Escort 9500ix performance?? or V1?? or ???

[spectrumphoto]

Opinions have been great thus far here and appreciated... True the 9500ci would probably best everything (as it is an installed system with laser jammers) but you also are getting a $1500+ price tag too (and thats not including install).

As far as window mounts go Im getting the feeling that the V1 may be best for those who have nice long open stretches of highway and or suburbia whereas the 9500xi may be best for those frequent metro, city, crazy Los Angeles highway drivers (like myself) who may occasionally get out onto open highway.

Am I wrong in this assumption? Im not bashing either as I feel both are great units, Im just getting a feeling for what may be best for certain areas of driving.

Thoughts???

[UltimateBMW]

Originally Posted by PencilGeek

Let's compare 'conveyed information:'
__________________+Valentine _9500 9500
__________________________V1 ___xi __ci
Arrows on radar___________ Y ___N ____N
Arrows on laser___________ Y ___N ____Y
POP Alerts________________ Y ___Y ____Y
Bogey count (# of sources) Y ___Y*____Y*
Strength Meter____________ Y ___Y ____Y
Strength meter per band___ N ___Y ____Y
GPS ______________________ N ___Y ____Y
GPS Speedometer __________ N ___Y ____Y
Database of photo radar___ N ___Y ____Y
Upgradeable database______ N ___Y ____Y
Mark false signal locn's__ N ___Y ____Y
Mark photo radar locn's___ N ___Y ____Y
Autodetect/mark false sigs N ___Y ____Y
SWS Compatible____________ N ___Y ____Y

* Doesn't actually count, but in the advanced display mode will show signal strength for each detected signal type -- thus indirectly giving the same information.

Look at all of those "N's" in the V1 column. So if you're a technogeek and want a detector to convey the maximum amount of information...then I guess you'll be switching to one of the 9500's pretty soon.

To the OP, see my signature below for a write-up and pictures of a 9500ci installation.

While impressive, $2k after install is alittle steep. At least until I'm in the market for a laser jammer. Although, I will admit that I'm impressed with that chart and the features that I wasn't aware of that are available in the 9500ci. It really sounds like the main difference in alot of those extra features is just the addition of a database. I mentioned earlier that the autodetect false alarms doesn't interest me, at least not yet, and I don't have to worry too much about speed cameras. (Unless I mistook what the meaning of photo radar is?) There aren't any where I live.

In all rationale though, the OP asked more about the 9500ix and the V1. Which are in a completely different price range and field than the 9500ci.

But I will concede that there is always someone better or more knowledgable in everything. And there is also likewise someone with more money. Your stereo system alone made that apparent. $2k is alittle out of my price range since I have other costs lined up for after I get my M3.

[UltimateBMW]

On a side note, how good is the display on the 9500ci? Can it display all of the features mentioned (minus the database functions) at once? Or is there a toggle?

A strength meter for each different band, but under the condition of a toggle switch is pretty much the same interface wise as the V1 who displays the signal strength of the strongest band/signal that is getting registered.

[gtlexec]

Originally Posted by PencilGeek

Let's compare 'conveyed information:'
__________________+Valentine _9500 9500
__________________________V1 ___xi __ci
Arrows on radar___________ Y ___N ____N
Arrows on laser___________ Y ___N ____Y
POP Alerts________________ Y ___Y ____Y
Bogey count (# of sources) Y ___Y*____Y*
Strength Meter____________ Y ___Y ____Y
Strength meter per band___ N ___Y ____Y
GPS ______________________ N ___Y ____Y
GPS Speedometer __________ N ___Y ____Y
Database of photo radar___ N ___Y ____Y
Upgradeable database______ N ___Y ____Y
Mark false signal locn's__ N ___Y ____Y
Mark photo radar locn's___ N ___Y ____Y
Autodetect/mark false sigs N ___Y ____Y
SWS Compatible____________ N ___Y ____Y

* Doesn't actually count, but in the advanced display mode will show signal strength for each detected signal type -- thus indirectly giving the same information.

Look at all of those "N's" in the V1 column. So if you're a technogeek and want a detector to convey the maximum amount of information...then I guess you'll be switching to one of the 9500's pretty soon.

To the OP, see my signature below for a write-up and pictures of a 9500ci installation.

For what it's worth, I have two Escort 9500i - one in each my cars. One Red and one Blue LED display units.

AND I've gotten two tickets - both on laser - one in each car within a 1 year time period!

When I called Escort customer support to inquire, they were like "well, you know no unit is totally accurate." OMG WTF

I can't say I'm all that happy with Escort after all between the two I've spent over $900... and now add to tickets to that and I'm up to $1500!

It sucks when you loose confidence in your radar detector.

[Buschy]

I thought the arrows were retarded, untill I borrke down and gave the V1 a try, now I am sold.
the only agravating thing is that the busses around here for some reason blow up the detector. other then that it works great.
and might be a fluke but its saved me on laser Twice. That I never thoguth would happen.

[SS32]

It's a year old test, but it's still something to consider. If the 9500 and V1 perform the same, I want the one that tells me where the cop is, not just the fact that he's there.
http://guysoflidar.com/august-2007/r...ctor-test.html








And about false alarms: Would you rather your radar detector warn you, even if there's a chance it's not a cop, or not go off at all? A machine/computer is only as good as the people who make it, and no radar detector is perfect. It's just a guide and in the end its your judgment on the signal that matters. Sure, my V1 has false alarms, but I can tell by the band and strength whether or not to be worried about it. It's not very hard to reach up and hit the mute button.

[UltimateBMW]

Originally Posted by PencilGeek

Photo radar isn't just the speed cameras mounted next to the road and displaying your MPH, they are hidden at the tops of traffic lights as well with no MPH display whatsoever.

I don't believe we have speed cameras of any type here. We do have redlight cameras, but they are few and far between and are not used to track speeding.

For whatever reason, even without the GPS tracking database behind it, I feel like the arrows allow me to be more aware of my surroundings. Detecting a bogey and being able to know where that bogey is in relation to my position is invaluable in my opinion. While the GPS tracking is definately a nice feature to have, I don't feel it will help prevent in any ticketing situations. It feels to me like it is more just a luxury. Where-as the positional arrows actually convey additional information rather than take it away.

[UltimateBMW]

Originally Posted by buschy

I thought the arrows were retarded, untill I borrke down and gave the V1 a try, now I am sold.
the only agravating thing is that the busses around here for some reason blow up the detector. other then that it works great.
and might be a fluke but its saved me on laser Twice. That I never thoguth would happen.

+1

School buses man. They make the V1 go full strength alert. I thought I was crazy at first when I noticed it. I was surrounded by 5 different school buses on the service road of the highway near my house. The only thing I can guess is that they are running some serious CB radios or something.

[SS32]

Newer model chevy SUVs/trucks will set off the laser alarm. The third brake light in the rear glass does it.

[UltimateBMW]

Originally Posted by PencilGeek

The 9500xi is also in that comparison list in the middle column -- and has a $499 MSRP.

I'll also throw out there that the V1 is only $399. So that is still a 20% premium for the database and GPS.

[UltimateBMW]

Originally Posted by cowmoo32

Newer model chevy SUVs/trucks will set off the laser alarm. The third brake light in the rear glass does it.

Serious? I'll have to look into this.

Also, anyone know what the J reading on a V1 stands for? I'm looking it up now but just thought I'd ask while I'm busy surfing for it.

*Ah, found it.

The detector also includes a "junk" alert that can discriminate real radar from other detectors' electronic emissions. You get a distinctive three-tone alarm and a "J" on the display.

From a nice review that can be found here.
http://www.dealtime.com/xPR-Valentin...D-301574426244

[M2381]

Originally Posted by gtlexec

For what it's worth, I have two Escort 9500i - one in each my cars. One Red and one Blue LED display units.

AND I've gotten two tickets - both on laser - one in each car within a 1 year time period!

When I called Escort customer support to inquire, they were like "well, you know no unit is totally accurate." OMG WTF

I can't say I'm all that happy with Escort after all between the two I've spent over $900... and now add to tickets to that and I'm up to $1500!

It sucks when you loose confidence in your radar detector.

Having radar detectors does not make you invulnerable to cops it just gives u warning to where they might be or if your in their sights. It is still ultimately up to you to look out for cops and keep your eyes peeled for them

[gthirtyfizle]

Next question. Where to buy. Anyway to buy this ina local store? V1

[UltimateBMW]

Originally Posted by gthirtyfizle

Next question. Where to buy. Anyway to buy this ina local store? V1

Think the only way is off their website. You can buy them off ebay but there is no guaratee they have the latest software and alot of the time ebay is more expensive. No store like CarToys even carries them. I think if they could, they would.

The website is easy and shipping is quick.
https://store.valentine1.com/store/

[ismelllikepoop]

i still dont get why the arrows are a big deal. isnt it just radar goes off means there is a cop, slow down? I mean is where the cop is situated change how you decide to slow down?

[SS32]

The arrows tell you where to look so you can see how far away the cop is. They may sound like nothing but drive around for a week with one and you'll understand.

[spectrumphoto]

paying attention and driving smart is definitely the first line of defense. I rarely found the need for a detector in my S4 (but that looked like all the other Audi's) With some road trips coming up and just a hunch that my new M3 stands out a bit more I think that it cant hurt to get a new detector.

Is there such a thing as a detector being too sensitive??? (like the V1) I just think that if I keep getting a ton of false alerts (especially being in a place like LA) that I will pretty quickly tune the detector out in my head or just mute the thing perminantly and then hows the unit supposed to help (Little boy who cried Wolf story goes through my head)

This is one reason why I like some of the 9500xi features (auto ignore is OK, Im a bit apprehensive) I really like the idea of the Speed tuning where the unit will desensitize itself at slower speeds in hopes of decreasing false hits.

But for the V1 I do like the arrows. Should I be a sheep and stick with the herd of V1 owners or venture to newer techy things like the 9500xi.

If only there was one window mount unit that did all of the above!!

[gthirtyfizle]

Guys I was just on Best Buys website here in NYC and they have the Escort 9500i in stock. Is the i the newer one or the xi the newer one? Also is there a difference betweeen them two. ppl have given mixed feelings about the v1 and the escort. So since this is here i might as well buy it. Let me know

[gthirtyfizle]

9500i is $449 btw

[UltimateBMW]

Originally Posted by ismelllikepoop

i still dont get why the arrows are a big deal. isnt it just radar goes off means there is a cop, slow down? I mean is where the cop is situated change how you decide to slow down?

The issue of why the arrows are important is directly dependant on having the correct philosophy for using your radar detector.

In short, the radar detector is a tool. It is not a crutch. When you have one you still MUST be on the lookout for cops. So this is where the change in philosophy comes into play. When you have the arrows, the V1 will alert you to the presence of a signal. Then you see the arrow and need to manually confirm that there is a cop there. Think of it as a crude targeting system using your own eyes and ears as the lock-on control.

Just knowing a cop is in the area or not is a lower level of prevention. But knowing that there is a cop, and then targeting that cop is a whole nothing story. If you want to just set it and forget it, then the 9500ix is fine. But if you want to be in it, be active (as you should be), and defending through offense so-to-speak. The arrows are absolutely great and you'll never suffer a ticket. You must pay attention though. The radar detector is NOT an immunity shield, it is a tool to defend yourself with by hunting for their signal. 'Defense through offense.' Being able to peg their location before they even target you is what it's all about.

I'd suggest you try the 30-day free trial that the review I posted above mentions for the V1. And also, even if you don't care for the arrows the charts posted above show that they are equal in signal detecting capability, which is their first and foremost function. So the lower price is just kudos.

[spectrumphoto]

xi is the newer version of the i. I've heard it absolutely better to get the xi for the extra $50 (xi runs $499 from Escort) Then its just the dilema of v1 $399 or xi $499.

[UltimateBMW]

Originally Posted by PencilGeek

Drive to a new town -- someplace you've never been, say Modesto, CA. Get off the freeway. My 9500ci warned me of three consecutive traffic signals with photo radar. It was true, after being warned I looked and found each one of them. Tell me that might not have saved you from getting a ticket and I'll buy you a beer.

I must of missed a big point of the database then. Is it a public database? Pulling in input from a 3rd party site? I was thinking it was a local HD or flash drive in the device coupled with GPS positioning.

If it is a public database, that is pretty cool. And I can see the benefit. However, is it good enough to be able to tell that a car you pass just passed a cop 2 miles infront of you that he detected a cop there, uploaded the blip to the database, and then you downloaded it and can have forewarning of a cop? It seems this may be a future iteration. (like a 10minute database entry for a confirmed cop position) I would be surprised if it is already to this point.