Did I make a mistake buying a 9500ix ?

Seems most people on these forums who have a lot of RD experience consistently choose a Redline or V1.

I hate to think I paid $500 for $200 worth of detection equipment.

Specifically I see QT, IO ramp up and late detection as major issues.

Is the 9500ix really just a sheep in wolves clothing? Just a de-sensitized RD for those hating false alerts?

Most if not all of the GPS capabilities I already had with my Garmin GPS. I actualy like the way the Garmin handles the data MUCH better than the 9500ix because I have access to it and can modify it myself.

Now after only a few months, I'm thinking I may have to take a loss and dump the ix for a redline or V1 (probably a V1 if this is true as I would be pissed with Escort)?

What do you guys think?

thx

The 9500ix is for someone who is a city driver because it has false alert suppression. The detection range isn't awful but the V1 and Redline are more sensitive than it. If you are more of a highway warrior, then you'll want to go Redline or V1.

You have a great detector with the 9500ix, I would not second guess that choice. It states on the manufacturers website that this unit has the same detection range as the X50. (Go to FAQ's):D

The ix is not a bad detector at all. I used one for a while and found it was capable of holding it's own on the highway. If you live in an urban area then it's a really great detector, but I agree with the last post, if you are mostly highway in a non urban environment then it's Redline or V1. I prefer the V1 as the arrows make a difference for me.

I never owned a 9500ix or Redline but do own the V1, RX75, and 9500ci. I see no purpose in the Redline as the 9500ix is great at detection along with V1. I can understand the 9500ix for GPS in city. I'd recommend the V1 if you just want a great radar and 9500ix if you want to shut the radar up. I don't understand why escort made the Redline.

I had my 9500i/ix's for 3 years and loved them. Plenty of saves and did very well in city and highway scenarios. Now that i have a RedLine and V1 i see what people were talking about sensitivity wise, but its not enough IMO.

As for your concern on QT, and ramp up they certainly can be perceived as a problem. The 9500ix doesn't have any problems with I/O, it does exceptionally well with it under most circumstances, not sure where people come up with that one.

The 9500ix is probably the best well rounded RD out there, its a god send in the city and plenty of warning on the highway.
If you are feeling you made a mistake with the 9500ix because its not sensitive enough, the forum bug has finally gotten to you. :p

We will pay anything for an extra second in sensitivity. Heck i paid well over 3k to get every second i can, and in the end im not happier than what i was with my 9500ix, i just have a little more overconfidence. ;)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DrCoke

I don't understand why escort made the Redline.

---

To have a RD for enthusiasts with the most sensitivity.

Its actually a breakthrough because now people can run 2 RD's at the same time, especially 2 M3's. You can even run 3. :D

Thanks guys. You cheered me up :D

I was afraid I had made a $500 error.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by brasstownbald

Thanks guys. You cheered me up :D

I was afraid I had made a $500 error.

---

People are happy with low end or entry level RD's all the time, even super excited about entry level Bel's, Whistlers, and Escorts every day. The 9500ix is a huge step above those, and only a bit behind the top models.

Like any hobby or new toy, there is always better. The question is when is it enough, and how much more do you need, especially when its not much more.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by brasstownbald

Thanks guys. You cheered me up :D

I was afraid I had made a $500 error.

---

The 9500ix and V1 are the best windshield mounted radar and you can't go wrong with them.
The few reasons why I no longer use the 9500ci is because my local Leo has 1 unit running hand held K-band that he loves to use instant on. The 9500ci locked out the signal and almost got me owned. The biggest reason y i banned the 9500ci is the ramp up. Yea it's that bad. Consider your local Leo before you fully trust the lock out.
Oh, I love the red light camera on the 9500ci. I miss that the most.

I have a Redline and V1, and the 9500ix is what I use on my way to work alot of the time. I like not hearing all the false alerts and the RLC warnings are nice. I live in the ATL area so on the highways around here a 9500ix comes in really handy. But on the weekends when we go on longer trips outside the city I use the Redline/V1.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by brasstownbald

Thanks guys. You cheered me up :D

---

You made a great choice.
Mine makes me happy every day I use it. :D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DrCoke

Oh, I love the red light camera on the 9500ci. I miss that the most.

---

I use a Garmin Nuvi for all that even though the 9500ix has it for 2 reasons....

1). The Garmin seems to handle GPS info better IMO (timely, accurate alerts)

2). The databases are so incredibly flexible. It's extremely easy to personally customize your alerts to your exact needs on the Garmin Nuvi vs the 9500ix which you can't. The things i can do (GPS wise) with RLC's and Speed Cameras on the Garmin Nuvi blows the 9500ix so far out of the water it's in a completely different league.

I would imagine anyone with a GPS is well aware of what I mean.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by brasstownbald

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DrCoke

Oh, I love the red light camera on the 9500ci. I miss that the most.

---

I use a Garmin Nuvi for all that even though the 9500ix has it for 2 reasons....

1). The Garmin seems to handle GPS info better IMO (timely, accurate alerts)

2). The databases are so incredibly flexible. It's extremely easy to personally customize your alerts to your exact needs on the Garmin Nuvi vs the 9500ix which you can't. The things i can do (GPS wise) with RLC's and Speed Cameras on the Garmin Nuvi blows the 9500ix so far out of the water it's in a completely different league.

I would imagine anyone with a GPS is well aware of what I mean.

---

Certainly the GPS specific device is better with RLC's and Speed cam's. But the speed trap database Escort is improving will give the 9500ix an edge soon enough.

I had a 9500ix speed trap save with I/O in VA where no other RD would have saved me. I was very lucky to have my 9500ix at the time.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DrCoke

I never owned a 9500ix or Redline but do own the V1, RX75, and 9500ci. I see no purpose in the Redline as the 9500ix is great at detection along with V1. I can understand the 9500ix for GPS in city. I'd recommend the V1 if you just want a great radar and 9500ix if you want to shut the radar up. I don't understand why escort made the Redline.

---

That one is easy to answer, the 9500ix is horrible for high speed highway driving. It is way to late on warnings to keep you from getting a ticket and does not pick up off axis radar and laser shooters nearly as well. I got nailed the first week after grabbing the 9500ix, thank god Jeff say my post and offered to exchange for a Redline. 3 weeks later, no tickets and 14 saves. I am going to OK this coming week and we will see how it does there.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Hodogs

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DrCoke

I never owned a 9500ix or Redline but do own the V1, RX75, and 9500ci. I see no purpose in the Redline as the 9500ix is great at detection along with V1. I can understand the 9500ix for GPS in city. I'd recommend the V1 if you just want a great radar and 9500ix if you want to shut the radar up. I don't understand why escort made the Redline.

---

That one is easy to answer, the 9500ix is horrible for high speed highway driving. It is way to late on warnings to keep you from getting a ticket and does not pick up off axis radar and laser shooters nearly as well. I got nailed the first week after grabbing the 9500ix, thank god Jeff say my post and offered to exchange for a Redline. 3 weeks later, no tickets and 14 saves. I am going to OK this coming week and we will see how it does there.

---

I have noticed the off axis as symptoms as well. It seems that my 9500ix works really well for detecting high power signals from older C/O radar units, but falls a bit short where the newer same lane Ka units are a concern. Never any issue as a laser verification for the Blinder system though. I am considering a V1 or ci install.

Anyone else seen issues with off axis late detection for same lane radar systems when using the 9500ix or any other system for that matter?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Kwaz

I have noticed the off axis as symptoms as well. It seems that my 9500ix works really well for detecting high power signals from older C/O radar units, but falls a bit short where the newer same lane Ka units are a concern. Never any issue as a laser verification for the Blinder system though. I am considering a V1 or ci install.

Anyone else seen issues with off axis late detection for same lane radar systems when using the 9500ix or any other system for that matter?

---

Sorry to be so new to some of this.

Same lane seems obvious...but same lane "off axis". Are you using those two together or as two different terms? If so, what is "same lane - off axis"?

My 9500ix is amazing at same lane Ka reception. Often more than 2 miles and not direct line of sight. Off axis (meaning they are radaring or lasering from an angle?)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Kwaz

Anyone else seen issues with off axis late detection for same lane radar systems when using the 9500ix or any other system for that matter?

---

I drive very aggressively and not one ticket with my 9500i/ix's. It did superb on the highway where its easier to pick up signals and the quiet ride to work more than mad up for the less than perfect off axis sensitivity. Most of my driving is on windy back roads where off axis is important and it preformed fine.

I had a few close calls but i took my time learning how the 9500ix reacted and it always gave me enough warning before i saw the cop.

The 9500i/ix is not a seller off axis performer so if that is extremely important to you there are RD that are better. Problem is not many RD's have great off axis sensitivity. In another recent thread someone almost got a ticket with there V1 and that's considered to be good at off axis.

It comes down to the user, how they use there RD, and a little bit of luck.

http://videogum.com/img/thumbnails/p...ett_gelman.jpg

The only RD's IMO that have what i would call almost perfect and uncanny ability to pick up off axis is RD's with the M3 antenna like the RedLine and 9500CI.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by CJR238

Certainly the GPS specific device is better with RLC's and Speed cam's. But the speed trap database Escort is improving will give the 9500ix an edge soon enough.

I had a 9500ix speed trap save with I/O in VA where no other RD would have saved me. I was very lucky to have my 9500ix at the time.

---

I just downloaded the Trapster Garmin data and loaded into my Nuvi. Are there any real issues with Trapster? It "seems" like a goldmine of ticket avoidance data? You can filter out all but verified or High-Confidence data so how can you lose? Not only am I getting RLC and Speedcam info, but updated, verified known enforcement points and speed traps. I've also subscribed to the real time text message alerts of where cops are setting up shop in real time. I promise not to read any text messages while moving ;)


Re traveling on the highway with the 9500ix
I've made about 5000 highway miles in 6 months with my 9500ix and was surprised how few radar / laser alerts I have had. Could this be a symptom of "IX-itis"? Mostly between S.FL and Eastern NC.
Seems the majority of the alerts I did get were in Florida.

To be honest, I don't see a heck of a lot of LEO activity on I-95 between FL and VA.
Maybe it depends on WHEN you travel?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Kwaz

The only RD's IMO that have what i would call almost perfect and uncanny ability to pick up off axis is RD's with the M3 antenna like the RedLine and 9500CI.

---

Yea, I think that the M3 ant is my next move. Just have to clear it with her highness first :D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by brasstownbald

Seems most people on these forums who have a lot of RD experience consistently choose a Redline or V1.

I hate to think I paid $500 for $200 worth of detection equipment.

Specifically I see QT, IO ramp up and late detection as major issues.

Is the 9500ix really just a sheep in wolves clothing? Just a de-sensitized RD for those hating false alerts?

Most if not all of the GPS capabilities I already had with my Garmin GPS. I actualy like the way the Garmin handles the data MUCH better than the 9500ix because I have access to it and can modify it myself.

Now after only a few months, I'm thinking I may have to take a loss and dump the ix for a redline or V1 (probably a V1 if this is true as I would be pissed with Escort)?

What do you guys think?

thx

---

The 9500ix is an Excellent Radar Detector!

I switched over from many many years as a V1 user to the 9500ix and was very pleased with it's radar detection performance. I was most impressed by it's consistency of detections. The V1 was sometimes great and at other times disappointing........but for the few months I ran the ix it always provided adequate warning. I was very impressed by a noticeable improvement on 35.5 Ka band detections in particular.

The other GREAT thing was locking out all those K-Band door sensors around town. It was very nice to zoom down the main drag in town and only hear a beep if it was real police radar.:D

I'm from the old school of sensitivity rules though, and when the RedLine was introduced I switched over to that. The range is definitely better but the K-Band falsing came back in spades.:( Since I have once again grown immune to K-Band alerts, I usually shut that band off around town and run the risk of being nabbed by the one sheriff's unit that still runs K-band. Out of town I switch it back on.

The only reservation I have about recommending this detector is if you travel areas known for short duration I/O...........aka Quick Trigger. Texas and parts of California are known hot spots. Granted........any LEO can pull one, but we only hear of folks in the midwest getting nailed without their 9500ix alerting on a regular basis. In that case, only the Bel STi-R and V1 are good choices.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Kwaz

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Kwaz

The only RD's IMO that have what i would call almost perfect and uncanny ability to pick up off axis is RD's with the M3 antenna like the RedLine and 9500CI.

---

Yea, I think that the M3 ant is my next move. Just have to clear it with her highness first :D

---

So the M3 antenna is an accessory you can ADD to a 9500ix for example?

Which would give it V! / Redline sensitivity?

No no no. The M3 antenna is the antenna in stealth units such as the Redline, 9500ci, and STIR.

The 9500ix uses an M4 antenna.

You cannot change the antenna or 'upgrade' it in a detector.

Kwaz was simply saying he was wanting to get a detector with the M3 antenna as his next detector purchase.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Goofy Footr

No no no. The M3 antenna is the antenna in stealth units such as the Redline, 9500ci, and STIR.

The 9500ix uses an M4 antenna.

You cannot change the antenna or 'upgrade' it in a detector.

Kwaz was simply saying he was wanting to get a detector with the M3 antenna as his next detector purchase.

---

ah.

thx