I really need to get a radar detector. I don't want a window unit which leaves me with the valentine one, K40, and the 9500ci. Likely the Passport is the best unit based on reaing on the forum compared to K40. The V1 is probably very nice but I don't want it in the window and it lacks laser. I'm getting quoted $2500 for the Passport 9500ci installed. Is that reasonable? Escort is selling it for $1599 so $900 labor seems pricey. Thoughts?

 

$900 for install does seem really steep. It's probably no more than an hour or two.

 

They may be getting it even cheaper than $1600 since they are a shop. The only way to know if that rate is fair is to ask for their hourly rate and find out how long they estimate it would take them to do it. But yea, that seems WAY too high. For that money I'd rather learn how to do it and install it myself

 

Try a couple of other shops or buy the Passport and just get some labor quotes for the install. $900 is way too much for labor.

 

you need to ask yourself a couple questions, how many cops in cali use radar still? not as much of a threat as laser is.

youd be likely better off getting a nice laser jammer and a good radar detector 9500ix or V1 hardwaire remote locate and the laser jammer to keep you out of tickets.

radar roys forums are a great source of info

 

Best combo by far IMO is the Valentine 1 and the Laser Interceptor Quad HP. I have the 9500ci installed and the Laser Interceptor (and the V1 which I move between my daily and as backup occasionally in the Pcar). The laser shifters with the Passport are close to useless. I had mine tested with a couple of guns and they really didn't do anything. Had the LI's installed, and it was "jam to gun" (aka JTG) every single time with a couple different guns. The 9500ci is fairly sensitive, but I've found the V1 slightly more sensitive and most importantly, it tells you where the readings are coming from (front/side/behind). Gives you a lot of important information on source/threat. While I love the stealth install of the 9500ci (I paid $1400 or 1500 installed by an authorized dealer btw), it has it's limitations. If you're doing a lot of city driving, it is excellent on getting rid of false alerts and traffic cameras, etc. (this is where it truly excels on a relative basis), as well as with the TSR band traffic flow radar rejection. So depends on where you are and what's in the area.

Here are some install photos of the LI:
LINK

 

+1

The only laser defense is a laser jammer.

While I personally like the V1, it sounds like you should negotiate on the 9500 based on "two hours of labor at $X per hour".

 

I have the 9500ci and love it. I have actually seen the face of a cop hitting me with laser and trying to figure out what was going on. It was priceless!

I think if you look at the Passport website they state $2000 installed and have a list of installers. That is what mine cost.

Make sure they do everything you want such as hookup radio mute and add the extra warning led. Mine did not do this, so I did it.

Good luck!

Ashley

 

I have the passport and laser shifter. I like it a ton. Gives you enough time to correct your speed.

 

Dealership (Porsche) quoted me 2495 for install of it, which seems rather high too.

 

I think that at $900 they should at least throw in some Vaseline lol. I don't have a laser jammer but I'm thinking about adding one. I do have the V1 and it is really outstanding and I love the added situational awareness of the directional arrows.

 

One dealer thought the the new K40 RL360 with laser defuser was better. Installed price for either the 9500 or the K40 with defuser is around $2500. Any experience with this version of K40?

 

V1 and Laser Interceptor give the best protection, hands down.

 

Looks like theyre having a good sale on the Laser Interceptors right now. Do you think the standard dual front mount kit will get the job done? I already have a V1

 

I'm curious too.

Exactly how effective is the Laser Inteceptor? Even for the base model, $600 shipped could cover three + speeding tickets, and I only average one every 2 years with just my simple Bel radar detector (and we'll say conservatively that I have a lead foot).