I'm looking to hardwire my Escort into my Escalade. I’m curious if a BlendMount works well with the digital rearview mirror or if I should stick to the windshield. Does anyone know which wires in the overhead console are switched for power? I want a clean look without cables everywhere. Any tips for a DIY install?
In my experience, getting a clean install in a modern Caddy can be a bit of a headache if you aren't careful. For your situation, I would suggest going with the BlendMount BNR-2018 Radar Detector Mount specifically designed for the GM digital mirrors. Over the years, I've tried many different setups, and while the digital mirror housing is bulky, the BlendMount holds it steady without blocking the camera or the sensor. Honestly, suction cups on the windshield are just asking for it to fall off during a temperature change, and it looks messy.
Now, for the wiring—I'm a bit of a stickler for safety. I always tell people to be SUPER cautious when tapping into the overhead console because of the airbag sensors and the mirror's data lines. You're looking for a switched 12V source so you don't drain the battery. On the 2021+ models, there’s usually a purple/white wire in the mirror harness that works, but FWIW, I highly recommend using the MirrorTap MTX-1015 Radar Detector Power Cord. It has a built-in fuse which is a lifesaver if something shorts out.
One quick tip: use a multimeter to double-check the pins before you shove the taps in. I've seen guys fry their mirror electronics by guessing! If you aren't comfortable poking around those delicate wires, maybe talk to a pro installer. But if you're handy, the BlendMount + MirrorTap combo is definitely the gold standard for that factory look. Hope this helps!
Jumping in here... honestly, I’ve had issues with mirror taps in the past because the pins can sometimes vibrate loose over time on rough roads, which is super annoying. If you want to avoid that headache, you might find this useful: check out MirrorTap MT-4015 15-inch Radar Detector Hardwire Kit. It's a bit more robust than the generic ones I’ve tried before.
Anyway, back to your question about the wiring... I believe the switched power in the Escalade overhead console is usually the purple/white wire, but you definitely wanna double-check that with a Astro AI Digital Multimeter before you start crimping anything. Unfortunately, the digital mirror housing is a bit tighter than the old analog ones, so just take your time tucking those wires back. Hope this helps!
Honestly, you don't need to spend a fortune on fancy kits. If you're budget-conscious, just grab a RadarMount RJ11 Mirror Wire Power Cord for about $15. It's way cheaper than those high-end hardwire kits and gives you that same clean look. For the Escalade's overhead console, you're usually looking for the purple/white wire for switched power, but definitely verify with a test light first. The digital mirror is bulky, so mounting slightly below it helps with visibility!
Honestly, you don't need to spend a fortune on fancy kits. If you're budget-conscious, just grab a RadarMount RJ11 Mirror Wire Power Cord for about $15. It's way cheaper than those high-end hardwire kits and gives you that same clean look. For the Escalade's overhead console, you're usually looking for the purple/white wire for switched power, but definitely verify with a test light first. The digital mirror is bulky, so mounting slightly below it helps with visibility!
Jumping in here... honestly, I’ve had issues with mirror taps in the past because the pins can sometimes vibrate loose over time on rough roads, which is super annoying. If you want to avoid that headache, you might find this useful: check out MirrorTap MT-4015 15-inch Radar Detector Hardwire Kit. It's a bit more robust than the generic ones I’ve tried before.
Anyway, back to your question about the wiring... I believe the switched power in the Escalade overhead console is usually the purple/white wire, but you definitely wanna double-check that with a Astro AI Digital Multimeter before you start crimping anything. Unfortunately, the digital mirror housing is a bit tighter than the old analog ones, so just take your time tucking those wires back. Hope this helps!
Honestly, the performance side of things is what you really gotta watch out for with these big Escalade mirrors. If you mount it too high behind that digital mirror housing, you might accidentally block the rear-facing radar horn or the laser sensor, which basically defeats the purpose of having a high-end Escort. Tbh, I'd just go with any of the heavy-duty metal mounts from a reputable brand like BlendMount—they’re way better than the cheap ones because they stop the detector from bouncing around. In my experience, if the unit vibrates too much, it can actually mess with the consistency of your alerts, or at least it felt that way when I was testing mine on the highway. I'm not 100% sure on the technical reason, maybe? but a rock-solid mount is key for real-world performance. Just play around with the height a bit before you finalize the wiring. I usually do a few runs past a known 'smiley face' speed sign just to see if the signal strength changes when it's tucked up high vs. a bit lower. It’s worth the extra effort to ensure that bulky mirror isn't creating a blind spot for the sensors and stuff.
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Curious about one thing: what year is your Caddy? The wiring for the overhead console changed slightly between the older models and the 2021+ ones.
I'm a bit of a beginner here and honestly a little cautious about messing with those pricey digital mirrors, but I've been doing some market research.
1. MirrorTap MTX-1015 Micro-MirrorTap ($15-20) vs. the high-end kits: It's way cheaper and seems to work well if you're careful with the pins.
2. Standard suction vs. BlendMount BNR-2018: The mount is definitely cleaner, but I'm worried about the weight on the mirror stalk.
If you're on a budget, I'd stick with the windshield mount for now! Let me know the year and I'll see what I can find.