9500IX, did I make a mistake?

The more I read the more I feel as if the 9500IX is not the RD for me. Reasons why:

1.) My commute is mostly highway/rural, with a few blocks of city
2.) The V1 has directional indicators...
3.) I keep hearing that the 9500IX has tunnel vision
4.) It looks like the V1 has better ka sensitivity
5.) It looks like the V1 is better with POP

The only thin I think I would miss about the 9500IX is the voice alert and *maybe* the blue display.

Any opinions either way? I can still return the 9500IX and order up a V1 if that turns out to be a better decision. It seems as if everyone who has had both sticks with the V1, anyone have both and go with the 9500IX?

Thanks.

i'd take the 9500ix over the v1 if i did 80% of my driving in cities.. that's about it.

with the ramp up issues of escorts, v1 will always be my first choice over them. I don't run red lights, and speed cameras are not in use in my area, so i have no use for the X features. the 9500 is a good detector. but the v1.. IMO, is better.

POP shouldn't worry you, it is not used. but the V1 will cover you much better to I/O and Q/T than the escort

the arrows are invaluable, i'm using a redline and STI R for right now, and damn do i miss my arrows. the rampup of the redline takes getting used to too (same rampup issues that all escorts have) on Ka band. also, the rear antenna of the V1 is nice.

my .02

Re: 9500IX, did I make a mistake?

it's certainly possible
the fancy features of the 9500ix are largely wasted in the environment you describe

You'd be better served by either a Redline or a V-1
If I had to choose only one, I would go with a Valentine :victory:
and I AM objective - Really! :cool:

I would also consider the Redline as well. I have the 9500ix and really like it however if I were to exchange/return it for anything, it would most likely be the Redline.

Thanks for the input so far. I can say that the 9500IX has a nice feature set, but as said above it just isn't a perfect match. I want sensitivity, and info more than anything else.

Redline has the same ramp up issues from what I read correct? Plus no rear facing antenna?

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Originally Posted by Myakka

Thanks for the input so far. I can say that the 9500IX has a nice feature set, but as said above it just isn't a perfect match. I want sensitivity, and info more than anything else.

Redline has the same ramp up issues from what I read correct? Plus no rear facing antenna?

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yeah i think you'll be happy with the v1

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Originally Posted by aa2033

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Originally Posted by Myakka

Thanks for the input so far. I can say that the 9500IX has a nice feature set, but as said above it just isn't a perfect match. I want sensitivity, and info more than anything else.

Redline has the same ramp up issues from what I read correct? Plus no rear facing antenna?

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yeah i think you'll be happy with the v1

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X2, if you want something different from the from the 9500ix the Redline is not really for you, you just get better sensitivity.

The only reason I ran my Redline alot in IN was the ISP love their I/O Ka 35.5 and the Redline was hands down the best RD against 35.5 I have used. Other than that I would rather have the arrows, rear antenna, good ramp-up etc. Another thing is the Redline will do better in mountainous terrain than the V1 so if your drive has alot of hills and curves the Redline will do better.

Here's a video of how my 9500i does against Off Axis K Band, he was sitting there running constant on K band. If I would have been speeding I would gotten owned by C/O K band !!!

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0xDTTkc7gw[/ame]

Yea you definitely need to switch it up to a V1 for your commute, I would only run the 9500IX if I only drove in the city.

I was in the same exact situation as you after purchasing my 9500ix, Myakka. My commute to work is mostly rural/highway and I spend very little time in the city. I had the 9500ix for 2-3 months before I Ebayed it and bought the Redline.

The 9500ix did have some close calls for me with off axis detection (curves/hills), but on the straightaways did great for the whole time I had it. Overall the Redline will be MUCH better for you and I can't tell you how safe I feel driving behind it. As for your other issues.

2.) The V1 has directional indicators...

My take on this is...when I hear an alert I slow. I don't care what direction it is coming from. The only use of the arrows would be to tell when you've passed a false alert (which you can tell anyways by just listening). On your daily commute you will learn where the falses are and will have no problem with them anyways. This has been discussed over and over on these forums, and in the end it's going to come out to be a matter of personal preference. Some people love them, others think that they are just a gimmick. No doubt they would be cool to have, but I don't "need" them nor would I sacrafice the other advantages of my Redline for a V1.

3.) I keep hearing that the 9500IX has tunnel vision

It does, and the Redline is leaps and bounds better than it on this.

4.) It looks like the V1 has better ka sensitivity

I've never used a V1, however the Redline has AMAZING Ka sensitivity. I drive in East New Mexico / West Texas and take 2-5hr trips to various cities throughout weekly. I can tell you I've never had a single close call running with my Redline with Texas DPS or with the NM State Troopers (It blows 35.5 out of the water). Of course you still have to be smart with how you drive, especially in sparse traffic, to avoid those nasty I/O shots. I have caught I/O shots at 4 miles+ out here and I'm sure the Redline is capable of easily beating that.

5.) It looks like the V1 is better with POP

I highly doubt POP is used in your area, as it is extremely rare. In the event it is used, odds are your detector will not save you anyways.

The only thin I think I would miss about the 9500IX is the voice alert and *maybe* the blue display.

The Redline has the voice alert, auto mute, and expert meter that we all love from the 9500ix. The things I can tell you that I miss from my 9500ix are the button on top to QUICKLY get to dark mode (you can still get full dark on the Redline however you have to access the programming menu) and the Auto Volume function.

I live in the country and I use my IX for both city and country driving.
For my situation it works great.
I have gotten as far as 2 + miles alert in the country and a mile or so in the city.

How long have you had it?. 30 days to try or send it back.

The M4 platform which the 9500IX is based on, along with 90% of Belscort's other RD's, is an insparation for birth control. In other words, YES you made a HUGE mistake. If you want sluggish and lethargic performance, terrible audio ramp up, good chance of locking out real police radar, along with mediocre sensitivity, than you made the right choice. The STI-R, Redline, STI-R Plus, and V1 should be your only considerations.

I just bought my redline and I just love it and I am selling my ix. The ix is good for what it was made for but I use it mainly for the city, I though about it and said to myself that I don't really speed in the city much so I don't really need it. I mainly got my redline for highway because going to work is where I travel the most. I am planning a 1200 miles trip next month and I know that there is where it's really shine at is the highway. I do get some K band on the road signs but I know where they at but I think that you will love the Redline or V1.

Wow, awesome feedback. Yes I can still return the IX.

I suppose it comes down to Redline or V1 for me. I am leaning towards the V1.

Redline still has bad ramp up right?

Amazon has V1's for 500 with free shipping, guaranteed to be the latest version.

Thanks

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Originally Posted by Myakka

Wow, awesome feedback. Yes I can still return the IX.

I suppose it comes down to Redline or V1 for me. I am leaning towards the V1.

Redline still has bad ramp up right?

Amazon has V1's for 500 with free shipping, guaranteed to be the latest version.

Thanks

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Only buy the V1 direct from Valentine online for $399.

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Originally Posted by Myakka

Wow, awesome feedback. Yes I can still return the IX.

I suppose it comes down to Redline or V1 for me. I am leaning towards the V1.

Redline still has bad ramp up right?

Amazon has V1's for 500 with free shipping, guaranteed to be the latest version.

Thanks

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Make sure you do enough research before you make this decision. You don't want to make another mistake. :) There's a ton of info on these boards.

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Originally Posted by txautofan

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Originally Posted by Myakka

Wow, awesome feedback. Yes I can still return the IX.

I suppose it comes down to Redline or V1 for me. I am leaning towards the V1.

Redline still has bad ramp up right?

Amazon has V1's for 500 with free shipping, guaranteed to be the latest version.

Thanks

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Only buy the V1 direct from Valentine online for $399.

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x2 what he said.

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Originally Posted by aa2033

I don't run red lights, and speed cameras are not in use in my area, so i have no use for the X features.

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Don't rule the X features out based on that. It will also alert you to known speed trap zones in time to slow down. This feature on my Cheetah has saved me from I/O traps on multiple occasions. And even if you don't intend to run red lights, we all know how they shorten the yellows to trap you there, so a heads up is always a good idea.

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Originally Posted by Unkind

2.) The V1 has directional indicators...

Some people love them...

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Yeah, those that have used them.

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...others think that they are just a gimmick.

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Yeah, those who have never used them.

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Originally Posted by Stealth Stalker

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Originally Posted by aa2033

I don't run red lights, and speed cameras are not in use in my area, so i have no use for the X features.

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Don't rule the X features out based on that. It will also alert you to known speed trap zones in time to slow down. This feature on my Cheetah has saved me from I/O traps on multiple occasions. And even if you don't intend to run red lights, we all know how they shorten the yellows to trap you there, so a heads up is always a good idea.

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Originally Posted by Unkind

2.) The V1 has directional indicators...

Some people love them...

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Yeah, those that have used them.

Quote:

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...others think that they are just a gimmick.

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Yeah, those who have never used them.

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+1

If the arrows are a gimmick, then TrueLock, spec display, ramp-up, lack of quick trigger, and ZR4 jammers are completely useless.

There is no feature on any radar detector made today or in the past that can touch the accuracy and usefulness of the arrows on a V1.

I have to chime in here and say i was always happy with my 9500's. Sensitivity was always enough, no tickets, and a speed trap save no other RD could have saved me from. Its not just a city detector, and i never missed a KA 35.5 where my V1 has.

With that said, there are more sensitive RD's for highway like the RedLine V1 & 9500ci. It comes down to how into this game you are and what you personally want. Do a 30 day with the V1 and Redline to see whats right for you.

I guess Unkind has never driven at night.:dontknow:

I'm using my Bel backup right now and not having arrows is driving me apeshyte.

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Originally Posted by v1user

I guess Unkind has never driven at night.:dontknow:

I'm using my Bel backup right now and not having arrows is driving me apeshyte.

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Driving with a Redline during the day without arrows will drive you apeshyte. I can hardly imagine driving in the dark without arrows.

As some of the others have said, if you're considering the radar performance above all else, the 9500ix might not be the best choice for primarily rural driving. The Bel STI or the Escort Redline would be much better options, in my opinion. However, if you encounter speed cameras or red light cameras, you might be best to stay with the 9500ix.

I think any of the top units including 9500ix, Redline and V1 are probably going to serve you well. The V1 is more optimal for highway, and I love it's arrows, but I think you will be fine with the 9500ix if thats what you have spent your money on. Maybe if you can easily return it you may consider the V1 or redline.

Hmmmm, what will it be "DRUM PLEASE" and the winner is?:D:dontknow:

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Originally Posted by v1user

I guess Unkind has never driven at night.:dontknow:

I'm using my Bel backup right now and not having arrows is driving me apeshyte.

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Maybe it's just the overall lack of traffic in my area. Even at night the arrows wouldn't be necessary for me. If I'm speeding, the LEO isn't going to be coming from behind, if he was by some odd reason gaining on me running moving radar I'd notice it...even at night (not that LEO's do same direction traffic enforcement at 20+ PSL). Again maybe this is different for those of you in areas with lots of traffic, but out here traffic is sparse enough and falses are sparse enough that I can pick out a LEO's position easily without arrows by simply listening to the alert.

Anyways, as others have said, try both and keep the one you want. :)

Yeah, right. I'm sure you turn your head to check every on-ramp after you pass it to see if a cop is going to be coming up behind you. Doesn't everybody?

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Originally Posted by Myakka

The more I read the more I feel as if the 9500IX is not the RD for me. Reasons why:

1.) My commute is mostly highway/rural, with a few blocks of city
2.) The V1 has directional indicators...
3.) I keep hearing that the 9500IX has tunnel vision
4.) It looks like the V1 has better ka sensitivity
5.) It looks like the V1 is better with POP

The only thin I think I would miss about the 9500IX is the voice alert and *maybe* the blue display.

Any opinions either way? I can still return the 9500IX and order up a V1 if that turns out to be a better decision. It seems as if everyone who has had both sticks with the V1, anyone have both and go with the 9500IX?

Thanks.

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I could have typed this myself. I just got back from Best Buy, after returning a 9500ix I've had for a little while. Great detector, nearly zero complaints, but for my situation it was much more gadgetry than I needed. My daily commute is practically 100% highway, so I rethought my purchase of the 9500ix and ordered a V1 today at lunch.

I researched the hell out of both of these, and thought the extra goodies on the Escort would be worth it (and if nothing else, fun), but after admitting to myself that I will have literally zero false alarms with any detector, I opted for the potentially better highway performance of the V1.....not to mention the cheaper price. That said, if something were to keep me from enjoying the V1, I'd get another 9500ix in a heartbeat.

Great choice and let us know how you like it when you get it.

I think i am going to try the V1 and see if it chooses me. I have a few weeks to return the 9500IX. Thanks all for the great details.

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Originally Posted by Stealth Stalker

Yeah, right. I'm sure you turn your head to check every on-ramp after you pass it to see if a cop is going to be coming up behind you. Doesn't everybody?

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After I saw videos of LEOs shooting LIDAR from onramps I made it a habit to do this. I also peek at the opposite side of the road when coming up to one.