9500IX thoughts

jaminc · #6 (**permalink**) 2009-05-08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dark Shark

It's disappointing when I hear blah reviews about the 9500. I guess because I spent so much money on the damn thing, I feel like it should be the end all be all. The few occurences that I considered to be were flaws were actually just a matter of perception and inexperience on my part. I've barely had a chance to break mine in yet and I feel like I wasted my money. Someone actually suggested to me that I buy a Passport 8500 850 which cost half of what I paid for my IX. I assumed that since it's newer, cost more, it must be better right?

Well let me say right now that I am "very pleased" with my 9500ix. I have owned the 8500 with the S7 horn and yes it was a good radar detector with very good off axis performance, but IMO the IX is far superior in it's abilitly to filter falses, track via GPS, and notify of redlight cameras, speed traps, etc. with great range. It is worth noting that the later model 8500 X50 uses the same M4 horn as the 9500IX the difference as I understand it is that the IX has the horn inverted to help in its long range performance (someone correct me if I am wrong on that).
Simply because one or even a few people do not like a particular RD does not mean it is not good. V1 owners are very passionate about theirs and rightly so with its long range, but it has its own faults (namely false alerts) that turn me off to it. Others prefer Bel and its unique features. This is simply a matter of preference, but I can assure you that if you own one of the high end RD from Escort, Bel or V1 you are way above the curve with regard to protection.
I think you made a good choice and in the long haul you will not be disappointed, but only time will tell.
Stay below the radar!

Veil Guy · #7 (**permalink**) 2009-05-08

^ Well thought and articulated. +1

Veil Guy

Dark Shark · #8 (**permalink**) 2009-05-08

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaminc

Well let me say right now that I am "very pleased" with my 9500ix. I have owned the 8500 with the S7 horn and yes it was a good radar detector with very good off axis performance, but IMO the IX is far superior in it's abilitly to filter falses, track via GPS, and notify of redlight cameras, speed traps, etc. with great range. It is worth noting that the later model 8500 X50 uses the same M4 horn as the 9500IX the difference as I understand it is that the IX has the horn inverted to help in its long range performance (someone correct me if I am wrong on that).
Simply because one or even a few people do not like a particular RD does not mean it is not good. V1 owners are very passionate about theirs and rightly so with its long range, but it has its own faults (namely false alerts) that turn me off to it. Others prefer Bel and its unique features. This is simply a matter of preference, but I can assure you that if you own one of the high end RD from Escort, Bel or V1 you are way above the curve with regard to protection.
I think you made a good choice and in the long haul you will not be disappointed, but only time will tell.
Stay below the radar!

Thanks, Jaminc. This is my first RD so I really don't what to compare it to. I considered the Valentine first, but as you said, the numerous complaints about false alarms turned my attention to the Passports. I need to get out on the road and really allow this thing to do it's job. I live five minutes from my job, there are no speed or traffic cameras on my short commute and I already know where the speedtraps are. So in the past month that I've had my 9500, I've only gotten silence and a few false alarms. This summer I will be traveling more so hopefully I can see the true "power" of the IX.

jaminc · #9 (**permalink**) 2009-05-20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dark Shark

Thanks, Jaminc. This is my first RD so I really don't what to compare it to. I considered the Valentine first, but as you said, the numerous complaints about false alarms turned my attention to the Passports. I need to get out on the road and really allow this thing to do it's job. I live five minutes from my job, there are no speed or traffic cameras on my short commute and I already know where the speedtraps are. So in the past month that I've had my 9500, I've only gotten silence and a few false alarms. This summer I will be traveling more so hopefully I can see the true "power" of the IX.

Keep us posted with your thoughts on the IX.

Dark Shark · #10 (**permalink**) 2009-05-21

I've done what many of you have suggested which is to simply drive and learn the habits of my RD. I feel that it is working properly. Three or four times from all directions it has gone off and I had no clue where the cop actually was, only to have one pass by from behind or head on sometimes up to a minute later. I do agree that the ramp up is sometimes very sudden which makes me question the range and sometimes the distance indicated of a redlight camera isn't accurate. All in all the however, the 9500 does what it's supposed to do.

I have a question for the experts. What are the differences or properties of K, KA, and X Band? And why is important that the RD tells me which band it is picking up?