Explanation of the 9500I & TrueLock info (Tricks)
"Entire Post Updated 11/18/09" I will update as new info/details becomes available/known, so check back often.Originally a 9500I post, updated with 9500ix info.
My detailed explanation of the 9500I (The quietest RD, with the most sensitivity ever made) & TrueLock info (Tricks): http://www.radardetectorforum.org/co...earn-info.html
I have seen allot of new 9500I users and wanted to give some of my insight on this very different RD (It takes time & effort to truly appreciate what the 9500I can do for you, and time to read through this long detailed post.
Note: Other than the few added features of the ix (AutoLearn & Safety Camera Database), the I & ix radar performance is the same. TrueLock and the parameters at witch AutoLearn is based from are the same.
AutoLearn works just like the 9500I’s TrueLock with the addition of the AutoLearn feature analyzing (over time) the source of radar signals by location and frequency. The ix automatically locks out this source at this particular location after ~3 passes. AutoLearn is supposed to unlearn a lock out if a particular signal is no longer present at a location that was previously locked out. Currently testing Unlock feature, will have update in later posts.
Excerpt from 9500ix manual: ("When AutoLearn is on, PASSPORT will also UnLearn signals to protect you from locking out real threats. If a particular signal is no longer present at a location that was previously locked out, PASSPORT will unlock that signal.") We will see.
So for now if the signal is no longer present the satellite icon wont spin, however if the specific signal is received again at any point at that location it will lock it out and show the spinning icon. AutoLearn works like the 9500I with the addition of automatically locking out alerts.
The 9500I/ix is truly an awesome RD and the sensitivity/distance is excellent. The 9500i is a totally different breed of radar detector and certainly is in the top 3 if not #1.
The features are truly awesome and what makes the 9500I/ix a top notch choice. From GPS & speed sensitive filtering, Marking of speed traps, to the USB that has good potential for the future.
The 9500I at times is so quiet it's as if the 9500I/ix knows the difference between a real threat and a false alert. Its amazing quietness when driving through towns or through cities and suburbs, insure virtually every alert is real. This is a key point, knowing that over 9 times out of 10 a 9500i/ix alert is real means that you will pay attention and react to the alert appropriately and immediately. Don't get me wrong you will still have some falses but the majority of them are dramatically decreased.
The only real negative is the learning curve for experienced RD users, they are not use to a RD actively monitoring threats and how quiet the 9500I/ix is to falses yet has the uncanny ability to alert to a real threat.
The 9500I/ix should be mounted striate, level and as centered as possible with a clear view of the sky for the GPS. The Horn on the 9500I/ix angles down so I prefer to keep it very high in my car, but would probably keep it lower on a tall vehicle/truck.
I got almost a 10% increase in range by making sure the 9500I was level, their is a nice flat bottom to the 9500I to make it easer to level. = http://www.radardetector.net/forums/...ase-range.html =
My install:*
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Section-1/\__________________________________________________ __
The Reason for TrueLock: The biggest complaint from RD users is the amount of falsing, the 9500I is designed to dramatically decrease the amount of false alerts. You will no longer become so desensitized to common and frequent false alerts that you will be able to react more appropriately and quickly to real threats.
A driver who hears an alert and does nothing because they here it every day is at more risk than the driver that has the quiet detector and jumps out of there seat when the silence is broken. A driver is more likely to react to an alert on a quiet detector than a "noisy" detector.
What TrueLock does for You:
TrueLock allows you to "mute" a specific false alert signal at a single location. This allows you to "silence" common false alerts in your area without the extremely dangerous risk and tactics used in other detectors that do this by users turning off an entire radar band or blindly ignoring/muting alerts in that area. The GPS capability allows the 9500I to know specifically where it is located at any given time and thus lockout the false signal frequency in that very small specific area without the risks associated by turning off the entire X or K band. TrueLock is nothing more than a very advanced means to "mute" a false alert area and not to have to physically press your mute button every time you pass that area. No more having to listen to countless local false alerts, no more repeated pressing of your mute button. Now when your detector does go off you will know its only because there is most likely a real threat in your vicinity.
Section-2/\__________________________________________________ __
To use TrueLock simply press the Mute button (a short total of three times) to confirm with the Passport 9500i that the signals are not an actual alert - the Passport 9500i then stores in memory received radar on your driving path with the signals frequency and its GPS location (Shows spinning satellite icon when locking out radar). If you wish to unlock a location you must have icon spinning in that location, then press the mute button 2 times to unlock it. This will unlock all blocked falses in that specific lock out point (presently there is no way to clear all memory of lock out points, you must go to the specific lock out point and do the above).
TrueLock on the 9500i allows you to lock out approximately 30MHz wide blocks of false radar sources in each band (Does not lock out whole band).The 9500i cannot lock out Ka band signals (presently there are no typical falsing sources such as door openers or motion sensors that are Ka band signals. The Ka band frequency's are: 34.7, 33.8, and 35.5.).
Note: A LEO's K band radar usually runs at 24.150.
K-Band is split into approximately eight segments of ~30MHz recording blocks depending on how it has self-calibrated, and derived from the received radar frequency. Like so:
X-Band is split into segments as well (13-15 MHz Ea), and derived the same way.
When properly used, the 9500i's GPS based True lock technology can be very effective at locking out unwanted door opener signals on your dally commute. Pass the false signal at least several times on separate days in order to guarantee that this signal is, indeed, a false (in expert mode) then lock them out if the signal always seems to be the same. The 9500i records signals for a very short distance, approximately 1/10 to 1/2 of a mile depending on how many falses there are after you lock out the location and the signal strength. So make sure you use expert mode to see how many alerts you are getting in your lock out area before you lock out. Since the technology is GPS based, it is a good idea to lock out the door opener false when you are passing the false close, but most importantly along your driving route you want quiet. (This will prevent locking out additional unnecessary falses). Once you have locked out the falses in that area and TrueLock has stopped recording signals (Cumulative). TrueLock will lock out the specific frequency block/block’s you have locked out for less than 1/10mi with weak alerts, and up to 1/2mi with strong alerts from the signal/signal’s end. (I never had a lock out area greater than 1/2mi). It is also important that if a 9500i owner sees a patrol car after activating TrueLock you should unlock that location and set it for lockout again in the future when a patrol car is not present.
Section-3/\__________________________________________________ __
"Threat/Risk Scenarios"
I found its best to lock out dally commute or areas you know well and have surveyed closely. This will help to decrease the chances of locking out a real LEO and understanding the falses in that area. Most of the below applies to manually locking out with TrueLock. AutoLearn will work similarly but automatically.
It is a good idea to lock out the door opener false when you are close but passing the false along your driving route you want quiet (This will prevent locking out additional unnecessary falses).
The 9500i records/locks all signals it receives for a very short time/distance, approximately 1/10 to 1/2 of a mile depending on how strong the signal is and how many falses there are after you lock out the location (Cumulative).
Once the 9500I is powered down or self confirms (takes 1/10mi of no signal) It will lock out the false frequency block/block’s you locked out for approximately 1/10 to 1/2 mi from last signal received (total accumulative distance).
Very important note: If you are too close to the false you can get a strong alert that can overflow into another 30MHz block (Ghosting), Therefore creating a larger lock out block. So try to lock out with less then 1/2 of a full alert, the weaker the signal the better. This will also help keep the lock out area small.
Video showing locking out of K 24.150 speed sign signal... than alert/spinning icon for less than 1/10mi... than 1/10mi with no radar... than a new radar speed sign ruining K 24.150 and alerting:
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VaR05Bi8l4"]YouTube - 9500I truelock 24.150 1/10mi[/ame]
Old TrueLock Video concerns thread, and part of the reason this sticky was created: = http://www.radardetector.net/forums/escort/33087-my-blue-9500i-install.html =
New TrueLock Video concerns thread (easy read): = http://www.radardetector.net/forums/...-truelock.html =
9500ix truelock got me a ticket:
http://www.radardetector.net/forums/...leo-today.html =
“The Scenarios”
1) In areas where police X band isn't used, lock out X band falses the first time you encounter them. (No Risk & best area for AutoLearn)
2) In areas where police K band isn't used, lock out K band falses the first time you encounter them. (No Risk &best area for AutoLearn)
3) In areas where police do use K/X band but never sit in that area it would be a Low Risk lock out point. You will most likely lock this point out. (You may not want to use AutoLearn and manually lock out)
4) In areas where police K/X band is used and they do sit in that area it would be considered a (High Risk) lock out point (You may not want to lock this point out, or use AutoLearn).
Contrary to some peoples opinions out there it’s unlikely to lock out real police radar. You would almost have to deliberately try to do it (especially after reading this post). Besides, detection range will usualy trump the small lock out area in the first place and provide ample warning/alert before the lock out point (react to any alert no matter how small). In most cases Auto mode will also do a good job filtering these falses if you chose not to use TrueLock/AutoLock.
If you decide to lockout a false in a High Risk area to mute the alert you should still drive through the area with caution if you suspect any chance it could lock out police radar. The same rules would apply if you were using any non GPS capable detector and instead pressed your mute button in false area. Simply treat the spinning satellite icon in your display as a silent alert and proceed with your own discretion and best judgment.
(There is all ways the option of turning off GPS when speeding in a "High Risk" locked out area)
ix AutoLearn Risk scenarios: Use the above threat risk scenarios to determine the usage of AutoLearn. I suggest turning off AutoLearn in High Risk areas and manually locking out if you feel its safe. AutoLearn should be used sparingly and according to your Risk area.
How one user uses TrueLock and probably the best way to use it: http://www.radardetector.net/forums/...me-ticket.html
If you are still concerned about the unlikely scenario of locking out real police radar you can go to option 5, once you become more experienced with the 9500I/IX:
Note: TrueLock can create a lock out radius depending on signal strength and amount of falses, so its best to lock out at lower than 1/2 full alert.
: Less than 1/2 of full alert ~1/10 to 2/10mi radius
: More than 1/2 of full alert 1/2mi radius.
: And accumulative alerts.
The details/Tricks:
You can also help lock out a single false signal within multiple false signals and nothing else by locking the specific location and powering down the 9500I (It will also keep the lock out area very small 1/10-2/10mi).
5) If they use K band in your area but you still want to lock out some falses you have 2 tricks you can try:
5a. K band door openers can be close to the center of K band (24.135 to 24.165MHz), where most actual police radar is found. You can use the frequency mode (Spec Display), to see if indeed the door opener is near the center of the actual radar band (24.150) or see what your local LEO’s are using and not lock out near there ~30MHz block.
Below results may vary depending on how close all radar is to lockout point.
5b. If K band is used and you want to try and only lock out 1 specific false. Drive close enough to get the 1 false alert only (don't sit directly in front of false, and have less than 1/2 full alert) then: lock out the desired false signal, once icon stops spinning (you will need to drive at least 500ft or more while icon is not spinning) power down the 9500I then power it up. See video: [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7Txmo6RB6k"]YouTube - 9500I True Lock[/ame] .
5c. Another way would be to drive close enough to get the 1 false alert only (don't sit directly in front of false, and have less than 1/2 full alert), lock it out, power down the 9500I drive at least 1/2mi away with power off (wont record other signals when off), then power it back on.
These will help prevent the 9500i from searching for more signals after you lock out your desired one, therefore reducing the size of your lock out area. This will also help prevent the very small chance of locking out a LEO or multiple sources.
If you use my TrueLock "Tricks" above correctly and intelligently according to your area (No Risk, Low Risk, High Risk) TrueLock should always work fine.
Section-4/\__________________________________________________ __
Expert mode with Voice Alert on:
Unlike other modes you will receive a verbal notification of "Multiple frequencies detected" when receiving an additional and different frequency. The advantage in using this with TrueLock is if you’re at a previously locked out point and you receive a new/different signal the 9500I will bypass the lock out and show all of the current signals it is receiving with a verbal verification of "Multiple frequencies detected".
If you can deal with the visually small read out in Expert Mode and react on the 1st beep or 2 I feel it’s the best mode to use all the time on the 9500I. The 9500i locks out all radar it sees so its best to use expert mode when locking out so you can see what the 9500I sees. std & spec mode will only show the highest priority alert but may still be receiving an additional alert.
Note: If the two signals are the same band and fall in the same exact frequency block 30MHz in the same area it will show 1 alert.
Speck mode:
This is a very useful mode to use initially or in areas you want to know better. This mode will actually show you the frequency the LEO/false is using and you can determine what gun they may be using and its limitations.
I allso find its useful for preliminary testing of false locations to lock out.
In all actuality the "real world" is more likely to be safe than the perfect worse case scenario: Having multiple lock out's covering a wide band range in the same location with a LEO running the same power and frequency, plus you happen to lock out the high risk area (And there is a GOL guy taking videos :wink: ) It's unlikely, and to completely lock out and speed in a high risk area is just stupid.
Section-5/\__________________________________________________ __
Sensitivity- is very good, yes it’s not quite a V1 but that’s the point. I have had well over 15 saves and a few of them were over 1mi in KA and K around turns. I had a KA going full on then nothing, full on than nothing about 1/4mi later around a turn there was an off axis LEO I/O everyone who passed. It is as if the 9500I knows when it’s a real threat, and alerts you accordingly. GOL's last test the 9500I only was 2nd to the V1. http://www.radardetector.net/forums/...-truelock.html *** http://www.guysoflidar.com/august-2007/radar-detector-test.html *** http://www.speedzones.com/index.html
Escort had been fine tuning the 9500I from the first 9500's tested. The fine tuning didn’t just update ramp up, but also optimize the component values in parts of the circuit for better sensitivity. Now the 9500I has sensitivity close to or on par with the V1 but is also quiet.
Ramp up- This is a quiet detector with superior filtering so you will/should slow on the first beep or two because it’s as if it only goes off when there is a threat. Who wants all that noise when the object is to slow down as soon as it goes off anyway.
There was a ramp up problem people were complaining about, the 9500I would go from beginning alert to full alert no mid range.
9500's ramp up problem was like: 1-1-1-2-9-9-9 (jumps to full alert from a weak strength)
There now is a flash available with new software to fix ramp up, and all new 9500I's with a build date after 4007 have it. If yours has the ramp up problem you can call and request the ramp up flash/update. You will need to send it in to Escort but you should get it back in a week or two. New 9500I’s built after November 2007 will have the ramp up fix incorporated in them.
Personally I like the ramp up (quieter) so I won’t be updating mine, but I will be getting a new Blue 9500I.
Section-6/\__________________________________________________ __
Features are the biggest advantage of the 9500I/ix:
Variable-Speed & Sensitivity Control. Highway, Auto and City. Highway mode provides maximum sensitivity on all bands (I suggest using Highway, it's still very quiet). City mode reduces X-band sensitivity. In the “Auto” mode, the 9500i provides automatic radar performance based on your vehicle speed. Under 15mph “Auto” is essentially in city mode and as your vehicle speed increases from the 15mph, the radar sensitivity (X and K-band) is set to maximum range.
Note: 9500ix City NoX mode turns off X band completely. http://www.radarroy.com/archives/207
USB data port
Hopefully in the future we will be able to update but it seems unlikely with the new release of the 9500ix.
UPDATE! Updates via USB are now available from Escort for the 9500I!
connect via USB and update it by holding down the MRK and BRT buttons while plugging in the power to your 9500i, and continue to hold them down until the unit shows USB on the display. The 9500i MUST be in "USB mode" to read valid data!.
https://www.escortradar.com/register/9500iregister.asp
One of RD.net's users made a unofficial program for the 9500I here (The program is not by Escort):
= http://www.radardetector.net/forums/...auto-mode.html =
For now you can send in your 9500I to be updated to the xi softwair and a few new cool features for the small fee of $130.
GPS-Powered Truelock™ Filter. You can lock out those annoying falses you go by everyday and not have to explain to people in your car why your RD is going off and there are no cops around. The GPS filter can be turned on and off. keep in mind when the GPS filter is off GPS is still being monitored for speed alert/display out.
Mark Location Feature is for speed traps & cameras. Good for those traps set up on your not so frequently driven rides where LEO's use I/O.
Speed Alert™ shows your current speed by using GPS. Actually shows your current speed when the 9500I picks up radar or you can choose to leave it on all the time.
Voice Alerts. No need to take your eyes off the road, it tells you what band it’s detecting and what you are setting it too without taking your eyes off the road.
Auto Volume Control. Cool feature for those business trips with clients in your car that you don’t want to annoy. Doesn’t work well for me, not loud enough.
User-Selectable Preferences, Spec mode, expert mode and standard. You can see multiple threats or the actual frequency you’re being hit by. I prefer Expert Mode with its ability to show multiple threats. Spec mode is nice if you know your local LEO's frequency’s. And Standard is good for beginners or old school diehards.
5 Levels of Brightness Control & auto bright. Very cool no need to worry about not seeing the display during the day and no worry that the cop behind you sees the blaring red display at night.
VG-2 protection "the detector-detector"
Mute, Auto Mute & Smart Mute. Another Cool feature for those trips in your car that you don’t want to annoy your passengers. Auto Mute will dramatically reduce the volume of the current alert after 4-5 beeps.
Built-in Earphone Jack. You can also use this for out side amplification.
Safety Warning System. This is a truly awesome feature if it was available everywhere.
I am more likely to get a ticket because I ignore a detector going off with a lot of non LEO alerts than a quiet detector that when it goes off you react right away. In most cases you are going to have falses in places you can’t speed anyway (city’s, parking lots, many stop lights) so locking them out or using Auto mode will work just fine.
The bottom line is I really enjoy the quite commute, and I am more likely to react to an alert on a quiet detector than when I had a "noisy" detector.
Over all I am very satisfied with the 9500I and would recommend it to any intelligent RD user, Especially for City & dally commutes.
Section-7/\__________________________________________________ __
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Originally Posted by bigalinwv
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