Hey all.....

Although only my 3rd post, I hope you might find this post of some value.

As I've always hard wired my detectors in my previous vehicles, I did a little research and came up with this method. I also wanted to mount it in a manner that would look clean and professional.

The unit I mounted was an Escort 9500ix.

I will post some pictures as soon as I can (and as soon as I can figure out HOW).

I mounted the unit under the rear view mirror and tapped my power source from the sunroof motor harness. Very easy to access. As for the mount, I went to the local bicycle shop and obtained a reflector mount which I used in a similar manner to this:
http://www.escortradar.com/escort-blendmounts/

Bicycle shops are always trying to get rid of these things because kids hate them and want them removed before they buy their bikes, so he gave it to me for free. LOL.

I soldered and heat-shunk all my connections. The result is a unit that is very stealthy and professional looking and looks like it's factory installed - especially with the blue display that matches nicely with the LS460's bluish hue in the dash.

Stay tuned for pics (I hope!)

 

After the section where you type your message, scroll down to the next box and you will see a button reading "Manage Attachments".

Interested in seeing the pics.

 

Thanks for the info. I needed to mount my Escort when I got my LS a month ago. I normally tap into a fuse that is switched with the ignition. However, the fuses I checked had power on all the time. Does Lexus do electronic power switching for everything??

Maybe I gave up too soon, plus I did not have an owner manual at the time. But, my solution was to get a longer Escort power cord, route it around the driver side trim, then I pushed it under the center console and plugged it into the power outlet at the back of the console. Not that elegant of a solution, but I needed to get it up and running. A radar detector is a necessity in my town. Not that I always drive over the limit, but the local LEOs are unforgiving in our urban areas.

Anyway, please post how you got to the sunroof power. I just might try that to clean up my wiring. Thanks.

 

I have always read that laser detection is most effective as low on the winshield as possible. I assume you remove the detector when parked for long periods of time because having it there will be an invitation for bums to ruin your day. I like the setup, but steered away after reading about laser detection being diminished

 

While it's true that laser operators will aim squarely between the headlights (grill area), and therefore, mounting anything with laser detection should be mounted as low as possible, the fact is you're screwed when detection is made, since the LEO already has you. Bascially, the detector is telling you to get your wallet out because you're getting asked for your DL in a minute or so. Conversely, radar detection should be mounted as HIGH as possible (as per your detectors manual), as you are more likely to catch scattered signals and for that matter, targetted signals. Add to that the stealhier, less obvious placement of the detector, (especially if you get pulled over), is preferable.

 

Good point..i know folks who have laser shifters installed really have successfully avoided getting stopped. They say they usually get hit and then they turn them off once they get to speed to avoid the cop from being suspicious and pulling them over out of spite lol

 

Cool. If you can , post some pics of install. I will be installing my Valentine 1 in my car as soon as it gets here. Thanks

 

The first photo is the reflector as I got it from the bike shop.

The remainder of the photos are how I incorporated it into my Escort 9500ix. Your application may be similar, but regardless, pretty simple.

More to follow.

 

Which wire is the positive wire that gives +12v when car is running? Also which one is negative/ground?

 

photo one shows the overhead console lowered. To do so is easy...just open the eyeglass holder and undo the two screws under the plastic covers within. Then it's just a matter of gently but firmly pulling down to disengage the retainers (the blue plastic rivets you see in the photo). Inside this now opened up cavity is a large wire connector as seen in the photo. Believe it or not BLACK is the power lead and the White with black tracer is the ground. The other wires are not 12 volt and are just relay wires and the like. If you need a 12v switched wire, there are a few in there on another loom/connector closer to the windshield which power the rain sensor, mirror, etc. I used 12v constant, because my detector has an auto power off which I prefer to use so that the detector is not always going through initialization beeps and tones every time I get in and start it up.

I used a wire tap to get power from the Black wire

For the ground, I used a crimp on eyelet by screwing the eyelet to the metal brace inside the console.

 

Here's the final outcome. The assembly does not shake at all. It blends right in under the mirror and looks factory. No wires all over the place, and stays put, but still allows easy removal of the detector from the vehicle if needed, since I used the Escort mounting tab (minus the suction cups obviously).

 

Sorry for the crap photos that look like they were taken with a potato! When the rain stops, I'll get better photos of the final install.

 

Thanks for the pics..

 

Thanks...I need to know which one is the ignition on power wire though

 

That's a good idea using the reflector mount. I usually run mine on the drivers sun visor, which makes using the sun visor to block the sun, useless.

Clipped on the visor, I can see the detector go off with the music loud. I may give this mounting idea a try so I can use my sun visor..