Escort Passport 9500ci: Install How to Video

TSi+WRX · #11 (**permalink**) 2009-01-13

Here's the pertinent thread:

ATTN: 9500CI Owners. You NEED to read this thread. - Radar Detector Jammer Forum

Originated with, as I'd mentioned, thestaton and happya$$'s observations. Further input by MEM-TEK and metalflame on subsequent pages.

Hope this helps.

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Veil Guy, I cross-posted your request above to the end of that thread.

Veil Guy · #12 (**permalink**) 2009-01-14

Allen,

I read that thread and my take is Mike's specific experience(s) are not mine and the radar head unit is mounted behind my plastic.

My particular experience is that the performance of my 9500ci mounted in its current location is on the order of their observations with CLOS mounting.

I suspect something unusual was going on there which is why his initial 9500ci was being trounced by a $150 detector.

Why I appreciate the observation, I wouldn't necessarily generalize that all installs would suffer the same fate, which I know would be a inaccurate generalization.

At any rate, it's certainly something to consider during any new install, along with the two points of my earlier commentary.

Perhaps more experimentation will be done to get to the bottom of Mike's particular circumstance...

Veil Guy

TSi+WRX · #13 (**permalink**) 2009-01-15

^ Exactly - I do not think that any of this can be thrown around as a general "blanket statement," and that the final determinant will truly be multifactorial.

This is why I heavily favor both MEM-TEK and metalflame's dissection of the issue at-hand, for without knowing exactly what is causing the concern, we're simply left to guess: to run through a list of the possibles, and just ask for caution (as well as to hope for future, deeper, probing into the issue) from fellow users/owners.

To be absolutely safe, to take things to the extreme, I do think that there's a point to thestaton's "literal" reading/interpretation of Escort's Installation Manual:

Quote:

To get the best performance possible, the mounting location of the radar receiver is critical. Although radar signals will pass through some types of plastic, mounting the radar receiver so that it has a clear “view” of the
road will ensure maximum warning.

....it's extreme, but it's definitely something that I think even Escort's aware of, and is trying to steer clear of, via their language, how to interpret.

Michael B · #14 (**permalink**) 2009-01-16

I have run these experiments in my lab over the years and I can tell you with 100% certainty that plastics can cause some loss to a radar head mounted behind it.

Depending on the shape, thickness, and angle you can lose minimal to significant sensitivity if mounted in close proximation to the material.

These losses may not be across all bands but may be specific to a band or for Ka may be specific to a range of frequencies within the Ka band while other areas of Ka may or may not be affected.

It is best to move the unit into a clear opening

Second best is to make sure you leave at least 1 inch of a gap behind any low loss materials.

If you mount behind metallic paint you are not doing yourself any favors regardless of leaving a gap.

If you mount behind chromated plastic, you can forget about any advanced warning as the chrome will prevent the radar signal from passing.

Veil Guy · #15 (**permalink**) 2009-01-16

Mike,

What's your take on mounting behind the "kidney-grill" of a Bimmer, which is "chome-plated" plastic with vertical slots separate by about 0.75 inches (1.857cm)?

Wavelengths of traffic radarlidar:

X band: 2.5–3.75 cm
Ku band:1.67–2.5 cm
K band: 1.11–1.67 cm
Ka band: 0.75–1.11 cm

If I have this correct, would such a mount theoretically decrease the reception (potentially) of X and Ku since the actual wavelength is longer than such a vertical separation, given the potential angles (venetian-blind effect) versus straight-line radar?

Thanks Mike for your input on this matter.

Veil Guy