New 9500ix Minor Rattle + Q's

[Monoxcide]

I just purchased my 9500ix (first radar detector) today and installed it fairly quickly so I could use it on my way home. I set it to auto and let it go. I was quite surprised leaving work as we have motion sensitive doors and it never went off (I thought it was broken). On the highway it alerted to a few x bands (stores along the road) and quickly quieted them (Guessing this is Auto Mute) and one K band which beeped, then shut up. I'm guessing here was the fact I was at 30mph then stopped.

With music in the background all was fine but when I muted it I could hear faint rattling. My windshield is pretty steep and the only way I could get it to be straight was using the last mount notch resting it against the window. The suspension is pretty rough, not much give and the roads aren't that great either. I did notice the mount was a little bit on an angle, may have to bend it back but is this something typical? It is also right in the middle of the wind shield.

I saw a few velcro/rubber sticker fixes or a nylon piece but the complaints were all against the X50.

Do you think I mounted it wrong? Also how badly does auto mute affect the volume. Is it a complete mute or just a less loud one. Seems almost silly if it alerts you for a few seconds then stops. Is it generally accepted to keep it in Highway mode with auto-learn on? The manual doesn't state when full sensitivity is reached on Auto mode.

Sorry for all the questions. Any additional advice would be appreciated. I was originally contemplating the V1 but my work discount on this 9500ix was just too much to pass up. So far I really like it Just hope to stop the rattle

[CJR238]

It will take some trial and error to perfet mounting your RD. Escorts mount can be difficult.
Will you be hard wiring it? and will you be mounting it by the rear view mirror?

Determine exactly where you want it first, than fine tune your mounting position.

[MEM-TEK]

Bel/Escort windshield mounting brackets are meant to be bent in order to get the bottom notched portion of the bracket fairly level. Once this is done, you simply find the best notch and fine tweak the angle of the bracket to get your RD level.

[WK446]

I think the Escort mounting clip is partially to blame because there is some looseness/play in sliding tab/locking mechanism. However, the other culprit is the hard plastic nibs on the rear of the unit, near the top edge of the lens.

This may sound strange, but I was conducting some testing and noticed that the 9500i/ix rattled slightly compared to the STi Driver and the Valentine V1. If you look at the backs of the aforementioned RDs, you will notice that the STi has a rubberized edge close to where it meets the windshield. The V1 also has a rubber lip (for lack of a better word). The 9500i/ix does not. I think the rubber edge/lip on the STi and V1 help "grip" the windshield and add cushioning/dampening. The 9500i/ix lacks this and is subsequently made of a hard plastic that rattles against the windshield.

For such a high end unit, Escort need only to add a similar rubber coating to the two plastic nibs on the back of the 9500i/ix and the problem would be solved.

FWIW, I have a bottle of black Plasti Dip on order, and I plan to "dip" (or paint) these two nibs. Once accomplished, I think the vibration/rattles will be gone for good.

[Scott]

I think the Escort mounting clip is partially to blame because there is some looseness/play in sliding tab/locking mechanism. However, the other culprit is the hard plastic nibs on the rear of the unit, near the top edge of the lens.

This may sound strange, but I was conducting some testing and noticed that the 9500i/ix rattled slightly compared to the STi Driver and the Valentine V1. If you look at the backs of the aforementioned RDs, you will notice that the STi has a rubberized edge close to where it meets the windshield. The V1 also has a rubber lip (for lack of a better word). The 9500i/ix does not. I think the rubber edge/lip on the STi and V1 help "grip" the windshield and add cushioning/dampening. The 9500i/ix lacks this and is subsequently made of a hard plastic that rattles against the windshield.

For such a high end unit, Escort need only to add a similar rubber coating to the two plastic nibs on the back of the 9500i/ix and the problem would be solved.

FWIW, I have a bottle of black Plasti Dip on order, and I plan to "dip" (or paint) these two nibs. Once accomplished, I think the vibration/rattles will be gone for good.

Yep. Just picked up a can at Lowe's yesterday and painted (rubberized) the two tips that rest against the windshield. Also, put some felt (loop) fastener on the shelf of the 9500ix where the windshield mounting bracket slides into the detector. Now all is secure and quiet.

Escort really needs to address this seeing as though this is their top of the line windshield mount detector!

[WK446]

Great minds think alike?

Scott: Did the Plasti Dip bond well with the plastic? Any issues?

Yep. Just picked up a can at Lowe's yesterday and painted (rubberized) the two tips that rest against the windshield. Also, put some felt (loop) fastener on the shelf of the 9500ix where the windshield mounting bracket slides into the detector. Now all is secure and quiet.

Escort really needs to address this seeing as though this is their top of the line windshield mount detector!

[Scott]

Great minds think alike?

Scott: Did the Plasti Dip bond well with the plastic? Any issues?

Just trying it out today and the black Plasti Dip matches the casing perfectly. The can says to allow at least 4 hours drying time. I would allow that or more. If you mount it too soon it will leave a small mark on the windshield where it contacts. So far, so good.

[Monoxcide]

I fixed the rattle by putting the clip on the detector first, then mounting it. Quiet as can be now!

This is my first detector so I get kind of jumpy when it goes off. I may need the firmware update. I got a few random K/X signals and the initial beep is damn loud/fast then goes down to 1 bar and disappears. I never saw any police and the alert barely lasted 5 seconds. Is it door openers setting this off? I was on the highway.

The only cops I've passed so far had no radar equipment going so I haven't had a chance to actually test it. But so far I really like it! Red light Camera alert saved me twice. Impressed me how it moves the alert from 200ft to 500ft if your above 50-60.

Thanks for all the help!

[robert2617]

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