Experince with Radar Solutions

[Jack]

I probably spent more time deciding on a radar solution than configuring the car - including reading may of the posts here several times. A quick net out:

- Custom installed is mandatory due to the windshield
- The Escort 8500ci plus or 9500ci with the blinder deflectors seems to be the preferred choice in these blogs and radar forums
- A high end solutions is 9500ci, blinders and mirror integration, which runs $3,500 per a dealer in southeastern CT
- I opted for an 8500ci plus without the blinders, installed locally (Luxury Details in Framingham)
- Rationale:

- i can't change a windshield wiper, so DIY was not an option (I appreciated the pictoral step-by-step install process posted on this forum)
- most installers had no experience with Tesla, except for the one in CT (on this forum), but they charge $150/hour and quote too many hours - so over the top for me; i walked out of one shop in Dedham that made me quite uncomfortable
- Blinder (or Escort) deflectors required slicing up the grill and still protruded, and added complexity and expense to the install
- Felt is was better to have a modest cost solution $1150 that met most of my needs than taking more risk with the installer and expense
- I'm quite happy with the decision and the installer was very good
- Unanticipated side benefit is the 8500 can be set to display battery voltage, which is nice given the potential issue with the 12V seen on this forum (i've been consistently reading 13.2, so nice to know no problem at that level)

Car continues to blow away my expectations, and has been a life changer as a game changer, as posted below. This month I participated in the EV rally in Westport (which yielded a picture and number of quotes in the consumer report artcle), presented and HBS along with Robert, Peter and Jean-Marie, made it from Manhattan to Metrowest regular charge once again (learned this on the NYT road trip, and put it to good use), and blew up the power supply at the Natick Mall (oh well, 3 of 4). I remain a passionate evangelist for the company.

Jack

 

[efusco]

Nice summary. Would love to have that full 9500ci set up, but that's way out of line for me.

 

[artsci]

I installed the Passport 8500ci plus and also the Blinder 905 quad. I did the installation myself when I read on many laser sites that most installers do a very poor job with laser jammer installation, the usual mistake being poor placement of the transponders.

The 8500 ci is great. I'm getting red light and speed camera warnings in a number of places where I didn't event know they existed. The warnings come much in advance of the actual locations so you have plenty of time to slow down. I've only been driving with the install for a week or so but I believe it's been worth every penny. Here's the thread on my installation and other mods.

 

[markwj]

A comment on battery voltage. Depending on how it is wired, you may be getting main pack converter 12V, not little lead acid battery 12V.

 

[mitch672]

I had a 9500CI installed a few weeks ago, along with Escort Live, works pretty well.
I pointed the local installer to this forums link on where the components where placed (no point in paying them to figure it out when it's already been done). They did an ok job, I'm not thrilled with where the button & display modules are (left and right of the center display screen). I also supplied them the LED strips & wiring to add 2 strips to the trunk under the parcel shelf supports, and a strip light in the back of the Frunk as well, might as well have them do it, since they had the car taken apart anyway.
They gave me a good price on the 9500CI (near the eBay prices, $1200), and they did the install for $50/hour, 10 hours, the total was about $1900 with tax, labor, escort live etc.

 

[bbamrah]

I have the 9500ci/blinder set up as well. I also added escort live it is great. As long as I have music playing through the iphone bluetooth on the Tesla you get audio warning through the stereo which is great. There are times with windows open and music loud you wont hear the warnings.

 

[KOL2000]

People keep saying you can't use the winshield mount but there are forum members here that claim to have used a valentine 1 by mounting near the rearview mirror and confirming that it DOES work!?

 

[LazyBear]

I tried V1 and it sort of works but sensitivity is greatly reduced. I just connected V1 to 12V power and drove around checking signals from automatic doors and stationary speed displays. I know how far V1 used to pick them in BMW so I could compare. V1 works, but sensitivity probably 30%-50% or normal. There was no difference in position - I tried that allegedly transparent spot to the right of the rear mirror mount, didn't feel any difference.