2013 Lexus RX350 Radar Detector Mirror Mount complete (with pics)
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2013 Lexus RX350 Radar Detector Mirror Mount complete (with pics)
I like this mount! Overpriced... ($79.95 at Car Toys?!?!?) but nicely made. Feels like billet aluminum nicely milled and solidly built. No plastic anywhere, so at least you get a feeling that you got some of your money's worth :-P See it here http://www.blendmount.com/escort.html
I also used the MirrorTap cord to quickly pop the red and black wires into the mirror harness white (ground) and black (switched 12v) ports.
And finally thanks to Mac12 for his excellent instructions. Only took about 15 minutes to do everything. I did need to remove the plastic cover to the mirror mount and used my Dremel with a sanding wheel to form a small indention on one side to allow the radar detector power line to reach. There isn't 1/2" slack left I don't think... so it's tight but it works, and you don't have to think about hiding extra cord!
Sorry for the darkish pics, but here's what it looks like:
Here's Mac12's instructions to save you a forum search:
"Thanks for the replies. I've answered my own question. This is how I wired my radar detector in with power coming out of the rear view mirror on my 2013 RX. Today I finally got a chance to work on the power to the detector problem and it turned out to be very simple. I removed the torx headed screw that holds the mirror to the windshield bracket. There is a collar at the top off the mirror bracket that snaps off. With the collar out of the way the mirror slides up and off of the windshield plate(for lack of a better word). On the back side of the mirror bracket is a connector that has 5-8 wires. I unplugged the connector and searched for the keyed hot wire and ground.. It turned out to be that the black wire was hot with the key on and the white wire was the ground. It was easy to push the stealth pins into place and run the wire along side the bundle coming out of the headliner. I put a couple of small wire ties on the stealth wire and the bundle and ran it out to the radar detector which I mount with the suction cups just above and to the left side of the mirror. I hope this helps others that don't like for the detector cord to be laying on the dash. With this method everything is pretty much hidden behind the mirror and shaded portion of the upper windshield. "
I also used the MirrorTap cord to quickly pop the red and black wires into the mirror harness white (ground) and black (switched 12v) ports.
And finally thanks to Mac12 for his excellent instructions. Only took about 15 minutes to do everything. I did need to remove the plastic cover to the mirror mount and used my Dremel with a sanding wheel to form a small indention on one side to allow the radar detector power line to reach. There isn't 1/2" slack left I don't think... so it's tight but it works, and you don't have to think about hiding extra cord!
Sorry for the darkish pics, but here's what it looks like:
Here's Mac12's instructions to save you a forum search:
"Thanks for the replies. I've answered my own question. This is how I wired my radar detector in with power coming out of the rear view mirror on my 2013 RX. Today I finally got a chance to work on the power to the detector problem and it turned out to be very simple. I removed the torx headed screw that holds the mirror to the windshield bracket. There is a collar at the top off the mirror bracket that snaps off. With the collar out of the way the mirror slides up and off of the windshield plate(for lack of a better word). On the back side of the mirror bracket is a connector that has 5-8 wires. I unplugged the connector and searched for the keyed hot wire and ground.. It turned out to be that the black wire was hot with the key on and the white wire was the ground. It was easy to push the stealth pins into place and run the wire along side the bundle coming out of the headliner. I put a couple of small wire ties on the stealth wire and the bundle and ran it out to the radar detector which I mount with the suction cups just above and to the left side of the mirror. I hope this helps others that don't like for the detector cord to be laying on the dash. With this method everything is pretty much hidden behind the mirror and shaded portion of the upper windshield. "
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A couple notes before you ask - no the power cord is not tight. There's enough slack that I don't feel like it'll effect or weaken the connections on either end. There's not a LOT of room to wiggle, but it's not tight.
Second, the mirror is positioned just high enough so that the mirror can be directed up, down, etc without ever touching or rattling against the mount. The mount has two x hex screws on a sliding shaft that allows you to securely lock it at various heights based on your preference. If you want it to hang lower than this, look at the longer power cord options available on their site. The 9" is 'just' long enough.
Adam
Second, the mirror is positioned just high enough so that the mirror can be directed up, down, etc without ever touching or rattling against the mount. The mount has two x hex screws on a sliding shaft that allows you to securely lock it at various heights based on your preference. If you want it to hang lower than this, look at the longer power cord options available on their site. The 9" is 'just' long enough.
Adam
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Perfectly legal here in Texas too. And yes it's a lot for the mount, but once you've had enough of the suction cups fail (even the super mounts) due to high heat in Texas you get sick of them. Plus this doesn't obstruct any view through the windshield. So definitely up to the end user but I feel like it was worth it for the excellent build quality and sturdiness of the mount.
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Alternative to BlendMount
I purchased the BlendMount and connected the harness to the mirror connector. All told it took me about 15 minutes to complete. However, I found that I didn't like the position of the radar detector directly below the mirror. It was right in my line of sight when I looked off to the right. I already had a visor mount clip that I used with my previous vehicle https://www.escortradar.com/store/visor-clip-mount.html ($9.95 vs $89.95 for BlendMount) and it was a pretty easy process to make an extension (req'd 2 RJ-11 jacks, chord, modular inline coupler, and crimpers). I made the extension about 15 inches or so, routed it under the roof liner, and plugged it in. Works like a champ!!! Also, this installation is a bit more discreet than in the middle of your windshield. I can provide instructions if interested.
Last edited by HTtexas00; 10-23-13 at 02:04 PM. Reason: typing error
#6
I wish I could do this, but my RX has the auto-highbeam camera/sensor right between the windshield and the rearview mirror... takes up all the room.
I ended up with the detector on the dash.
I ended up with the detector on the dash.
#7
no problem, Ive used 'dual Lock' tape. these come with speed pass and it works perfectly year around and tape doesn't come off even in summer heat and good for many years [4+yrs]. I placed mine next to the rearview mirror next to the highbeam sensor so it is hard to see it's there from outside [important in VA].
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#9
That's great! I just purchased a traffic ticket prevention device myself. This install is so clean and without the wires hanging out. Love It!!
Then I looked at the website saw the specs that made it more tempting. At the end it had a list of several brands the mount would work with….big red letters at the bottom reading NOT COMPATIBLE WITH PASSPORT MAX. Can you guess the brand / model I purchased??? :-)
Then I looked at the website saw the specs that made it more tempting. At the end it had a list of several brands the mount would work with….big red letters at the bottom reading NOT COMPATIBLE WITH PASSPORT MAX. Can you guess the brand / model I purchased??? :-)
#10
Just received the the new mirror mount for my Passport Max. Yes, $89 is completely ridiculous, but when you make a custom device that no one else makes, you can charge what you want. Thanks for the info on the take apart and the hot & ground; it made my install very quick and easy
Any suggestions on how to make these invisible in both VA & DC? :-)
Any suggestions on how to make these invisible in both VA & DC? :-)
#11
Lead Lap
Sure! Put the thing in your console or glovebox.
Escort makes a truly "hidden" model, with the antenna mounted discreetly behind the grille, and the display is small enough to be mounted somewhere in or under the dash/console & not be noticed.
Escort makes a truly "hidden" model, with the antenna mounted discreetly behind the grille, and the display is small enough to be mounted somewhere in or under the dash/console & not be noticed.
#12
They do not always need to see it to know you have one. Do not put it past law enforcement to have the some of these or similar such toys:
http://www.stalkerradar.com/spectreIV/redirect.html
http://www.stalkerradar.com/spectreIV/redirect.html
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