Question - I understand the 3IS has only one 12V port inside the armrest, is this correct?

If so, can I run a 12V socket splitter to connect both my radar detector (don't want to hardwire) and my Garmin GPS (don't want built-in nav) at the same time?

Will I run into any issues? Anyone else doing this now?

 

I thought this would be an easy question, given the number of cheap 12v socket splitters out there but looking at the current number of views and no replies I'm starting to wonder if my question is really that unusual.

I'm supposed to sign paperwork for a 3IS next week, and I really need to find out if this will work. If it's a ridiculously stupid question, I'd like to know that, too.

If you can give either a conclusive answer, or even just considerations that I might need to think about it will be appreciated.

Are these inexpensive cigarette lighter splitter cables no-brainers when powering a radar detector + a gps or are there issues I need to think about?

 

it shouldn't be a problem at all! but honestly just use a mirror tap to the rear view mirror for your radar. They are $10 on ebay you can't go wrong.

 

Thanks, I do plan to look into a long-term solution for the radar detector. The only thing is I don't like the idea of mounting it by the mirror, because the type I have (9500ix -- it's older but awesome) reports a lot of good stuff on the display. Mine is mounted so neatly on my current 2IS and easy for me to remove if I feel the need to conceal it (don't want someone breaking in the car or whatever) that I prefer to leave it there.

So I don't need to worry about the splitter not giving proper power to one device versus the other or whatever?

 

I got the same radar and I'm using a blendmount. It's perfect for me and can be easily detached off the mount. I always take my radar off when going to the dealer or hand washes for detailing. Took me 15 mins to hardwire and mount the radar. Check my build thread there's a pic. Same setup I used from my 2is. I'm almost positive a splitter is not gonna affect the output. I have a splitter somewhere in my house I'll try it out this weekend if I find it.

 

Interesting that you've got the same RD, I'll definitely take a look.

Yeah if you could try the splitter it would be greatly appreciated. I will continue to consider hardwiring.

I was in an accident once and it all happened so fast, it was just so nice to throw the RD + cable, GPS+cable etc in the duffle bag and move it quickly into the rental car as I was hundreds of miles away from home. I like having that flexibility. I know I can make an effort to just have a spare cord on me but it's just been so easy to date.

 

...nice to throw the RD + cable, GPS+cable etc in the duffle bag and move it quickly... especially when

States Where Radar Detectors Are Illegal
The Communications Act of 1934 made owning a radar detector legal and made it against the law for authorities to destroy the device now that it is considered personal property. However, two areas on the East Coast strictly prohibit radar detectors: the state of VIRGINIA and Washington D.C. No way around it - if you're caught with a radar detector in either place, you will be ticketed and have the device taken away from you unless a judge decides otherwise.

I like a risk taker...

 

I was being honest about the duffle bag scenario and the auto accident and that happened in a state where RDs are legal. Hardwired or not wouldn't matter if driving through VA. I can take it from the mirror as easily as the dashboard going through barney fife territory. When I drive through VA they are usually not detecting radar and seem indifferent as to whether I remember to take it down when I do.

 

DJRide, question -- how do you lock out signals on your 9500ix? Reach up and press mute twice or just never manually lock out?

Also do you use the Mirror Tap cord and the Blend Mount? Can you tell me more details about how you wired it exactly?

Looking at the 2IS mirror, I don't understand where the Mirror Tap cord would plug in (I think the mirror is the same in 2IS/3IS? )

 

this is correct, only in the armrest

So if youre going to 2 socket split for these devices where are these wires going to be? All coming out of the armrest? Ive hardwired my escort RD and my dashcam and its very clean, you cannot see any wiring.

 

Well the GPS I only run on rare occasions (usually just highway trips), and it is a cable coming out of the armrest right now when I do run it so no problems there regarding the GPS.

But for the RD, I was thinking I could buy a longer cord and use clips or something to run it neatly down the side of the console keeping the button control where I could reach it.

But the more I investigate this the more I am leaning toward just not getting a 3IS unless I can figure out a clean solution for the RD. I can't believe they would exclude such an important feature (cig lighter socket up front) that the previous generation IS had.

I'm open to the Blend Mount solution but I need to understand it more. I'm not a wiring-savvy guy, and I don't want the Lexus dealer to tell me I screwed something up if I run into electrical issues or whatever.

Also can you link me to pics of yours so I can see what you've done? Thanks

 

i mounted my RD to the left side of the speaker grille thats above the screen and ran the escort hardwire kit to a fuse near the driver pedals. The I located the silence button behind the right steering stalk. To put it there you remove the soft black trim (just pops off) and it holds in the button. Not that hard to install and results were great. I followed the directions in the blackvue DIY thread for the dash cam. I ran the cord for the RD up and at the bottom of the windshield, you can hide the wire in the gap between the dash and the windshield then have it pop up for the RD.

 

I also considered the blendmount but its expensive for what it is honestly, and I decided against having the radar on my rear view mirror. The current position I dont have to look up, its right there.

Viewed from driving position, escort silence button is hidden but in reach



Centerline of car, escort hardwire kit is hidden in the gap between windshield and dash going to the left side of the dash to the fuse box. Can see the silence button under the start button



decided to take a pic of dash cam while I was there. This is also hardwired into a fuse with a 12V/5V USB hardwire kit and I had to get an USB extension cord to get a little extra length

 

Thanks, so to run the escort RD wire the way you did, you didn't even need a screwdriver, is that correct or am I misunderstanding?

 

well you need a 10mm socket to attach the ground wire to a nearby bracket, but for these other things I had interior trim removal tools that are made of plastic.

check out the blackvue DIY thread, to do the install like I did for the RD you dont have to do all these steps because I didnt run power for it through the A pillar

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...tallation.html