Perfect Dry Box Mount for Escort Passport 9500ix

[treemuncher]

I was looking for a good, dry mounting solution for my new Passport 9500ix radar detector. The Pelican 1020 storage box in clear with a colored liner is perfect. About $15 shipped from Ebay. A small window was cut out of the front of the liner (below the o-ring seal) to give a clear view through the plastic. The clear top still allows GPS capabilities and laser penetration.

There is no margin for movement here. It fits tighter than a proctologist's glove!

 

[STreaker]

Awesome! I will check this line of product and find something that fits my Cobra. I assume if a the Cobra will detect a laser thur a windshield, it will also go thru clear plastic.

 

[wjbertrand]

How did you get the power and earphone cord through?

 

[treemuncher]

How did you get the power and earphone cord through?

I did not get it mounted yet but the plan is to use a dremel tool or a file to cut the required clearances in the top cover of the case on the power/audio port side. Some extra foam tape will be installed, too, to keep it weather tight. This way, with the box mounted to the bike, all I should have to do is hook up the audio & power cables, drop the unit into place, route the cables where the cut outs are located and close the top cover.

I plan to take the box in the car with me to test and make sure that the unit receives signals the same in and out of the box, provided I can locate some LEO's with active radar and/or laser. I can never find them when I want them but they always seem to appear when you dread seeing them the most!

 

[treemuncher]

I've tried testing the radar reception inside and outside of the box while driving in the car. There is no perceptable difference in the signal reception strength whether the unit is inside or outside of the box.

I still have to get the box mounted on the bike, but the signal test was more important to me.

Regarding the 9500ix : I really like this thing. When you approach a red light camera or other speed detection device within the database, an audible spoken warning comes on to notify you that you are in a high risk area. I've had x band warnings nearly 6 miles out in a straight line. Ample warning time for K and Ka bands, auto memory location storage for pesky alarm triggers in the city, constant true speed reading displayed via gps measurement, full dark mode for night driving. Very few false alarms and much more warning time in comparison to the $200 Cobra unit I tried back in October

Yes, it was expensive but it performs well and it sure is cheaper than one speeding ticket when you factor insurance, court costs, time off of work and the basic fines. I feel like I now have a license to speed when I want to and my little Subaru (the Blue Rocket) is having a blast. Riding and driving is much more relaxed now that I have some form of insurance against my heavy boots and twisted right hand!

I feel free again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Hank-FLPI]

[
Regarding the 9500ix : I really like this thing. When you approach a red light camera or other speed detection device within the database, an audible spoken warning comes on to notify you that you are in a high risk area. I've had x band warnings nearly 6 miles out in a straight line. Ample warning time for K and Ka bands, auto memory location storage for pesky alarm triggers in the city, constant true speed reading displayed via gps measurement, full dark mode for night driving. Very few false alarms and much more warning time in comparison to the $200 Cobra unit I tried back in October

Yes, it was expensive but it performs well and it sure is cheaper than one speeding ticket when you factor insurance, court costs, time off of work and the basic fines. I feel like I now have a license to speed when I want to and my little Subaru (the Blue Rocket) is having a blast. Riding and driving is much more relaxed now that I have some form of insurance against my heavy boots and twisted right hand!




The 9500i is one of the best radar/laser detectors out there, so why is the stock mount from Escort a complete POS? I just modified a suction cup RAM mount to securely hold the 9500i on the ST. A 1/4" thick piece of smoked acrylic sheet cut to fit and bolted to the mount. The 9500i is attached with Velcro brand hook & loop fasteners. My test bed was the clear door face of a front load washing machine. I mounted the 9500 off center slightly to get maximum vibration...and it certainly got that. A lot more abuse than days of riding on the ST. No problems. It can be attached to the windshield of the or to the tank in front of the gas cap. The windshield provides almost perfect line of sight. The tank is in line but not blocking the speedometer. It is very easy to remove. The mount can be used in a car, but because of the windshield rake, it needs to be rotated 90 degrees to the side.

I'll try to post some images after I clean up the prototype.

 

[Hank-FLPI]

The baby Pelican box could easily be mounted on the acrylic sheet. I carry freezer bags for the RD and the GSP, but I like the box.

 

[Rode Weary]

Just wondering if you could post a picture from above with the top open. I wanted to see the clearance for the power and audio out cords. Also, have you figured out a final mounting solution?

I'm interested in protecting the 9500ix because this was a substantial investment for me and I would hate for water to be the end of it.

Dennis

 

[STreaker]

For cutting into plastic I use a special diamond tipped arrow blade. These bits are available on the net. I used to modify windshield mounts and it never burned or split the plastic. You can use a regular drill bit, go slow, and dip the bit in water to keep the heat off the plastic. Once the hole is cut, I used a small round file to make the space fit the plug.

 

[davidj]

Don't worry about laser detection, if the laser alarm sounds it's just to let you know you're busted. LIDAR measures your speed in 1/3 of a second. That's why you need a Laser Interceptor for complete protection. Of course not all areas allow this form of detecting road tax collectors.

 

[treemuncher]

Updated pics. I still have not finalized my mount, yet. I will likely only use this Pelican box when the weather is wet or threatening to be. It's easier to remove the RD at stops when it is not in the box. Or, if it is raining, it will be easier to remove the whole box assembly.

I cut out the rubber liner where the front radar receiver window is and in the rear where the display is. It is a very tight fit front to back when the weather is cold.

I used some 3/8" thick soft foam tape to hold the detector in position. The black strips of foam are on the top lid. Without this foam, the detector will move vertically.

I built a jumper wire from networking cable so that I do not have to pull out more cable from the front of the bike's dash when I need to use the dry box. The phone cable union and speaker wire receptacle will be glued to the outside of the box with Automotive Goop. 4 wires are required on the phone connectors if you want to use the mute and led features of the 9500ix. A simple 2 wire connector is suitable for just power.

I'll post final pics when I get around to finishing the mount. It is built but it needs some trimulation work and final approval before being permanently mounted.

 

[okcst1300]

could you explain or post some pics on how you mounted this box thanks

 

[kieth]

You went to a lot of trouble to get the radar detector waterproof, the female phone connector is not water proof. Why not run the cord directly out the side that the phone connector is on with small electrical wire instead of the flat phone lead, then use a waterproof sae 2 prong connector to make the connection water proof. My 8500 only uses 2 wires on the 4-5 wires in that phone line, so I would use small diameter 12 volt wire soldered inside the case to the phone wires and them drill small holes in the case for round wire instead of the flat phone lead. Just a suggestion. Kieth

ps for a mount use a ram ball and arm then a flat ram plate with velcro, since you have such a small amount of space this would keep you from having to drill holes inside the pelican box and take up space. To remove the entire pelican case you could just unplug the sae connectors, and remove the pelican from the velcro, or unscrew the base from the ram mount. I do my zumo 550 this way and it makes removing it quick and simple.

Call me since it is hard to make this clear without pictures...918-446-2245

Updated pics. I still have not finalized my mount, yet. I will likely only use this Pelican box when the weather is wet or threatening to be. It's easier to remove the RD at stops when it is not in the box. Or, if it is raining, it will be easier to remove the whole box assembly.

I cut out the rubber liner where the front radar receiver window is and in the rear where the display is. It is a very tight fit front to back when the weather is cold.

I used some 3/8" thick soft foam tape to hold the detector in position. The black strips of foam are on the top lid. Without this foam, the detector will move vertically.

I built a jumper wire from networking cable so that I do not have to pull out more cable from the front of the bike's dash when I need to use the dry box. The phone cable union and speaker wire receptacle will be glued to the outside of the box with Automotive Goop. 4 wires are required on the phone connectors if you want to use the mute and led features of the 9500ix. A simple 2 wire connector is suitable for just power.

I'll post final pics when I get around to finishing the mount. It is built but it needs some trimulation work and final approval before being permanently mounted.