Customer Reviews:
 Keep that driving record clean! November 17, 2008
Kevin Nicholls (Milford, MI)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
First things first, Escort has discontinued the 9500i in blue (but not red), which is probably why Amazon is the only authorized dealer that's selling it for well under MSRP.
A few days after I bought this, I took a trip from Detroit to Chicago, so I really got a chance to see how this fared against my trusty Beltronics RX55 Pro Radar Detector. I'm happy to report that this is the best radar detector I've used.
I thought the blue display was a gimmick for Escort to fleece tuner kids out of fifty bucks, but I was really surprised to see how much gentler it was on my eyes -- and perhaps more importantly, how it doesn't scream "RADAR DETECTOR HERE!" the same way red displays do.
Of course, actual reception is going to vary widely, based on driving conditions. Sometimes I'd get warned a mile ahead of time, and sometimes it went off just before I came in to the sights of an officer running POP. But across the board, I was always warned with enough time to check my speed and adjust it accordingly. Having the detector display your speed is a great touch.
The included case is surprisingly nice -- a bit overkill, I'd say. Why Escort would give customers a felt-lined hard case, but no simple way to power the detector off of AC or USB for updates is beyond me. Fortunately, I have a Black & Decker Jump Starter, which has a 12V cigarette-type power outlet, so I didn't have to take my laptop out to the car to update it.
Going back to the updates... you're out of luck if you have a Mac. Even if you're running Parallels or VMware Fusion (the VM's won't see it connected as a USB device). So, plan on doing Boot Camp or borrowing a Windows machine from a friend if you're looking for updates. The software itself is very good, and gives you lots of point-and-click options that you'd otherwise set through the on-screen menus built in to the detector.
Finally, if you're torn between the 9500i and 9500ix, you can buy this and have Escort upgrade it to the ix for less than the cost of buying the ix.
 The 9500i Has Already Paid For Itself September 24, 2008
C. Stewart (Seattle, WA)
7 out of 7 found this review helpful
In anticiption of an upcoming 1000 mile road trip, and knowing my tendancy to drive a bit fast, I decided to purchase a radar detector. Having never owned one in the past, I did extensive research and settled on the Passport Escort 9500i and I wasn't disappointed.
During my 1000 mile round trip, 600 miles of it was in Trooper laden Washington State. No less than a dozen times, the Escort was able to give me enough advanced warning of either rolling radar or stationary laser speed traps to get down into the speed limit and avoid a ticket.
You'd expect this though. That's its function. The extras on this really make the 9500i shine though. With the built in GPS, you can permanently silence those annoying false positives from the grocery store or fixed "Your Speed" signs. However, if you roll through a silenced area and a NEW radar signal is detected, it will alert you immediately.
If you drive a bit fast over long distances, or even can open it up on your daily commute, I'd highly recommend the added protection of the 9500i.
(Know your limits and don't speed where it isn't safe. The Escort is awesome, but it doesn't make you crash-proof.)
Escort 9500 September 3, 2008
Kirby Krause (Florida)
3 out of 5 found this review helpful
I gave up my V-1's two of them, used V-1 for over 10 years, now use the 9500. The false alarms were killing me on the V-1, miss the arrows a bit but not that much. Performance on warning is about the same.
 A Complete Sham! August 15, 2008
S. Hochman (Boca Raton, FL United States)
7 out of 23 found this review helpful
Bought this item, and it came with three months of free downloads. These downloads will gave you the latest info. on radar traps, traffic light cameras, etc.
However, after spending $500 on the detector, Escort is too cheap to provide one with a $10 USB cord or a $10 12-volt adapter to download the updates they charge you for after the 3 month trial. With Shipping & handling the accessory items will run you about $40 so you can give Escort more money to download their updates which of course will cost you even more money.
Unlike GPS manufacturers which give you free updates, Escort wants to charge you for them. In addition, Escort claims a standard USB cable will work and a standard 12V adapter will work as well. Complete lies, they make them completely non-standard so you will have to buy the accessories from them.
If you are looking for a much lighter wallet this is the radar for you. Otherwise stick with the V1.
|
