Escort Passport 9500i - INSTALLED
 

It was time for a radar detector and after much research, I decided on the brand new Escort Passport 9500!

Here's some of what's new with the 9500i:

- New GPS-Powered Truelock™ Filter - View Demo
- New Mark Location Features - View Demo
- Blistering All-Band Protection
- 360-degree radar and laser detection
- User-Selectable Preferences
- New Variable-Speed Radar Performance
- Completely immune to the VG-2 "detector-detector"
- New Speed Alert (when an alert goes off, the radar detector will display YOUR speed)




I've always hated the look of suction cups on a windshield so with the help of NgoRx8, I found this awesome radar bracket.

Thanks to msyl101 for his awesome DIY on how to hardwire this radar detector. It automatically turns on and off with the car. No lousy cord running to the cigarette lighter.... :rock:

Last but not least, a BIG thanks to forum member Newcastle for helping me out with this install. :ylsuper:

I've only had this on since yesterday but I can already tell you that I LOVE this thing! For anyone whose had a radar detector, you know how annnoying all those false alarms can be, well NEVER FEAR, this radar detector allows you block all of those signals (without compromising sensitivity to potential police)

Here's a few pics I took yesterday:


http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3...r/DSC01646.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3...r/DSC01640.jpg


http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3...r/DSC01632.jpg


http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3...r/DSC01631.jpg


http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3...r/DSC01629.jpg




Here's a quick video I took this morning. Make sure you've got your speakers turned on :Eyecrazy:


http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3...h_MOV01639.jpg


I searched all over the forum and from what I can tell, I'm the very FIRST person to have this radar detector. :rock: I guess I'll be the guinea pig for you guys. I'll report back every couple days to let you guys know how the 9500 is treating me.

oh bitch!! thats hot!!!!!

Congrats! that thing is insane!

wow, pretty darn awersome right there

dude, that is freakin' awesome :D:

i shoulda had one of those on more than one occassion :p:

Looks very nice and clean! Great job! Now when I get my 8, you'll have to show me... =D

really clean install

awesome Jedi.....i just might need one after i get the blower installed....w00t!...
i'll pay for airfare...:D:

looks pretty good jeorge, i guess you have had enough run-ins to need this :)

good job!

:D:

Good pics and a very nice radar detector.

That's cool. I was reading about that radar detector recently.
I like the GPS feature that allows you to mark where the false alarm spots are located.

BTW - Why is there a mini USB on the rightside?

i agree -- I have a valentine V1 -- love it to death as its saved my ass SO many times. The GPS feature on this looks to be a really nice advancement in Radar detection.

I'm sure some people could never imagine spending 400-500 dollars on a radar solution, but it's 100% worth it after you know how to use it effectively.


I will say though -- the valentine has 1 up's in two categories: actually having a rear facing detector, and the directional arrows to help you identify which direction to look for the threat. Once you use the arrows you will NOT be able to go back to anything else.

very nice, I love the mount. where'd you find it?

Probably to flash it with a new firmware on your computer.


Pssh... Jedi put it on his post...

http://www.countryjoycrafts.com/350Z/escortmount.htm

Wow, thanks guys! :D:

The USB port is one of the things I really love about this detector. It makes this detector's POTENTIAL virtually limitless. Gone are the days where you have to send your detector to the manufacturer for firmware / software upgrades.

ALSO: Since you can "mark" known speed traps, it is rumored that Escort will be building a database where users can upload their 'marked' locations. Lets say you're taking a long road trip out of state....no problem! Just download the speed traps that other users have already identified. :rock:

The final straw was driving on the 241 and seeing 9 CHP motorcycles on the side of the road, ALL of them pointing radar guns at me as I drive past. :eek:

Sounds like fun, just wait until it gets a little warmer over there. :)

Absolutely agree! Heck, even I questioned my own sanity when paying that much for it, BUT after seeing what it's capable of doing I think it'll be a worthwhile investment. :wiggle:

wow, nice job jorge. so u ran the wires behind the mirror/ thru the roof? did u take step-by-step photos? looks great and hopefully will save you from tix. :)

that's a freakin' PIMP feature.

Yup, the wire is run into where the overhead lights / sunglass holder goes. Here's a picture of the piece removed. For the record: I HATE those stupid metal clips that hold it in! :wallbash:


http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3...r/DSC01619.jpg

I was going to take step by step pictures but mysql101's DIY has all the pics necessary for this. My pics would have ended up looking exactly like his... :rofl:

Which size bracket did you purchase, there are a couple listed and I have been thinking about making something like that for quite some time!

3/4 works for our cars.

WOW, I can't believe no one has commented on the ending of that video...."GPS signal acquired" Puts a smile on my face every time I hear that... :D:

i already commented on that when you showed me earlier. haha

does it detect lasers better then the 8500's ?

Here's a quote from Escort's website. I'm thinking the answer is "yes" to your question.


P.S. For the record, I still think the V1 has the ultimate in detection capabilities, it's road tests are pretty awesome! I just couldn't handle all the "false" alarms that go with that kind of sensitivity.

Note that the 3/4" works on the stem of the homelink rear view mirror. I do not know what size the base model rear view mirror stem is.

Niiiiiiiiiiice :Drooling_ And a clean install/set up to go with it. Looks sweet Jorge!

You have to have that home link system in order to connect it in the top right?

oohhhhh, I hadn't thought about that yet...thanks for mentioning it! See... I KNEW there was a reason we kept you around... :wiggle:

... :rollingla

That is correct Cesar! I've never denied being a post-whore... :) AND it'll help me determine whether the $500 I dropped on this thing is worth it...

wellllll .... your name does start with whore ............................












runs so far away where no one will find me ever!


:angel: sorry jorge, couldnt resist.

:spank:
we can start calling him Whore-Hey! :ylsuper:

e tu RSD?!

Alright, enough of the thread-hijacking.... :mad:

sowwy. :grouphug:

/hijack

i love you too....whore hey!!!! :rollingla

Good choice Jedi. That model was on my top-three list when I was in the market for a radar detector a couple of months ago. Nice installation too.

Thanks Elf, the GPS feature is really what won me over. :)

nah I bet it's cuz it's advertised in Playboy this month is what won you over :D:

Wow, this is great. I always thought the Escort was good, but with the new features it's awesome.

Update #1: 10 days after installation

1) Very few false alarms with this detector. At times, I even forget it's there until it randomly reminds me. After putting about 400 miles on my car, I've discovered 3 locations that always give me a slight reading. I'll be marking them as false alarms next time I drive by and it should filter out the signal next time I drive by.

2) The 9500 and the OEM Navigation system do NOT play nicely together. :rofl: I've noticed that if I press the 'Open' button on my Nav, that it will almost certainly trigger an immediate LASER alert. The alert will stay on for 30-60 seconds and then go away. Escort's website states that on certain vehicles, numerous things can trigger a false laser (certain electronics, sudden acceleration, etc... I'll try and find the quote in a bit).
They've offered to have me send them the detector so they can make some manual adjustments and return it to me within a few days.

Since my Navigation is closed 95% of the time I'm driving, I think I'll put up with this a bit longer before considering taking them up on their offer.

Conclusion: So far this thing has been GREAT! I've had 2 incidents where it correctly spotted a speed trap ahead of me and the false alarms are very minnimal. :)

or we can just trade, jorge. hahaha

wow that thing sounds petty awesome! Im just wondering if it can help detect Laser in advice?

Laser is a tricky thing to detect because unlike radar, it's not always on (by "on", I mean scanning a broad area for given amounts of time)
When cops use laser, think of it as playing laser tag when you were younger, the police officer must pull the trigger and individualy "tag" each car he wants a reading from. The 9500i has very good laser detection capabilities and will detect an officer in the area using a laser gun. (assuming your not the first guy he uses it on, if that's the case...you're hosed)

There are big problems with the new Escort 9500i and the majority of people are returning them because of less range than the Valentine One and the 8500X50.

http://www.radardetector.net/viewtopic.php?t=22803

They are locking out signals from door openers and the 9500i is not alerting to cops that shoot radar in that area. Owners of the 9500i are also complaining that signals that they lock out are not staying locked out from the day before. They also say that their Sirius/XM radio is cutting out because of the 9500i and its GPS function.

http://www.radardetector.net/viewtopic.php?t=23027
http://www.radardetector.net/viewtopic.php?t=23178
http://www.radardetector.net/viewtopic.php?t=23183
http://www.radardetector.net/viewtopic.php?t=23036
http://www.radardetector.net/viewtopic.php?t=22800
http://www.radardetector.net/viewtop...torder=asc&sta rt=0
http://www.radardetector.net/viewtopic.php?t=22824
http://www.radardetector.net/viewtopic.php?t=22762
http://www.radardetector.net/viewtopic.php?t=23938
http://www.radardetector.net/viewtopic.php?t=24041

http://www.radardetector.net/viewtopic.php?t=22803

Are you satisfied with your 9500i or returning it?Satisfied with 38% [ 20 ]Returning 61% [ 32 ]Total Votes : 52

haha, I made it to page 2 before someone brought that up. (I knew it was only a matter of time) I take the posts on radardetector.net with a grain of salt...it's no different then people on THIS forum.

-some people like it
-some people HATE it
- some people bitch all day about lack of whp or lack of in this case, the lack of range compared to the Valentine

I've said it from day one: Valentine has the best range out there but it is waaaaay too sensitive.

So far I'm very happy with my 9500 and am planning on keeping it. I've marked a few false signals this week and they're all working perfectly. :)

I agree, but if it's not even as good as the 8500X50 then there's something wrong with it.

The X50 is an amazing detector so I looked into how the 9500 compares. Here's what I found:

Everyone's taste is different. Go with whichever equipment you feel most secure with.

Jorge is just giving his personal review like other people so you can make a "more informed" decision on which equipment you think you feel you would like better.

Doesn't mean it's true. It could be interference from components that are unique to the 9500. Or it could just be a bad batch of them. Or it could be a software problem. I'd like to see an independent review before I plunk down that kind of coinage. But it definitely looks very promising. Thanks for the heads up.