Cobra Official Radar Detector SmartCord Directwire with Blue Light for MAX 360, MAX 360c, IX, IXc, 9500 IX, MAX II, MAX 3, MAX 4, MAX 360c MKII, MAX 360 MKII, MAXcam 360c & Additional Models

I used this hard wire system along with a Blendmount to fully integrate my Passport 9500ix into my car as inconspicuously as possible. My car (2004 G35 Coupe) has a fuse box right at the drivers feet, just forward of the door. I used a fuse tap to draw power from the circuit that controls the auto-dimming mirror. So the detector starts right up with the car, and turns off with it as well. I also bought a quick connect just like the one used on the included wire tap so everything was "plug and play" for me, If I need to remove it later. I mounted the "remote" on the driver's side of the center console, where the radio and AC controls are. It's in a perfect spot so that I can both see it (which I'll explain why it's important in just a bit) and can reach it by leaning forward in my seat just slightly. It also can't be seen by officers on either side of the vehicle. If the officer is on the drivers side, the steering wheel hides it. If the officer is on the passenger side, the center console hides it. Radar detectors are legal in CA, but it's well known the cops give you a harder time if they see you have one. From the remote, there are two wires. One which goes to the power source, and one to the detector. I tucked the wires in behind where the plastic of the dash meets the carpet and routed both wires to the fuse box. From the fuse box I ran the other wire that connects to the detector up the A-pillar and across the front of the headliner and down the little tunnel that is used for the mirror's auto-dim wire. It then comes out just a couple inches and plugs straight into my detector. There are no wires hanging anywhere and the detector sits very close to my mirror so, combined with my tinted windows, it's almost impossible to see. Now, on the remote there are two lights and one button. One is a blue light which indicates power (you can buy another version of this which has a red light for this, but otherwise they are identical products), a yellow light that flashes when you get an alert, and a mute button. This is really nice so you don't need to reach up to your detector and feel for the correct button - you can just tap the one and only button on the controller. Tapping it multiple times also locks out signals if you happen to have a GPS equipped "false alarm ignoring" radar detector. I'd have to say that my one and only complaint is that the remote has two separate wires coming out of it. A great, handy improvement would be to have the two wires be connected (like molded together) for about half the length, and those that need it to split up earlier can just pull it apart (kind of like speaker wire, where it's 2 wires together but you can split the two conduits apart because the insulation for each wire is just held together by a small seam of insulating material). That would help make install a bit cleaner. I didn't knock of a star because it's a small complaint, but if the manufacturer ever reads this, it's a suggestion they can take with them.

The Escort Direct Wire SmartCord with the distinctive blue light is a game-changer for Escort radar users. This direct wire power cord not only tidies up the look of my car's interior but also provides a seamless and permanent power connection for my Escort radar detector. The blue light adds a subtle yet stylish touch, indicating when the detector is in use. Installation is straightforward, and the cord's length is ample for versatile placement. If you own an Escort radar detector, this Direct Wire SmartCord is a must-have accessory that combines functionality with a sleek aesthetic. Upgrade your radar experience with this reliable and well-designed power cord!

Worked perfectly in my 08 impreza. I originally couldn't decide how I wanted to power the detector. The package comes with a 3M plastic wiretap to tap into a wire in your car for power. However, I was having a hard time finding a wire that wasn't active when the car was turned off. I decided to get a fuse splitter (plugs into fuse and has a wire running out of it, fuse plugs into top of connector) from a local autozone and to plug it into the fuse for the radio because it cuts the power when the car is turned off. I found this to be a cleaner install in the end because I can simply remove the entire setup without leaving anything permanent on the car. As for wiring the rest, I ran the wire for the SmartCord mute button and display from the fusebox under the steering column and back towards me through the center console before velcroing the button on the side next to my leg and shifter. From there, the light is visible when it alerts and the mute button is right next to my hand on the shifter. From the button the wires go back to the door and up the inside cosmetic part of the rubber door seals. Then, I tucked it into the headliner and ran it from there to just above the rearview mirror where my detector is mounted. Overall, I'm happy with the setup. Power goes on when the car turns on, off when the car turns off. The mute button on the cord is easily accessible and my detector is stealthily hidden near the top of my windshield.

Easy to install. Coming from escort, it’s a quality product. Cable lengths give you plenty to work with while trying to find a place for mute button and power. Lights are stupid bright though! At night almost blinding so keep in mind where you place it.

Received quickly via Amazon prime. Item is of good quality. Mount solution is velcro (works well enough) that needs to be cut (easy enough with knife or scissor). You can put the control where you want and wire it wherever in the car (e.g. the visor). The wire itself is pretty small, but the white fuse near the end is large and may require you to drill a larger hole if drilling a hole is necessary to mount it where you want. The included mount solution is really not ideal; Littelfuse FHM200BP ATO Add-A-Circuit Kit is a better solution that is easily removed (no problems with warranties) and easy to install without puncturing existing wiring (that product is for MINI fuses, despite the product name...obviously, order the appropriate Add-A-Circuit for the fuse type your car uses)... It's also $7 more to get a blue LED direct wire cord than a blue LED. Versus the direct wire cord, you can see the power & alert LEDs and you can use the mute button. I do not have an Escort with GPS, but apparently the mute button is more positive as you can lock out a false positive with three taps of the mute button. Very handy if you mount your radar detector on the visor. If you don't know what you're doing, get help from someone that does. I likely could have performed the install on my own, but chose to have a relative experienced with such things and felt more comfortable doing it, and that relative helped me get a better mount of the smart display.

I have my Passport 9500xi hardwired and mounted up near the rear view mirror so this saves me from having to reach up there every time I want to mute an alert or mark a location. It includes plenty of wire, as I was able to run it thru the headliner, down the A-pillar and to my fuse box. There is only two bad things about this set up, first of all, make sure you install it an angle where it is not directly facing you, think under your dash or on the side of the center console where you can reach it easily. The reason I say this is that the LEDs on this thing are super bright and will blind you at night. The second issue is that there is no way to cleanly mount this, short of cutting a giant hole in your dash and building some type of trim plate. There is not even a clip on it, all the supply is velcro. This works on my beater car, but on my other car I am going to have to think of some way to hide it better. All in all there is not another product around like this so I would still recommend it.

I have had three of the direct wires installed in my Jaguar, Porsche and BMW. They all work great. The light on the one in the Jaguar which had been installed about 3 years was starting to not always go on to indicate power (the escort would still power up), but the important light indicating a radar signal always would come on as it picked up a police radar. I mounted the radar using suction cups at the very top of my windshield and had a 6 inch tint run across the top of my windshield to hide it from view. I never have to take it down and it is mounted in the best place to pick up signals from the front and rear. I love the smart escort radar detectors and only take it down if I have to valet or get my car serviced. Aside from that, I update the software about every 3 months with the latest traffic cams and speed traps. I used a professional installer to put the direct wire in since I do not want to mess up the expensive electronics in my cars.

Good value for the money. Fit into my car perfectly and has good build quality.

Works perfectly, glad I dont have a cord hanging from my windshield anymore

Works perfectly with my Escort 7500s, nice placement in my 2012 Ford Focus right next to the gear shift so I can easily mute the squawk of the detector while I'm driving. Installation was a bit of a hassle, not so much because of the actual wiring, using a fuse tap just used one of the fuses that turns on and off with the vehicle (that being the HVAC fuse) and I was golden. More so a hassle because of the mechanics yoga I had to do to get to the fuse panel on my car but other than that if you have a radar detector, don't waste your time with those coiled wires all over the place, save yourself the hassle of reaching over your dash and the eyesore of the coiled cables and get one of these.

Great product

Worked great Very happy with the product

Far more efficient than trying to remove the old cord.