Good to be back, not looking back

**Scott** · 03-04-2007, 08:08 AM

Well for reasons discussed on the Escort forum, I returned my 9500i at the end of my 30 day trial and went back to my V1 (3.858) w/concealed remote. I can honestly say that after having tried them both in my town and on the FL Interstates that the V1 trumps. Maybe my thinking or judgement was clouded having a brand new 9500i, but after seeing the distance I received K and Ka alerts last night on I-10, I-75 and the FL Turnpike I do not regret returning the 9500i. Yes, there were some "non-LEO" alerts, but very few considering my small town and Interstates. Yes, the arrows were like seeing an old friend again. I also enjoyed not having the RD "bounce" on the windshield, as I now prefer the V1's width and windshield mount as opposed to the escort's length and mount.

I would encourage anyone thinking about trying the 9500i to do so. Perhaps it will suit you and your driving better, but for me I'm back!

**fredito** · 03-04-2007, 08:38 AM

What did you like about the 9500i ?

**proudNMAmember** · 03-04-2007, 09:55 AM

He probably liked the lockout feature.

**radarpeeps** · 03-04-2007, 10:20 AM

Scott, thanks for the info.....it confirmed what I thought regarding what customers the 9500i might not be suited for.

I primarily use a V1, and in my commuting area I see only Ka and Laser so I disable X, use the 30 sec mute on K (just in case), and Adv. Logic mode....and I hear few falses....and with the remote display muting those is easy. When I venture farther I do enable the X and disable the K muting, run Adv. Logic. Having the arrows is big plus for me.

**Jon_Doh** · 03-04-2007, 12:23 PM

When I tried the 8500 out the bouncing on the windshield drove me crazy, along with K band falsing. The cord was also too short for the car I was driving at the time. Plus the build qualiy just seemed/felt cheap. And yes, once you come to depend on the arrows you really miss them. It would go off and I would start looking all over for the cop only to figure out it was falsing again.

I think the lockout feature is a great idea if you live in an area polluted with false signals and I hope the build quality of the 9500 is much better than the 8500. It is disappointing to see they haven't improved the bouncing problem.

**happya$$** · 03-04-2007, 01:03 PM

I am waiting for our test in one week to see exactly how the 9500i stacks up in terms of sensitivity but I can tell you right now that I am not seeing the range I am used to on X and K band. I hope that it does very well on Ka band. I must admit though that the features on this detector kick butt.

**whiterabbit05** · 03-04-2007, 01:26 PM

^which features specifically?

**happya$$** · 03-04-2007, 01:39 PM

The True Lock, Speedometer display, and A mode

**Scott** · 03-04-2007, 01:43 PM

Originally Posted by happya$$

I am waiting for our test in one week to see exactly how the 9500i stacks up in terms of sensitivity but I can tell you right now that I am not seeing the range I am used to on X and K band. I hope that it does very well on Ka band. I must admit though that the features on this detector kick butt.

Yes, we are all awaiting your tests next week. I am really looking forward to your head to head range/IO results. I was really surprised at how much sooner my V1 alerted to Ka, K and even X band after having used the 9500i for a month. Granted though, I didn't have the capability to do a head to head against the V1. I was surprised at the improvement of the 9500i's laser detection. It's very good.

The 9500i's features are nice, if the "lockout", "marked location", "speed alert" and GPS appeal to you. For those that travel rural, Interstate, or the "non-LEO" signals don't bother you (in exchange for the range), I'd recommend the V1. If your travels are primarily in a larger city and/or the "non LEO's" are aplenty and drive you nuts, you might want to give the 9500i a 30 day test drive as I did.

It's a shame we can't "have it all". We can only dream of what the V1 would be like if we could've put the 9500i's features/GPS into the V1 and keep its performance.

**happya$$** · 03-04-2007, 01:51 PM

Originally Posted by Scott

Originally Posted by happya$$

I am waiting for our test in one week to see exactly how the 9500i stacks up in terms of sensitivity but I can tell you right now that I am not seeing the range I am used to on X and K band. I hope that it does very well on Ka band. I must admit though that the features on this detector kick butt.

Yes, we are all awaiting your tests next week. I am really looking forward to your head to head range/IO results. I was really surprised at how much sooner my V1 alerted to Ka, K and even X band after having used the 9500i for a month. Granted though, I didn't have the capability to do a head to head against the V1. I was surprised at the improvement of the 9500i's laser detection. It's very good.

The 9500i's features are nice, if the "lockout", "marked location", "speed alert" and GPS appeal to you. For those that travel rural, Interstate, or the "non-LEO" signals don't bother you (in exchange for the range), I'd recommend the V1. If your travels are primarily in a larger city and/or the "non LEO's" are aplenty and drive you nuts, you might want to give the 9500i a 30 day test drive as I did.

It's a shame we can't "have it all". We can only dream of what the V1 would be like if we could've put the 9500i's features/GPS into the V1 and keep its performance.

Yeah I agree with all of the above. The most frustrating part of all this is that I have seen the fewest LEOS to date since I owned this detector :x