Electronics and Horizontal Dash vs. Center Stack
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Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Mar 2011
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From: MO
Electronics and Horizontal Dash vs. Center Stack
My wife just got the 2013 GS450h and I'm looking at the new LS. With the new interior layout, I've discovered that windshield mounted electronics (radar detector, dash cams, etc.) do not play well with the horizontal dash and power outlet in the console.
With the "old" layout, a curly cord would simply lay unobtrusively on either side of the center stack going down to the cigarette lighter in the ashtray (how passe that sounds). Now, the same cord has to stretch all the way to the center console, which causes it to block the center display and the radio/CD unit and to interfere with the RTI (mouse) and shifter/buttons. The new dash layout seems to require either dedicated (hard)wiring or some very long extension cords with serpentine routing from source to appliance.
With the "old" layout, a curly cord would simply lay unobtrusively on either side of the center stack going down to the cigarette lighter in the ashtray (how passe that sounds). Now, the same cord has to stretch all the way to the center console, which causes it to block the center display and the radio/CD unit and to interfere with the RTI (mouse) and shifter/buttons. The new dash layout seems to require either dedicated (hard)wiring or some very long extension cords with serpentine routing from source to appliance.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Waiting for next track day
That sucks. I wasnt aware they shifted the position of the outlet. I would still go with the new one or get a hell of a deal on the old LS. The other thing you can do is get a Passport radar detector with batteries and keep a spare set of batteries in the glove . That way you will be wireless totally and have the clean look you desire
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 813
Likes: 7
From: MO
Ate,
The "look" is not the issue - functionality is.
The cordless Passport simply cannot match the power of top-of-the-line corded models, both in detection and interface capabilities. For example, the Escort Live! feature connects radar/laser detection to a social networking community via smartphone for increased scope and depth of coverage. Without a simple path from a cigarette lighter (where Escort's control module goes) to the detector for both power AND communication, the setup is no good. You would think, by now, auto makers would make 12VDC readily available to dash mounts, no? After all, it's not as if all our smart<insert device> operations can be performed as directly and completely through the clunky Lexus "App" interface, right?
The "look" is not the issue - functionality is.
The cordless Passport simply cannot match the power of top-of-the-line corded models, both in detection and interface capabilities. For example, the Escort Live! feature connects radar/laser detection to a social networking community via smartphone for increased scope and depth of coverage. Without a simple path from a cigarette lighter (where Escort's control module goes) to the detector for both power AND communication, the setup is no good. You would think, by now, auto makers would make 12VDC readily available to dash mounts, no? After all, it's not as if all our smart<insert device> operations can be performed as directly and completely through the clunky Lexus "App" interface, right?
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 813
Likes: 7
From: MO
Con,
Thanks for the pics - you certainly do have a "clean" install there. The new Lexus horizontal dash layout does not affect hardwires like yours, but it severely impacts casual or temporary corded setups - especially as multifunction control pods become popular.
By the way, the guys over on the detector forums generally recommend a high placement (just below the tint strip) for maximum detection effectiveness. It's a bit more work to hardwire (A-pillar and headliner involved), but they say the result is well worth the effort. You may wish to consider it on your next install.
Thanks for the pics - you certainly do have a "clean" install there. The new Lexus horizontal dash layout does not affect hardwires like yours, but it severely impacts casual or temporary corded setups - especially as multifunction control pods become popular.
By the way, the guys over on the detector forums generally recommend a high placement (just below the tint strip) for maximum detection effectiveness. It's a bit more work to hardwire (A-pillar and headliner involved), but they say the result is well worth the effort. You may wish to consider it on your next install.
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