I'm Confused...Don't Know What To Get

**eightball120** · 06-03-2008, 04:29 PM

I can't make up my mind between a V1, STi, or a 9500i. I want a radar dectector that is going to give me an alert long before I drive by the actual speed trap. I'm very confused on which one to get. Please help me determine which is the best choice. Thanks.

**djrams80** · 06-03-2008, 04:33 PM

Originally Posted by eightball120

I can't make up my mind between a V1, STi, or a 9500i. I want a radar dectector that is going to give me an alert long before I drive by the actual speed trap. I'm very confused on which one to get. Please help me determine which is the best choice. Thanks.

Where do you live? Where do you drive? Highway/City/Both? What kind of car? How fast? We'll start there.

**eightball120** · 06-03-2008, 04:46 PM

I live in massachusetts, sometimes I drive more city than highway and then other times I drive more highway than city. Also someone I know says that 12 band dectectors are ineffective because they only work if the radar gun is pointed at the specific car or within around 20 feet and by the time you get the alert you will already be clocked. Also that radio towers can set them off. Is he correct?

**MEM-TEK** · 06-03-2008, 04:50 PM

Hi eightball120,

The questions which djrams80 asks are all very relevant. If you don't want to let us know exactly where you live, at least say if RDs are legal and what your driving conditions (flat, winding, hilly, mountainous with hills and curves, or whatever) are like. Also, what percentage of your driving conditions consists of interstate/rural vs. suburban/city driving. Also, will it mostly be you alone in the car with your RD, or will passengers/family mostly be in your car when using your RD?

From this information, several forum members can put all of your responses together and then make their suggestions as to what is the perfect RD for your needs. You are in good hands here. Be patient and wait for the responses once you answer the above questions.

**alienbogey** · 06-03-2008, 04:52 PM

There have been lots of threads on this topic........there is a thread going over on the Escort section with "Zombie" in the title that has a still-civil discussion of the 9500i versus V1 - some good points are made by fans of both detectors, including some who have owned or do own both. Check it out to get info on those two to help your decision.

**djrams80** · 06-03-2008, 04:53 PM

Originally Posted by eightball120

I live in massachusetts, sometimes I drive more city than highway and then other times I drive more highway than city. Also someone I know says that 12 band dectectors are ineffective because they only work if the radar gun is pointed at the specific car or within around 20 feet and by the time you get the alert you will already be clocked. Also that radio towers can set them off. Is he correct?

If you don't travel to Virginia or DC much, this would eliminate the STi, since both the V1 and 9500i have better features than the STi and you don't need the stealth of the STi. So here are my synopsis of the V1 and 9500i, although I'm sure there will be other's opinions that might differ:

1. V1 has arrows, bogey counter, slightly more sensitive, pretty noisy
2. 9500i has spec mode, expert mode, slightly less sensitive, Truelock, GPS based auto mode

They're very even, in my opinion. Both have 30 day money back guarantees if they are bought from the manufacturer.

**djrams80** · 06-03-2008, 04:58 PM

Originally Posted by alienbogey

There have been lots of threads on this topic........there is a thread going over on the Escort section with "Zombie" in the title that has a still-civil discussion of the 9500i versus V1 - some good points are made by fans of both detectors, including some who have owned or do own both. Check it out to get info on those two to help your decision.

Excellent advice. Here is the thread:
http://www.radardetector.net/forums/...s-youtube.html

**eightball120** · 06-03-2008, 04:59 PM

Originally Posted by MEM-TEK

Hi eightball120,

The questions which djrams80 asks are all very relevant. If you don't want to let us know exactly where you live, at least say if RDs are legal and what your driving conditions (flat, winding, hilly, mountainous with hills and curves, or whatever) are like. Also, what percentage of your driving conditions consists of interstate/rural vs. suburban/city driving. Also, will it mostly be you alone in the car with your RD, or will passengers/family mostly be in your car when using your RD?

From this information, several forum members can put all of your responses together and then make their suggestions as to what is the perfect RD for your needs. You are in good hands here. Be patient and wait for the responses once you answer the above questions.

Radar dectectors are legal here. The driving conditions is there are tree's, windy roads, sometimes with hills. But there are also straight aways that I drive in too. I drive on the highway almost everyday, and almost everyday I drive into rural areas and city like areas with lots of buildings and plaza's. Occasionally I will do a roadtrip that is pretty much all highway driving. Sometimes i'm alone in my car but a lot of times I will have a friend in the car with me while i'm driving.

**jimbonzzz** · 06-03-2008, 04:59 PM

Here's a start:

You want to be notified of every potential threat so you can make the decision of how to handle it? V1.

You drive where radar detectors are illegal? STi.

You want good sensitivity, but can't stand false alerts and are willing to take on a little risk for a quieter drive? 9500i.

**SuperSalad** · 06-03-2008, 07:00 PM

I love my V1 but driving with anyone other than another V1 zombie makes the drive..a little 'less enjoyable?" Best words I can put it in. Most other V1 owners probably know what I'm talking about. A lot of people find the excessive noise very annoying and they quickly begin to hate the V1 and driving in my car. Of course the V1 sounds are music to my ears, but not really to anyone else's. That just a thought though.

Otherwise I love my V1. I think djrams brings up the best points though. I agree with them anyways.

-SuperSalad