BlendMount

[me_rikey]

Hey everyone, so I did some searching on this forum for the blendmount set up, and couldn't really find anything.. So allow me to elaborate. I have been frustrated for quite some time with the really cheap and non-effective mounting methods that Escort uses for their radar detectors. I was really getting upset when I would come out to my car to find my $500 radar detector had fallen off the window shield, and slammed into the center console of my car. I have tried the standard Escort mount, with the two little suction cups, I've bought other suction cups for it, I went with the SuperCup mount, and even had that one replaced through Escort's warranty as the early released models were defective. In the end there were two constants; the Escort 9500xi is a great radar detector, and all of Escort's mounting systems are junk. Escort suggested I use their bean-bag platform mount, but I, alike Escort's instruction manual believe the best results come from having the detector mounted as high on the window shield and without obstruction.

So I decided to finally fork over 100 bucks to get the BlendMount rear-view mirror mount. I really didn't have a hard time justifying the amount paid for this thing, considering if it lived up to the claims, it would be a worthy solution for mounting my pricey detector. I had looked at the knock-off brands, and they all looked pretty cheap and flimsy.

I ordered through Amazon, and received it promptly from the company which was nice since I'm driving back home for the Holidays, and wanted to free up my cigarette lighter, plus I always have had this thing hardwired, so I was just waiting to get that done too.

So today I decided to put it all together, dremel out a spare button whole between my heated seats and DAC button. I found my ignition power off the cigarette lighter harness, and a ground underneath the center console as well. After that all was easy to do -- I ran wire from under the center console and under the dash, removed the A-pillar, and ran the wiring up through that and then under the head liner, and ran it with the wires for the rear-view mirror, hidden under the plastic, extendable wire hider..

Well this has gone on long enough, here are some pictures. Feel free to comment -- I plan on changing how that switch is mounted, but it's somewhat difficult given the size of the hole for the 4runner blank switches, and the angled Escort switch..

Thumbs up for BlendMount -- the product is excellent, holds the detector sturdy; no vibrations or shaking.. I can't speak highly enough for this product, if anyone out there wants a solution to suction cups, and a way to get the perfect 'fit' for your radar detector, this is the solution for you. It is a very solid construction.

In this picture it looks like there is a weird angle of the detector -- that is just the angle of the camera and window shield in relation to the detector.

 

[momo.75]

That is a really nice mount!

 

[me_rikey]

indeed momo! i had literally tried everything on making my SuperCup mount work better.. constant cleaning, fix-adent (yes, for dentures), and this is one of the best, simplest parts that I can definitively say is worth the money. Even if you don't care about your detector falling and smashing into the inside of your car, it is a great way to mount and position your detector perfectly.

 

[riceandpho]

I had a blendmount before, it was for my scangauge, i still might get another one since mine broke when i modify it, too many bends on the same area of it did snap the metal. Also i think i had too much vibration.

 

[blk-4runner]

here's my blendmount for scangauge II.

 

[me_rikey]

i really like how blendmount did that same rear-view mirror mount for the scan gauge. i thought of getting one, but the detector won
the only way i can see having vibrations are for two reasons: 1. if the blendmount isn't fully tightened to the mirror - for our 4runners we have the cylinder style, and the mount comes with an "insert" to make sure for a tight fit if the cylinder's diameter isn't large enough for the blendmount itself. 2. if a washer dropped off a screw used in installing/ adjustments/ tightening of the blendmount could cause the screw to vibrate loose. i figure some loctite 242 would be perfect for such an issue.

 

[riceandpho]

Not all 4runners come with the round tube for mirror mount, mine came with the chilli pepper type, mine broke since i bend it too much and it decide to snap on one side.

 

[me_rikey]

Not all 4runners come with the round tube for mirror mount, mine came with the chilli pepper type, mine broke since i bend it too much and it decide to snap on one side.

that makes sense -- did your mirror have the compass/ dimming feature? i wonder if that has anything to do with the style of 'mount' the mirror used.

 

[snowbrdr033]

I have the Blendmount as well and couldn't previously find anything on here about it, so I was venturing into unknown territory! I installed mine a year ago. I also have the auto-dim rearview mirror.

I sacked up and bought the 100$ blendmount for my passport 9500ix & also hardwired it exactly how you did. It looks very clean and I get plenty of compliments on it.

My only complaint/issue is the silencer piece I also put in my blank spot. Albeit, I have 4 total spots, the farthest two out are for my heated seats (Limited) and the middle two were not being used. I simply popped out the one closer to the driver's side and put my silencer through there. I wish there was a way to make it deeper OR hold better in the spot, if that makes sense. It's only held in their by the wires, so if it's hit while cleaning/driving, then it will move slightly and can become dislodged. I thought about velcro or some sort of rigging, but never got around to doing anything. That's my one pet peeve that I'm trying to fix!
Any ideas? I can send pics if you'd like!

 

[me_rikey]

I have the Blendmount as well and couldn't previously find anything on here about it, so I was venturing into unknown territory! I installed mine a year ago. I also have the auto-dim rearview mirror.

I sacked up and bought the 100$ blendmount for my passport 9500ix & also hardwired it exactly how you did. It looks very clean and I get plenty of compliments on it.

My only complaint/issue is the silencer piece I also put in my blank spot. Albeit, I have 4 total spots, the farthest two out are for my heated seats (Limited) and the middle two were not being used. I simply popped out the one closer to the driver's side and put my silencer through there. I wish there was a way to make it deeper OR hold better in the spot, if that makes sense. It's only held in their by the wires, so if it's hit while cleaning/driving, then it will move slightly and can become dislodged. I thought about velcro or some sort of rigging, but never got around to doing anything. That's my one pet peeve that I'm trying to fix!
Any ideas? I can send pics if you'd like!

When I dremelled the empty hole where the keyblank was, I dremelled only enough at a time to ensure a tight fit.. mine fits in there real tight. The only other option I have considered is taking apart the Escort mute switch to where I just have the two lights (red and green) and the switch itself, and can possibly either mount those lights and switch underneath the keyblank itself by drilling holes, and or modifying the case of the Escort switch to fit better.. You may want to move the switch to the other keyblank where you can dremel out little bits at a time to secure a tight fit. I also used some strong automotive 3M tape underneath the switch to stick it to the switch and the underneath of the center console to keep it there snug as well.

 

[snowbrdr033]

Interesting suggestions, thanks. I'll see if I can figure something out to fix this. Preferably, I'd like to avoid taking apart the silencer module. It sure fits damn well for having done zero modifications to it, if only I can get it to fit "perfectly" for my type A personality! :boxer: