On thursday of last week I hardwired my Escort 8500. The dectection works just fine and everything but the buttons (the mute, dimming and sensitivity adjusters) works great. I used a telephone cord to wire it in as suggested by some DIY threads and I think it may be an issue of power flow.
Any ideas?

 

Well, you can always try the supplied cigarette lighter power adapter that comes with the escort and compare how well it works with the hardwire.

 

not relevant and dont wish to be flamed by Escort users.............

............but my beloved Valentine 1 came with a hardwire kit. Took like five minutes (and you cant beat a Valentine)

 

I have done this same thing without any issues. I used telephone wire and quick connected into the rear view mirror power. Mine works without any problems and all options work.

Where did you tap into the power? You may be connected to a higher or lower power source or your ground may not be grounded correctly. When I did mine, I tapped into the power source that is only live when the key is turned on.

 

I bought the hardwire kit for the 8500 from Escort and have had no problems. You might want to start over if you determine the telephone wire to be the problem. I powered mine from the cig lighter.

 

Oh yea I have read all kinds of things on here about the Valentine. Sounds good. I dont have the cash to look into geting a new set up right now. But I will. Just too much traffic in this town.

 

I wired it into the mirror power as seen in other DIY. Willie did you just plug the wire directly into the power on the back of the mirror? I haven't looked too closely at that wire so I don' tknow if it would fit.

 

No, I used quick connects to tap into the power and ground wire in the mirror wire harness. The quick connects tap the power between the phone wire and the power/ground. Simple as using a pair of pliers and crimping the quick connects.

I will try to take some pics this weekend for you.

 

I just hardwired my 8500 in using the direct wire kit w/ mute button from escort. I just ran the power down to the fuse box and have had no problems at all. Install was quick and painless.

 

Here are some pics of mine. You can spend 20 cents and get these quick connects:

http://www.discountcarstereo.com/detail.aspx?ID=676

Quick connect your phone wire to your power and ground wire on your mirror.

 

Check this out:

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-interior-audio-electronics-24/passport-8500-hardwire-smartcord-install-65673/

 

yeah i saw that. its pretty sweet. I am afraid to dremmel that part though. i haven't seen any DIYs on how to do that and make it look good. Does anyone have any tips on how to do that?

 

Quick question... what happens if somehow you do get pulled over. Aren't those things illegal? Or are they just illegal in certain states? You have no way of taking down in a hurry either since it is hardwired.

 

I believe there are two states where they are illegal... I forgot where... DC and someplace else... But cops really don't like it when they see a radar detector.

 

Oh yea, Virginia and Washington DC