Will the 9500ix have bugs??

**DRS** · 07-01-2008 01:39 AM

Hello everyone! This is my first post here on this board. I've been lurking around this board for the last couple of days. I found so much useful information here, especially from the very experienced ones. I'll try to share my knowledge, if any (LOL), with the rest of the board. But basically, I'm here to learn! Im glad I stumbled across this forum while searching for radar detectors on the net. I'm glad to be here.

Anyways, on to my question/situation. I bought a blue 8500 x50 at best buy about a year ago. I also purchased the 3 year warranty plan for it. Well, about a month ago, I took my blue 8500 x50 back to bestbuy because I notice the detection range had significantly decreased over the period I owned it. I originaly wanted to exchange it for another x50, but then I noticed they had the 9500i. I ask bestbuy if I could exchange the x50 for the 9500i and I'll pay the difference. They said no problem. So I took home a 9500i and used it for about a 3 weeks. It was a great detector but I experienced two problems with it. First, it would display on its screen the words, "power reset. It would display that every time I drive about 20-30 miles. Then I'll have to unplug it, then plug it in, and it'll work fine for the next 20 miles or so. It became a pain because my commute is about 180 miles round trip! My second problem, I would receive X band radar even though I had it disabled. So that eventually got annoying when I would pass garage openers and the like. Well, I revisited bestbuy and ask if I could exchange for another 9500i. They gave me another one after I explained the problems I had. So now I have a 9500i again. I haven't open the box yet because now I hear that the 9500ix is coming out soon.

I really want the new 9500ix. Today, I asked escort if I could send in my 9500i (unopened) for the 9500ix and I'll pay the difference. They said I could send it in for an upgrade for a charge of 129.99 whether its open or not. Now I'm wondering if I should try bestbuy to get a refund? Do you think they can do that? I might try tommorrow. If I could get a refund from bestbuy, that would be cool because I could then purchase directly from escort.

But then it just hit me today. I wonder if the 9500ix will have bugs. I wouldnt want to purchase one if I'm gonna have problems with it. I might be happier with my 9500i. I really want the new one just because its new (LOL), and also like the red light cameras. They are popping up all over here in Southern California. Its really nice to be reminded of all the cameras as you are passing through them. I also like the fact that the USB feature will be used.

What would you do? Keep the 9500i or buy the 9500ix (possible bugs). If the 9500ix has bugs, will escort fix the problem for free if I purchased it from bestbuy? Or do they charge to fix their problems? I haven't opened my 9500i for the reason that I thought it would be easily exchanged for another model, but that doesnt seem to be the case. I'm really tempted to open it becuase I feel naked when I drive without a rd, especially when I commute. I would like to hear about what you think.

Again its great to be here...and thanks in advance!

**Google Adsense** · 07-01-2008 01:39 AM

**djrams80** · 07-01-2008 02:15 AM

I highly doubt that the 9500ix will have any bugs, because it sounds like it sounds a lot like my 9500ci, which is pretty bug free.

**TSi+WRX** · 07-01-2008 08:28 AM

^ Overall, I agree with djrams's view of the ix stand-alone unit, however, certainly, it also wouldn't be the first time in Escort's history that what should be trouble-free, turns out to be somewhat buggy.

Look at the "blue" 9500i's display. Look at the rear ZR4 head's leakage/weatherproofing issues. Both should, by past-history standards, have been resolved, yet were bugs that filtered out to the production units.

It may still prove prudent, particularly if you're not a "detector enthusiast" who must have the latest and greatest, to at least let "those freaks" ( er....hey, I resemble that remark!

) be the beta-testers.

BTW, DRS, welcome to RD.net.

Oh, and as a "welcome to the community" tip -

It is very likely that there's something awry with either your 12V accessory plug or your vehicle hardwire installation, based on what your 9500i is doing with the "Powering off, please unplug" warning.

I do believe that your X-band issue may be a true fault (or could be related to the former), but the power issue will likely resume itself with both your current, replacement, 9500i unit or with the ix.

The 9500i is very voltage sensitive - much more so than the x50. It has been said by some here that this is due to the requirements of the GPS chip, but regardless of what is causing it, it is definitely true that the 9500i requires more consistent power input.

The first problem to eliminate would be the SmartCord, by trying it in another vehicle. The next problem to tackle would be to trace down potential faults in your vehicle's 12V accessory plug and/or your hardwiring setup - as well as, if it comes to that, your vehicle's charging system.

**RadarKid** · 07-01-2008 08:39 AM

Originally Posted by djrams80

I highly doubt that the 9500ix will have any bugs, because it sounds like it sounds a lot like my 9500ci, which is pretty bug free.

Escorts don't have bugs.

**DRS** · 07-01-2008 11:23 AM

I feel a little more confident to buy the 9500ix. So, is the 'ix' more closely related to the 'ci' or the 'i' model. Although the 'ci' was pretty much bug free, the 'i' had a few bugs of its own, with ramp-up, and...

Let's say I buy a 9500ix and be the beta-tester. Then let's say I notice is has poor ramp-up, Will escort fix the problem free of charge?

Thanks guys for your feedback!

**RadarKid** · 07-01-2008 11:27 AM

Originally Posted by DRS

I feel a little more confident to buy the 9500ix. So, is the 'ix' more closely related to the 'ci' or the 'i' model. Although the 'ci' was pretty much bug free, the 'i' had a few bugs of its own, with ramp-up, and...

Let's say I buy a 9500ix and be the beta-tester. Then let's say I notice is has poor ramp-up, Will escort fix the problem free of charge?

Thanks guys for your feedback!

Closer to the "i" than "ix" in my opinion.

It's the ci minus the extra recevers/shifters, external antenna, speaker, and conceiled displays. Its the i with added AutoLearn, and a built in upgradable GPS database of cameras.

**MEM-TEK** · 07-01-2008 12:21 PM

The 9500ix should be completely bug free since blue LED display issues have already been addressed with the blue 9500i models. Other than that, the only real change in the ix is the switch to a 32bit processor versus the 16bit processor used in the original 9500i model. The 32bit processor is already in use in the 9500ci, and I encountered no issues whatsoever while testing the 9500ci at SML and while having fun driving around town in El Paso and to the various test sites with the 9500ci. In other words, I had a lot of fun putting the 32bit processor 9500ci through its paces when it wasn't being tested at SML without anything weird being observed. I powered the 9500ci by attaching a Radio Shack lighter socket plug. SML testing required that I immediately killed power to the 9500ci dozens of times by simply pulling the cigarette lighter power plug from the lighter socket and then plugging it back in when my car was up again for the next test. I noted that there were no blue LED display problems nor any lockups or other issues with saved settings. All in all, the 9500ci's operation seemed to be bullet-proof. So, my best guess is that the new 9500ix simply borrows the 9500ci's 32bit processor technology which, hopefully, has been tested six ways from Sunday in the 9500ci.

**TSi+WRX** · 07-01-2008 12:31 PM

^ Very good points.

Let's just say that, based on Escort's past history, although I'm an optimist and would like to remain optimistic on this one, I'm still not going to hold my breath.

**RadarKid** · 07-01-2008 12:48 PM

Originally Posted by TSi+WRX

^ Very good points.

Let's just say that, based on Escort's past history, although I'm an optimist and would like to remain optimistic on this one, I'm still not going to hold my breath.

**CJR238** · 07-01-2008 01:12 PM

Originally Posted by TSi+WRX

^ Very good points.

Let's just say that, based on Escort's past history, although I'm an optimist and would like to remain optimistic on this one, I'm still not going to hold my breath.