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      06-19-2009, 10:19 PM   #42
djrams80
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Drives: Ford Mustang GT Convertible
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Los Angeles Area

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Hey guys. I do not own a BMW, but I am an expert in the field of speed enforcement countermeasures and also own an Escort 9500ci, among many other things in this area. There are a ton of misconceptions in this thread, so I'm here to help and will see if I can't clear a few things up.

Quote:
Originally Posted by 503Alex View Post
Although this isn't an M3, this is a great example of an install that we can do on an M3!

This review was written by Tim (503 Motoring owner):
***PASSPORT 9500ci install in a CL550***pics
Here is the install we just completed on the new PASSPORT 9500ci system, Full custom install on a 2009 Mercedes CL550. We had outfitted this cars with 503 Suspension and VOSSEN 078 wheels prior to the install.
This installation looks fantastic! Unfortunately, it will not jam laser at all and it's radar reception will be sub-par for this unit. This is the problem with professional installers such as yourself. You guys are in the "pretty" business. That's your job, almost 100% of the time, make it look good and you certainly have done that here. But you've compromised function in the process. It's not your fault, per se. I'm sure speed enforcement countermeasures are not your main business.

Quote:
Originally Posted by dogears View Post
Great install!!! You can see my K40 Calibre indash install in a nearby thread. I really wanted the 9500 built in but the lack of rear radar detection killed the deal.
The K40 Calibre is nowhere near as sensitive as the Escort 9500ci. I mean, it's not close. The K40 does have dual antennas, so it can determine the direction of the radar contact, which the 9500ci cannot, but for a radar contact that originates from the rear of a vehicle, the 9500ci will alert before the K40 Calibre almost every time. For radar contacts to the front of the vehicle, the difference would be even more dramatic.

Quote:
Originally Posted by badfish View Post
Great job installing. But I believe the shifters will lose a lot of their effectiveness behind the grill, right?
Quote:
Originally Posted by 503Alex View Post
Thanks! Not typically, only a few of the diodes need the signal to trigger the alert. The grill does have to have big enough opening for it to work. This wouldn't work if the grill was a tight mesh.
This answer is completely incorrect. The 9500ci might alert, might not, but the question here is, "Will they work?". The answer is "Positively, NO!". Alerting the driver to the presense of laser is basically useless. Laser speed readings are almost instantaneous. Without effective laser jammers, a LEO will most likely have your speed recorded before you can even get your foot to the brake. In order to consistently beat laser, your laser jammers must fire back at the laser gun to confuse it. The 9500ci's shifters have a bank of 7 LED's. Even with all 7 LEDs firing back with a clear look at the road, these laser jammers are amongst the worst on the market. This install, which blocks most or all of them is pure suicide in the laser countermeasure business.

Quote:
Originally Posted by ColoCane View Post
I presume because it doesn't have a clear "view". Does that mean that only windshield units have 360 degree protection?
No. Every radar detector on the US market(with the exception of the K40 Calibre and the V1) have only forward facing radar antennas. So, they detect radar from behind by detecting radar bouncing off objects in front of the vehicle, then back at the forward facing radar antenna. Any good radar detector will detect signals that originate form the rear quite well.

Quote:
Originally Posted by ColoCane View Post
Also have issue with a jammer in Colorado.
I too live in an area where laser jammers are banned. If you keep your cool and do things correctly, it's almost impossible to get busted for having laser jammers. What I do once I get a laser alert is slow down quickly but calmly to close enough to the PSL to avoid a ticket, then shut off the jammers and allow the law enforcement officer to attain my "new and improved" speed. On the Escort 9500ci, temporarily disabling the jammers is as easy as hitting the mute button twice. Works like a champ.

Quote:
Originally Posted by ColoCane View Post
P.S.S I find it hard to believe Escort would have their premier model that didn't perform as well as their windshield models. But stranger things have happened...
The Escort 9500ci performs significantly better than every other unit in the Escort/Bel lineup with one exception, the Bel STi-R. The Bel STi-R uses the same radar antenna as the Escort 9500ci, so basically has identical performance. The next closest performer to these two is the V1. I normally run the 9500ci and V1 together and my 9500ci beats my V1 about 95% of the time, but both are excellent performers.

Quote:
Originally Posted by 503Alex View Post
We work directly with Escort, and their research has determined that the larger mesh openings don't affect performance. Smaller mesh openings do, however, and an alternative would need to be found in some cases.
Escort makes some amazing products, but this is one of the biggest problem I have with their company. They do not give their customers the whole story. They're out to sell products and make money. Telling customers that they have to sacrifice pretty for performance is counterproductive to this cause, so unfortunately, they usually keep this info to themselves. The truth is that all of the detection components, including the radar antenna, need a clear look at the road for maximum performance.

Quote:
Originally Posted by ColoCane View Post
That's good confirmation. Works on M3 mesh, good by me! Thanks...
Nope, that's bad information. I promise you that I can get an instant speed reading on that M3 with any of my laser guns at over 2000ft. And if I can do it, so can your local PD.

Quote:
Originally Posted by ColoCane View Post
This is worth a read from another thread, re: mounting shifters infront or behind mesh, and horizontal or vertical mounting. Also, shows some BMW installs. (Thanks to RadarKing).
LOL! Trust me when I tell you that RaDaRkInG(he goes by another name on the forum he and I interact on) and I have had many disagreements over the last couple of years, but on this issue, he is absolutely correct.

Here are a few pictures of my installation. My car is not as nice as an M3, but my speed enforcement countermeasures are quite effective. For what it's worth, the M3 convertible was the final car choice I eliminated before I bought my Mustang, basically because I couldn't justify the additional cost. The countermeasures I normally run in my car are the Escort 9500ci, a V1, Laser Interceptor and Veil. Let me know if you guys/gals have any questions. I'll be happy to answer them.









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