****** Passport 9500i

Alright so I've posted a lot regarding the radar detector topic; but decided yesterday since I'm buying a new Audio System for the car I'll save some cash and wait on the custom installed Radar for now and buy a standard windshield mounted Radar.

I have looked into the following Windshield Mounted Radars....

****** Passport 9500i
****** Passport 8500 X50
Beltronics STi Driver
Beltronics Pro RX65
Valentine One

I have decided the three best are the one's I have in bold; however, I absolutely can not stand the look of the V1. It looks awful! I will not have that mounted on my windshield. Also from hearing all the reviews about it- I know for a fact I will be insanely annoyed by all the false alerts considering I'm going to want to hear my new audio system and not constant beeping. I don't plan on speeding all the time anyways- even though I'm sure I'll have some fun once in awhile on the highway- I'm going to play it safe and not speed in public/private/city areas.. Anyways, that's not the only reason why I'm buying a Radar. I'm buying one so that I can be informed about police ahead of time so that I am on my guard for anything- mainly so I can have time to lower my music so I don't get another noise violation from my subs!

So basically as of yesterday I am leaning towards the ****** Passport 9500i and the Beltronics STi Driver but am pretty sure I'm going to get the Passport 9500i. Since Radars aren't illegal in my state and any area around me I find it pointless to spend the extra money for that important Complete stealth- Best Radar Detector Detector feature when I can spend the extra money to have GPS from the 9500i and also I like how it has Blue LED to match my car

I also read that there is potential for future enhancements via USB interface; so I'm assuming new updates for it can be installed right on the unit through USB??

Who has an ****** Passport 9500i on this forum??? If you do- how do you like it because I will most likely buy it today!

I also don't get why the same Radar has a cost difference of $50 between Red LED and Blue LED... does Blue LED cost more to make or is it just because its newer??

Blue LED: Passport 9500i Radar Detector & Laser Detector Specifications - Blue - ****** Inc.
Red LED: Passport 9500i Radar Detector & Laser Detector Specifications - Red - ****** Inc.

I love the 9500i, you won't be dissapointed. The GPS feature is very cool and truly functional. Here is a photo of mine on the rear view window

After MUCH debate over a couple of months of research, we decided on the Passport 9500i...we at first bought the 8500, but brought it back and got the 9500i...AWESOME!!! Works EXtremely well, we're glad we chose this product! Good Luck in your decision! ~juli
**And, yes updates can be made thru a USB port to your computer to their website**

the best...9500i...locking out false alarms in your area is priceless...mine olny goes of if its a cop now.the other features are great also.

Shandon said:

I love the 9500i, you won't be dissapointed. The GPS feature is very cool and truly functional. Here is a photo of mine on the rear view window

Click to expand...

mike & juli said:

After MUCH debate over a couple of months of research, we decided on the Passport 9500i...we at first bought the 8500, but brought it back and got the 9500i...AWESOME!!! Works EXtremely well, we're glad we chose this product! Good Luck in your decision! ~juli
**And, yes updates can be made thru a USB port to your computer to their website**

Click to expand...

Yes! I remember you both owning this detector and posting on one of my past threads....

I will be buying this today then! Thanks for your feedback once again

Also... do you all have the Red LED version? I am getting the Blue LED version; however it's $500 here:
Passport 9500i Radar Detector & Laser Detector Specifications - Blue - ****** Inc.

Do you know of any sites selling the Blue LED one for cheaper?

Thanks,
Anthony

We met a vender at SEMA last year selling a device that jams laser radar. He had a video showing his car passing a police car with radar on the side of the road. As it turned out, it was a police car from a nearby town in GA that's notorious for giving speeding tickets. He was going over 80 in a 70. Cop never looked at him. The site is "BLINDER". Looks like a decent product. When it jams the radar-- the cop only sees dashes on his display instead of MPH. I think it also tells when you're getting "hit" by the laser. JOHN

Radar detectors are only useful in one circumstance:

1. You are following someone who is speeding on the open highway and you have a radar detector.

In this circumstance, the single most important feature is the ability to pick up a signal very early, perhaps when the speeder ahead gets a shot. He is your insurance.

Speeding in town will not get you to your destination any sooner, too many variables. Furthermore, unless you are driving over 4 hours or so, the marginal time saved is not worth the risk exposure. I push 7-8 over the limit unless I am driving cross country, in which case I'll head just north of 15 over the limit.

All other points are irrelevant to the discussion on radar detectors. The rest is posing and looking good. Other than the glove box, I can't think of a less suitable location for electronic countermeasure than in the middle of the windshield.

I would recommend you mount the detector high and center with a hidden cord.

I have a V-1. I used to own a Passport, both the battery operated and the plug in type.

Best of luck to you.

BTW You may also want to look into a Bear Tracker. It sounds more like what you need. It is a proximity warning device. The input for the device is the radio repeater signal from the patrol car to the shoulder mounted radio michrophone the patrolmen wear on their uniforms. When a broadcast goes over the air, the repeater does its job and let's you know one is near.

costanZo said:

Yes! I remember you both owning this detector and posting on one of my past threads....
I will be buying this today then! Thanks for your feedback once again
Also... do you all have the Red LED version? I am getting the Blue LED version; however it's $500 here:
Passport 9500i Radar Detector & Laser Detector Specifications - Blue - ****** Inc.
Do you know of any sites selling the Blue LED one for cheaper?
Thanks,
Anthony

Click to expand...

We got ours at Best Buy//the blue//for (trying to find receipt)...I believe it was $429.99.
We have an OLD Beltronics that I'll be using in my new Vette, that is over 10 years old and works wonderfully as well. Check out BestBuy online? ~juli

mike & juli said:

We got ours at Best Buy//the blue//for (trying to find receipt)...I believe it was $429.99.
We have an OLD Beltronics that I'll be using in my new Vette, that is over 10 years old and works wonderfully as well. Check out BestBuy online? ~juli

Click to expand...

****** - Passport 9500i Radar/Laser Detector - 0109500-1

Same price.. and it's Red LED

I read some reviews for it and noticed some people mentioned the following things...

"i have had my radar for 4 months now and i have had to change it 3 times already! the speakers go out/ heat damage and not very good detection
also it looses the GPS capabilities really quickly
one thing i do like it tells you the speed you're at but it's not exact it's lie 3 miles off
it says it detects lasers but good luck on that one! i got pulled over with my radar when a cop got me with his laser! the radar didn't even beep!
i think i made a mistake and could have gone with the cheaper one!

if you do but a radar you NEED the PRP on it b/c of the heat damage! so spend the $50 more it saves you a lot of hassle!"
-What is PRP??

AND...

"Make sure you have the software update if not you are at risk of getting a ticket."
-Can the updates be downloaded from ******'s site? If not where would I get them..

Big Medicine said:

Radar detectors are only useful in one circumstance:

1. You are following someone who is speeding on the open highway and you have a radar detector.

In this circumstance, the single most important feature is the ability to pick up a signal very early, perhaps when the speeder ahead gets a shot. He is your insurance.

Speeding in town will not get you to your destination any sooner, too many variables. Furthermore, unless you are driving over 4 hours or so, the marginal time saved is not worth the risk exposure. I push 7-8 over the limit unless I am driving cross country, in which case I'll head just north of 15 over the limit.

All other points are irrelevant to the discussion on radar detectors. The rest is posing and looking good. Other than the glove box, I can't think of a less suitable location for electronic countermeasure than in the middle of the windshield.

I would recommend you mount the detector high and center with a hidden cord.

I have a V-1. I used to own a Passport, both the battery operated and the plug in type.

Best of luck to you.

Click to expand...

only one circumstance? so not true, i been saved with warnings before going over a hill many times, on the highway all the time.around here police leave there guns on almost all the time, so i get plenty of notice before i,m in legal range of the radar.yes you can get instant on radar and get caught if you are the lead car. these things are not free ticket to speed but to say only one way they work is way off.

Updates can be downloaded right from the passport site, costanzo....and there ARE other upgrades you can buy...we don't need any of them...we like the GPS, and showing what speed you are going right before the warning goes off....has worked perfectly so far. ~juli

Big Medicine said:

BTW You may also want to look into a Bear Tracker. It sounds more like what you need. It is a proximity warning device. The input for the device is the radio repeater signal from the patrol car to the shoulder mounted radio michrophone the patrolmen wear on their uniforms. When a broadcast goes over the air, the repeater does its job and let's you know one is near.

Click to expand...

Big Medicine said:

Untitled Document

Click to expand...

is this what I'm supposed to look at?


Do you have any links to places where its for sale or any other models? I've never looked into this type of thing before- what's a good one to consider getting if I ever wanted to do something like this? Any lists of top of the line models?

How do u direct wire the detector to the rear view mirror electric

wallbanger said:

How do u direct wire the detector to the rear view mirror electric

Click to expand...

I was actually wondering the same?

I have the Pasport 8500. It's great on K,Ka long range. Not to good on laser.

So when connecting the 9500i to my car is it better to just use the Coiled SmartCord - Blue that comes standard with the 9500i or should I buy the Direct Wire SmartCord - Blue for $30 extra and have the guys who are installing my Audio System install this as well? I'm only considering the install so I still have the lighter plug to charge my cell phone

I should buy another radar detector so I don;t have to swap my V1 from car to car. Maybe i'll get another V1 or a passport like your talking about. Good thread. How much is the passport (the really good one)?

I hard wired mine into the power in the mirror. Power goes on and off at the same delayed time when you take the key out etc. Perfect setup. The mount that attatches it to the rear view mirror I got off some site soembody linked me too on the VCA. I can press one button and put the radar dectector into my glove box or move it too another vehicle whenever.

JUCD VPR said:

I should buy another radar detector so I don;t have to swap my V1 from car to car. Maybe i'll get another V1 or a passport like your talking about. Good thread. How much is the passport (the really good one)?

Click to expand...

Which one?

For a windshield mounted radar this is the best: Passport 9500i Radar Detector & Laser Detector Accessories - Blue - ****** Inc.

For a custom installed radar this is probably one of the best: Passport SRX Radar Detector & Laser Defense System - ****** Inc.

However, on ******'s website it lists this custom installed radar too.. I've never heard anything about this one either from any reviews?? Passport 9500ci Radar Detector & Laser Defense System - ****** Inc. I'm assuming it's a SRX and 9500i mixed into one.. if that's the case- it must be an amazing radar...

Shandon said:

I hard wired mine into the power in the mirror. Power goes on and off at the same delayed time when you take the key out etc. Perfect setup. The mount that attatches it to the rear view mirror I got off some site soembody linked me too on the VCA. I can press one button and put the radar dectector into my glove box or move it too another vehicle whenever.

Click to expand...

Can you link me to that mount you have that attaches to the rear view mirror?

Passport 9500ci radar detector review. ****** 9500ci remote, best ****** remote radar detector ever tested.

Looks like a pretty amazing radar setup.... On Escorts site it says to pre-order but on this site it says nothing in regards to pre-ordering it unless they really already have it in stock somehow

Laser Shifters and laser jammers are illegal right?

i think only the radar jammers are illegal

I bought the Passport 9500i Blue tonight with the Direct Wire SmartCord - Blue for $30 extra!

Shandon said:

I hard wired mine into the power in the mirror. Power goes on and off at the same delayed time when you take the key out etc. Perfect setup. The mount that attatches it to the rear view mirror I got off some site soembody linked me too on the VCA. I can press one button and put the radar dectector into my glove box or move it too another vehicle whenever.

Click to expand...

Shandon..... I have been looking all night and posted another thread regarding it.... Could you please link me to a website that sells the mount that attaches the 9500i to the rear view mirror.

I'd like to still be able to charge my cell phone through the lighter plug so I bought the direct wire to have it hard-wired..

Thanks!