New 9500i

[hansenc]

After much research from this forum and all its wonderful members I decided on purchasing a 9500i. It was between this unit and the V1. I decided on the 9500i because of the amount of city driving I do and the learning of false alarms. I hope it was the right decision.

One of the first things I noticed however right when I turn the unit on there is a high pitched whine coming out of the unit during voice alerts. Is this normal? I bought it locally at best buy and can return tomorrow if needed but would rather not if others have the same issue. Seems to only do it on voice alerts so it makes me think its not the speaker itself.

[RadarKid]

After much research from this forum and all its wonderful members I decided on purchasing a 9500i. It was between this unit and the V1. I decided on the 9500i because of the amount of city driving I do and the learning of false alarms. I hope it was the right decision.

One of the first things I noticed however right when I turn the unit on there is a high pitched whine coming out of the unit during voice alerts. Is this normal? I bought it locally at best buy and can return tomorrow if needed but would rather not if others have the same issue. Seems to only do it on voice alerts so it makes me think its not the speaker itself.

you'll love it! I love mine - its semi normal...not sure how high pitch you're talking but theres some change in noise when a voice alert comes on. You can lower the volume or shut the voice alert off

[hansenc]

you'll love it! I love mine - its semi normal...not sure how high pitch you're talking but theres some change in noise when a voice alert comes on. You can lower the volume or shut the voice alert off

Yeah I'm tempted to return it and just get another just in case. Its a lot of money to spend on something just want to make sure its perfect. I will hold off tonight on doing it and wait till tomorrow. Maybe some others can chime in.

[hansenc]

Help put my mind at ease and just test your radar and let me know if you are hearing what I am. Its like a high pitched whine only during the voice alerts everything else seems to be ok.

[MEM-TEK]

Help put my mind at ease and just test your radar and let me know if you are hearing what I am. Its like a high pitched whine only during the voice alerts everything else seems to be ok.

Test to see if your 9500i does this when your car's ignition is turned on but the engine isn't running. If it doesn't do it then, and only does it when the engine is running, then your car has some really bad alternator hum. Alternator hum which is that strong isn't good for any of the electronics in your car. Cleaning the battery posts and terminals, and checking that the connections on the alternator cables are clean and tight will usually solve the problem. Your car may also need a new alternator noise filtering capacitor which auto mechanics commonly call a condenser.

Also test your 9500i in another car to see if it still has the whine during voice alerts.

[hansenc]

Test to see if your 9500i does this when your car's ignition is turned on but the engine isn't running. If it doesn't do it then, and only does it when the engine is running, then your car has some really bad alternator hum. Alternator hum which is that strong isn't good for any of the electronics in your car. Cleaning the battery posts and terminals, and checking that the connections on the alternator cables are clean and tight will usually solve the problem. Your car may also need a new alternator noise filtering capacitor which auto mechanics commonly call a condenser.

Also test your 9500i in another car to see if it still has the whine during voice alerts.

Thanks!

This did cross my mind but I shrugged it off because it was only doing it with Voice Alerts and not just the regular radar alerts.

So I guess its safe to say other 9500i's don't do this? I will test in another vehicle. Sounds like the unit might be going back tomorrow for an exchange .

[MEM-TEK]

Thanks!

This did cross my mind but I shrugged it off because it was only doing it with Voice Alerts and not just the regular radar alerts.

So I guess its safe to say other 9500i's don't do this? I will test in another vehicle. Sounds like the unit might be going back tomorrow for an exchange. .

If your 9500i doesn't do this in another vehicle with its engine running and it doesn't do this in your vehicle with the engine off, then the problem is alternator hum in your vehicle. I forgot to mention, but one other source of alternator hum is corrosion and/or bad connections to your car's cigarette lighter jack.

What is the build date on your new 9500i? Look at the last four digits printed just to the right of the serial number. These four digits indicate the week and year of manufacture. For example, 1208 would indicate that the RD was produced during week 12 of 2008. Also, did your 9500i look brand spanking new in the box when you opened it up? No dust on it even in the tiny crevasses on its case? No signs that the suction cups had ever been used?

If you do take it back, be sure to talk with the store manager first and explain the hum and that you are not sure if it may be alternator hum in your car. Ask if the manager will accompany you to your car with another brand new 9500i so that you both can test it. Be sure to use the power cord that comes with the other brand new 9500i in order to also rule out a rare but flaky power cord. This way, if it turns out that the problem is alternator hum in your car, then the manager can legally re-shrink wrap the other new 9500i since it was never sold and remained in his possession at all times.

[hansenc]

If your 9500i doesn't do this in another vehicle with its engine running and it doesn't do this in your vehicle with the engine off, then the problem is alternator hum in your vehicle. I forgot to mention, but one other source of alternator hum is corrosion and/or bad connections to your car's cigarette lighter jack.

What is the build date on your new 9500i? Look at the last four digits printed just to the right of the serial number. These four digits indicate the week and year of manufacture. For example, 1208 would indicate that the RD was produced during week 12 of 2008. Also, did your 9500i look brand spanking new in the box when you opened it up? No dust on it even in the tiny crevasses on its case? No signs that the suction cups had ever been used?

If you do take it back, be sure to talk with the store manager first and explain the hum and that you are not sure if it may be alternator hum in your car. Ask if the manager will accompany you to your car with another brand new 9500i so that you both can test it. Be sure to use the power cord that comes with the other brand new 9500i in order to also rule out a rare but flaky power cord. This way, if it turns out that the problem is alternator hum in your car, then the manager can legally re-shrink wrap the other new 9500i since it was never sold and remained in his possession at all times.

Funny you bring up how it looked when I first opened it. The unit was bought from Best Buy and it did look like it had been opened before but the box was shrink wrapped. I figured they did this maybe at the store. The unit did have some little specks of dust on it but no marks just one smudge on a button. The suction cups didn't look used but they did have some what looked to be water spots on the outside of the cup. I'm thinking I got someone's returned device.

I will test it in a vehicle later tonight and post back with findings.

The last four of the serial # are 1408.

[MEM-TEK]

Funny you bring up how it looked when I first opened it. The unit was bought from Best Buy and it did look like it had been opened before but the box was shrink wrapped. I figured they did this maybe at the store. The unit did have some little specks of dust on it but no marks just one smudge on a button. The suction cups didn't look used but they did have some what looked to be water spots on the outside of the cup. I'm thinking I got someone's returned device.

I will test it in a vehicle later tonight and post back with findings.

The last four of the serial # are 1408.

I am thinking like you that this 9500i was a return which was shrink wrapped again and then sold to you as new. I would return it and open up the replacement one in the presence of the store manager and fully inspect it and everything in the box just to confirm in front of him that the replacement one and all of its accessories do indeed look to be completely brand new. Some stores aren't good about rotating stock. Just be sure that the date code on the bottom of the replacement 9500i is at least 4007 or later to assure that it has the ramp-up fix. Other than the ramp-up fix which was introduced last fall, there have since been no other production changes to the 9500i.

[hansenc]

I am thinking like you that this 9500i was a return which was shrink wrapped again and then sold to you as new. I would return it and open up the replacement one in the presence of the store manager and fully inspect it and everything in the box just to confirm in front of him that the replacement one and all of its accessories do indeed look to be completely brand new. Some stores aren't good about rotating stock. Just be sure that the date code on the bottom of the replacement 9500i is at least 4007 or later to assure that it has the ramp-up fix. Other than the ramp-up fix which was introduced last fall, there have since been no other production changes to the 9500i.

Thanks for your help, I know where I will be first thing in the morning!

I haven't had a radar detector in a long time, ever since my vehicle got broken into and my crappy one got stolen. Last 30 days I have received two speeding tickets. Hopefully this little bugger will help with that.