Escort PASSPORT 8500CI Plus User manual

Important Notes
For the easiest trouble-free
installation, install the Interface first,
and wire it to a 12-volt switched circuit.
Then before installing the other
components, plug all of them into the
Interface and power up the unit to
confirm proper operation.
To get the best possible performance,
the mounting location of the radar/
laser receiver is critical. Although radar
signals will pass through some types of
specialists and many car dealers can
install your 8500ci Plus for you.
2 Attempting to install this product
without expertise in automotive
electronics installation can cause
personal injury or damage to your
vehicle.
3 If your vehicle is damaged during
installation, its safety systems may be
compromised, which could cause
personal injury or property damage.
4 Improper installation may also void
PASSPORT’s warranty.
Front Radar/Laser Receiver
• Miniature weather-proof Radar/Laser
Receiver
• Universal mounting bracket with
stainless steel hardware
• Built-in 16 ft. shielded cable with
water proof connector
• 12 nylon wire ties (“zip ties”) to
secure cable
GPS
• Weatherproof, magnetically mounted
GPS Antenna
• 30 ft. cable with modular connector
• Interior windshield mounting
bracket (optional accessory)
USB Data Cable
• Provides access to software updates
via the Internet
Interface
• Central module connects to
switched 12-volt power and ground
• All components plug directly into
Interface
• 3M connector taps into existing
vehicle wiring
• Accepts standard 3.5mm mono
earphone
Miniature Display Controller
• Mounts easily to instrument pod,
dashboard or console
• Optional hidden display included
• 3M connector taps into existing
vehicle wiring
Documentation
• Comprehensive Owner’s Manual
• Installation Manual
Concealed LED Alert Display
• Indicator is solid green when unit is
powered and flashes red during an
alert
• 6 ft. cable with modular connector
• Bezel provided mounts easily to
instrument pod, dashboard, or
console
Built-in Diagnostics
• Confirms all components are
operational
Built-in Diagnostics
• Fully compatible with ESCORT Laser
Shifters and Bluetooth Kit (optional,
both sold separately)
Installation Instructions
While following the steps throughout
this manual, please refer to the
following recommendations for a
professional, trouble free installation.
• The best location for the radar
receiver is typically under the bumper
or inside the front grill of the vehicle.
For the best radar performance, install
the receiver horizontally, with a clear
view of the road.
• Entry points to the interior of the
vehicle may be located behind the
plastic liner in the wheel well, fuse
box, or unused grommets.
• There are often many existing entry
points at the rear of the vehicle as well,
including gaskets behind license plates,
around illumination lamps, and near
trunk lid hinges. Taillight wiring gaskets
are often easily accessible and large
enough to accommodate cables.
• If there are no suitable openings, it
will be necessary to drill a hole
through the firewall:
1 Thoroughly investigate all locations
before drilling any holes. Ensure no
wires, hoses, or other vehicle
components will be damaged.
2 On vehicles with automatic
transmissions, there is often a location
for mounting a clutch pedal. This is
typically an ideal location to drill.
3 Before drilling, cover the surface
being drilled with masking tape to
prevent damage to the anticorrosion
coating in the event the drill bit slips.
4 Drill a 13/32” or 7/16” hole. • When
pulling the in-line grommet to the
entry point, apply rubbing alcohol to a
section of the cable to reduce friction
and quickly pull the grommet along
the length.
• The cables of units mounted at the
rear of the vehicle can generally be
routed through the trunk
compartment and concealed under
trim panels quite easily. If necessary,
the cables can also be routed under the
vehicle and through an opening in the
firewall. Be sure to secure cables away
from moving parts and hot surfaces.
• A quality crimper for modular
connectors can be used to cut cables
to length and replace the connector.
Removing the connectors may also
make it easier to enter the vehicle’s
interior through existing openings.
Important Notes:
• Only an exact replacement for the
standard connector can be used. Do
not attempt to cut the wires unless the
proper connector and crimping tools
are available.
• Connectors cannot be reused.
• Do not cut the cable too short.
Provide enough cable to route to the
interface and add a couple extra feet to
ease installation.
• Install the new connector such that
its locking tab is on the same side as
the color coded stripe on the cable.
• Do not attempt to cut the cable and
splice the wires together on the
vehicle’s exterior.
• When drilling or cutting interior trim
panels (for instance, when installing
the concealed alert indicator), first
cover the surface of the panel with
masking tape to prevent accidental
scratches.
Warning:
Be sure to avoid all air bags.
 Read This First
Please read both sides of these
instructions before starting your
installation.
Important Installation Warnings
1 It is recommended that you have a
professional install your new 8500ci
Plus. Installation of this system requires
experience and expertise in automotive
electronics. If you are unfamiliar with
automotive electronics, car audio
Performance Warning plastic, laser signals will not. For this
reason, the receiver must have a clear
view of the road to work properly.
C U S T O M - I N S T A L L E D P R O T E C T I O N
PASSPORT 8500ci Plus Comes Complete

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PASSPORT 8500ci Plus Installation Manual
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Interior of Vehicle
12 Volt
Power Line
±
Display Controller
1 Determine the best location for the
Display Controller in the vehicle’s interior.
Make certain that it is clearly visible from the
driver’s position and the controls can be
easily accessed without interfering with
normal driving. (Consult customer if
necessary.)
2 Remove paper backing from the back of
the Display Controller and apply the
controller to a clean, dry surface.
3 Route the cable to the Interface and plug
into the jack labeled “DISPLAY.”
4 Secure and conceal the cable under the
trim panels.
Interface
1 Install Interface under the dash using
supplied zip ties. DO NOT MOUNT IN
ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
2 Connect the black wire () to the ground
and the red striped wire (+) to a switched 12
volt supply. (If the 8500ci Plus is left in the
“on” position, it will automatically power on
and off with the ignition.) Use the provided
blue 3M connector to tap into the existing
circuit if needed.
3 The Radar/Laser Receiver, Display
Controller, GPS Antenna, Concealed Alert
LED Display, and USB data cable plug into
the Interface. The jacks are labeled and
color coded to match a stripe on each cord.
Be sure that all components are plugged into
the proper jack before applying power to
the unit.
4 Once the Interface is installed and
connected to power, it is recommended that
all other components are plugged in and
tested for proper operation before
completing installation.
Front Radar/Laser Receiver
1 Determine the best location for the Radar/
Laser Receiver (typically under the bumper
or inside the front grill of the vehicle). For
the best performance, install the Receiver
with the label facing up and the arrow
pointing forward, with a clear view of the
road.
2 Using the supplied U-shaped bracket and
the right angle mounting bracket, mark the
mounting location.
3 Mount the Receiver using the supplied
hardware. It is recommended that the
Receiver be secured to the brackets before
mounting to the vehicle.
4 Plug the Receiver into the harness and
route the cable toward the interior of the
vehicle. Secure the cable with zip ties.
Although the in-line connector is
waterproof, it is best to locate it in a dry area
protected from moving parts, road debris,
and hot surfaces, such as the radiator and
radiator hoses.
Concealed LED Alert Display
1 Determine the best location for the LED
Alert Display. (Consult the customer.) An
optimal location is one that is clearly visible
from the driver’s position and would not
take the driver’s eyes off the road for more
than a moment.
2 Ensure there are no hidden cables,
brackets, or other components behind the
mounting location and there is adequate
clearance behind the panel.
Warning: Be sure to avoid air bags.
3 Cover the mounting surface with masking
tape to prevent accidental scratches.
USB Data Cable
The USB Data Cable allows easy access for
updating the 8500ci Plus’s DEFENDER™
Database and operating software. Once
connected to your computer, the 8500ci
Plus can download data directly from
ESCORT’s Web site. You can also back up
your data to your computer.
We recommend you install this cable at
the time of installation to allow easy future
access. To do so, simply follow these steps:
1 Determine the mounting location for the
standard USB connector inside the vehicle.
The optimum location is one that is hidden
but easily accessible.
2 Thoroughly clean the surface to which
the standard USB connector will be adhered,
as well as the surface of the connector itself.
3 Using double-sided foam tape (supplied),
mount the standard USB connector as
desired.
4 Route the cable to the Interface and plug
the mini-USB connector into the port
labeled “USB.”
5 Secure and conceal the cable under the trim
panels.
5 Find a suitable entry point into the
vehicle’s interior. (See Installation Tips.)
6 Feed the harness into the vehicle’s interior
and to the Interface. Plug into the jack
labeled “ANTENNA.”
7 If entering through a drilled hole, pull the
grommet on the harness until the end sticks
through the hole. From inside the vehicle,
pull the grommet through until it seals
against the outer surface.
4 Carefully mark the location and drill a 1/4”
hole through the mounting panel.
5 Remove the masking tape protecting the
trim panel.
6 From the front side, snap one of the panel
bezels provided into the hole.
7 Snap the LED Display into the panel bezel
from the back side.
8 Route the cable to the Interface and plug
into the jack labeled “LED.”
9 Secure and conceal the cable under the
trim panels.
TEST
After all components are installed correctly:
1 Turn the 8500ci Plus on by turning on the
vehicle’s ignition. If necessary, press the
power button on the front of the Display
Controller.
2 The 8500ci Plus will cycle through a brief
startup sequence.
3 If any error messages come up, see the
Troubleshooting section of the Owner’s
Manual for suggested solutions.
GPS Antenna
1 Determine the best location for the GPS
antenna. The GPS Antenna requires a clear
view of the sky. The magnetic base can be
used on most vehicles to mount to the roof
of the car or the trunk lid. For vehicles with
nonmagnetic surfaces, such as aluminum or
plastic, an optional window mounted
bracket is available for interior mounting.
(See instructions below.) It can also be
mounted to the dashboard or rear deck
using double-sided tape.
2 Mount the GPS Antenna, ensuring that
roof racks or other obstructions do not
block its view of the sky.
3 Locate a suitable entry point into the
vehicle. (See Installation Tips.)
4 Route the cable through the entry point
and secure along its path. If mounting near
the front or rear window, it is usually
possible to tuck the cable under the gasket
surrounding the glass.
5 Once inside the vehicle’s interior, route
the cable to the Interface and plug into the
jack labeled “GPS MODULE.”
6 Secure and conceal the cable under the
trim panels
GPS Antenna Interior Mounting Bracket
(Optional Accessory)
1 Choose a location on the
inside of the windshield or
rear window that will
provide a wide, clear view
of the sky. (This is usually
near the base of the
window or just left of the rearview mirror
for metallized windshields.).
2 Insert the three suction cups into the
holes on the mounting bracket.
3 Clean the window thoroughly with
alcohol.
4 Place the bracket on the window and
press the bases of the suction cups firmly.
Tip: To increase the adhesion of each cup to
the window, squirt a small amount of
hairspray or other light adhesive onto the
surface of the suction cup that mates with
the window and then apply firmly
5 Place the GPS Antenna onto the mount
using the magnetic base and align the edges.
The cable should point toward the window.
6 Route the cable to the Interface and plug
into the jack labeled “GPS Module.”
6 Secure and conceal the cable under the
trim panels.
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ESCORT RADAR DETECTORS RADAR DETECTORS