Escort Passport 9500ix Radar/Laser Detector (Black)
by Escort Inc.
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List Price: Our Price: $431.95 You Save: $68.00 (14%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $349.99 (click here) Category: Car Audio or Theater See more product details |
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Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Escort Passport 9500ix Radar/Laser Detector (Black)
Customer Review: Great detector by Escort!
Summary: 5 Stars
I did quite a bit of research before buying this detector. I was torn between the Escort Passport 9500ix and the Valentine V1. Based on my drive patterns the 9500ix was by far the best choice. Most of my driving occurs in in the city, which has many X and K band sources. The first few weeks I spent quite a bit of time training it along my normal routes. Now, I have completely silent drives to and from work...unless of course there is a LEO along the way :) I haven't had one false yet with this detector. It generally gives me between 20-30 seconds of warning to slow down when they are running constant on. The police around here mainly use Ka band although a few of the sheriffs still run K band. It has no problem detecting them well before they can see me. Last week it alerted me to a Ka band presence with the officer over 2 miles away! It has also detected laser hits from state-troopers, but since I don't have a laser-jammer on my car this feature just let's you know "Hey the cop has your speed now..." :).
The small gripe that I do have with the detector is that its ramp-up signal is a bit too fast. Sometimes the cop will be well over half a mile down the road, and the 9500ix is going nuts :) Maybe a firmware upgrade from the guys at Escort? (Hint hint...if Escort engineers are reading ;)
If you are looking for a quiet drive with almost no false positives, then this is the detector for you :)
Customer Review: Great Detector
Summary: 5 Stars
I've owned the Escort 8500 and the 8500 X50 and this detector topples them both. The added GPS function which allows for detection of red light cameras, as well as blockage of false alarms, is fantastic and was my selling point. Yes, I have had false alarms go through this detector, but after about the 3rd or 4th time the detector stores the signal/location within its memory and blocks them out. Silence... something that even the well toted 8500 could not achieve. I only have two complaints on this detector.
1) The power socket is on the left side of the detector. If you are not using the hard wire kit, have a cigaratte lighter in the right-middle of your car, and have a navigation unit, this is quite annoying. The wire extends across the navigation screen. I do not understand why Escort changed the location of the power jack (the 8500 and X50 had them on their right side).
2) While driving on the freeway in the city where there are feeder lights, the "redlight camera" warning comes on, even if not on the feeder. I found the easiest fix is to just turn off the GPS while on the freeway. There is much less need to have it on in those driving conditions anyways.
So really my only compalint is #1, but that should be so far from a deal breaker in buying this detector. Yes it's expensive, but i've found that the escorts pay for themselves.
Customer Review: Very, very pleased
Summary: 5 Stars
The amount of false alarms the GPS portion of this detector has eliminated is exemplary. Once you drive your regular route a few times it saves these alarms from occurring again and all you hear is REAL threats. Very nice. And there's plenty of customizable options so you're not stuck with a feature you don't like or without one you do like. The sound output on this thing is incredible and I can hear it through the first 90% of the arc of my radio volume knob. My only real complaints is the complexity of programming and using the customizable features and the phone-type connector that it utilizes. I could be wrong, but I can't imagine this connector will withstand the repeated connects/disconnects it experiences in my car, which is virtually every time I park in a public place. The optional hard wire kit that Amazon also sells for $29 is not the best, but it works. Detection seems to be outstanding and there doesn't seem to be a delay between the activation of a RADAR device and the unit going into alert mode like some less expensive detectors. I still believe that the best way to avoid speeding tickets is to drive the speed limit, but as far as RADAR detectors go, this appears to one fine unit! I've heard many people squabble over the nuances of comparison regarding the Valentine One to Escort's top model, but with the use of GPS this device is hands down the better unit.Customer Review: Very happy with the 9500ix
Summary: 5 Stars
I did a lot of research on the internet before deciding on the Escort 9500ix. I wanted to wait a few weeks before giving my positive review to see it operate under various conditions. I live in nyc and this detector is a must have in manhattan. I never realized how many red light cameras there are and the unit picks them all up. I have seen falses with the red light camera mode when I'm on the highway but I think it is picking gps signals from the street directly above or below where I was passing etc. This RD has saved me already and having the ability to lock out falses is the only way to go. It does what it is programmed to do and it does it well.
Have no regrets getting this one over the V1 I was considering. The technology is far more advanced and overall the 9500ix is better.
I do feel it is a joke ($499.00) that this unit does not come with everything needed to fully update and/or install it via hard wiring etc. You will need an additional hard wire, usb, and 12volt adaptor (do not go to RadioShack who wanted $40, total ripoff.they are out there on the web from 2-10 dollars at most). Also the suction cup mount is not great, expect to upgrade that too.
All minor complaints, reviews like this helped make my decision so if your considering buying this unit, buy it! its awesome.
Customer Review: Wow! This is what a detector should be!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
The 9500ix is a really amazing unit.
At first it was so quiet I thought it must not be working but that is the magic. It IS WORKING and the fact that it can be so quiet when there are no real police radar/laser events yet pick up the ones that are real so well is just amazing. I hate a lot of extra noise while driving and this unit only makes a sound when you need it to.
Build quality is very good though I wish it had included at least a straight cord and USB cable for the $500 price tag. Window mount seems very good. The coiled smart cord is good but rather short IMO. Also, the hard case is massive and could never be used as a travel case; something far more compact would have been nice.
Finally, the red light camera database informed me of three new cameras in my area that went live less than 30 days ago so I would say it is very up to date. Some people have complained about the $30/3 year sub. fee for the database but keep in mind that you don't have to pay that fee if you don't want to. You can manually enter new red light cams. into the system if want to skip the extra $10/year but for me it is money well spent. One red light ticket or one speed camera ticket and you are down $100-$1000 + risk your license and insurance premiums in some areas.