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 components
2. Route the wires appropriately
3. Connect to power and ground
Where 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 window
Where 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.
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This item: Escort Cobra Official Direct Wire SmartCord, Charges Through Vehicle’s Electrical System, Works with All Current Generation Escort and Cobra Windshield Mounted Detectors, Red LED Alert Indicator
$39.95
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$29.95
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$28.99
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This Item  Escort Cobra Official Direct Wire SmartCord, Charges Through Vehicle’s Electrical System, Works with All Current Generation Escort and Cobra Windshield Mounted Detectors, Red LED Alert Indicator | Recommendations  |  |  |  | |
| Price | $39.95 | $19.99 | $29.95 | $699.99 | -21% $25.99 List: $32.99 |
| Delivery | Get it as soon as Saturday, Apr 12 | Get it as soon as Saturday, Apr 12 | Get it as soon as Saturday, Apr 12 | Get it as soon as Saturday, Apr 12 | Get it as soon as Saturday, Apr 12 |
| Customer Ratings | |||||
| Sold By | Amazon.com | Plozoe | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Freezaah |
| power source | Wired to Fuse Box | Hardwired | — | Battery Powered | Direct Wiring |
| display type | LED | LED, LCD | — | OLED | LED |
| voltage | 12 volts of direct current | 12 volts | — | 12 volts of direct current | 12 volts |
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Escort Radar
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Performance in Overdrive.
No matter your choice, Escort radar detectors ensure peak performance.
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Superior Quality.
Our detectors are engineered with a commitment to quality, ensuring unmatched performance.
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Experience enhanced safety and awareness through a connected community.
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Drive Connected.
Escort's Drive Smarter companion app seamlessly integrates with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
C5 Corvette Both Cords Barely Long Enough and No Power?
Not having the hanging, coiled power cord is so much less stressful driving top down by cops.The remote head unit is nice and the weird shape actually fits the C5 ashtray area and is small enough to hide inside and shut the ashtray compartment door.Be advised the ashtray is hardened plastic so don’t reef down too hard on it in a vise when you drill and dremel an access hole for the large in-line bus fuse or it will crack like mine did. They’re inexpensive on Amazon to replace.The power cable to the accessory jack by the Body computer and the phone jack to the Radar Detector head mounted by the rear view have about one foot of slack which you need because the head unit is in front of the ashtray in front of the entire radio bezel.It’s a tight fit. So the location choices of the head unit are narrow. The ashtray is blocked by your hand on the manual shift so I have it all the way right and it’s still barely visible. A cup in he cup holder will block it entirely.Wish the remote head had a Report button not just mute.All in all a much sleeker look and hides the radar detector better.If the phone hack cable was just one inch longer it wouldn’t be so tight removing the Radar Detector from the car for overnight parking.It’s a great value because nobody else is making a cable with the remote mute head.If the radar detector has no power, you probably have MANUALLY TURNED OFF THE POWER. You will have turn on power then MANUALLY TURN ON POWER on the radar itself. Seems obvious but after plugging it in and having power come on every time, I was perplexed as to why I was getting no power and suspected this cable. Not the case.
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2014Style: Smart Direct Wire - Red LightVerified Purchase
- Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2018Style: Smart Direct Wire - Red LightVerified Purchase
Not having the hanging, coiled power cord is so much less stressful driving top down by cops.
C5 Corvette Both Cords Barely Long Enough and No Power?
Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2018
The remote head unit is nice and the weird shape actually fits the C5 ashtray area and is small enough to hide inside and shut the ashtray compartment door.
Be advised the ashtray is hardened plastic so don’t reef down too hard on it in a vise when you drill and dremel an access hole for the large in-line bus fuse or it will crack like mine did. They’re inexpensive on Amazon to replace.
The power cable to the accessory jack by the Body computer and the phone jack to the Radar Detector head mounted by the rear view have about one foot of slack which you need because the head unit is in front of the ashtray in front of the entire radio bezel.
It’s a tight fit. So the location choices of the head unit are narrow. The ashtray is blocked by your hand on the manual shift so I have it all the way right and it’s still barely visible. A cup in he cup holder will block it entirely.
Wish the remote head had a Report button not just mute.
All in all a much sleeker look and hides the radar detector better.
If the phone hack cable was just one inch longer it wouldn’t be so tight removing the Radar Detector from the car for overnight parking.
It’s a great value because nobody else is making a cable with the remote mute head.
If the radar detector has no power, you probably have MANUALLY TURNED OFF THE POWER. You will have turn on power then MANUALLY TURN ON POWER on the radar itself. Seems obvious but after plugging it in and having power come on every time, I was perplexed as to why I was getting no power and suspected this cable. Not the case.
Images in this review
- Reviewed in the United States on September 29, 2023Style: Smart Direct Wire - Red LightVerified Purchase
Top reviews from other countries
- Amazon CustomerReviewed in Canada on February 2, 2017
Great way to use a radar detector.
Style: Smart Direct Wire - Blue LightVerified Purchase - RKReviewed in Canada on October 9, 2017
Works like a charm
Style: Smart Direct Wire - Red LightVerified Purchase - Amazon CustomerReviewed in Canada on June 15, 2018
Great product. My car looks great
Style: Smart Direct Wire - Red LightVerified Purchase - d61021Reviewed in Canada on October 23, 2018
Compatible with Beltronics detectors (not just Escort)
Style: Direct WireVerified Purchase
