In my past cars I have just used the AC adapter, but with the Vantage only having one available...I thought I would hard wire my Escort.
When I went digging around in the headliner I found a few different options but thought it would be nice to have a power input that I could turn on and off with he push of a button

Who needs two dim interior lights anyway?

 

Awesome!

 

Great idea!

 

wow that's pretty awesome, any more in depth details on your install? if not step by step at least how you got power to the unit? i really do hate the phone cord style power input on my passport 9500 but i REALLY want to hardwire it since running the cord to the one and only outlet is just an awful option. not sure really where to start but what you've done could be exactly what i've been looking for.

 

It's very simple. There's one screw that holds up the console behind the rearview. Remove and you will see the wires that feed to the illuminator lights. I spliced and removed the wire from the pass side light and spliced the wire from the radar detector cable. Connected a 12v stand alone fuse then connected + to + and ground to ground. I forgot which wires were which...I just did some trial and error.

Now I do not have a pass side illuminator light...I just left the casing intact so it looks stock.
Huge upgrade for me now that I don't have a huge chord dangling down to my center console.

 

That looks like an Escort Max unit, does it also use the phone cord power connector? if so do you remember what was the wires you bought to splice? sorry for the noob question but where did you get the stand alone 12v fuse?

Thanks in advance.

 

Escort sells hardwire kits that include an in-line fuse. Available on Amazon, too.

 

Cool implementation but I'm not sure I understand why you would want to ever shut off your detector.

 

They're illegal in some states. If you ever pass through VA, better have it completely turned off... also don't speed. VA sucks for drivers lol

 

Not sure shutting the detector off helps. If the cops see it in the car I am pretty sure they will confiscate it.

 

don't think they're allowed to confiscate, but you'll def get a ticket?

 

So unless you are routinely driving through VA, I'm not sure I see the benefit of having it switchable vs turning on with the car. I ran a power wire from the fuse box (with an add-a-fuse kit) up the right a-pillar and to the detector. Grabbed a ground behind the map lights. Totally invisible and easily reversible to stock.