9500i Rear Detection
So, as I sit here this evening, bummed that I still have another 2 or 3 days before I receive my replacement 9500i, I'm thinking about how its acted since receiving it originally.
One thing that really sticks out in my mind, is REAR DETECTION. I've read over and over again people praising the V1's rear detection, and badmouthing ESCORTS rear detection. If I understand correctly, the V1 is the only detector that has "REAR DETECTION"...
someone can confirm or deny that for me in this thread....
but back to my real point.
As I decided to hardwire my 9500i in my car, I had to make a decision about WHERE I'd be mounting it on the dash. It was a toss up for me between up high to the left of the rear view, behind the rear view, or to the right of it.
To the left of it required it to be high enough to be out of my line of site. This meant that the fairly narrow tint strip not only shaded it, but the front 1/2 of the detector was now obstructed by the roof liner. This meant that it received no direct sunlight on its auto sensor, and therefore in autobrightness mode (which I prefer) - it would remain very dim because it assumed it was night time and low light.
I ruled that out for that reason. For it to be low enough to catch direct sky light, it'd be in my line of sight for driving, not to mention blatantly obvious to any LEO or passer by.
To the far right of the rear view meant the same problem for lighting, although because it was on the passenger side, I could move it down lower without it obstructing my view. But it created another pain in the @ss. It was harder to reach to manipulate the buttons on top. This combined with the fact that the 9500i doesnt offer the angled view towards the driver made me decide against the far right.
So now it was decided I'd mount it dead center of the windshield (L to R), and now I just needed to decide how high top to bottom. I wanted it as hidden as possible, and thats the main reason I took the time to install the hardwire to begin with. I could mount it dead center of the windshield, but it still seemed to obvious it was there. I then try 3/4 up which was just a bit lower than the rear view...and it still seemed too "out in the open". I thought it'd be really "stealthy" to mount it almost inline with the rear view mirror. I'm low enough in my drivers seat so that I can get a direct view of the digital reading, although from the rear its nearly impossible to tell theres anything there, and the same goes for the front (aside from the slight hint of the suction cups...I have new black ones on the way).
My fear in mounting it this way though, was that because it was behind the rear view mirror, I would be obstructing rear detection as a result. The front had its clear view of the entire front of the car, but on the rear side was the rear view mirror. I figured I'd give it a shot for a while and see how it worked.
Here's my opinion. The 9500i has AMAZING rear detection. I've had a TON of times where officers have approached from the rear and I knew they were coming WAY ahead of time. Even more impressive is that I've been in situations like this image below, and I still detect it with the LEO facing the OPPOSITE way for 1/2 mile down the road. These were situations with TOWN cops that don't have the FRONT and REAR guns setup...only fronts. Our state troopers have the rear radar though.
OK - thats it - I just wanted to add that so people researching opinions of the 9500i see that not EVERYONE thinks its lacking at rear detection. I've been EXTREMELY impressed with it. Theres no debating that its a great detector for front detection, and you hear about that often...but not so much rear. My girlfriend (who couldnt care less about my love for detectors), has even commented on how great its been with vehicles coming from behind us.
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Originally Posted by hockey005
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