plastikman

Ok I really hope this isnt a repost, but I just got to see the Passport 9500i and I am amazed on all the new features. Does anyone have this Radar Detector yet? If so, what do you think of it ? Here is a full description.



The all-new PASSPORT 9500i, has revolutionized the radar detector category again. Its blistering performance is derived from the "World's Best" PASSPORT 8500 X50, which means it delivers the best protection possible against all speed measuring devices. The addition of advanced GPS-powered intelligence, makes the PASSPORT 9500i the best performing, quietest and most user-friendly radar detector ever designed.

Key Features
360-degree radar and laser detection
Blistering All-Band Protection
New Variable-Speed Radar Performance
New GPS-Powered Truelock™ Filter
New Mark Location Features
New Speed Alert
New Crystal-Clear Voice Alerts
New Intelligent Volume Control
User-Selectable Preferences
High-Resolution Display
5 Levels of Brightness Control
Completely immune to the VG-2 "detector-detector"
Mute, AutoMute & SmartMute
Built-in Earphone Jack
Safety Warning System
Comes Fully Equipped
Limited one year warranty
2 year extended service plan available

• TrueLock™ Signal Rejection permanently eliminates false alerts by location and frequency. The PASSPORT 9500i puts an end to false alarms. Its new GPS-powered TrueLock™ feature allows you to simply press the mute button a couple of times and never hear a radar-based automatic door opener or motion sensor again. Our patented design captures the location coordinates and the exact frequency of the signal and stores them in memory. Once stored, TrueLock™ will reject these signals, but is intelligent enough to warn you of a new or different signal in that same location. That's right, no more false alarms!

• Variable Speed Sensitivity provides real-time radar protection based on vehicle speed. The PASSPORT 9500i can automatically vary its sensitivity based on the speed of your vehicle. At interstate speeds, all radar bands are operating at full sensitivity, providing the best possible performance. At really slow speeds, like parking lots and stop lights, the sensitivity is turned down to almost zero. No more irritating alerts when you are going below the posted speed. The result is real-time on-demand radar protection.

• SpeedAlert™ provides vehicle speed during each alert. The PASSPORT 9500i provides all the information you need to make an intelligent decision during each and every alert. The radar or laser band, signal strength, and now your vehicle speed are displayed during an alert to help you make the best possible decision.

• Mark Location stores speed traps and other locations in memory. Speed traps and camera locations are everywhere. It's a stretch of highway where they always sit, or it's a back road that quickly changes from 45 mph to 25 mph within a few hundred feet. You don't always remember, but now your PASSPORT 9500i will. The PASSPORT 9500i's "Mark Location" feature allows you to quickly store a specific location in memory. Simply tap the "Mark" button a couple of times and the 9500i will store this location in memory. The next time you approach this area, the PASSPORT 9500i will provide an alert well in advanced to remind you of the potential danger. This specific location reminder could keep you from being ambushed by instant-on radar or laser the next time you approach.

• AutoVolume automatically adjusts the alert volume based on ambient noise. The PASSPORT 9500i will adjust the alert volume level based on the ambient noise in the vehicle. Using a miniature microphone, the 9500i monitors ambient noise and will increase the volume level automatically to ensure you take notice even with loud music, passenger conversations or excessive wind noise. Now each alert will be heard so you can react if needed.

• Crystal-Clear Voice Alerts the PASSPORT 9500i provides users with a real voice alert option. The PASSPORT 9500i uses a Geiger-counter-like sound to indicate the signal strength and unique audible tones to identify each alert by band. Or, choose the PASSPORT 9500i's new Voice Alert option for crystal clear communication of alerts and user controls.

Specifications
Operating Bands
* X-band 10.525 GHz ± 25 MHz
* K-band 24.150 GHz ± 100 MHz
* Ka-band 34.700 GHz ± 1300 MHz
* Ku-band 13.425 GHz ± 25 MHz
* Laser 904nm, 33 MHz Bandwidth
Programmable Features
* Power-On Indication
* AutoVolume (On/Off)
* AutoMute (On/Off)
* Power-On Sequence
* Signal Strength Meter
* SpeedAlert (On/Off)
* Units (English/Metric)
* Voice (On/Off)
* 5 Levels of Brightness Control
* Dark Mode
* Radar/Laser Bands
Auto Calibration Circuitry
Mute, AutoMute and SmartMute
SmartShield® VG-2 Protection
Radar Receiver / Detector Type
* Superheterodyne, Varactor-Tuned VCO
* Scanning Frequency Discriminator
* Digital Signal Processing (DSP)
GPS Receiver
* SiRFstar III
Display Type
* 280 LED Matrix/Text
* SpeedAlert
* Bar Graph
* ExpertMeter
* SpecDisplay
Power Requirement
* 12VDC, Negative Ground
* Escort SmartCord Included
Sensitivity Control
* Highway, Auto and City
Compact Size
* 1.4" H x 2.90" W x 5.35" L

financeman1

Ive done some research on the radar, and I am thoroughly impressed. I love how it uses GPS to remember locations for x/ k band. However, it was hard for me to spend so much on my blue 8500 x50 so I wouldnt be able to justify this purchase. Plus, this radar is only available in red display, which wouldnt match the interior lights of my tsx

GoHawks

I do. Check my post over on the TL forum.

https://acurazine.com/forums/ramblings-12/big-text-small-text-big-text-160881/

I have the 9500i. I have been a lifelong Escort owner, but I'm not sure I can endorse the 9500i. Not so much for it's detection ability, but more for the fact that Truelock may actually leave you somewhat exposed to real radar.

Without getting into too many gory details, If you lock out a K band false source like a grocery store door opener, the detector will lockout a range (i.e. 30 gHz) to compensate for frequency shifting. It's understandable for them to program this in, but if a cop is sitting ther ein the future and he's using a K band gun with a requency near the signal you locked out, the detector will remain silent.

Now the risk is minimal since you have to encounter that exact scenario, but the risk does exist.

I have only locked out a couple locations, and even when I drive by those, I'm hardly ever speeding because it's a residential area, so it's not really and issue for me so far. It just makes for a quieter ride.

I will say one thing, Escort does a nice job of making quiet detectors that don't false much. I had an original 8500 that I handed down to my wife when I got the 9500i, and that detector has served me VERY well over the years. The 9500i is just as quiet if not more so.

In my experience, Ka range is just as good as my 8500 (FYI it won't allow you to lock out Ka for obvious reasons). I have caught K signals over a mile away, but the signal ramp up on the 9500i is not very linear. You'll get a slow constant warning, and then go into full alert. A known issue.

The speed sensing sensitivity works very well. You'll get heavier filtering when driving slower with no filtering at highway speeds.

Auto dimming is nice.

I've quickly gotten used to the voice alerts, along with the speed display. A nice touch.

The ability to mark known speedtrap locations and areas that are using redlight/speed cameras may also be helpful if they are used where you live.

Escort promises that the USB port willl be used to down load a database of known speedtrap/camera locations for the nation, along with the ability to down load software/firmware updates....... We'll see.

The V1 will probably be a detector that will offer the best range, but if you live in an area with lots of false sources, you may quickly tire of it, or possibly begin to ignore it (at that point, what's the point of having a RD?).

People swear by the arrows, but I have also read that they aren't that reliable in urban setting as they tend to go a little wacky as the signal bounces from all directions.

If you were seriously wanting a quieter detector and don't feel strongly about the arrows, the X50 may be the better choice.

kirbyflorida

The arrows on hte V-1 are wonderful, they work, no issues after about 10 years with them, very accurate.
The V-1 will false a lot though.

sotiri

update your V1, the new software is that good that you can put it in full logic and you dont get the falses, and you dont miss the real stuff

kirbyflorida

I am update, I buy a new one every 2 years, thanks.

sotiri

why buy, when you can just send it back for an update?
Also, if you have the latest version, then try the full logic mode, it works well

lflorack

At your recommendation, I've adjusted my V1 to full logic mode and it has quieted it down quite a bit by reducing the false alarms. However, I get the distinct feeling that it's a very slight bit slower to respond to a real alert. It's really hard to tell that this is the case but maybe I'm just afraid I'm msising something. I take it that you don't have the same impression.

Love my V1 BTW. Arrows make a huge diffrence in how you gather information on the various threats.

plastikman

Hey guys I hate to tell you this, but this thread has nothing to do with your V1 or whatever, it was meant for the passport 9500i. Im sure if you look around you can find a thread on your subject !

:rippedoff

RyanCHICL

iTrader: (1)

Wow, that 9500i seems really nice. Ive never seen that one before. Does anyone know how much one of those cost?

plastikman

The list price is $449.99

RyanCHICL

iTrader: (1)

Thats a lot less than i thought, may invest in one of these now in the future. My radar now seems to do the job, but I want something that can do a lot more. Thanks for the info.

plastikman

It is a bit more then what the 8500 cost, but I think it might just be worth the money, IMO.

lflorack

You go right ahead and continue your conversation about the Passport. Sorry for the diversion.

plastikman

Hey GoHawks, thank you, thats a great insight, it does help !
I wonder how long it will take them to come out with a blue display ? That might just be the deal breaker for me as well, I might wait a lil.

GoHawks

It may not hurt to wait. I did get a replacement and have noticed an improvement in the K band ramp up.

plastikman

You already got a replacement? May I ask why? From what I understand the 9500i came out in april, is that correct?

GoHawks

Came out in February.

I had locked out a K-band signal that was at 135 gHz, and then my town had set up one of those speed drones right next to that source. The speed drone was at 150 gHz, but no warning as it locked out that signal as well since it thought it was the same. I was concerned over the frequency range that was being locked out.

They offered to send me another. I haven't encountered the same scenario to test it out.

Hence my initial post where I mentioned the range of frequncy that is locked out. According to several sites, it seems as though the 9500i will block out a range of about 30 gHz. Again, a small risk, but a risk nonetheless in the event a cop is sitting near a locked out source that is within that frequency range.