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      05-23-2010, 10:46 PM   #1
ChromoX
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Radar Detectors

I am about to buy a radar detector for the 1 series I will hopefully be getting soon. I was wondering what forum members use for their radar protection?
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      05-23-2010, 10:58 PM   #2
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There's probably nothing else to consider besides escort passport (8500 or 9500), or a Valentine 1.

I personally use an escort 8500 because I got a good deal on it from a friend, but you'll see a lot of proponents for both. I would be shocked if anybody has a recommendation other than these 2 AND has actually used one of them and can make a comparison.

Which you pick is up to you. Take a look at available accessories and see which suits you better.
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      05-24-2010, 05:46 AM   #3
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Escort 9500 with gps rocks. Being able to lock out false alerts makes it 10x less annoying than any other detector and 100x more useful (since I actually pay attention to it and
believe it in most cases).

It's saved my backside twice already which means it's easily paid for itself in my mind. Get the optional windshield mount and the long straight cord an you can easily wire it up so the cord is barely visible.
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      05-24-2010, 06:21 AM   #4
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Escort/Passport 9500ix!

https://www.escortradar.com/store/passport-9500ix.html
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      05-24-2010, 06:36 AM   #5
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I find this site interesting:

http://www.radarroy.com/

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      05-24-2010, 06:41 AM   #6
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Escort Passport 9500i....luv it
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      05-24-2010, 07:44 AM   #7
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V1. I like to know what sneaky trooper is rolling up behind me and the V1 looks and warns from rear threats as well. Have mine hardwired in the Vette now I have to find a way to do it in the 1.
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      05-24-2010, 08:46 AM   #8
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Escort Passport 8500i w/ZR4. But I hope to swap out the 8500 for the 9500 soon.

Valentine is really good as well. I just never could find the value in the arrows. If the detector goes off - I'm slowing to speed limit immediately regardless of where the cop is.

And soon after that it becomes obvious where the cop is. Either the warning goes away fast (as in cop in oncoming lanes) or it goes away at normal speed (as in you come up on the speed trap and pass it) or the warning continues to bug you for quite a while (as in cop is behind you in traffic flowing the same way you are traveling).

But I'm never travelling too far over the limit anyway. It just reminds me when I am drifting a bit too far out of the safe envelope - gotta admit the 1's can creek up there and you don't really feel the speed.
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      05-24-2010, 09:36 AM   #9
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9500ix, though you are still basically screwed if you are lased (from my own personal experience ). Unless you also have a shifter of course.
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      05-24-2010, 01:33 PM   #10
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9500ix with the hardwire kit (streching the cord to the 12 volt plug looks dumb)
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      05-24-2010, 03:43 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NYC6 View Post
V1. I like to know what sneaky trooper is rolling up behind me and the V1 looks and warns from rear threats as well. Have mine hardwired in the Vette now I have to find a way to do it in the 1.


All the high end detectors mentioned here (8500i and 9500i) have rear detection as well.



I've owned all three, and the 9500i is the best of the bunch, hands down. The GPS functionality just puts it on a different level. There aren't any false alarms at all when you're on your typical commute, no blaring noise in supermarket parking lots, and additional speed indication is a nice touch.
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      05-24-2010, 03:45 PM   #12
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Didnt know that.
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      05-24-2010, 04:47 PM   #13
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What's the difference between the 9500i and 9500ix? I was on their site, but it doesn't make it clear. Thanks.
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      05-24-2010, 04:55 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Haywood View Post
What's the difference between the 9500i and 9500ix? I was on their site, but it doesn't make it clear. Thanks.

The ix has an "autolearn" capability that will automatically store false alerts you pass on a regular basis. With the 9500i you hit the Mute button three times to store them. The ix also has a preloaded database of redlight and speed cameras that can be updated by the user.

There might be a few other things, but those are the two major differences.
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      05-24-2010, 05:24 PM   #15
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After talking to friends and looking around at reviews I decided on the V1.

Reasons:
* The directional arrows have saved some of my friends many times from behind.
* Although the V1 has a lot of falses, I would much rather have a false than no alert at all.
* On the falses; there are a couple of features you can disable that make the false alerts almost never happen.

Anyone else have any input?

Also I have been looking into the Blinder M-47 system for active laser jamming. Anyone else have this system?
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      05-27-2010, 09:54 AM   #16
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You, of course, need to feel comfortable with your choice. However the reasons you have listed don't make any sense.

1) The directional arrows don't 'save' you. The alert from the detector 'saves' you. It's secondary where the cop is - you just need to know he is there and aiming at you. An Escort is every bit as capable of capturing signals from behind.
2) If you feel better getting lots of falses rather than no alert at all (even when the alert is a false alarm) then the 8500 is just as capable a giving you all the false alarms the Valentine can. The 95oo is just 'smarter' than both the others and won't get on your nerves as much while not letting you down in a real alert situation.
3) Virtually all detectors have features that reduce false alerts. NONE are as effective at it as the 9500.

Having said that, it's your choice...


Quote:
Originally Posted by ChromoX View Post
After talking to friends and looking around at reviews I decided on the V1.

Reasons:
* The directional arrows have saved some of my friends many times from behind.
* Although the V1 has a lot of falses, I would much rather have a false than no alert at all.
* On the falses; there are a couple of features you can disable that make the false alerts almost never happen.

Anyone else have any input?

Also I have been looking into the Blinder M-47 system for active laser jamming. Anyone else have this system?
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      05-27-2010, 10:22 AM   #17
jeremyc74
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ChromoX View Post
* On the falses; there are a couple of features you can disable that make the false alerts almost never happen.

?
The "features" you're talking about disabling here are the X and K bands. Turning off X isn't really a big deal, because it's pretty uncommon (but not unheard of) these days for cops to be using it, but K band is VERY common.

Just be aware that reducing false alerts on the V1 means reducing detection capability.

Having owned the 9500 for about two years now, you couldn't give me another V1. My old roommate bought mine from me, and it drove me nuts on a recent 5 hour road trip.
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      05-28-2010, 12:23 AM   #18
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The more I read about the 9500i/ix the more I'm liking it. I rode in my friends car for an 8hr round trip with a V1 and that friggin thing was going off every 5 minutes with falses. It got really annoying, really quick. Not saying it's a bad radar detector, it's just annoying. I'm going to see if he'll let me borrow it for week so I can test it out around here where I live. I'll make my decision after that.
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      05-29-2010, 11:11 AM   #19
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I love my 9500ix. Plenty of warning. Here are some pluses that I didn't think would matter over time, but are indispensable now that I have them.

GPS - Speed. I have mine to display speed of the car at all times. It's much more accurate than my speedometer. In addition, it's the first thing I look at when the detector goes off.

Red Light Signal Database - I am not a runner of red lights, but here in the NW, there are a ton of red light cameras. With this warning, I tend to be more cautious around the lights and feel confident that I won't get caught accidentally.

Markers - You can mark locations as speed traps, etc. This feature is really nice for school zones. I usually mark school zones. This gives me a heads up to remind me to go 20 around school zones at all times. Even when I might be slightly distracted by conversation or radio. It's just a nice 'heads up'.


Priceless.
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      05-29-2010, 12:08 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by REVNU View Post
The more I read about the 9500i/ix the more I'm liking it. I rode in my friends car for an 8hr round trip with a V1 and that friggin thing was going off every 5 minutes with falses. It got really annoying, really quick. Not saying it's a bad radar detector, it's just annoying. I'm going to see if he'll let me borrow it for week so I can test it out around here where I live. I'll make my decision after that.
I would say annoying = bad.
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      06-09-2010, 06:46 PM   #21
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i've got the 8500 and it works perfectly!

if you ever find yourself in europe the V1 can be programed to work on their frequencies (they are illegal there though)
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      06-10-2010, 11:54 AM   #22
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Im getting this one put in when I get my car.

http://www.escortradar.com/passport9500ci-details.php

expensive but i dont want to see the thing on my dash.
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