EscortRadar Detector SmartCord Directwire with Red Light for MAX 360, MAX 360c, IX, IXc, 9500 IX, MAX II, MAX 3, MAX 4, MAX 360c MKII, MAX 360 MKII, MAXcam 360c, Redline 360c and Additional Models

I used this to direct wire my Escort radar detector into my 2013 Golf GTI.PROs- Easy to hard-wire your detector and remove the unsightly coiled cord that's hogging your 12v power socket.- Cables supplied with it are generously long, should be able to install a detector just about anywhere you need.- The cable to the detector is flat and easily squeezes into tight spaces around windshield to hide from view.- The controller is exactly the same as the SmartCord that came with the original detector and allows you to see the status of the device and remotely mute alerts.CONs- I wasn't a fan of the hook and loop fastener used to mount the SmartCord controller onto the car. It sticks well to both the car and the smart cord, but they feel like they're only loosely connect to each other. In reality it's never fallen off and I doubt it ever will, it just feels like an unprofessional mounting option. I would probably skip the hook and loop if installing again and just use some good double-sided tape.My install was easy and comprised of the following steps:1. Determine the locations of the various components2. Route the wires appropriately3. Connect to power and groundWhere is the fuse box?-- Driver's side, open the door and it's behind the panel in the center console.Where I wanted the radar detector?-- Horizontal center of windshield, several inches above the dash to give a clear line of sight to the rear windowWhere I wanted the control panel?-- I placed mine on the lower center console below and behind the steering wheel. This isn't exactly ideal as I can't see the lights as they're blocked from view by the steering wheel, but I can easily reach the Mute button by feel, and that's the most important feature for me.Routing the cables was surprisingly easy. The cord to the detector is flat and easily fits between pieces of trim so it can be hidden. I specifically placed the SmartCord control in a location that made it easy to route wires without removing trim panels.I fed both input power and detector output cords through the underside of the dashboard in the drivers foot well, and into the fuse box. I then routed the detector output lead up and out the top of the fuse box, around the bottom of the windshield pillar, and along the gap between the dashboard and the windshield until it reached the center. It took a bit of tugging along the path of the cable, but eventually I had enough length of cable to reach the detector and enough slack to allow me to hide it. I just poked the cable into the gap along the bottom of the windshield with my fingers, squeezed it between trim at the bottom of the pillar, and down into the fuse box.I had quite a lot of cable left over, but I'm sure all cars and locations being different they supply enough cable to cater to all. I just used electrical tape to tie up the excess cable and tape it down to the side of the fuse box to stop it rattling around.To connect to the power supply in my vehicle I used a Bussmann ATM Mini Circuit Converter (Add-a-Fuse) to expand an existing ignition-controlled fuse slot so that the detector only comes on when the ignition is on. The only tricky thing to be aware of is that these fuse adapters only work one way round, so if it doesn't work the first time you need to flip it around and try again.Finally I needed to connect the negative lead somewhere. Most (all?) vehicles run the battery negative feed throughout the entire chassis, so all you need to do is find a (non-structual) metal screw / bolt that can be used to attach the negative lead to the chassis. I also used a multi-meter set to continuity mode just to be doubly sure I had a valid ground connection.In my case the attachment point for the chassis was quite a way from the positive fuse connection, so I just split the power cable down the middle (it's built to do this, don't worry) until I had enough cable to route the negative feed to a valid mounting point.I'm very happy with this kit and so glad to have free access to my 12v power socket again.

Love it. Easy to wire and works perfectly. No need for the hard wire

No issues. This power cable works exactly as described. It's nice that you can mute alerts from this. Where I have the detector mounted to my windshield it is hard to reach the buttons on it. You can mute and mark locations with ease. Would liked it to be a couple of feet longer though.

Works as described. It is easier to plug in my radar detector into the USB-C instead of using the cigarette lighter plug.

I purchased this product to use with my Escort 8500 x50. Once I got it installed properly it has worked great and is much better than cigarette lighter outlet options I've had to use in the past with radar detectors.I am somewhat knowledgeable on installing things in the dash of a car. I've done a few stereos in the past and "sat in" on a few remote starter installs with a friend in the past, but I by no means am an expert at all things electronic/wiring. This note is for those that are like me and maybe it can make your install go a little faster/more smoothly. 1st, I'd highly recommend using a fuse tap like some other reviewers have recommended. In my case, I bought the Bussmann BP/HHH ATM Add-A-Fuse and it has worked fine though, if you have a Milan or Fusion (I have a 2010 Milan), you can plan on not being able to put the cover back on your foot area fuse box on the driver's side (note: I did zip tie mine over the fuse box). Next, I'd recommend this step. The instructions included with the wire are pretty sparse. If you don't know what you're doing, you'll be Google-ing and looking for reviews for help. Here's the secret, find your ground BEFORE you do the rest. Seriously, that's what took me the longest. I realize people that have done plenty of electrical stuff dealing with grounds before are going to laugh at this but if it saves someone else headache/time in their cold garage in the winter like me, then it's worth it :) So, what you'll want to do is use the add-a-fuse per its instructions with which side is your "original" fused device and which is your accessory (radar detector) device side. Use a low amp fuse for your radar detector. They don't take much (look up the recommendations for your model). Next, take the wire for the ground that has a metal loop on it and touch it around to all the screws and such near your fuse box under your dash. When the detector powers up, you've found a proper ground! In my case, I had run all the wires, then it didn't power and I thought it was something with the fuse that was wrong. I went back and forth on things while everything was all spread apart and I could have saved myself a TON Of time had I known this. Once you have a screw that you know is a ground you can use that one. Just run your smartcord however you plan on doing to mount your detector and attach to that screw. Another reviewer posted this tip and I'm going to use it as I had temporarily mounted a new screw and nut to a piece of metal in my dash and it wasn't a good sized screw to use (too long, kind of too thin etc.) but the ground wire has a SMALL loop which didn't seem to fit any screws I had in my dash. If you clip part of it, you can mount it under 1 side of the screw and fit it on larger ones. I don't know why I didn't think of this, but it makes total sense, so the next time I clean my car and vacuum, that's what I'm going to do.As far as where to run the cord... I have a 2010 Mercury Milan (same as a Fusion) and I ended up running the mute button part to the instrument cluster area to the right. It's easy and inconspicuous to reach and mute and likely wouldn't be seen by an officer with the steering wheel turned a little bit. Plus, it's just above the steering wheel in my peripheral vision driving so when it blinks, even if I have the audio too quiet or my stereo up too loudly to hear the detetctor, it catches my eye. This is REALLY helpful and has already given me early warning of radar ahead. Then, from there, I ran the rest of the wire through the corner moulding, to the headliner and across to the right side of the mirror. I used the standard "visor clip" Escort 57-000027 Visor Clip Mount for Radar and Laser Detectors there to mount my detector. This keeps it out of view mostly from thieves (with the sun tint and dots at the top of the windshield) and it's not visible if an officer is standing next to your car. This has worked out great.The only bummer for me is that I'm considering Escort Live once they release a SmartWire direct cord for it, so I bought this now and may end up buying that later once it's released. If you haven't bought one yet and want to wait, you could do that. I think the last thing I saw was like Q2 this year (2012). We'll see. Aside from that, it works great as advertised. The directions could be better, but hopefully these tips help save you time. I completely love having direct wire vs. 12v plugs; no cord messes and nothing getting bumped.

It's the same one you'll buy from their website but I forgot to so rather than paying additional shipping and waiting 2 weeks.. this was at my house before the radar detector was. 🤣