Escort 9500ci vs Valentine One video review on my M4

[Spinny02]

Originally Posted by Axman85

How sure are you that laser jammers work? Not about to speed into a speed trap to try it out. The old catch 22.

They work when installed as per mfg. The installation is key. You can google a bunch real world testing. Once my system was installed i had it tested with 3 laser guns. All Jammed.

[TunedM2C]

Originally Posted by Axman85

Audi's and Volvo's drive my V1 more nuts than any cop!

Worst off, V1 plays stupid and wants more $ when you call them on it. Standard answer, we can upgrade ur unit.

You can mod your V1 so this won't happen in the future. I forget where I saw it but search the V1 site and you'll get the instructions on how to mute that specific band.

[NoImDirtyDan]

I'm still debating, however I wish they would update the V1 because it would be superior to the escort like it was when it first was released. Obviously escort had killing the game with their newer models, so I do believe the new escort is superior to the dated V1.

[VMRWheels]

Nice review, thanks for sharing!

[XenaBimmer]

I have the Passport 9500xi, and its saved my butt many times. I've only gotten one ticket, and it was via laser. So does the 9500ci totally protect against laser, or just give you enough warning time to slow down?

[tony20009]

Originally Posted by Axman85

...

How sure are you that laser jammers work? Not about to speed into a speed trap to try it out. The old catch 22.

I can't speak for how others know if theirs works as promised, but I can share how I know re: my own setup.

I'm pretty sure they work as advertized, which is to say they "jam to gun." I know this because my radar detectors tell me it received a laser signal and yet I don't get stopped and I rarely drive at or near the speed limit on the highway. Given that if your radar detector reports a laser encounter it's hit you, the only explanation I can give for my not receiving a ticket is that the jammer works. There just cannot be that many benevolent cops out there, at least not ones so generous that they wouldn't at least pull me over for doing 20-30 mph over the limit.

All the best.

[Mavus]

So basically nothing can protect from instant on? That is the biggest issue and the only ticket I got in the last 5y while using v1. Most of the time I can see the cop far ahead. Also, truckers will announce via CB if there is a cop and that is the most reliable info.

[shatty]

Get the Passport Max and call it a day. I love mine

[TTO898]

Great review, thanks! Running the V1 + Laser Interceptor + Waze, and it seems to work well, but I'm curious how the 9500 would compare with the V1+LI set up. For those of you complaining about false alerts from cars with side assist, turning off POP did the trick. And if you're worried about your increased risk from disabling POP, do some Googling on this...tl;dr is that only 3 states support POP radar guns, and most jurisdictions don't purchase those units.

As a side note, I hear that the new laser jammer that everyone is going wild about is the ALP (http://www.antilaser.ca/al-priority/). Apparently Cliff left Laser Interceptor for Stinger, and people on other radar/laser forums have been saying that LI will likely stop releasing updates.

Now back to the review - THANKS Nick!

[Falafel Combo]

Nick, you've gotten me interested in the laser jammers ... but your camera setup is much more badass!


Had an escort 9500ix radar detector, but wasn't too crazy about it. This seems much more sophisticated. And having the dealership install it is a no brainer for me.


Nice job! Thanks for the great work!

[BMWJ]

posted this in the other thread on same topic, but I'll put it here as well:

I don't have much faith in laser jammers. A friend of mine is a cop and I used to have the LI - Installed in front bumper of my e92. If he shoots at bumper or headlights it definitely jams the laser, but it only took him about 1 second to realize he can aim at roof of car and get a reading of speed. Maybe the first time the cop experiences this you'll get away. But any cop with experience can still beat the jammer.

[TTO898]

Originally Posted by BMWJ

I don't have much faith in laser jammers. A friend of mine is a cop and I used to have the LI - Installed in front bumper of my e92. If he shoots at bumper or headlights it definitely jams the laser, but it only took him about 1 second to realize he can aim at roof of car and get a reading of speed. Maybe the first time the cop experiences this you'll get away. But any cop with experience can still beat the jammer.

The good thing with the laser jammer/shifter is that you still have a second or two to react and can slow down before the cop realizes and tries a different spot. Should often be enough time to slam the brakes and get down to a more reasonable speed.

Even then, one of the reasons many officers won't shoot the roof line is because of the possibility of sweep error. The roof line is too slim and will often lead to an inaccurate reading.

[BMWJ]

Originally Posted by TTO898

The good thing with the laser jammer/shifter is that you still have a second or two to react and can slow down before the cop realizes and tries a different spot. Should often be enough time to slam the brakes and get down to a more reasonable speed.

Even then, one of the reasons many officers won't shoot the roof line is because of the possibility of sweep error. The roof line is too slim and will often lead to an inaccurate reading.

Maybe you'll have time to react and slow down. It won't be 2 seconds if the cop has experienced this before. My friend had no issue getting an accurate reading at aiming towards top of my car. So, this was just a warning, but I certainly wouldn't put much faith in it.

[PurM3]

Originally Posted by Spinny02

+1 with my experience in Houston.

I have the same experience in LA. Waze is really accurate.

[E90M3JETS]

Great review.

[C's Bimmer]

I have the V1 and the Blinder 905HP Compact Triple Sensor on my M6 GC and it is the perfect combination. The Blinder has saved me countless times and paired with the V1, it's the perfect combination.

[KeepRightPassLeft]

I have both the Beltronics STiR+ and the V1 paired with YaV1 which gives the ability to have GPS based lockouts like the 9500Ci and three Beltronics STiR+. I do much prefer the V1 compared with the STiR+. Although the STiR+ gives me slightly earlier alerts sometimes, the V1's alerts are much more consistent.

I have two STiR+ one in my SUV and the other in my weekend car. Both units broke and needed to be repaired by Escort. since the repairs that included a software update in additon to replacing and repairing some parts, the range of both of them is greatly reduced from thier initial performance. I also have a friend with a 9500ci thst stopped detecting k and Ka band resulting in him getting a ticket.

As far as the laser jammers go, the ones that now come with the 9500ci are rebadged Laser Interceptors and don't have the ability to jam a few laser guns. www.raletc.com

[Spinny02]

Originally Posted by KeepRightPassLeft

I do much prefer the V1 compared with the STiR+. Although the STiR+ gives me slightly earlier alerts sometimes, the V1's alerts are much more consistent.

YaV1 is great if you have an android. Does he make an iPhone app yet?

[KeepRightPassLeft]

Originally Posted by Spinny02

YaV1 is great if you have an android. Does he make an iPhone app yet?

No he doesn't, and I don't think he will.

[mdcubsfan]

couple of questions for a radar newbie. I have a V1 but rarely use it now because of all the false alarms.

Just purchased a 9500ci through a friend and was trying to read up on it before deciding whether or not to keep it or return it.

Are there different generations or models of the 9500ci? How to know which one I received? And question about installation - I'm here in Houston and I know there are certified installers, but once you install can it be safely and cleanly removed? In other words, how future proof are these? Are there constant updates that you have to get (and pay for, like the V1?) If I got a different car could I easily have someone remove and reinstall and have it work just as well?

Thanks so much!

[nmurray22]

Originally Posted by mdcubsfan

couple of questions for a radar newbie. I have a V1 but rarely use it now because of all the false alarms.

Just purchased a 9500ci through a friend and was trying to read up on it before deciding whether or not to keep it or return it.

Are there different generations or models of the 9500ci? How to know which one I received? And question about installation - I'm here in Houston and I know there are certified installers, but once you install can it be safely and cleanly removed? In other words, how future proof are these? Are there constant updates that you have to get (and pay for, like the V1?) If I got a different car could I easily have someone remove and reinstall and have it work just as well?

Thanks so much!

The latest version is the forth generation (2014) and you can tell by the shape of the front shifters and that it did not include a rear shifter. The only difference with the 1-3rd generation is the updates to the database and the shifters (as far as I know). I think you can get all the updates from Escort if you subscribe to their update service which includes all the red light camera etc. I have never bothered as even my first Generation 9500CI on my old M3 seemed to work fine still but still better to be safe and get those updates.