503 Motoring: Passport 9500ci install pictures

[KKSigs]

Great install!!

[ColoCane]

Originally Posted by 503Alex

We work directly with Escort, and their research has determined that the larger mesh openings don't affect performance. Smaller mesh openings do, however, and an alternative would need to be found in some cases.

That's good confirmation. Works on M3 mesh, good by me! Thanks...

[Epacy2]

I see you note it is still affective to mount behind the mesh but I'm not sure that won't hinder the nodes. Everything I have seen is they need to be out in front of mesh.

[ColoCane]

This is worth a read from another thread, re: mounting shifters infront or behind mesh, and horizontal or vertical mounting. Also, shows some BMW installs. (Thanks to RadarKing).

Originally Posted by RaDaRkInG

Do not get the Escort ZR4 laser jammer because it is a POS. You need to get a quality laser diode laser jammer like the Laser Interceptor. No laser jammer will work correctly if it is mounted behind the grill or any other piece of the car.

http://guysoflidar.com/july-2008/laser-jammer-test.html

http://www.laser-interceptorusa.com/


Correct way to mount a laser jammer:

http://www.laser-interceptorusa.com/715.html

"Divide the middle of the vehicle in two parts. The LASER INTERCEPTOR has two units which is to be mounted on the front of the vehicle between the headlights. Install one unit in the first half and the other one in the second half as showed in the picture below. The two laser transceivers are mounted on the front of the vehicle, normally within the front grill, 40cm to 70cm apart. The lens (bubbles) have to be facing outwards, and the fastening eyes have to be secured on the body of the vehicle. There must not be any obstacles in front of the lenses; otherwise, the device will not work optimally."


This is the Laser Interceptor forum that shows you where to mount it on a BMW.

http://85.125.82.130/LaserIntercepto...php?board=36.0

[schadenfreude]

Have you guys had a chance to do an M3 yet? I don't know there's a place on the instrument panel for placement of the display unit. Could fit the LED in there, but the display would probably have to go in the ashtray.

[503Alex]

Originally Posted by schadenfreude

Have you guys had a chance to do an M3 yet? I don't know there's a place on the instrument panel for placement of the display unit. Could fit the LED in there, but the display would probably have to go in the ashtray.

Thanks guys!

We haven't done an E9X M3 yet. I was just thinking about the same thing the other day. The ashtray is a nice place for the display. That's what PG went with on his 9500ci:

[nlpamg]

wow, what a great instal!

[503Alex]

Originally Posted by nlpamg

wow, what a great instal!

Thanks!

[JohnnyRoaster]

What other options are there to mount the display and controls? They have eliminated the ashtray on the current M3 and it is now a sunglass tray. I know you could hide the display in the intrument cluster(expensive), but where can you stash the controls and still have them functional and stealth?

[ColoCane]

Originally Posted by JohnnyRoaster

What other options are there to mount the display and controls? They have eliminated the ashtray on the current M3 and it is now a sunglass tray. I know you could hide the display in the intrument cluster(expensive), but where can you stash the controls and still have them functional and stealth?

What do you mean, Johnny? I have an '09 E92 (took delivery in March) and the ashtray is there just as shown above. Is this a recent change?

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by JohnnyRoaster

What other options are there to mount the display and controls? They have eliminated the ashtray on the current M3 and it is now a sunglass tray. I know you could hide the display in the intrument cluster(expensive), but where can you stash the controls and still have them functional and stealth?

Haven't heard of that change, but I changed my ashtray to the sunglass unit (it still has the lid, right?). Simple swap. Either should work for the display.

[JohnnyRoaster]

They changed it in mid march build I believe. I picked up my sedan at the Welt on April 17th. I think my car was built the first week of April. I would not have minded losing the ashtray, but somehow with the sunglass tray it seems a waste to devote the whole thing to the controls for the radar detector. I think there may be room to inset the controls in the center of the sunglass tray. I have been trying to figure out the layout but will have to wait till my car gets stateside. Here is a pic of the tray. The lid is still there but just open in this picture. The rest of the 3 series now get an open gaping plastic bin.

[JohnnyRoaster]

Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon

Haven't heard of that change, but I changed my ashtray to the sunglass unit (it still has the lid, right?). Simple swap. Either should work for the display.

It is an easy swap to go from ashtray to the sunglass tray. The reverse is not as easy because there is no wiring for the cig plug. You can of course snake new wires but it turns into a bigger job. It does still have the lid.

[503Alex]

Originally Posted by JohnnyRoaster

What other options are there to mount the display and controls? They have eliminated the ashtray on the current M3 and it is now a sunglass tray. I know you could hide the display in the intrument cluster(expensive), but where can you stash the controls and still have them functional and stealth?

There really aren't too many option for the E9X M3s, the ash tray seems like the only viable option for hiding it. We can also place it on the top of the steering column, but that isn't too stealth.

[ColoCane]

Ah, thanks Johnny.

I can tell you, it isn't so bad, I'm constantly looking for someplace to put my sunglass case!!!!!

Your tray works, but that's where the radar detector display goes.

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by ColoCane

Ah, thanks Johnny.

I can tell you, it isn't so bad, I'm constantly looking for someplace to put my sunglass case!!!!!

Your tray works, but that's where the radar detector display goes.

Won't it fit in the pop-out door pocket?

[dogears]

This is why I have the K40 in my car. Clean stealth install. No control issues. Sure, I would have preferred the headunit of the 9500, but, the 9500 DOES NOT have rear radar detection. In New Jersey, the cops use radar almost exclusively. Rear radar has saved my ass many times!!! If Escort ever comes out with a 9500 than incorporates rear radar detection, I would consider it. In the meantime, here is a link to the K40 istall to see the LED placement in the dash.

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=240053

[JohnnyRoaster]

Originally Posted by ColoCane

Ah, thanks Johnny.

I can tell you, it isn't so bad, I'm constantly looking for someplace to put my sunglass case!!!!!

Your tray works, but that's where the radar detector display goes.

That is exactly how I feel. I don't want to loose the sunglass tray but would have sacrificed the ashtray. I wonder if I could some how integrate it into the stupid cup holder near the vent. I know I am never going to use that poorly designed POS.

@Greg What pop-out door pocket?

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by JohnnyRoaster

That is exactly how I feel. I don't want to loose the sunglass tray but would have sacrificed the ashtray. I wonder if I could some how integrate it into the stupid cup holder near the vent. I know I am never going to use that poorly designed POS.

@Greg What pop-out door pocket?

Oh, sorry, didn't notice you have a sedan. The coupe has a storage bin on the door that tips out for access which is handy.

[djrams80]

Hey guys. I do not own a BMW, but I am an expert in the field of speed enforcement countermeasures and also own an Escort 9500ci, among many other things in this area. There are a ton of misconceptions in this thread, so I'm here to help and will see if I can't clear a few things up.

Originally Posted by 503Alex

Although this isn't an M3, this is a great example of an install that we can do on an M3!

This review was written by Tim (503 Motoring owner):
***PASSPORT 9500ci install in a CL550***pics
Here is the install we just completed on the new PASSPORT 9500ci system, Full custom install on a 2009 Mercedes CL550. We had outfitted this cars with 503 Suspension and VOSSEN 078 wheels prior to the install.

This installation looks fantastic! Unfortunately, it will not jam laser at all and it's radar reception will be sub-par for this unit. This is the problem with professional installers such as yourself. You guys are in the "pretty" business. That's your job, almost 100% of the time, make it look good and you certainly have done that here. But you've compromised function in the process. It's not your fault, per se. I'm sure speed enforcement countermeasures are not your main business.

Originally Posted by dogears

Great install!!! You can see my K40 Calibre indash install in a nearby thread. I really wanted the 9500 built in but the lack of rear radar detection killed the deal.

The K40 Calibre is nowhere near as sensitive as the Escort 9500ci. I mean, it's not close. The K40 does have dual antennas, so it can determine the direction of the radar contact, which the 9500ci cannot, but for a radar contact that originates from the rear of a vehicle, the 9500ci will alert before the K40 Calibre almost every time. For radar contacts to the front of the vehicle, the difference would be even more dramatic.

Originally Posted by badfish

Great job installing. But I believe the shifters will lose a lot of their effectiveness behind the grill, right?

Originally Posted by 503Alex

Thanks! Not typically, only a few of the diodes need the signal to trigger the alert. The grill does have to have big enough opening for it to work. This wouldn't work if the grill was a tight mesh.

This answer is completely incorrect. The 9500ci might alert, might not, but the question here is, "Will they work?". The answer is "Positively, NO!". Alerting the driver to the presense of laser is basically useless. Laser speed readings are almost instantaneous. Without effective laser jammers, a LEO will most likely have your speed recorded before you can even get your foot to the brake. In order to consistently beat laser, your laser jammers must fire back at the laser gun to confuse it. The 9500ci's shifters have a bank of 7 LED's. Even with all 7 LEDs firing back with a clear look at the road, these laser jammers are amongst the worst on the market. This install, which blocks most or all of them is pure suicide in the laser countermeasure business.

Originally Posted by ColoCane

I presume because it doesn't have a clear "view". Does that mean that only windshield units have 360 degree protection?

No. Every radar detector on the US market(with the exception of the K40 Calibre and the V1) have only forward facing radar antennas. So, they detect radar from behind by detecting radar bouncing off objects in front of the vehicle, then back at the forward facing radar antenna. Any good radar detector will detect signals that originate form the rear quite well.

Originally Posted by ColoCane

Also have issue with a jammer in Colorado.

I too live in an area where laser jammers are banned. If you keep your cool and do things correctly, it's almost impossible to get busted for having laser jammers. What I do once I get a laser alert is slow down quickly but calmly to close enough to the PSL to avoid a ticket, then shut off the jammers and allow the law enforcement officer to attain my "new and improved" speed. On the Escort 9500ci, temporarily disabling the jammers is as easy as hitting the mute button twice. Works like a champ.

Originally Posted by ColoCane

P.S.S I find it hard to believe Escort would have their premier model that didn't perform as well as their windshield models. But stranger things have happened...

The Escort 9500ci performs significantly better than every other unit in the Escort/Bel lineup with one exception, the Bel STi-R. The Bel STi-R uses the same radar antenna as the Escort 9500ci, so basically has identical performance. The next closest performer to these two is the V1. I normally run the 9500ci and V1 together and my 9500ci beats my V1 about 95% of the time, but both are excellent performers.

Originally Posted by 503Alex

We work directly with Escort, and their research has determined that the larger mesh openings don't affect performance. Smaller mesh openings do, however, and an alternative would need to be found in some cases.

Escort makes some amazing products, but this is one of the biggest problem I have with their company. They do not give their customers the whole story. They're out to sell products and make money. Telling customers that they have to sacrifice pretty for performance is counterproductive to this cause, so unfortunately, they usually keep this info to themselves. The truth is that all of the detection components, including the radar antenna, need a clear look at the road for maximum performance.

Originally Posted by ColoCane

That's good confirmation. Works on M3 mesh, good by me! Thanks...

Nope, that's bad information. I promise you that I can get an instant speed reading on that M3 with any of my laser guns at over 2000ft. And if I can do it, so can your local PD.

Originally Posted by ColoCane

This is worth a read from another thread, re: mounting shifters infront or behind mesh, and horizontal or vertical mounting. Also, shows some BMW installs. (Thanks to RadarKing).

LOL! Trust me when I tell you that RaDaRkInG(he goes by another name on the forum he and I interact on) and I have had many disagreements over the last couple of years, but on this issue, he is absolutely correct.

Here are a few pictures of my installation. My car is not as nice as an M3, but my speed enforcement countermeasures are quite effective. For what it's worth, the M3 convertible was the final car choice I eliminated before I bought my Mustang, basically because I couldn't justify the additional cost. The countermeasures I normally run in my car are the Escort 9500ci, a V1, Laser Interceptor and Veil. Let me know if you guys/gals have any questions. I'll be happy to answer them.