Escort 8500

I've recently aquired an Escort 8500, and a hardwire cable. I'm trying to tie it into my starcom so I can hear it when it actually goes off. Seem I've run across a problem tho. If I use a 1/8" stereo jack to the detector, it doesn't work unless it's pulled out about 1/16". So I tried a 1/8" mono jack, and it doesn't work fer shit either. I've got to pull it out about 1/16" also :dribble: I've tried various headphones I've got around here, and all of them only work partially when the plugs partially pulled out.

Anyone else have this problem? If so, what's the workaround? Bum unit?

As you probably already figured out, the Escort output is mono. Go to your neighborhood Radio Shack and pick up an adapter with mono male and stereo female. Cost about $5.

Get the isolated cable for the Starcomm, or use the isolated cable from Escort with your existing cable. The Escort 8500 desperately needs to be isolated from the comm system, or else it may actually damage the 8500 audio output and give poor audio.

Please trust me on this one. I own two 8500s. Wanna guess why???

JeffAshe said:

The Escort 8500 desperately needs to be isolated from the comm system, or else it may actually damage the 8500 audio output and give poor audio.

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Is this why my 8500 has an extremely muted audio output now (with or without a plug)? Because when I first got my set up, I didn't do what you suggested and I damaged it?

JeffAshe said:

Get the isolated cable for the Starcomm, or use the isolated cable from Escort with your existing cable. The Escort 8500 desperately needs to be isolated from the comm system, or else it may actually damage the 8500 audio output and give poor audio.
Please trust me on this one. I own two 8500s. Wanna guess why???

Click to expand...

I've got a splitter running off my GPS audio and that's a factory Starcomm cable that has an isolator. I'm hoping that will be enuff to protect them both. My plan is to have the radar/GPS on the same "channel" of the starcomm so it mutes the ipod when there's a signal on the radar, or the GPS wants to give nav instructions.

After much research, consideration, agrivation, alot of grief, and a bunch of $, I've had about enuff of Shit Shack ... err Radio Shack. Geezer was dead on with the mono-stereo do-dad, but the arangement I've come up with has alot of static, low volume, and looks like an abortion. I've finnaly figgured out how to fix this good and propper tho. I'ma give Jeff @ BikeEffects a call and get the propper chit I'm following JeffAshe's advice.

Thanks folks