Got the wrong detector...but wait it's okay!!!

[Unkind]

Despite buying a "city" detector for the "highway" driving I do, I was pleasantly surprised today on my first real road trip with my 9500ix. I had to go from Clovis, NM to Las Vegas, NM to pick up a family member at the train station and head right back. On this 340 mile trip I had no less than 4 encounters, all legit saves. If anyone has ever traveled around this region they know these roads beg to be driven on. They are mostly one lane in each direction, flat with nothing around for miles, and have 10+ mile straightaways before they curve or hill. PSL is 65MPH 99% of the time.

I was first alerted to stationary C/O K band on US84 going towards Cannon AFB. My past experiences had been pretty bad with K band so I hit the brakes hard...only to keep driving and driving and eventually find him sitting at the underpass, about 2 miles away facing me.

My 2nd encounter was a bit more tricky. Traffic was pretty sparse, so I was being careful for I/O shots and trying to always keep a rabbit in front of me. When I inevitably needed to pass my rabbit, I'd then wait for oncoming traffic to clear (I could see for miles) and then gun it to catch up to the next rabbit. While approaching the rear of a small sedan, I received a weak Ka band alert. I slowed and maintained about a half mile spacing with the vehicle in front of me, the Ka alert would then drop, then alert again. After about 4 oncoming cars passed me, I realized the LEO was the vehicle in front of me. I had the pleasure of following him going 65MPH for about 10 miles before he finally got someone. It was a good experience actually, because while watching him I gained a better understanding of how I/O radar is used. The only downside is I had no way to warn the oncoming motorists, and felt pretty bad. The LEO finally flipped around to tag someone and me and the 7 series bimmer on my 6 were off to the races again.

The next encounter was on my way home. I was on US84 South almost towards Fort Sumner when I received a pretty strong Ka band alert. Since I was on a small curve with a downward grade, I slowed quickly expecting only a short distance between me and the state trooper. I came out of the curve and received a strong blast of Ka band, then dropped signal. 2 oncoming cars later, here comes Mr. State Trooper with I/O Ka band ready to blast me going down the hill. Total warning ~approx 1 mile.

My last encounter came shortly after, passing through Fort Sumner in a 30MPH zone. I normally do not speed in the cities anyway, so I was going PSL. I received an alert at well over a mile before I passed a LEO shooting C/O Ka band from a gas station into oncoming traffic.

All in all, I was pleasantly surprised at the performance of my 9500ix. I had some scares at first that I can't really account for, but I definitely feel a lot better now. With smart use of rabbits, slowing on hills/corners, and just plain driving smarter, I had more than enough time to react to every alert. While I'm sure it would have been easier if I had done my research and purchased the Redline instead, I am definitely not disappointed and will not be looking to "upgrade" any time soon. The 9500ix paid for itself today, and on top of that allowed me to pick someone up 170 miles away and return in just under 4 hours.

[STiMULi]

City Detector?

I am glad it worked out for you but as much as I would like to get a Redline there are still many attributes of the 9500ix that I find very useful on the long desert stretches where there is not a city for a hundred miles or more.

[bigalinwv]

Good to hear you're happy with it. It takes a lot of miles and a lot of scenarios to really judge a detector's sensitivity. Most of the time as soon as you buy one, there's no radar for a week.

[CJR238]

City Detector?

I am glad it worked out for you but as much as I would like to get a Redline there are still many attributes of the 9500ix that I find very useful on the long desert stretches where there is not a city for a hundred miles or more.

I agree 100%, I had my 9500i/ix for over 2 years and it preformed very well on the highway and the city.

Good to hear you're happy with it. It takes a lot of miles and a lot of scenarios to really judge a detector's sensitivity. Most of the time as soon as you buy one, there's no radar for a week.

Very true, it goes both ways. If you pass LEO's and are not alerted or have short warnings give it time and if you get a 3 mile encounter, give it time.

The better you know your RD the better it can help you no matter the make or model.

[Silver Bullet]

The LEO finally flipped around to tag someone and me and the 7 series bimmer on my 6 were off to the races again.

Come on, you can admit it...the 7-series was in front of you

All in all, I was pleasantly surprised at the performance of my 9500ix. I had some scares at first that I can't really account for, but I definitely feel a lot better now. With smart use of rabbits, slowing on hills/corners, and just plain driving smarter, I had more than enough time to react to every alert. While I'm sure it would have been easier if I had done my research and purchased the Redline instead, I am definitely not disappointed and will not be looking to "upgrade" any time soon.

Glad to hear you're happy with the 9500ix My son has one and he loves it...many saves under his belt.

If/when you move (to a real city) from that god-forsaken place you call home, you'll learn to appreciate the speed camera database too. But down the road if you really want to have the best of both worlds get a CI! Think about it, Redline sensitivity with GPS of the IX. Oh and the best part is you won't have to keep taken it down every time you drive through the gate

Bottom line, if you're smart when you speed you'll be just fine; if you're not, you're living on borrowed time...no matter what RD you use!

[Unkind]

The LEO finally flipped around to tag someone and me and the 7 series bimmer on my 6 were off to the races again.

Come on, you can admit it...the 7-series was in front of you

All in all, I was pleasantly surprised at the performance of my 9500ix. I had some scares at first that I can't really account for, but I definitely feel a lot better now. With smart use of rabbits, slowing on hills/corners, and just plain driving smarter, I had more than enough time to react to every alert. While I'm sure it would have been easier if I had done my research and purchased the Redline instead, I am definitely not disappointed and will not be looking to "upgrade" any time soon.

Glad to hear you're happy with the 9500ix My son has one and he loves it...many saves under his belt.

If/when you move (to a real city) from that god-forsaken place you call home, you'll learn to appreciate the speed camera database too. But down the road if you really want to have the best of both worlds get a CI! Think about it, Redline sensitivity with GPS of the IX. Oh and the best part is you won't have to keep taken it down every time you drive through the gate

Bottom line, if you're smart when you speed you'll be just fine; if you're not, you're living on borrowed time...no matter what RD you use!

After the LEO flipped a u-turn the beamer did pass me, I attempted to keep up with him but unfortunately my truck has a governor on it at 110, and he didn't.
Going to take care of that pesky thing soon though (the governor).

As for a custom install, that's next on my list after I get some laser protection. They don't use it here in NM, but they do use it in some places in Texas and I travel there frequently.

[STiMULi]

As for a custom install, that's next on my list after I get some laser protection. They don't use it here in NM, but they do use it in some places in Texas and I travel there frequently.

They do use it in NM.

It is/was regularly used between ABQ and Santa Fe in the mornings and evenings on I25

[Unkind]

I heard of very very sparse use on overpasses, but there aren't many of those either. This trip to Las Vegas was the first time I've ever driven on I-25. Normally I do 90% of my driving on US60/84 and I-40. In any case, I do plan on getting jammers soon.

[jmccam]

I enjoyed my IX a lot. It was a solid performer that had very good range and sensitivity and boat load of functions. It helped propel me into my out of control spending on other countermeasures!

My only real complaint was the ramp-up. It was terrible 1-1-2-2-3-3-8-8-8-8-8-8!

[Unkind]

My only real complaint was the ramp-up. It was terrible 1-1-2-2-3-3-8-8-8-8-8-8!

That part is definitely true....good thing I slow on the first beep.