Just Purchased a ****** Passport 9500ix

I just purchased the 9500ix radar and laser detector with speed and traffic camera technology including GPS smart technology for false alarms. I have read up on the many forum members who have the Valentine and love it and while it was a close call the end result was I bought the 9500ix from ******. I figured I would try it and see how it goes because they have a 30 day money back guarantee which is nice too. It was $100 more than the Valentine and what I liked about it is you can download updates from the internet.

Has anybody had any personal experience yet with this newest detector?

We also have the ****** Passport, and we love it!~! Shows your speed (as you mentioned, the GPS) when you're closing in on the radar/laser gun. Everyone has their own opinions...we like this one. Enjoy! ~juli

mike & juli said:

We also have the ****** Passport, and we love it!~! Shows your speed (as you mentioned, the GPS) when you're closing in on the radar/laser gun. Everyone has their own opinions...we like this one. Enjoy! ~juli

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Have you had a chance to use the V1 before? I am interested to see what the opinions are when comparing the two.

ok when I read that you just pruchased an ****** I read something completely different than an what you meant
Damn Vegas has ruined my mind

viperfuntime said:

Have you had a chance to use the V1 before? I am interested to see what the opinions are when comparing the two.

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Oh, sorry...no we'd never had the V1. We did the online comparo before we decided which we'd buy...we obviously went with the Passport. ~juli

ROBERT: Get your mind outtttttttttta the gutter, dude~!!!

I have been a long time user of the V1's and was always convinced I would never switch.

I recently installed a Passport 9500ci (the remote version) and I can tell you that I wouldn't go back to a V1 if you paid me.

I haven't done any comparisons as to which one starts beeping first but the lack of false alarms on the Passport due to the GPS is something I will never again do without.

Now - if the V1 came out with this feature, I'd probably switch back because I really like the directional arrow but I can certainly live without it.

My wife and I went to a local Viper event this past weekend and drove a total of about 120 miles. It went off no more than 4 or 5 times the entire trip. We were able to identify the source on 3 of them.

Hope this helps!

im a diehard V1 fan and user. got two of them. i LOVE the directional arrows but i like the idea of the GPS for false alarms. only problem with that is the cops could and likely will be in that area again. does the ****** show how many alarms are going off ? that is very helpful.

i do like the escorts though....

plumcrazy said:

im a diehard V1 fan and user. got two of them. i LOVE the directional arrows but i like the idea of the GPS for false alarms. only problem with that is the cops could and likely will be in that area again. does the ****** show how many alarms are going off ? that is very helpful.
i do like the escorts though....

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LOL...Asian ones maybe??? I believe you can 'mark' where you've been 'zapped' before on the ******...(no, not the Asian ******...). ~juli

but does that mark the spot or the single radar "finger print". so if there was ANOTHER cop there in that spot, would it still go off and tel you the new radar was there ?

plumcrazy said:

but does that mark the spot or the single radar "finger print". so if there was ANOTHER cop there in that spot, would it still go off and tel you the new radar was there ?

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Good Question...I'd have to find the book...as we've never done that. If I find out, I'll let you know. ~juli

I found a site called something like "radartest.com" and it said the V1 isn't very up to date anymore. The V1 testing showed about 98 false alarms compared to NONE on the 9500i The V1 has equal detecting ability, but is easliy found at 1000' by the police radar detector detector whereas the 9500i and Bell's new GPS detectors are "undetectable" from 3' away. The Passport and Bell do not detect each other like the V1s.

The GPS is programmed with an international Database of 'motionless' speed and red light cameras. The testing showed that many states are upgrading to motionless cameras for extra income/taxes in these tough economic times. California has something like 8 speed cameras mounted along the highway to collect your money! GPS will alert you to these stationary speed traps. Many speed cameras are triggered by pavement sensors and therefor no radar detection is possible.

The 9500ci(custom instal) works the BEST. Not only does it have better range, but being mounted beside the license plates (where radar and laser get aimed the detection is much easier. Laser uses a 36" beam and therefor may not be detectable by a high windshield mounted radar detector. The site also has pertinent info on temp shutdowns and V1s inability to message that it is inoperable (no self diagnostics). Obviously you want to mount your radar detector in the grille between headlights and license plate (best radar reflector on car) for optimium detection and laser "shifting"/cancelling. Your sensors being in the open air also reduces interfeerence and allows better performance. Mounting my lawer shifters in the bottom gille means that I have the best chance of detecting laser beams that reflect under the cars in front of me as well.

This week I will pick up my new 9500i and hopefully, he'll have the upgrade units I need to upgrade my SRX (similar to 8500) to the 9500ci.

Ted

The V1 has equal detecting ability, but is easliy found at 1000' by the police radar detector detector whereas the 9500i and Bell's new GPS detectors are "undetectable" from 3' away.

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i dont buy THAT part of it. it might be undetectable for lazer but its gonna be seen by radar.

Which part don't you buy?

The V1 easily detects most other radar detectors in other cars. It also detects most radar detectors in the same car, except the new "silent" technology that the V1 doesn't have. The V1 isn't state of the art any longer, no GPS and no "silent" technology.

are you saying the ****** is NOT detectable to a police radar ? making the car "invisible"

plumcrazy said:

are you saying the ****** is NOT detectable to a police radar ? making the car "invisible"

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NO, I said that the ****** 9500i and the Bell (gps unit) have anti-radar DETECTOR DETECTOR invisibility.

Meaning that the states and Alberta/Ontario where radar detectors are illegal do not have the technology to 'see' these 2 new radar detectors. V1 is easily visible to the radar detector detector that the police use.

You thought Detector detector was a spelling/gammar mistake?

There's a ton of excellent info on that site and I learned a lot, then phoned my 'electronics guy' and ordered the dash model for everything and the 9500i pieces for my Viper.

Radar Detectors in BC are OK (not illegal) and our speed cameras were banned a few years ago, but I do drive to Calif., Oregon and Wash so even 2 tickets saved will pay for the detector. Last time I went from Oregon through Wash. and 500mi. of BC I counted 32 radar 'dings' and defended a rear laser beam.

I currently have the ****** SRX built into my Viper. I have never gotten a ticket in my Viper. The Laser 'shifters' seem to work. Even the 8500 which my SRX is based on shows direction and Band/Laser. My SRX also displays safety messages such as "road closed", Emergency vehicle, ambulance, firetruck, etc. (there are 65 safety messages) and here in BC I completely ignore "Road Construction" signs unless my SRX tells me that there is road construction. New Gov policy is to leave Road Construction signs up for 6 months to a year for nothing!!! If there is REAL road construction happending they have the radar emitting device and my SRX tells me.

When I asked the Insurance company to replace my SR7 the woman laughed at me. It's a device to break the law she said. I explained the safety warnings and she had never heard of it before. They paid the max allowed for aftermarket electronics though.

I explain the safety stuff to every cop that pulls me over - after I show him my hidden radar unit. They're impressed.

Ted

Ted

Ted

gotcha. good info there

plum: On the question you asked before about marking the Passport...Yes, you can (quoted from the Passport 9500i booklet) "mark a specific location and label it for future reference, once marked, Passport will provide an alert before you reach this area any time you return. This can be extremely useful when there are known speed traps or camera locations that you would like to remember. ONCE you have marked (hit mrk button) the location, Passport will provide an alert approximately ONE MILE in advance when your vehicle is moving 50mph or above (that would be YOU, PLUM~!!! )....This alert distance is reduced to approx. 1/2mile when traveling below 50mph (that discounts YOU, PLUM! ).

Ted was very helpful here also...!!! Hope that answered your question...it also provides a visual indication of your speed during the first few seconds of an alert, allowing you to instantly check your speed without looking at your speedometer. (Speed Alert feature)
AND, remember when you were AHEAD of me (of course, you were in your VIPER, I was in my VETTE, lol)...and your radar detector kept going off???? We thought it was my Phazer Laser jammer...maybe not...maybe it was your V1--going off due to another radar detector nearby?
~juli

Here you go.

RadarTest.com - Best radar detector reviews from the world's most respected authority.

It took me hours to read it all, but I like being smarter. I recommend reading it to everybody.

The wife's new Hemi Ram is outside with the front exhaust undone and a new Predator hanging from the dash. I think I need to alter programming on the laptop, then use the Predator to load the changes, but I'm also thinking that I'll space the rear oxy sensors with tubing (in the city you could buy "non-foulers"), welder and a drill. The spacers with restricted exhaust acess should allow me to remove the Cat's guts without setting a CEL. If it doesn't work, then I can shut down the rear oxy sensor program with the damn laptop. I spent 3 days trying to update calibrations with my Vista laptop and was ready to return the Tuner when I finally used my antique XP laptop and got the Predator recalibrated for use.

I suspect that Vista may be a problem if/when updating the GPS program of the radar detectors as well.

Also notice if the internet updates are free or costly. Updates recommended often. I think they're free for 3 years with ******?

Ted

I did all the comparisons last year and it came down to the V1 and the Passport 9500. They were very close, but I ended up getting the Passport... I decided I would rather have the GPS to eliminate falses more than the arrows.

The GPS doesn't eliminate many false alarms, it uses an international database to let you know of recorded red light and speed cameras locations that use pavement sensors instead of radar to turn camera/radar on (not constant on any longer).

The false alarm technology is a different circuit and that technology is also included in my SRX/8500. I had a Bell that had so many false alarms that after 30 I threw it in the backseat. Turns out that was the only real signal. I got to learn that minimium ticket in Nebraska is $180 and they take credit cards. Pay or jail choices on the spot. Luckily he liked the viper and gave me a warning instead.

My SRX (and the 9500ci) display (if you decide to mount it in vew) shows REAR or FORWARD when alarming. Equal to arrows?

Ted

I went to town and bought the dashboard.windshield 9500i. $525 Cdn.

I checked out the 9500ci as I had asked for parts to upgrade my SRX. Unfortunately, they do not sell separate and the new 9500ci is $1400 jobber cost. That doesn't mention laser scramblers so I doubt they're included. They may not be compatible, meaning any Laser will get you busted, like a V1. Guess I'll be sticking to my (new jobber cost) $950 Cdn.

Here in BC we have disallowed speed cameras and we are also allowed to own radar detectors so the stealth technology and speed camera memory/data banks don't help at all in BC.

I see the 9500i has 64 safety message features called Safety Warning system/SWS.

I registered my 9500 at the webpage and downloaded the updater program. I uploaded the 1st update and found an A/B to USB cable to use to update my new detector. I think that the updates are free for 3 years?

Only Vista and XP applicable. Sure glad that it doesn't use teh more common serial to USB adapter cables that my other auto hardware uses (and doesn't work with Vista!!! ***** buying a new laptop for my Viper and to use my Sapphire laptop I'll have to pay someone to load XP into it.

Ted

Well it appears the reading I did prior to my purchase seems to be consistent with what I am reading here in that the techonology is newer and upgradeable as new speed cameras and red light cameras are installed in America. I agree they are becoming more widely used by cities all over America to keep money rolling in and less officers on the road.

For those with the 9500 where is the best place to mount it on the windshield, rear view mirror, or visor for an SRT? I live in CA and I believe it is illegal to mount on the windshield.

We mount ours right on the windshield, no hard-wiring. Not illegal here in NYS. ~juli
(We've done as Ted did, updated thru USB port/computer software)

You are right about windshield mounts in california - illegal. But there should be alternative mounting systems offered for sale there. Best mounting location is on the dash. Make certain that wipers etc. do not interfere with detector's 'line of sight'.

Double tape will work sometimes.

Ted

I have the inbuilt SRX and I love it

RTTTTed said:

You are right about windshield mounts in california - illegal. But there should be alternative mounting systems offered for sale there. Best mounting location is on the dash. Make certain that wipers etc. do not interfere with detector's 'line of sight'.

Double tape will work sometimes.

Ted

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I was thinking about going with the mirror mount bracket but I am afraid the visibility will be jeopardized. Does anybody know in an SRT if that affects the visibility that much to where it is not worth doing it?

viperfuntime said:

I was thinking about going with the mirror mount bracket but I am afraid the visibility will be jeopardized. Does anybody know in an SRT if that affects the visibility that much to where it is not worth doing it?

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The top of the ****** needs a 'clear view' of the sky for the GPS antenna on the top, front of the unit. Owner's manual shows the unit mounted in the middle of the windshield for gps Sat. visibility. I wouldn't mount it under the metal windshield support structure.

Ted