Escort 9500i Radar Detector. Experience & Pics.

[fastcar]

Hey Gang,

I've been running all summer with the Escort 9500i and wanted to share some interesting things I have learned.

First of all, it has saved me a BUNDLE in needless tickets. It is SO worth it. It often goes off even when there is just a police car in the vicinity. That notice means you can make sure you are driving like Miss Daisy, so you don't get any unwanted attention.

PROBLEM: Laser falsing under WOT (wide open throttle). This shows up after a few weeks of use. Very strange...
I had to move it from the drivers side of the mirror, to the passenger's side, to clear it up. (it's very sensitive to electro-magnetic interference). After another few weeks, it started going off there, as well... Weird. So, I did a concealed install, which gets rid of the coiled wire (which acts like a big antennae), and that got rid of ANY more falsing under WOT.

Now it falses when I blow my horn! Ah, well. At least it's not when flooring it!

So, if anyone has had problems with this, consider relocating it. Also, the concealed install DEFINITELY solved my problem with the gas pedal.

Here are some pics. I wanted it installed as high as possible, to increase sensitivity.

I like it on the passenger side, because I feel that LEO's have a harder time seeing it. When I had the coiled cable to the lighter and no window tint EVERY SINGLE COP I PASSED WOULD LOOK, THEN STARE. I was getting a LOT of bad attention.

The concealed install PLUS tint has COMPLETELY solved that problem.

I used the optional smart cord. This allows me to mute the detector. I had the control installed on the center console, right where I rest my hand while driving.

The whole system works marvelously, I can't say enough about it. I look forward to attaching the laser shifter module in the future.

fastcar:burnout:

[duhtroll]

Nice install. My install is identical, but on the driver's side.

I had one of these on the 30-day trial, too. I really liked it. It runs with the ZR3 really well, as did my old 8500 and the Bel STi.

The only reasons I did not buy it were that Escort still does not support all the features and that Iowa State Patrol is using the Spectre RDDs now and hassling people with RDs.

I love the idea of the USB interface where one could supposedly save and share speed trap locations via online database (IDed by GPS). Supposedly the unit stores these nationwide and alerts you when you approach within one mile of a marked location by any 9500i user. That would be (to quote a student), "pimp-tastic."

But while I was using my 8500, I got pulled over twice while driving PSL, and that was enough.

So I went with the Bel STi. Same price, similar detection (sister company to Escort) and completely undetectable to the Spectre III and even the new Spectre IV according to testing.

Nothing against the 9500i though. As soon as they start supporting the database I will buy one. And I want one in blue.

[fastcar]

I had one of these on the 30-day trial, too. I really liked it. It runs with the ZR3 really well, as did my old 8500 and the Bel STi.

The only reasons I did not buy it were that Escort still does not support all the features and that Iowa State Patrol is using the Spectre RDDs now and hassling people with RDs.

But while I was using my 8500, I got pulled over twice while driving PSL, and that was enough.

So I went with the Bel STi. Same price, similar detection (sister company to Escort) and completely undetectable to the Spectre III and even the new Spectre IV according to testing.

Nothing against the 9500i though. As soon as they start supporting the database I will buy one. And I want one in blue.

Hi Duhtroll!
Please, what is 'ZR3'? The 9500i is suppose to be completely immune to VG-2 RDDs. Is spectre III and IV yet a new standard? What is 'PSL'? Argh, when will it end... Maybe I'll just get a jammer;)

fastcar:burnout:

[MarauderSM]

I think the lidatek is the best jamme. But I still want to know has someone used the Valentine 1. I think it would be best to know where the feds are when I am doing the excessive evasive driving.

[fastcar]

I think the lidatek is the best jamme. But I still want to know has someone used the Valentine 1. I think it would be best to know where the feds are when I am doing the excessive evasive driving.

Search the forum for 'escort'. You will find another thread with lots of talk about different detectors, including the Valentine.

fastcar:burnout:

[duhtroll]

The ZR3 is Escort's laser jammer - they call it a "shifter" probably to avoid the negative connotation.

The police now have much better than VG-2 detection available. Spectre III and the new Spectre IV can detect every radar detector out there, except one.

In most places RDs are legal, so it shouldn't be a problem to run the 9500i. For truckers and places where RDs are illegal, the STi was brought on the market. (though they don't say that of course)

I was amazed myself when I found out it wasn't detectable, but all the tests show it to be immune to RDDs (radar detector detectors).

PSL is posted speed limit.


Hi Duhtroll!
Please, what is 'ZR3'? The 9500i is suppose to be completely immune to VG-2 RDDs. Is spectre III and IV yet a new standard? What is 'PSL'? Argh, when will it end... Maybe I'll just get a jammer;)

fastcar:burnout:

[duhtroll]

The valentine 1 is a detector, not a jammer.

With lidar (laser) a detector only tells you that you are already too late. They most likely already have a reading, and scatter is something rare with laser hits.

That's why there are active and passive countermeasures for laser - license plate covers, masking, and jammers. They all work very well together.

It's expensive to do, but imagine what just one or two tickets do for costs and insurance increases.

And as we all know, tickets are only about safety. :rolleyes:


I think the lidatek is the best jamme. But I still want to know has someone used the Valentine 1. I think it would be best to know where the feds are when I am doing the excessive evasive driving.

[Grifter]

I have the same RD. Mine never falses at WOT.. I cant say if it falses when I blow the horn, I dont think I have ever used the horn on my car. I have it hardwired to the dome light circuit so it comes on when I use the remote to unlock the doors and goes off after the dome light circuit times out.

My only complaint (and a complaint of everyone with this detector) is that the ramp up on the K band is crap. If you get a K band alert, consider the LEO already on top of you. It goes from 1-1-1-1-1-5-10-10-10 in a very short time. Ka band detection is fantastic though.
What mode do you drive around in? I would suggest leaving it on highway at all times, you may have to deal with a random false here and there, but its more sensitive as well. I also think that expert mode is best to have it in. It tells you of multiple signals, not just the first/strongest one your encountering. (I.E LOE's hiding beside known falsing automatic doors) If you encounter the doors false before he hits you, generally all your RD will show is the doors. First/strongest signal.

[sailsmen]

My Escort recently started Laser detection @WOT!

I don't understand how a LASER (Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation) reading would be caused by an antennae as a result of a wire coil?

[fastcar]

What mode do you drive around in? I would suggest leaving it on highway at all times, you may have to deal with a random false here and there, but its more sensitive as well. I also think that expert mode is best to have it in. It tells you of multiple signals, not just the first/strongest one your encountering. (I.E LOE's hiding beside known falsing automatic doors) If you encounter the doors false before he hits you, generally all your RD will show is the doors. First/strongest signal.

Thanks for the suggestions. That's really helpful. I never even thought about messing around with the settings!

fastcar:burnout:

[fastcar]

My Escort recently started Laser detection @WOT!

I don't understand how a LASER (Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation) reading would be caused by an antennae as a result of a wire coil?

Isn't it bizarre, and WICKED annoying. The first time it happened, I thought there was a LEO staulking/messing with me!!! It took me a while to figure out that it was just WOT that triggered it...

I have NO IDEA why it happens, but it's a known issue. Escort said that they have a very small percentage of users that report this, and it generally happens in HIGH PERFORMANCE vehicles. My guess is that it is related to the EIGHT COILS that HP ignition systems use.

I tried 3 different units out, before I gave up, and decided to relocate, and go hard wired...

Escort says they are happy to 'dumb it down' for you, but I said, screw that! I want as much warning as possible.

It's weird blowing your horn and having it go off! I swear, my heart rate goes up 100%!!!

fastcar:burnout:

[ctrlraven]

I've been toying with the idea of getting a radar detector but just trying to figure out if I want to save some money and go with the 8500 X50 model or 9500i or SR7 with "shifters" model. I like what the 9500i has to offer besides being able to switch vehicles but the SR7 (to me) offers more protect and with the "shifters". I will probably end up getting the SR7 model only because I plan on keeping my MM for a long time and can get the SR7 for the same price or less than of the 9500i model.

[fastblackmerc]

Get a V1 instead. You'll be very happy with it. :up:

http://www.valentineone.com/

[Hack Goby]

Well gee thanks guys.I went out to buy cat food (And I did) but came home with a 9500i also.I will be using my trip to Seymour as the test.I know Ohio can be nasty and I really don`t speed but I would hate to get one of those true five over tickets.Question: Will my dash mounted GPS interfere with the GPS feature on the passport seeing they will be next to each other?

[duhtroll]

No, (not sure but doubt it) but the GPS in the 9500 can take a while to acquire a signal if mounted high on the windshield. Go right under the mirror.


Well gee thanks guys.I went out to buy cat food (And I did) but came home with a 9500i also.I will be using my trip to Seymour as the test.I know Ohio can be nasty and I really don`t speed but I would hate to get one of those true five over tickets.Question: Will my dash mounted GPS interfere with the GPS feature on the passport seeing they will be next to each other?

[MarauderSM]

I always thought that a V1 and a lidatek jammer would be the best combination. Very expensive but they both have a great reputation.

[fastcar]

No, (not sure but doubt it) but the GPS in the 9500 can take a while to acquire a signal if mounted high on the windshield. Go right under the mirror.

It can take a few minutes in certain weather to acquire the signal, but I don't normally go 80 out of my driveway:P

By the time on on Main street, she's captured signal, and ready to go. Even WITHOUT the signal for the first minute, it's still PROTECTING YOU with radar alerts.

I don't recommend a low mounting because it's easier to see. You don't want cops to see it, or theives. My 2 cents.

fastcar:burnout:

BTW, ALWAYS USE DARK MODE AT NIGHT. I had a cop follow me in Weston one night, and turn his gun on a couple times, just to watch me hit the brakes. Not funny, and if he was in a bad mood, he may have tried to pull me over for something.

[Peace2Peep]

V1 Baby! The only way to fly!