Need advice about which concealed RD

[ahkim]

First, this is a great forum and I wish I found this earlier. I’ve been a RD nut for years. I’ve read as many reviews as possible but thought I’d post my questions.

BACKGROUND:
I just got a new ride and hope to keep it for 8 years or so. I currently own a V1 (version 1.8 – a few years old) and 9500i. I was a big V1 fan and it’s saved me multiple times during my drives to home/college. However, I drive mostly in the suburbs of Minneapolis so I switched to the 9500i about 1-2 years ago since I wanted the GPS lockout feature. I’m a BIG fan of that.
This time around, I want to do a professionally installed RD, mostly for aesthetics reasons. I’d like to integrate the display but also want to have the RD off the windshield. Performance is still at the top of the list though.

WHAT I’M CONSIDERING AND QUESTIONS:
My first choice is the Escort 8500ci PLUS but can’t seem to find much info or reviews on it. I’m considering the 8500ci because of its price. $700+$150 for install= $850 installed. It has GPS and a separate display, but how’s the performance? I’ve been reading as many threads as I can and have seen some negative feedback about this unit. Is this a Qi45 with GPS? How does the performance of the Qi45 compare to the 9500ix? Am I wasting my money with the 8500ci?

OTHER OPTIONS:
I know the other options are the 9500ci or the STi-R Plus but those a bit too expensive. I’m already spending more than I hoped to with the 8500ci Plus. I’ve read posts about getting the STi-R for only $200 or so more, can someone tell me where or how? Is the performance really that much better (8500ci vs STi-R)?

I’m not opposed to staying with the V1 or 9500i, but the mount I’d like to use is not compatible with my car. I was looking at the blendmount. Plus, I don’t know if I like how the blendmount would put the radar under the rearview mirror, it seems like it would take away from my visibility and be in my line of sight.

Since I live in MN, I’m really not interested in having the laser shifter since it’s illegal here.

As for the display, I’m considering having radar-mirror.com do a mirror install. But at $400 or so, that’s not cheap. Anyone have a DIY guide for doing that?

QUESTIONS:
How’s the performance of the 8500ci Plus?
Is it the same as a Qi45 but with GPS?
How does the 8500ci compare to the 9500ix in terms of radar and laser performance?
Am I wasting my money with the 8500ci?
I’ve read posts about getting the STi-R for only $200 or so more, can someone tell me where or how?
Is the performance really that much better between the 8500ci vs STi-R?
Is there a DIY guide for installing a remote display into a mirror?
Last random question, I ran my V1 and 9500i side by side and was hit was lidar, the V1 went off but the 9500i did not. Is that because I’m running 2 RD side-by-side? Or is the V1 that much better? They were both on the windshield but the V1 was on the side of the trooper.

[EscortRadar]

Replies below in bold.

QUESTIONS:
How's the performance of the 8500ci Plus? Very good, similar to a 9500ix/9500i
Is it the same as a Qi45 but with GPS? Yes, the Qi45 and 8500ci (non-Plus) are the same. The name simply changed. The 8500ci Plus adds GPS features to the Qi45/8500ci. They all use the same M4 antenna.
How does the 8500ci compare to the 9500ix in terms of radar and laser performance? Very similar
Am I wasting my money with the 8500ci? Not at all. It's a very capable, easy to install system that will serve you well.
I've read posts about getting the STi-R for only $200 or so more, can someone tell me where or how? Be careful what you ask. There was a model called the STi-R that is now obsolete which may be found cheaper than the newer STi-R Plus, which is available now. The older STi-R had no GPS features.
Is the performance really that much better between the 8500ci vs STi-R? Think of the 8500ci's performance as great and the STi-R Plus's as extreme. They can be compared performance-wise like a X50/9500ix vs RedLine or STi Magnum.
Is there a DIY guide for installing a remote display into a mirror? I'm sorry, I cannot help you with this. I wouldn't skimp on this though as replacing a messed up mirror may be pricey.
Last random question, I ran my V1 and 9500i side by side and was hit was lidar, the V1 went off but the 9500i did not. Is that because I'm running 2 RD side-by-side? Or is the V1 that much better? They were both on the windshield but the V1 was on the side of the trooper. First, detectors will interfere with each other. Typically this effects radar performance. Laser detection can be difficult for a windshield mount detector due to the laser's beam width and that they aim it low at your headlights/front plate. Installed systems tend to detect laser better because they are mounted with no obstructions and nearer to the laser target areas on your vehicle.

Summary:
- If performance is your main priority then go with the STi-R Plus. It is the ultimate installed radar detector, period.

- The 8500ci Plus is an excellent system that has many of the features of the higher end STi-R Plus and 9500ci models. It is also easier to install, or less expensive to have installed.

[Jon996]

Greetings from Stillwater, MN! I am in the same exact situation, so appreciated your thread. It is hard to determine which will be useful for protection vs. which has the longest range. I too have a V1 which I have had for a few years now, but am considering an installed. My criteria is just a little different, in that I do not want anyone taking apart my car . . . So if anything I personally am interested in the 8500ci (QI45) and doing the install myself. The non-gps version is about $549 not-installed.

[AvsBest]

If you are a RD nut I would definitely say STiR Plus. I have to say I have not tried any of them but I just received my Plus today and will be installing it next week. I guess the major thing is Ka band segmentation. It gives the Plus an edge over all the other detectors. this feature just closed the deal for me.

Escort ramp-up is usually a disaster (not sure about the high end 9500ci).

As far as the instal goes, the Plus comes with all required wires, connectors and what not so it is extremely easy to do, you just need time. I am sure youtube can give you a hand. I would pay 200 or 300$ more to get the Plus and do it myself. As far as the price goes, get it from Radarbusters (they are authorized by Belscort and you will have all the warranties with it). They are 100$ cheaper than Beltronics and you should call them and mention that you are a member of this forum, they may knock a few bucks off.

One of the thing we usually don't like about the Plus is that male voice. Escort lady is way nicer.

Again, if you are a RD nuts, STiR is the way to go even if you go over budget for a few hundred bucks.

[Jon996]

If you are a RD nut I would definitely say STiR Plus. I have to say I have not tried any of them but I just received my Plus today and will be installing it next week. I guess the major thing is Ka band segmentation. It gives the Plus an edge over all the other detectors. this feature just closed the deal for me.

Escort ramp-up is usually a disaster (not sure about the high end 9500ci).

As far as the instal goes, the Plus comes with all required wires, connectors and what not so it is extremely easy to do, you just need time. I am sure youtube can give you a hand. I would pay 200 or 300$ more to get the Plus and do it myself. As far as the price goes, get it from Radarbusters (they are authorized by Belscort and you will have all the warranties with it). They are 100$ cheaper than Beltronics and you should call them and mention that you are a member of this forum, they may knock a few bucks off.

One of the thing we usually don't like about the Plus is that male voice. Escort lady is way nicer.

Again, if you are a RD nuts, STiR is the way to go even if you go over budget for a few hundred bucks.

Just interested--where are you going to mount the GPS detector? (And where are you routing the cable to it? thanks)

[ahkim]

Thanks everyone for the replies. Jon, maybe we should get together and help each other with the installs… AVSbest, to be honest, I never considered doing the install myself. I suppose that is one way to justify the extra cost, by saving money on the install. By the way, I got a quote from Best Buy to install the 8500ci plus for $130. I also talked with some other installers and they quoted $200-250.

I was wondering, why would the STi-R + be more costly or difficult to install in comparison to the 8500ci +? Do they have the same components and user friendly connector box?

I did some additional reading about RDR and segmentation, seems interesting. It also sounds like the STi-R will be quieter overall around town. Now I’m wondering, if the 8500ci does not have the option to toggle RDR, does that mean RDR does not exist or that it’s always on? It seems like people turn RDR off on the STi-r+ to increase sensitivity.

I’m really on the fence with this one. I have a feeling the 8500ci would be good enough, but at the same time everyone seems to say the STi-R+ is that much better. I saw a youtube video someone posted of the Sti vs 8500/9500 and it was impressive how much earlier the sti alerted, but the thing is, the 8500/9500 still provided adequate time to slow down.

Thanks again.

[3Garchone]

I've had an RX65 for about 5 years and have been very happy with it. I'd love to get a concealed unit and was wondering if anyone has experience with the RX45 unit.It sells as an easy install for DIY and is some what affordable
I would not consider an exterior unit without getting an extended warranty and I believe Bel offers a 3 yr for $30 to $40, however they claimed the warranty would not be honored unless purchase from authorized dealer.............THAT SUCKS/eliminates any best deal shopping

[3Garchone]

I posted a reply here on the 13th or 14th and got the message something like" Must be reviewed by moderator" and it has not showed up yet. It was a vanilla post/ no monkey business............
Why did this happen??
Thanks

[NormSky]

Cheapest to upgrade V1 to ESP and use $70 Savy.

[AvsBest]

I posted a reply here on the 13th or 14th and got the message something like" Must be reviewed by moderator" and it has not showed up yet. It was a vanilla post/ no monkey business............
Why did this happen??
Thanks

It is a forum restriction thing and it goes away after 50 posts. Apparently there is only 1 current active moderator that does approval so it could take awhile and be frustrating