Dodge Challenger Forum banner
51K views 99 replies 41 participants last post by  Challenger8o5 
#1 · (Edited)
Hey fellas,

Shopping for my first ever radar detector. I feel like this is the kind of car that you need one in as it's very very easy to get up and go. Not that it would have helped in my last little "run-in with the law", but it would be nice to have some additional warning/protection aside from visual detection when you do let that 392 Hemi engine roar. >:)

I don't want to go overboard and get some super expensive detector especially for my first one. Something under $250 total would be my goal and I want to keep a clean look. I see they have mirror mounted holders and also a way to directly wire them up so you don't need to use the cigarette lighter socket.

These are the two options I am considering:



And...



What do you think? Any comments and suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks all - Happy Thanksgiving. :grin2:
 
See less See more
#2 · (Edited)
#3 ·
So I popped on a Escort Passport 9500ix after taking a look at a few at BestBuy today (had them price match Amazon's price). They have an extended return period through January 15th for anyone else interested. Just can't go scuffing it all up though...

Using the windshield suction mount for now. If I decide to keep it, I will definitely get the mirror mount. It's not very sexy just having it sticking out like a sore thumb with a cord hanging over the dash.

I'll update my thoughts on it after giving it a few weeks. :)
 
#4 ·
Escort 9500ix is a good detector. It doesn't have the range of the Max or the Redline, but it will definitely suffice for most situations.

I have a Escort Max and just purchased a Escort Redline. I really like the Redline since you can do KA band segmentation.

No detector on the market can touch a Redline with RDR off and KA segmentation incorporated. It will sniff out the slightest hint of KA.

For black Friday sales, Escort had the Redline for $440 shipped w/ a free super mount, so you might consider this option as well. Might be cheaper than what you paid for the 9500ix at Best Buy.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Techdude82
#5 ·
I have 2 of the 8500 detectors and recently bought a 9500. I love the GPS feature in the 9500 that will store false alarm locations and the voice prompts and it's detection capability seems at least as good as the 8500. I have never been caught by surprise with any Escort detector, but laser is pretty rare around here as are red light cameras. Haven't gotten a ticket in about 15 years.
 
#6 ·
Costco has the 9500 on sale thru today for $349.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Techdude82
#7 · (Edited)
Amazon has it for $340 (Blue) with Free Shipping. I got BestBuy to price match at $350, but I'm waiting to see if it'll go any cheaper. It looks like it was as low as $310 about 2 and 1/2 weeks ago on Amazon. I just purchased the MirrorMount with the Direct Wires bundled to save a few bucks. Took the vehicle over to my local Audio/Electric guys who told me no sweat on setting it up next week.

Big thanks to Mopar4Bama for helping me with mounting questions. :thumbsup:
 
#13 ·
MirrorMount sells one for the Valentine too. I went with the 9500ix for the built-in GPS, red light cameras, speed traps, and auto-learn functionality. The Valentine One is excellent for highway driving and the directional arrows that tell you where the signal comes from is very handy as well. I just do more city driving so the Escort works better for me.
 
#14 ·
Anyone have any issues with the adaptive cruise control or other sensors interfering with a radar detector?


In my old car the laser for the cruise would set off the escort detector.


I want to get a new detector for the Challenger but don't want any of the same issues.
 
#16 ·
No issues with escort but the valentine One will alert if you are in highly mountainous terrain from time to time because of the blind spot sensors but it's pretty rare and the right conditions have to be met.

Having said that, the new V1s come with a new junk K fearure that it suppose to eliminate the blind spot issues, haven't tried it yet
 
#17 ·
Hey fellas,

Shopping for my first ever radar detector. I feel like this is the kind of car that you need one in as it's very very easy to get up and go. Not that it would have helped in my last little "run-in with the law", but it would be nice to have some additional warning/protection aside from visual detection when you do let that 392 Hemi engine roar.


I don't want to go overboard and get some super expensive detector especially for my first one. Something under $250 total would be my goal and I want to keep a clean look. I see they have mirror mounted holders and also a way to directly wire them up so you don't need to use the cigarette lighter socket.

These are the two options I am considering:



And...



What do you think? Any comments and suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks all - Happy Thanksgiving.
I would not touch Whistler with a 10 foot pole, the lowest end detector I would go with is the new Passport from escort $350.

Then I would go V1 $400 without add ons

And the best of the best the Escort Redline for $500 if I remember correctly
 
#23 ·
#22 · (Edited)
  • Like
Reactions: His_Limeness
#24 ·
#29 ·
thanks for the update. I was told and also saw somewhere that the blendmount didn't work on Challengers with dimmer ect.. another question - do you use the double in plug on back of the mirror to tap into? I looked and see a plug in on back of the mirror but it doesn't look like the mirrortap had those type of connectors.
 
#32 ·
I wanted to chime in here with how I mounted and wired mine.

I have a 2015 RT Plus with a self dimming mirror and a bunch of other stuff in it that I think are related to the Drive Convenience and/or Tech Group options. I'm assuming the Scat Pack & SRT mirrors are similar. What's inside the mirror base may be different depending on what options your car has. Mine has all options so there's several things packed in the mirror base.

I bought this mount which was mentioned earlier in this thread. It will fit just fine in the really small space available on these 2015 mirrors.

As mentioned earlier in the thread, the 2015 mirror doesn't have a convenient little door on the back for tapping, so it's a little different.

First off, don't try to pull the mirror off its mount or pull the cover off. It's a mega pain in the ass to get back on. The pins on the tap cable that came with the mount won't fit in the harness inside the mirror base.

I found on a Charger forum (since they've had this new interior longer than Challengers have) where a guy said you tap the power going to the overhead console where the convenience lights are.

The console is held in by 3 clips. Just run your fingers around the edge and pull down. Be careful because the edges are really sharp. I included a pic of the 3 clips exposed.

I put the tap in the power harness for the Homelink module (pictured). The only issue here is that the 8 inch cable that came with the mount is too short so I ordered a 12" one.

The power console is easy to put back, just push up on the 3 points where the clips are it'll snap back into place.

That's pretty much it. Hope this helps someone who wants to do this too.

I'll post a pic of the finished product when the 12" cable gets here.
 

Attachments

#33 ·
I wanted to chime in here with how I mounted and wired mine.



I have a 2015 RT Plus with a self dimming mirror and a bunch of other stuff in it that I think are related to the Drive Convenience and/or Tech Group options. I'm assuming the Scat Pack & SRT mirrors are similar. What's inside the mirror base may be different depending on what options your car has. Mine has all options so there's several things packed in the mirror base.



I bought this mount which was mentioned earlier in this thread. It will fit just fine in the really small space available on these 2015 mirrors.



As mentioned earlier in the thread, the 2015 mirror doesn't have a convenient little door on the back for tapping, so it's a little different.



First off, don't try to pull the mirror off its mount or pull the cover off. It's a mega pain in the ass to get back on. The pins on the tap cable that came with the mount won't fit in the harness inside the mirror base.



I found on a Charger forum (since they've had this new interior longer than Challengers have) where a guy said you tap the power going to the overhead console where the convenience lights are.



The console is held in by 3 clips. Just run your fingers around the edge and pull down. Be careful because the edges are really sharp. I included a pic of the 3 clips exposed.



I put the tap in the power harness for the Homelink module (pictured). The only issue here is that the 8 inch cable that came with the mount is too short so I ordered a 12" one.



The power console is easy to put back, just push up on the 3 points where the clips are it'll snap back into place.



That's pretty much it. Hope this helps someone who wants to do this too.



I'll post a pic of the finished product when the 12" cable gets here.

Could u post a pic of the finished product?


Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App
 
#35 ·
Beware: the Mirrortap cord has an RJ11 connector, and will not work with the Escort Live Smartcord direct wire module!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bones
#41 ·
Did you tap the mirror for power?
 
#43 ·
That looks like the mirror tap. Was the 12" long enough to reach using the blendmount?
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top