Radar detectors? - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

JackG · 10-06-2009, 04:40 PM

pteam,

Move it slightly to the right and up an inch, and your problem is solved. You'll be able to see it and the the cord will dress to the right of the console. You pretty much never have to touch it since the lighter plug has the mute button right on it.

Seriously, I've had mine in several cars and it's never been an issue. Maybe the Viper is a special situation? In any case, it's easy enough to rig a cord for it, or you can go to:
https://www.escortradar.com/store/straight-cords/
and just buy the cord for your application.

RandallNeighbour · 10-06-2009, 05:15 PM

PTeam, sounds like you're a prime candidate for the V1... They were smart enough to design it with the power cord on the left of the unit where it belongs.

Take Escort up on their 30 day money back guarantee and send a message to their engineers.

pteam · 10-06-2009, 05:20 PM

Also here is a picture of it in my hummer:

Notice how it again covers up the radar screen but also because these smart people had it plug in on the drivers side it also covers up my navigation and BARELY reaches the cigarette lighter, and thus pulls on the radar because its stretched. Its not even close to being able to reach the 2nd cigarette lighter outlet.

Ok so I had to buy this straight smartcord Blue as if $500 wasnt enough now I get to spend another $36.69 because of their bad design. I pity anybody who doesnt know they sell different cords. Also I like how they have a smart cord blue and a smartcord red and don't have any description difference. One would think that means the actual cord is red or blue, but I "think" its actually the lights on the power plug light up different colors?!? I only think that becuase of theyre tiny picture (that cant be enlarged).

Also I sent pictures and this thread to passport's support team, hopefully they can do a simple redesign and have the power cord plug into the passenger side and not have a coiled cord that is only a foot and a half long. A quick search on google shows there are MANY people complaining about this same problem.

mptoledo · 10-06-2009, 05:50 PM

You have it too low on your windshield. Your dash is inhibiting the rear detection. I always mount mine under the rear view mirror in both my vehicles with absolutely no problems.

It seems to me like your just making exuses to hate it (no offense meant). It looks obvious that you could just move the unit up 5 inches or so and run the cord down the right side of your nav system, Or just buy a flat cord.

pteam · 10-06-2009, 06:26 PM

I did buy a flat cord for an additonal $36.69, just a few minutes ago and will have to wait for it to be shipped here. Without this forum I wouldnt even have known they made different cords as most people probably don't.

However I shouldnt have to put the radar in the middle of my windshield and right in the middle of my view! Nor should I be forced to buy a different cord because the one they gave me is too short, and is plugged into the driver side, and prohibits your viewing of the radar screen. If I mounted it under the rear view mirror (without hardwiring because I have several cars to switch to) then the cord would hang down right in the way of everything, and actually that short cord wouldnt even make it to the cigarette lighter because the cord is so short!

Edit, I just moved the radar smack dab in the middle of the windshield (prohibiting my view because it is right in the middle of the windshield) , 5 inches up on the hummer, and the cord doesnt even reach the closest power outlet! (let alone the 2nd power outlet)

There are hundreds of complaints online for a reason. The cord sucks in serveral ways, and it sucks that they have it plug into the driver side which gets in the way of your view.

Perfectlap · 10-06-2009, 06:29 PM

Okay I'm here so you can all stop arguing.

I have the V1.

The suction cups are ****************ty, I'm on my second set. The dang thing fell on my dash and left a dent since its bigger than my Tivo. The cigarette lighter thing won't stay in keeps poping out so it turns on and off on and off anoying, I'll have order another. The wires at the jack became frayed and I had to order another as well.

That being said........... V1 baby!!!!

Those arrows made Mr. Valentine a mulit-millionaire. And for good reason.

Its like this...you're driving down the street and the Five-O is hiding behind a bush. BEEP (arrow pointing ahead)

where is this fargin' guy???

BEEP BEEP (yep still points ahead)

Don't see him !!!

BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP (arrows pointing side ways)

still don't see him but I'm off the gas.

BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP (arrows pointing behind).

Ah there I see you hiding with your lights out!!! HA HA!! I know you're watching me!! you love busting those shiny P Cars!! not this time

there you have it. You can't just go off an audible alarm that gets louder and louder. You need to know where the enemy is lurking.

now they just have to work on all those ****************ty accessories that need replacing all the time..

p.s.
V1 still gets the best scores on Lazer from a trailing vehicle. That's saved me at least twice with the stateys following me home on the highway.

JackG · 10-06-2009, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

Okay I'm here so you can all stop arguing.

I have the V1.

The suction cups are ****************ty, I'm on my second set. The dang thing fell on my dash and left a dent since its bigger than my Tivo. The cigarette lighter thing won't stay in keeps poping out so it turns on and off on and off anoying, I'll have order another. The wires at the jack became frayed and I had to order another as well.

Its like this...you're driving down the street and the Five-O is hiding behind a bush. BEEP (arrow pointing ahead)

where is this fargin' guy???

BEEP BEEP (yep still points ahead)

Don't see him !!!

BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP (arrows pointing side ways)

still don't see him but I'm off the gas.

(if you are just lifting, you have a ticket)

BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP (arrows pointing behind).

there you have it. You can't just go off an audible alarm that gets louder and louder. You need to know where the enemy is lurking.

now they just have to work on all those ****************ty accessories that need replacing all the time..

p.s.
V1 still gets the best scores on Lazer from a trailing vehicle. That's saved me at least twice with the stateys following me home on the highway.

Weird... with the Passport, I let off the gas when the alert started (just like you had to) and get back on it after it's gone (just like your did). No taking my eyes off the road to look at arrows that just distract me.

And what's with that V1 falsing from a laser? They can't use laser from a moving ("trailing") vehicle. They have to be stationary to laser you.
I quote: "Laser cannot be used in moving mode it must be stationary. Most state enforcement agencies have passed on using laser for this reason. Laser is most prevalent in metropolitan areas with one officer on an overpass operating the laser and officers lined up on entrance ramps waiting for the radio to ID the offender. Similar to radar, laser cannot be used in the rain, snow, or high dust environments. Laser takes precise aiming."

You may need to send your V1 back in for "updating". It seems to be malfunctioning, or your local po-po is stupid.

Perfectlap · 10-07-2009, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JackG

Weird... with the Passport, I let off the gas when the alert started (just like you had to) and get back on it after it's gone (just like your did). No taking my eyes off the road to look at arrows that just distract me.

And what's with that V1 falsing from a laser? They can't use laser from a moving ("trailing") vehicle. They have to be stationary to laser you.
I quote: "Laser cannot be used in moving mode it must be stationary. Most state enforcement agencies have passed on using laser for this reason. Laser is most prevalent in metropolitan areas with one officer on an overpass operating the laser and officers lined up on entrance ramps waiting for the radio to ID the offender. Similar to radar, laser cannot be used in the rain, snow, or high dust environments. Laser takes precise aiming."

You may need to send your V1 back in for "updating". It seems to be malfunctioning, or your local po-po is stupid.

Depends on where you live. Here in NJ the state troopers pull you over from behind. I've seen at least a dozen times. They use Laser. The local cops use the old stuff from a stationary point. So you need both around here.

regarding the arrows, its uncanny the split second you've passed the radar gun it points side ways. At that very blink of an eye you know you're safe and can get back on the gas regardless of whether its beeping loud. That right there is worth the V1. The other benefit is the remote match box display that I place directly underneath the speedo. While I check my speed I can see where the arrows are pointing in one glance. This also means that the main unit visible from behind is not flashing which can attract tail gaters or the attention of that trailing trooper.
They DESPISE radar detectors. The other day one a trooper pulled up next to me
was checking out the Boxsters saw the radar detector, gets on his speaker and says "radar detectors make you look very very very guilty guy". Hence, you don't want that thing flashing ever. Driving a Porsche is enough bad attention when it comes to those guys.

Jeph · 10-06-2009, 08:30 PM

If I were to wager a guess, I'd say the cord plugs into the left side of the detector because in MOST (not all, including Vipers & Hummers) cars, the lighter/socket is closer to the driver than the passenger.

Even the Boxster's lighter/socket on the right side, but I never had a problem with it. Nor have I had a problem in an TL, R32, 330i, Range Rover, Sentra, Civic, or any other car I've mounted it in (but I still need to confirm that with the Internets).