $500 - $600 for a dual head system).

Would you mind sharing details of your install for the LI? My understanding is that you simply need a fuse tap... but a few things concerned me:

- Finding the right fuse to "tap"
- The fuse box is in the trunk, correct? So, running the wiring up to the dash for the control box from the trunk
- Getting the head wires through the firewall (not sure where I'd be looking there)
- Generally not screwing anything up that immobilizes the car!

Thanks for the continued insight guys!
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      01-30-2014, 10:09 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ezmaass View Post
Did you do the Blinder install or have a shop do it? Any details on the process?

Is the 9500ix hardwired and did you do this as well?

Thanks for the info!
I installed them myself. The Escort is hardwired to back of the mirror. It is pretty easy to install.
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      01-30-2014, 10:18 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by blackboxmycar View Post
heyhey

I recently got myself 9500ix with AL Priority Jammer. I heard AL is the most sensitive jammer in the market so i chose AL. I work in automotive industry and have some friends in Europe that distribute these radar and jammer. They also recommended AL is the best jammer in the market.

I have B8 A4 and F10 528xi. My daily is A4 so I have radar and laser set up on the A4, but the install was quite easy. I don't know how you would DIY laser install as you need to hardwire this into your fusebox. F10's fusebox is in the trunk. I think there is another one in the glove box compartment, but the wires are bit short to play around with. Overall, I was able to DIY it on my A4 and am very satisfied. I am going to set one up on the 5er sometime in the summer as well.

I love my radar and jammer. Here are 2 occasions where my jammer came in handy.



you can hear my jammer first and then my 9500ix warning me of a laser alert.



my buddy in the 335i was driving in front of me and got caught.

Anyways let me know if you have any questions
If you have the jammer, shouldn't you have been in front?
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      01-30-2014, 04:22 PM   #12
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If intrusiveness (or lack thereof) is a concern, skip the CI. Its more intrusive and performs worse, and its more susceptible to wear and tear being outside the car. If offers nothing really other than stealth appearance, and a windshield mount can be hidden pretty high up by the mirror.

Why not considering Valentine 1? I'm not a brand snob - we have both in my household, but the V1 is my choice for my car because the arrows just make it "better". Its chattier than the escort though, but with fewer falses. We have a 9500ix escort for the reference.

As far as the Laser-Interceptor - I am a brand snob there. Its the best jammer out there, and in large part because of the support. Honestly I wouldn't waste my time with other units.

I wired my LI directly into the car off of the cigarette lighter wiring under the center console - that is power switched and easy to tap into, also very close to where wou want the switch mounted anyways. It comes on and off with the car, and has caused me no issues. I have the on/off switch hidden in the ash tray. The box is tucked up under the passenger footwell (you could see it if you layed down in the footwell) for stealthiness, and easy access for updates, and mounting. Passing through the firewall was a non-issue behind the glovebox, and the wires hide under the plastic trim on the passenger side of the engine bay and go straight to the heads mounted in the grille. Its a nice setup, and was a pain-free install. Nothing to screw up immobilizers - its funny to me how worked up the BMW crowd (not you in particular) gets about putting stuff in their cars! Works great - I've been running it in this car for 1.5 years with no issues. Both of my other vehicles have Laser-interceptors in them, as well as two close friends who I convinced to get them. All hassle free.


Quote:
Originally Posted by ezmaass View Post
super - thanks for the feedback. Right now I'm considering the following detectors and jammers:

Detectors:

1. Escort 9500ci or 9500ix
2. Escort MAX

Laser Jammers:

1. Laser Interceptor
2. Blinder HP-905

So, on the detectors, the 9500ci has the advantage of being built-in, and it's also one of the few detectors that's still "stealth" to the Spectre RDD. I don't drive in VA or DC often (where detectors are illegal), so I'm not sure if that should matter much to me. Essentially, I'd be considering the 9500ci largely because it's built-in; however, it comes unnecessarily bundled with Escorts' own Laser Shifter (jammer), which I'm not keen on due to poor reviews. The 9500ix would otherwise be the counterpart choice, which would require me to hard-wire it. Lastly on the detectors, I'm considering the Escort MAX, which seems to have phenomenal reviews - great range, GPS block-out, etc. But again, it's dash-mounted like the 9500ix.

On the laser jammers, I've seen very strong reviews of both the LI and Blinder 905. The Blinder has very nice, compact heads as opposed to the LI's larger (more obtrusive) heads. However, the LI, as you mentioned, has a BMW specific model that allows the heads to be mounted vertically for our kidney grills... that's a plus. And from what I've heard on other forums, it sounds like LI has FAR superior support for their product in the form of firmware updates and customer support. So, I'm currently leaning slightly towards the LI for the BMW-specific mounting profile along with the better support. The price seems reasonable (around $500 - $600 for a dual head system).

Would you mind sharing details of your install for the LI? My understanding is that you simply need a fuse tap... but a few things concerned me:

- Finding the right fuse to "tap"
- The fuse box is in the trunk, correct? So, running the wiring up to the dash for the control box from the trunk
- Getting the head wires through the firewall (not sure where I'd be looking there)
- Generally not screwing anything up that immobilizes the car!

Thanks for the continued insight guys!
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      01-30-2014, 05:05 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by superbuick View Post
If intrusiveness (or lack thereof) is a concern, skip the CI. Its more intrusive and performs worse, and its more susceptible to wear and tear being outside the car. If offers nothing really other than stealth appearance, and a windshield mount can be hidden pretty high up by the mirror.

Why not considering Valentine 1? I'm not a brand snob - we have both in my household, but the V1 is my choice for my car because the arrows just make it "better". Its chattier than the escort though, but with fewer falses. We have a 9500ix escort for the reference.

As far as the Laser-Interceptor - I am a brand snob there. Its the best jammer out there, and in large part because of the support. Honestly I wouldn't waste my time with other units.

I wired my LI directly into the car off of the cigarette lighter wiring under the center console - that is power switched and easy to tap into, also very close to where wou want the switch mounted anyways. It comes on and off with the car, and has caused me no issues. I have the on/off switch hidden in the ash tray. The box is tucked up under the passenger footwell (you could see it if you layed down in the footwell) for stealthiness, and easy access for updates, and mounting. Passing through the firewall was a non-issue behind the glovebox, and the wires hide under the plastic trim on the passenger side of the engine bay and go straight to the heads mounted in the grille. Its a nice setup, and was a pain-free install. Nothing to screw up immobilizers - its funny to me how worked up the BMW crowd (not you in particular) gets about putting stuff in their cars! Works great - I've been running it in this car for 1.5 years with no issues. Both of my other vehicles have Laser-interceptors in them, as well as two close friends who I convinced to get them. All hassle free.
Thanks for the feedback - this is definitely useful!

If I went for a non-stealth (built-in) RD, I'd probably lean towards the Escort MAX. The V1 is also an option, but my understanding is that the MAX provides equivalent (if not better, depending upon who you ask) highway distance notification while providing a much better false alert suppression. I like the idea of the arrows on the V1, but honestly I can live without them. My priorities would be distance and minimizing false alerts. Supposedly the MAX is a big step above the 9500ix.

I'm still doing my homework on the laser jammers, and there's plenty of confusing info out there. The majority of what I've read says that the LI unit is one of the best, typically compared to Blinder HP-905. I'm a bit concerned though about some issues I've read about with water leakage problems on the LI heads along with potential "protection failure" against new pulsed laser photo units. I guess I'm less concerned with the protection issues against brand new technologies if LI is on top of their game with updates... a bit more concerned with reports of water leaking into the heads.

I guess none of this stuff is rock solid, and you just get the best available at any given time. Honestly, I don't even really speed. I tend to go around 80 on the highway in 65 zones, which is certainly enough to be pulled over in many cases, but 75 is usually just a tad too slow for me most days. I'm thinking I'd probably want the install done by a professional - although your setup sounds promising, I can just see myself trying to pry panels off and screwing stuff up (cosmetically if not electrically!) - yep, I guess I'm one of those guys you mentioned! Haha
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      01-30-2014, 05:06 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Grover432 View Post
If you have the jammer, shouldn't you have been in front?
Well he drives much faster than I do and I didn't want to drive that fast. After this, he slowed down and i was in the front.
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      01-30-2014, 06:15 PM   #15
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Where in CT are you? I have an F10 with a 9500ci fully built in.
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      01-30-2014, 07:39 PM   #16
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Where in CT are you? I have an F10 with a 9500ci fully built in.
I'm in Fairfield County. Did you have it professionally installed or did you DIY? I'm thinking there are probably some good shops around that'll do it - pro audio places? - but haven't started to look yet. How do you like the 9500ci? Assuming you're using the Laser Shifters as well that appear to come with the package? I haven't found any great reviews yet on them... only the ZR4... assuming they're not the same?
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      01-30-2014, 09:08 PM   #17
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The Escort 9500ci was the best choice for an installed and intergrated radar detector and laser jammer combination. The radar detector was very good, with only its sister Beltronics STiR being able to out perform it. (Escort and Beltronics are different divisions of the same company). The laser jammer portion of the Escort combination waste weak point. It just didn't perform well. Google Guys of Lidar.

Last year the Antilaser Priority was released and can intergrate the radar detection of the Beltronics STiR+ with the AntiLaser Priority's laser jammers into one unit.

Then Antilaser Priority has tested better than the Blinder HP905 and the Laser Interceptor.

http://www.miragetools.net/category/reviews/

http://www.raletc.org/2013/09/raletc...fest-2013.html
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      01-31-2014, 06:07 AM   #18
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I also live in CT and got my Beltronics STI-R and Laser Interceptor Quads installed by High Fidelity Autosport in Newington, CT. They literally do 4-8 installs a week (all different kits) and get sent by most of the dealers in the area to fix the aiming and install errors done by the dealership techs (Porsche, BMW, Mercedes, Audi, etc.)

They did an amazing job and made everything "extra" stealth for me. I did a lot of research and many people go with the 9500ci because it's an "all-in-one" package. From listening to my installer, he pretty much said the radar detection is amazing but the jammers are very weak. That's why we decided on the Beltronics STI-R as it's very similar if not better unit than the 9500ci, and it cost less as it doesn't come with a jammer; letting you essentially choose the jammer that works best for your driving habits/conditions.

We decided on going with Laser Interceptor as they had the best reviews at the time (they may still do haven't checked ever since I purchased) and they had the 4-head options for maximum coverage. They also had a "high-powered" version but that was a little out of my price point.

Also, I heard that Escort recently bought LI's design and will eventually sell the Interceptors with the 9500ci kits later on in the year (2 head version) for a higher price.

The radar and jammers have already paid for themselves in the amount of times they have saved me. I put it off for way too long and have been very happy with the results.

I'll post some pictures later of the install (interior and exterior) later. My shop made me custom "pods" that conceal the rear laser jammers making them invisible to the eye. The front jammers get hidden in the front grill as LI makes a BMW-specific version to go in the kidneys. We are looking to make some pods for the front grill as well, or I may go with the LCI grills to make them a little more invisible.
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      01-31-2014, 10:00 AM   #19
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Quote:
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I also live in CT and got my Beltronics STI-R and Laser Interceptor Quads installed by High Fidelity Autosport in Newington, CT. They literally do 4-8 installs a week (all different kits) and get sent by most of the dealers in the area to fix the aiming and install errors done by the dealership techs (Porsche, BMW, Mercedes, Audi, etc.)

They did an amazing job and made everything "extra" stealth for me. I did a lot of research and many people go with the 9500ci because it's an "all-in-one" package. From listening to my installer, he pretty much said the radar detection is amazing but the jammers are very weak. That's why we decided on the Beltronics STI-R as it's very similar if not better unit than the 9500ci, and it cost less as it doesn't come with a jammer; letting you essentially choose the jammer that works best for your driving habits/conditions.

We decided on going with Laser Interceptor as they had the best reviews at the time (they may still do haven't checked ever since I purchased) and they had the 4-head options for maximum coverage. They also had a "high-powered" version but that was a little out of my price point.

Also, I heard that Escort recently bought LI's design and will eventually sell the Interceptors with the 9500ci kits later on in the year (2 head version) for a higher price.

The radar and jammers have already paid for themselves in the amount of times they have saved me. I put it off for way too long and have been very happy with the results.

I'll post some pictures later of the install (interior and exterior) later. My shop made me custom "pods" that conceal the rear laser jammers making them invisible to the eye. The front jammers get hidden in the front grill as LI makes a BMW-specific version to go in the kidneys. We are looking to make some pods for the front grill as well, or I may go with the LCI grills to make them a little more invisible.
Thank you! I'd love to see the pics, and I may want to pick your brain a bit more about choosing your installer. After settling on the configuration, finding the right installer will be my next immediate concern. I'm positive that a lot of places here will tell, "sure, no problem" - but determining who is an expert versus who may be doing it for only the 2nd time may be tough. This is a brand new car, so I'm not keen on someone screwing it up as their first experiment in installing a system like this.

So, it sounds like you went for the BMW-specific LI model, which is what I've been leaning towards, as well. I'd be curious to see how it looks in your pics - the heads looked a bit "large" compared to the HP-905, but I suppose if they're installed the right way they can be nicely hidden.

I agree with the assessment on the 9500ci having a weak laser jammer. Every review I've read has said the same - and for $2k, it's not worth it. I'd like the idea of a stealth detector (don't like having to take a radar detector on/off the dash when parking - fear of some idiot trying to steal it) that's built-in... but it seems like the best units are actually dash-mounted for whatever reason? If Escort built the LI tech into their 9500ci offering, THAT could be a winner, I guess...
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      01-31-2014, 03:16 PM   #20
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The best units are dash (windshield) mounted because they work better there. Higher position gives them a better "view". I mount mine right up by the mirror as it is the least intrusive there. I'm very aesthetically and cosmetically "anal" and wouldnt put anything in a place where it looked kludgy.

If yuo're averse to the V1, I think the Escort MAX and a Laser Interceptor is the way to go. No panels to pry other than the side of the center console, and that one is screwed in anyways. The biggest decision is where to put the on/off button - on 2 of my cars I mounted it like a factory switch by drilling a hole in the location I wanted it - with the BMW I hid it in the ash tray because I don't smoke and there wasnt a great place to put it out in the open that looked factory.

As fa as weather, I have had no issues in 5+ years of running laser interceptors on 4 different vehicles (Porsche, Corvette, F150, 535i). The Porsche was driven in winter, and the F150 still is.
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      01-31-2014, 04:02 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by superbuick View Post
The best units are dash (windshield) mounted because they work better there. Higher position gives them a better "view". I mount mine right up by the mirror as it is the least intrusive there. I'm very aesthetically and cosmetically "anal" and wouldnt put anything in a place where it looked kludgy.

If yuo're averse to the V1, I think the Escort MAX and a Laser Interceptor is the way to go. No panels to pry other than the side of the center console, and that one is screwed in anyways. The biggest decision is where to put the on/off button - on 2 of my cars I mounted it like a factory switch by drilling a hole in the location I wanted it - with the BMW I hid it in the ash tray because I don't smoke and there wasnt a great place to put it out in the open that looked factory.

As fa as weather, I have had no issues in 5+ years of running laser interceptors on 4 different vehicles (Porsche, Corvette, F150, 535i). The Porsche was driven in winter, and the F150 still is.
I like the idea of mounting it in the the on/off switch in the ash try - out of the way, doesn't cause holes to be drilled, etc. I like the idea of combining the Escort MAX with LI - sounds like Escort (from an above post) will be licensing the LI tech to include on the 9500ci... I'll probably dig into that to get details, as the 9500ci is still nice in the fact that it's one unit and all tucked away... I don't know.

Good to know you haven't had issues with weather. I've only heard a few random reports of water leaks into the heads on the LI... maybe isolated incidents.
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      02-01-2014, 08:16 AM   #22
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The Laser Interceptor does not provide protection for all current LIDAR guns

http://www.raletc.org/2013/09/raletc...fest-2013.html

http://www.raletc.org/2013/10/raletc...ragon-eye.html
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