Looking at some lab tests and field tests

[steve f]

Sorry if this is old news, I'm relatively new here, so still browsing through old threads. Although I bought my first detector over 20 years ago (Passport), I haven't used one in the past few years, so haven't really been keeping up with the technology until the past couple of months.

I came across the following chart from the archived stickys thread in the General forum, some of Mike B's results in the lab. I've been considering a Passport 9500i, so I found some of Mike B's results interesting when compared to the Guys Of Lidar test. Mike B's results are from May 07 (at least that's when they were posted here) and the GOL tests are from Aug 07, so they're relatively close in time.



The GOL test:

Guys of LIDAR - Radar Detector Test - August 2007

The 9500i in Mike B's chart is pretty close to the Bel 65 and the Passport 8500 X50in sensitivity. Most would say that's to be expected since they're all on the M4 platform. The RX65 and the X50 results in the GOL tests are pretty much consistent with Mike B's lab results relative to other detectors, however, in the GOL tests the 9500i they used runs neck in neck with the Valentines, and frequently ahead of the Bel STi. In Mike B's results, the STi and the Valentines show an advantage in sensitivity in most areas compared to the 9500i.

Anyone know if there some revision in the 9500i's software or hardware that was made mid-2007 to account for this?

Maybe the GOL 9500i was just a particularly hot unit and the results can be written off as a production variation, but the 9500i (in the GOL tests at least) comes off as pretty impressive.

[ahmadr]

Welcome to the group. Glad to see a newcomer that has done a fair amount of homework before posting

The 9500i was upgraded somewhere along the line from it's original form tested by our dear Michael B and by GOL in 07

The platform remained the same, but according to the Prof., some components were tweaked. It is unclear if/when other M4 products (x50, rx65, 995, 655, 640, etc.) were upgraded.

This summer, an escort CS told me that only the 9500 has the extra range, but they are not always 100% correct.

You can find out more by searching the forums; it has been covered multiple times.

[Digital Dude]

As a no-body from no-where, I too have been searching the forums, reading the test charts, and to some extent; flipping coins to decide on my first RD. I started with a simple GPS camera unit and then discovered it was really only one-third of the solution. As a paranoid non-speeder I only need protection from the casual encounter from speed cams. However, I now realize that agencies across the country are scrambling to raise revenue and so a driver as myself is still an easy prey.

Anyway, I determined that RD selection has to be based on factors of location (threat), driving style and affordability. I live in a piss-ant town that’s 200-miles from two major cities so speed cameras in those cities are my number one concern. Based on my limited readings and my personal habits, the "ix" may be the most likely candidate. Still, the 2009 models (if their is such a thing) may offer something more, but who knows when they'll hit the streets.

I mean, just based on my own assessment, it appears that LEO’s currently have the upper hand with the newer TrueSpeed and Low-K mobile camera units.
Regards,

[smithz]

When do the 09 models come out?

[Cips]

As a no-body from no-where, I too have been searching the forums, reading the test charts, and to some extent; flipping coins to decide on my first RD. I started with a simple GPS camera unit and then discovered it was really only one-third of the solution. As a paranoid non-speeder I only need protection from the casual encounter from speed cams. However, I now realize that agencies across the country are scrambling to raise revenue and so a driver as myself is still an easy prey.

Anyway, I determined that RD selection has to be based on factors of location (threat), driving style and affordability. I live in a piss-ant town that’s 200-miles from two major cities so speed cameras in those cities are my number one concern. Based on my limited readings and my personal habits, the "ix" may be the most likely candidate. Still, the 2009 models (if their is such a thing) may offer something more, but who knows when they'll hit the streets.

I mean, just based on my own assessment, it appears that LEO’s currently have the upper hand with the newer TrueSpeed and Low-K mobile camera units.
Regards,

Did you check out any of Cheetah's (the GPS mirror or the C100) or Navalert's products? They're primarily for speed and red light cameras.