Laser fail on escort 9500ix?

[thisn00bagain]

So during the holiday season trip, made a 800+ mile drive.

During this drive I encountered many LEOs.
The breakdown I would say for the ones I noticed was roughly 60/40 laser/radar.

Im using:
Escort 9500ix w/ smart cord live
Escort live APP
Blinder hp905
Veil G4

For all the Lasers traps I encountered where the LEO was shooting from the front, the 9500ix did not throw a single alert.
The first few misses, I didn't think of it too much, but towards the middle of the trip it started to worry me. I thought maybe someone had turned off the laser detection on it, so I checked then rebooted it.
Later on, still nothing. Also verified it's on using the App.
The 9500ix is mounted as low as possible on the dash without any blockage of line of sight.

Is my 9500ix Dead?

[Veil Guy]

So during the holiday season trip, made a 800+ mile drive.

During this drive I encountered many LEOs.
The breakdown I would say for the ones I noticed was roughly 60/40 laser/radar.

Im using:
Escort 9500ix w/ smart cord live
Escort live APP
Blinder hp905
Veil G4

For all the Lasers traps I encountered where the LEO was shooting from the front, the 9500ix did not throw a single alert.
The first few misses, I didn't think of it too much, but towards the middle of the trip it started to worry me. I thought maybe someone had turned off the laser detection on it, so I checked then rebooted it.
Later on, still nothing. Also verified it's on using the App.
The 9500ix is mounted as low as possible on the dash without any blockage of line of sight.

Is my 9500ix Dead?

I would suggest you PM Larry here (he's EscortRadar) and arrange to have it serviced.

I have always found the 9500 series of detectors to be lacking in the laser sensitivity department and the Max even more so; I once got a laser ticket on an LA freeway at night and the 9500ix completely failed to alert. That was basically the last time I drove with one.

Escort's best detectors at laser have been the 8500 series, the Smart Radar, the Redline, and their new Passport. It's also important to be cognizant of the fact that the older Escort models while sensitive are not able to "see" the latest police lasers. This makes the only detector in your range worth considering, IMO, the new Passport.

Maybe get the unit serviced and then sell it or trade it in towards a better (laser detecting) detector.

The the only other mfr's detectors that are keeping up with the latest police lasers are the V1 and the top models from Whistler such as the CR90/CR85.

VG

[North Alabama]

Question? Have you ever had any know lidar alerts in the past? Any false alerts from other autos? Also, just for info, what are your ranges for radar detections?

[gmctrucks]

My 9500ix picked up Laser in San Antonio so watch it fellow Texans but I never seen a LEO's.

[1MORLAP]

You should mount it high NOT low. That maybe your first mistake. But it is possible that your unit is busted. Find cops shooting laser and drive in circles to test.

[CeeAre]

Okay, now it's threads like this that get a noob like me talkin' to hisself.

"Hisself" I say, "I keep getting conflicting info from bona fide guru's...what's a guy to believe?"

First, let's clarify one thing...I may be a noob, but I've used a laser pointer and I know that that beam does NOT expand like a "normal" light. Yeah, I understand the concept of "spatter", but that beam of light stays tighter than a step dad's wallet, so if it's being properly aimed/operated by the LEO...it NEVER made it to your windshield. It hit your headlight/front plate and bounced back, and if that detector went off, it's just reminding you to pull over and not make that cop any madder by making him chase you.

All these laser detectors may be cutting edge high tech, but they ain't magic. If the beam did NOT hit it...how is it supposed to detect it? Spatter? I'm staking my driving record on...spatter?

Hence the need for active and/or passive laser disruption.

So now we come to the "Oh, you have to mount it high", countered by "No, no...ya gotta go low for laser, high for k/ka." and BOTH of these admonitions coming from people who are NOT noobs, but actually know something about this stuff. And I'm not just talking about this thread...there is a disconnect in the RD community over this, knowledgeable folks giving conflicting advice lots of places on the Internet.

Heck...it's enough to make a feller drive the speed limit...almost...

Any insight would be appreciated.

Ride safe,
CR

[Veil Guy]

Mounting lower and in the center is I believe a better position than high, especially with detectors that are "weak" in sensitivity to laser and the 9500ix (as well as the Max series) qualifies.

Few detectors am I comfortable with mounting high. The big exception to this is the V1. Other than that, mid to low mounting is superior.

High mounting tends to assist in RADAR reception in certain scenarios, but if sensitivity to laser is a concern, then in general mid to low...

VG

[CeeAre]

Okay, now that buttresses what I've been told by...ummm...wait a minute...not too sure of the rules here...maybe I'm not supposed to plug folks on here...

Let's just say it rhymes with "Badar Boy".

So that's TWO guru's in agreement...works for me!

Ride safe,
CR

[Veil Guy]

Okay, now that buttresses what I've been told by...ummm...wait a minute...not too sure of the rules here...maybe I'm not supposed to plug folks on here...

Let's just say it rhymes with "Badar Boy".

So that's TWO guru's in agreement...works for me!

Ride safe,
CR

LOL. Now all we have to do now is to convince BB that the V1 and RL reign supreme.

Agreements in this passionate community tend to be fleeting and few and far between. In fact I know some can't even agree on the time of day. For instance it's a bit after 9am, but I know there are going to be those that maintain that the time is just after 7am!

Sheez!

VG

[yellowcab]

Anyone expecting their radar detector to protect them from a LIDAR ticket when being targeted by the LEO is mistaken. As soon as your radar detector goes off, the LEO has your speed with very rare exceptions. When it comes to catching laser scatter, it doesn't make a difference if the detector is mounted high or low.

USE AND MOUNT YOUR RADAR DETECTOR THE WAY IT WORKS BEST. MOUNT IT HIGH AND PROUD!

If you want LIDAR protection, get the AL Priority.