Experiences with Passport 8500ci Plus or other custom install detectors?

[kklin]

I'm thinking of springing for a custom install detector for my Z4 M Coupe. Does anyone have any experiences with the 8500ci Plus or other custom install detectors? (I've seen the thread on portable detector placement)

[3002 tii]

Skip the 8500ci. Great radar but the jammer (ZR4) is average at best. Don't get me wrong, I have them on my daily but for my Bimmer, I went with Laser Interceptor. And since you can't get the 8500ci separate from the ZR4, I say go Valentine One + LI duals. And if stealth is that much of a priority for you and/or you travel to VA where RDD is needed, go with the Bel Sti-R + (but it'll cost you a lot).

http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=502095

Countless saves with V1, 2 LIDAR saves in 2011 with the LI duals.

[sabbanick]

where did you install the diodes for LI?

[Kgolf31]

Originally Posted by Dubbedown

Skip the 8500ci. Great radar but the jammer (ZR4) is average at best. Don't get me wrong, I have them on my daily but for my Bimmer, I went with Laser Interceptor. And since you can't get the 8500ci separate from the ZR4, I say go Valentine One + LI duals. And if stealth is that much of a priority for you and/or you travel to VA where RDD is needed, go with the Bel Sti-R + (but it'll cost you a lot).

http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=502095

Countless saves with V1, 2 LIDAR saves in 2011 with the LI duals.

Mind taking a picture of your Head Placements. I'm assuming you put them on the top side of your front air dam, but just making sure.

+1 though going V1 + LI. I'm trying to dump my 8500x50 and do this same set-up

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by Kgolf31

Mind taking a picture of your Head Placements. I'm assuming you put them on the top side of your front air dam, but just making sure.

+1 though going V1 + LI. I'm trying to dump my 8500x50 and do this same set-up

Will snap shots when I go home. Ideally, you wanted it mounted high as possible, equidistant between headlights and grill but then it becomes too obvious. I have an Aero bumper and mounted in the center space underneath the kidney grills. It was also the only section that would allow me to mount them perfectly level. Plus it blends in well with the black mesh so it's not so noticeable. I’m definitely vulnerable to headlight shots coming over a hill so I have 1 coating of Veil as well.

The V1 is actually pretty cheap if you buy directly from them. And I think radarbusters or one of those sites has a deal where you get 10% off on LI products so look into that...

[sabbanick]

Think there is a group buy for laser interceptor going on on M3 forum . Net in e46m3 section.

I have the LI/V1 combo on my daily and love the combo...the LI speaker is a bit on soft side though...my only complaint. It's only time before I upgrade the coupe.

[mshanno1]

You gotta love Laser Interceptors statement about their product:

"The Laser Interceptor Laser Jammer's main feature being a parking sensor designed to assist the driver when parking a vehicle and help him avoid unpleasant and costly close contacts. If not shut down during driving the Laser Interceptor may cause interference to law enforcement laser speed detecting devices."

[Kgolf31]

Originally Posted by Dubbedown

Will snap shots when I go home. Ideally, you wanted it mounted high as possible, equidistant between headlights and grill but then it becomes too obvious. I have an Aero bumper and mounted in the center space underneath the kidney grills. It was also the only section that would allow me to mount them perfectly level. Plus it blends in well with the black mesh so it's not so noticeable. I’m definitely vulnerable to headlight shots coming over a hill so I have 1 coating of Veil as well.

The V1 is actually pretty cheap if you buy directly from them. And I think radarbusters or one of those sites has a deal where you get 10% off on LI products so look into that...

Yea, V1 is $400 (Even cheaper is I go factory refurb).

LI is at $579.00 now...so I'm sitting at $979.

Looks like I need to save up...ugh

[gcochard]

Get the v1 first...dont wait and buy both at the same time.

[kklin]

Originally Posted by Dubbedown

Skip the 8500ci. Great radar but the jammer (ZR4) is average at best. Don't get me wrong, I have them on my daily but for my Bimmer, I went with Laser Interceptor.

Thanks for the info. What are you using in your daily driver - a 8500ci or a ZR4 with another Passport? Have you driven the two side-by-side past the same Laser source (I know that's a bit of a stretch)?

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by kklin

Thanks for the info. What are you using in your daily driver - a 8500ci or a ZR4 with another Passport? Have you driven the two side-by-side past the same Laser source (I know that's a bit of a stretch)?

Never driven side by side but I take same roads all the time. Daily is ZR4 + Bel RX65 (also a great radar). I got my RX from eBay (Escort direct) and they only sell refurbs which is actually BETTER than the newer model because it has the better (older) antenna. For under $200, you can't find a better radar. The V1 has slightly better range and of course, the arrows are helpful in pinpointing the source. Only reason I don't put the V1 in my daily (which obviously gets more use) is b/c the ZR4 syncs up with Beltronic/Escort radars so less hardware clutter, cleaner install. And I only went with the ZR4 initially because I got such a good deal on it.. I have one save with it so far (LEO aiming down from the overpass) on 80W heading to Pa...

[Kgolf31]

Originally Posted by kklin

Thanks for the info. What are you using in your daily driver - a 8500ci or a ZR4 with another Passport? Have you driven the two side-by-side past the same Laser source (I know that's a bit of a stretch)?

Good reference here:



Punchthrough means cop got a reading

JTG means exactly that, no reading.