9500IX, did I make a mistake?

[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.

[aa2033]

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

[OldGoat]

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
and I AM objective - Really!

[Smerri]

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.

[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?

[aa2033]

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?

yeah i think you'll be happy with the v1

[rocky2]

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?

yeah i think you'll be happy with the v1

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]

[SpeedUp]

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.

[Unkind]

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.

[voyager7]

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.