9500IX - Auto Mode - My question -> your thoughts

[DrTahoe]

I am about 10 days in on a 9500IX.

If I use highway mode, I understand that that the 95000IX is using the highest level of sensativity possible. If you are in Auto mode, the KA & laser is not reduced, but the K&X are based on your speed (GPS enabled).

Is the idea that if you are going the speed limits (55 - 65MPH) you don't need high sensativity? Is the unit smart enough to kick in when it detects that you are are at higher speeds?

To boil it down... highway mode only on the highway, or is it safe to run in auto mode when you have a GPS unit that knows how fast you are going?

Dr Tahoe

[snoopyc4]

My recommendation is to run your ix in highway mode ALL the time. You should not restrict your detector's sensitivity with Auto mode.

[bopbop]

I don't have the 9500ix, I have the x50 when I use the highway mode I get a lot of hits from K, Ka band compare to Automode.

That tells you how much sensitivity you will get in highway compare to auto.

[CJR238]

I am about 10 days in on a 9500IX.

If I use highway mode, I understand that that the 95000IX is using the highest level of sensativity possible. If you are in Auto mode, the KA & laser is not reduced, but the K&X are based on your speed (GPS enabled).

Is the idea that if you are going the speed limits (55 - 65MPH) you don't need high sensativity? Is the unit smart enough to kick in when it detects that you are are at higher speeds?

To boil it down... highway mode only on the highway, or is it safe to run in auto mode when you have a GPS unit that knows how fast you are going?

Dr Tahoe

AutoMode reduces K & X sensitivity drastically at slower speeds (0-25mph) as your speed increases so does its sensitivity. ~45+ will give you Highway mode sensitivity in theory.

AutoMode is fine to use all the time but its not necessary with the features of the ix. I leave mine in Highway mode all the time unless im driving with other people, then i will put it in Auto or Auto NoX. Your rolling the dice at 30 to 45mph as to how much it filters.

If i drove only ~30mph than to 55mph i would probably use AutoMode more but i drive allot of 30 to 50mph.

[MEM-TEK]

I am about 10 days in on a 9500IX.

If I use highway mode, I understand that that the 95000IX is using the highest level of sensativity possible. If you are in Auto mode, the KA & laser is not reduced, but the K&X are based on your speed (GPS enabled).

Is the idea that if you are going the speed limits (55 - 65MPH) you don't need high sensativity? Is the unit smart enough to kick in when it detects that you are are at higher speeds?

To boil it down... highway mode only on the highway, or is it safe to run in auto mode when you have a GPS unit that knows how fast you are going?

Dr Tahoe

As CJR mentioned, Auto Sensitivity mode greatly reduces X and K band sensitivity while driving at rather slow speeds of 20 to 25 mph. This works wonders for reducing or even completely eliminating false alerts from somewhat nearby X and K band microwave automatic door openers.

As you speed up, the X and K band sensitivity quickly ramps up to full sensitivity once you reach a speed of 50 mph. The sensitivity ramp-up is not linear and instead is logarithmic. Thus, by the time your speed has increased to 35 mph, the X and K band sensitivity has ramped up more than it would have if the ramp-up was strictly linear from 20 mph to 50 mph. No matter what, once your speed is 50 mph or greater then a 9500 series radar detector is operating at maximum sensitivity on all bands when in Auto Sensitivity mode.

I live in a really small town which has three shopping centers located within 1/2 of a mile of one another. There are a total of 12 K band door openers located within 1/2 mile of one another, with 8 sets of these door openers located within 1/4 mile of one another and 6 sets located within 1/4 mile of one another. Using TrueLock for this tight cluster of so many door openers is impossible since all radar frequencies anywhere near 24.15 K band would be locked out. So, for this nasty scenario, I simply switch my 9500ci to Auto Sensitivity mode rather than locking out these locations since all three of these locations are simply way too close to one another.