Escort Passport 9500i Radar and Laser Detector Reviews

• I'm disappointed.

  
  By ATMBYHBR8E4VI on 2007-07-17
  After i thought my blue passport 8500 x50 was stolen ( turns out a friend was playing a joke...ha...) i went out and bought the newest passport that escort had to offer. The gps thing was cool and being able to lock out signals. Marking locations is a diff story...the thing is if you mark a location in the your local area, you ALREADY know everytime you go by it that you should be careful, so having the escort tell you that its coming up in 2400 ft.is superfluous. I was told the the antenna was the same as the 8500 x50 therefor the sensitivity should be up to par to the 8500. However, i experienced alot of lag on the the k and ka bands. It doesnt start reporting till about 2 or 3 bars in. To tell you the truth, i bit my first speeding ticket using this radar a couple days ago. I was going up a hill and coming down, i saw the cop, and at the same instant my radar goes full blast. It was error on my part to be speeding by myself, but i was disappointed by the useless warning. Regardless i never got a ticket in the 3 yrs i used the 8500.
  
  when i got my 8500 back from my friend, i tested them side my side in my car, and indeed, the 8500 was more sensative to signals by a good 2 seconds. sometimes more. This convinced me enough to return the 9500i and keep my old 8500 x50. i am disappointed in Escort's new 9500i.
  
  

• Quite simply the best radar detector out there

  
  By A1FCQI065T3HYH on 2007-04-21
  This is an amazing device. Everyone knows the protection you get from owning a Passport radar detector, but let's face it, it can also be a pain in the rear around town. There are WAY too many false alarms.
  
  Well, this can virtually eleminate them. Whenever you encounter what you know if a false alarm (be sure!) you can program the unit to know this signal in this location is a false alarm (total of 3 keystrokes, not hard). You will never again get that alarm in that spot. Amazing.
  
  It is also "smart" and knows how fast you are going, auto adjusting the sensativity on the unit, again reducing false alarms.
  
  If you drive much and want to avoid "revenue generation" tickets, this is a virtual must have purchase.
  
  

• This thing is fantastic.

  
  By A2H7BLR1MTLA3F on 2007-09-11
  The first thing I want to say is that I ALMOST bought the passport 8500 because of what I read from one of the other reviews about a side by side test between the 9500i and the 8500. I read more about the topic and discovered that you can not compare the sensitivity of radar detectors by sticking both of them on your windshield and driving down the road. When they are that close to each other, they interfere with each other.
  
  Boy am I glad I got the 9500i. The GPS functionality is great and I have blocked out all the false alarms on the usual routes I travel. So easy to do it, just hit the mute button on the device or the smart cord three times and you never have to hear that false alarm again. Sweet.
  
  This thing has great range too. It picked up radar up to 5 miles away from one particularly well hidden detector along the Ohio turnpike.
  
  Also, with the GPS function, it displays the speed you were going when you got "pinged" with the radar, so you can tell if you need to slow down or not. I know what you are thinking, but just because the detector is going off doesn't mean that someone with a radar gun can tell your speed. For a radar gun to detect speed, it must hit your vehicle then bounce back. This is only good for a mile at the most and under prime conditions. The detector just has to pick up the radar reaching it, so it can pick up from much farther away.
  
  When you first get the alarm, it is usually with one bar on the detector. You can safely slow down (No slamming on the brakes) before you pass the radar source and the 9500i will keep you informed about how strong the signals are.
  
  Another great thing about the GPS function, you can mark those pesky vascar spots. See, vascar doesn't use radar...so with any other detector, you are not protected when you pass over the white lines on the road. With this device, you can mark that spot so you know where it is next time, and it will warn you that it is coming in the appropriate amount of time depending on your speed. Sweet again.
  
  The only down side that I can find in the 9500i after taking it around where I live and down the highway about 20 hours worth is that when the first warning shows up you can never be sure if it is a false alarm or not. You have to wait and see if it goes up high, or just stays a low signal...false alarms are almost always low signals. However, once you pass that low signal and it goes out of range, you can not...after the fact...still mark it as a fake signal to be blocked. It would have been nice if the device would allow you to still mark the most recent alarm a minute or two after you pass it. Obviously, you can mark it the next time past, but I'm just saying.
  
  Mounts easy, comes with a nice case, extra suction cups, smart cord is awesome, and the dark feature (audio only, no light) can't be beat at night.
  
  Overall, a GREAT device, can't recommend it enough. It has already saved me a ticket and I've only had it 2 weeks. Paid for itself.
  
  p.s. Just so you know, radar detectors are legal in pretty much the entire country except for a few states (as long as you don't have a commercial driver's license). You can read about it on the Escort website.
  
  

• This thing is amazing!

  
  By A19DGSWIZG3TLZ on 2007-05-02
  I had a Escort Passport 8500 X50 before getting this, and this thing blows that detector away! The ability to get rid of false alarms and mark known speed traps is worth the high price alone. Factor in the fact that it tells you how fast you are going, and you can share the profiles you create about speed traps and false alarms online with the provided USB port is just icing on the cake! Heck, there is even a site out there already dedicated to doing just that...
  
  [...]
  
  Once people start getting on there and sharing the profiles that they create we will eventually have a online database of all known speed traps and false signals on major highways and citys, and eventually the whole country!
  
  Just imagine, you're going on a road trip, you go to that site, download a profile that tells you where to slow down and has all false signals for the major highway you are going to travel and you really don't need to worry about cops any more!
  
  I cannot wait till that is possible...
  
  
  

• Unrealized Potential - USB does NOT work

  
  By A35QRTOA6YLJXF on 2007-07-26
  As a radar detector I find the 9500 is slightly less sensitive than the Bel STi. I can live with that given the GPS integration... however, and the reason I'm penalizing this product is the complete misinformation surrounding the use of the USB port... there are no drivers, no published data formats and no software to take advantage of this feature. Right now the product gets 1-star for misleading advertising related to the capabilities of the device. Here's the official word from Escort regarding the USB port: "It is good to hear from you! We have not had an inordinate amount of returns with the 9500i. Currently the USB port is only used internally. In the future you will be able to download and save your marked locations, and download other customer's saved locations. In the far future, you will also be able to download software from us using the USB port. We have no time line on when these functions will be available, but our engineers are currently working on them. Thank you for your patience, and we will announce any new capabilities on our website."
  
  
• Disappointed
  By A2CB51N36LV891 on 2007-08-10
  I bought the 9500i and also the Valentine One, intending to use them both and send back the one I didn't like. The 9500i went back today. The GPS lockout feature is useful and innovative, but as a detector this unit does not work well.
  
  False alarms for laser are a daily occurrence, usually just as I turn a corner to face into the sun. The thing will screech, and before the voice-over comes in, I've taken to saying to myself, "Bright Sunlight Alert!"
  
  The radar detection is not as good as on the V1, and lack of a rear antenna (to provide directional data) in my opinion is a critical flaw.
  
  
• Excellent Radar Detector
  By A19N6E6NFH4L9D on 2007-12-01
  Have used the 9500i for about a month now, and appears to be a lot more sensitive than my "top of the line" Bell detector I bought 3 years ago. I still like Bell, but the GPS features of this unit made it a must have.
  
  Pros:
  * Wow!, I have detected constant scans, instant, and pop radars, sometimes a mile before I see the patrol car. I almost think I have a false scan, but when I see the patrol car I know the 9500i was not lying to me. (One time I got hit, so I shut it down, the guy behind me really didn't like that, so I let him by and he passed me like I was standing still, he got nailed, see, radar detectors can be fun).
  * Allows you to see your speed on the detector, so you can use it as a "heads up" display.
  * Allows you to lock out false signals from a certain area. (Nice, but see Cons).
  
  Cons:
  * A Lot more false scans than my Bell unit. On the upside, you can lock these out, so basically it's "trial and error" until you determine you have a false signal and decide to lock it out.
  * At it's lowest brightness level, it's still to bright (compared to my Bell). I don't like advertising to everyone around that I have a radar detector, cops really don't like them, and will pull you over for something else if they can't get you speeding.
  
  Note: If your alone on the road, speeding, and get scanned, there is no radar detector in the world that will save you. The cop units are good, some are very good. Your only hope is that when you detect a scan, the cop is scanning another vehicle, not you, if it is you, forget it, your getting a ticket. Just thought I would throw this in here if anyone thought radar detectors are a perfect solution.
  
  
  
  
• This is the BEST! Wow it works well.
  By A2V80MNK3CAGS6 on 2007-06-12
  I have used radar detectors for 22 years, and the introduction of a gps is the best. I the first week in school zone I was watching my speed and got lasered the 9500 showed me 27 mph 2 over i new i was safe!! On the way to work i pass 3 false, now i have marked and removed the noise. I have marked speed traps all over Greater Denver. I think it's the best.
  
  
• WARNING - Interferes with XM Radio
  By A1EV84WUAIAMOT on 2008-02-26
  I've had the 9500i for over a year now and it works fabulously as advertised. It is quite simply the best radar detector ever made. The GPS lockout feature is worth the price. I live in a police state (Ohio, where this detector is made by the way) and the cops use every band of radar, lidar, and airplanes to keep us citizens in line (under their thumb). The GPS lockout feature on the 9500 keeps my daily commute quiet while I keep all bands up and running. It only beeps when there is a cop. I also have the ZR3 Laser Shifters and they work as advertised and integrate flawlessly with the 9500.
  
  The down side however is big. It took me this long to figure it out and Escort doesn't seem to know anything about it. This, to me means they have no intention of addressing it. The problem is, it interferes with XM Radio reception to the point of making XM virtually useless. Over the last year since I've had the 9500 I've experienced dramatic XM signal loss that is incredibly irritating. I've replaced my XM receiver and the antennae twice and harassed the poor Punjabi customer support guy from XM to the point that I think he cried. Only recently did I discover that the problem with my XM Radio is in fact caused by my radar detector.
  
  When I turn the radar detector off, I instantly regain my XM Radio signal. When I turn the 9500 back on, I instantly lose XM reception. It is crystal clear, undeniable, unacceptable, and needs to be addressed by Escort.
  
  
• Exceptional Detector
  By A21SKWLWGMHV13 on 2008-01-29
  This is certainly every bit of and should have been a 5 star rating on this product. I spent well over a month reading everything I could find on all detectors out there and this was hands done the one all that research left me buying. Since buying it I've logged a lot of drive hours into using it and getting to know it intimately and it's been just extraordinary. "Ka Band" Radar is what most people are going to find they run into and the Ka detection of the 9500i has been perfectly tuned to not over extend it's range, while still giving you plenty of warning time. The GPS capabilities to lockout false signals (very common) has worked flawlessly for me. I have numerous X and K band false signals locked out so they don't annoy me, while an actual police radar in the area still triggers an alert. GPS location marking of the 9500i is also your only defense against VASCAR speed traps where aircraft and stop watches are used with markings on the road side, other detectors can't do either of these GPS must have features for you.
  
  I knocked them 1 star on my rating though not because of a problem with the device, but because 1 year after being on the market now Escort still does not have the software available to allow use of the built in USB port on this detector. I considered knocking them a second star as well because if you buy this on Amazon or that other popular auction site the manufacturer, escortradar dot com, will void your warranty. Search around and you'll see the real reason why, this manufacturer practices price fixing, anyone (like Amazon) selling this product for less than the set price finds their name on the manufacturers "Do Not Buy From, Warranty Will Be Void", list which can be found at their website.
  
  
• Delivers the Goods!
  By A2IVXCMNU7W6QF on 2007-08-06
  I've been using radar detectors for years, but always went with cheaper ones before because I didn't really think there could be *that* much of a difference between the products. But I still got tickets from time to time with the cheapo units (not surprised there), so I finally decided to just spend the money on a high-end RD. After a lot of research and comparison shopping, I bought the 9500i a couple weeks ago.
  
  After taking some time to see how the 9500i performed during my daily driving routine, I am finally ready to write a review. Let me start by saying that the 9500i is a great product that really delivers the goods! I love the TrueLock feature that allows me to block out locations known to give me false positives. This works through a combination of GPS positioning and frequency, so you can still get real positive alerts when driving through a previously locked out area.
  
  I also like the Mark Location feature, Expert Mode, and the way the 9500i displays my speed right there on the unit. I find that it's easier to glance at the RD to check my speed than to look all the way down at the speedometer.
  
  Anyway, I have had zero problems with the 9500i since I bought it and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a new radar detector!
  
  
  
  
• Don't know what to make of it
  By AFK5SWZATPFJC on 2007-11-17
  Not sure how helpful this review will be, because I'm not totally sure myself. Any comments would be helpful. Here's the deal. I've had this detector since this past August. Each day I drive 140mi round trip to work & back, 90% is expressway, speed limit here in SE Mi is 70mph. During the time I've owned this detector I've passed many radar cops on the side of the road, my detector has alerted me exactly 2 times. I can't believe the many many cops I've passed where it didn't go off, that they had their radar turned off, just too many for me to believe that.
  
  I sent the detector back to Escort saying somethings wrong, they send it back to me saying it's working fine. I know a few times I've blown by a radar cop about 78mph they didn't come after me (yes, detector did not go off). Maybe they have their guns set to above 80mph, I don't know. I sure don't want to test them.
  
  All other features work great, the GPS is great, filtering out false signal is great.
  
  Funny thing is, I've also got a higher priced Cobra detector, I get the same results with it. I think it's gone off about 2 or 3 times also, pass many cops where it does nothing.
  
  Maybe the cops in SE Mi are using some secret undetectable radar (g):)
  
  Any comments would be appreciated.
  
  
• Lives up to the hype
  By A1FDL8ZN2THDRT on 2008-02-08
  Bought the 9500 to replace an older Whistler. The old one was OK, did not give a ton of warning a lot of the time. Totally untrue of the 9500. Great range. I adore the lockout feature. That damn gas station where the cop hides out no longer forces me to alter my pace unless he is there. It also does a remarkable job picking up scattered laser shots. Saved my bacon once already. Only knock is that it usually takes a block or 2 to pick up the GPS signal.
  
  
• Great Detector
  By A1RER0J94Y72IZ on 2007-08-06
  I'm a firm believer in you get what you pay for, so don't go cheap. This detector is pricey, but it is worth the money. I was tempted to go with the 8500 version, but the GPS is worth the extra money. Picks up signals of police over a mile away. Just remember that no detector will make you invisible, if used wisely, this detector is very effective.
  
  
• Best Radar Detector I've Ever Had
  By AS3J20L7A8TIJ on 2007-08-06
  Of course I've only had two, but still. I am very impressed. The detection capabilities are awesome. Granted I am easily amused, but I also love when I turn the detector on and it talks to me. And not in that evil Speak and Spell voice either.
  
  The TrueLock and Mark Location features make it worth the price. I always hated when I drove past the same spot every single day and my detector would go crazy (just because I was driving past a drug store). And I'm alerted too when I'm coming up on a speed trap.
  
  Anyway, highly recommended, already saved me money.
  
  
• Escort Passport 9500i Radar
  By AZDOCMOP4FXOO on 2008-01-12
  This was a Christmas gift. Out of 10 I would rate this a 6 because it doesn't pick up all police vehicles and bands and when it does, they are right there on you. I did extensive research on it before purchasing. It has great features, but don't believe the hype!
  
  
• The Best Choice By Far
  By ANFFUR3NMLDM4 on 2008-01-31
  I've had many radar detectors over the years, but what really separates this detector from everything else is the GPS capability comhined with superior auto-sensitivity in the 9500i.
  These two features combined give the 9500i the ability to give fewer false positives than any detector I've ever owned, including the V1. If it ever does give a false positive, you can train the detector to ignore that particular signal based on its geographic location and frequency. It also tracks multiple signals, so even if you lock out some X-band signal from the local grocery store, you can still pick up other bogeys in the same area.
  Conclusion: Definitely worth the money
  
  
• Great product
  By A1F7DDNZ6NDBS5 on 2007-08-06
  I think Escort has done a great job with this detector. They are using cutting edge technology to bring us the consumers the latest and greatest. Nothing is ever going to be full proof, but the 9500i does a pretty darn good job. The GPS is a very cool feature and it is very easy to operate. I would recommend this detector to anyone I know! I think it's the best money can buy period.
  
  
• Great detector, but beware!!!!
  By A2X6O2GPUKGWPN on 2008-03-29
  The features on this detector are very nice, I find it very sensitive and and handy for remebering the many locations of speed traps, red light/speed cams, and what not. Only draw backs include 1) placement is slightly limited due to the GPS function because the whole unit must be under glass for it to work properly, and 2) I have actually purchased two of these now because it is apparently a hot ticket item for thieves as well :(
  
  
• Best I've Used
  By A3RJQDYR3RV6H5 on 2008-04-05
  This is a great radar detector. I have owned the common cheap Cobra radar detectors and you can't ever go back.. Those cheap ones can't hardly be called radar detectors. This one has a nice voice that will tell you when it picks something up. The GPS thing is cool how you can mark known locations and what now. But I don't really use that because the cigarette lighter has a nifty MUTE button for when I pass known speed traps. But what I do use the GPS for is how it tells you your vehicle speed. It is alot easier to read (in your line of sight) and helps you keep a reasonable speed. It has saved me 2 or 3 times from a real ticket. Gave me enough room to slow down and it was loud and clear enough to give me the warning. One time I actually picked up a cop who had LASERed me. Fortunately I wasn't going to fast and he didn't pull me over (but the alarm goes nuts when it picks up LASER cuz you are usually screwed).
  
  So yes this is a good radar detector, WILL save you from tickets and is cool how it always tells you your speed and other nifty stuff like battery voltage, which mode it is in, ect.
  
  
• sboyce
  By AFRL8B5EQEHON on 2007-06-10
  We already owned o of the best radar detectors out and this one is leaps and bounds better. What a great buy.
  
  
• Extremely reliable performance.
  By A24NAUF11M92OD on 2008-01-14
  I purchased the Escort Passport 9500i for my husband for Christmas. He had had the prior model for about a year and we both had been very happy with its performance. However, as my husband loves the latest and greatest gadgets (and I needed something to purchase him for Christmas), I decided to upgrade him to the new Escort Passport 9500i. We have been using it for about three weeks now and are very pleased with its new features. The built-in GPS allows you to program in false alerts, eliminating those annoying false alarms. Plus, you can program in speed traps and other GPS-related locations to warn you well advance when they are coming up. The new "voice" alert is also very pleasing to the ear. Overall, the new features allowed by the GPS programming have made this purchase worthwhile when you're on the road a lot and I would recommend spending the few extra $$ for such a reliable product!
  
  
• Passport 9500i looking good
  By AWNG26S8MV77E on 2008-02-25
  I've had the pasport 9500i for several weeks now and it has worked in every way as advertised.
  
  
• Professional.
  By A3OT9DOXXPUG3E on 2008-03-19
  Accessorie Genie's team is extremely professional and I am totally satisfied with its feedback. Five stars to them!
  
  
• Watch Out - Model Is Upgrading to 9500ix
  By A161T7N1Y1HIHJ on 2008-07-20
  Nice detector but the Escort 9500ix is already coming out with 'enhanced' features. I just bought my 9500i a few days ago and it works well. I have owned multiple Escorts over the years. Wish I had known the detector was being upgraded so soon.
  
  
• Zoom, Zoom, Zoom
  By AUJKCK1LKVF0I on 2007-09-16
  Escort Passport 9500i Radar and Laser Detector- Great detector, lots of abilities. Worth the extra $$$$$.
  
  
  
• Quick to alert
  By A3TZ7ZUTX7OD73 on 2008-01-13
  My experiance is that the Escort Passport 9500I is a great detector. I received it as a Christmas Gift to use with my new 2008 Ford Mustang GT500. Went on a weekend trip to a small town in Illinois and noticed that a pickup truck, a 1/2 a mile ahead of me, hit his breaks after I was already alerted and had slowed down. So this proves I got the alert before he did. I've owned three Passport detectors and have loved them all. I especially like that the display shows your speed when radar is detected, and that you can mark "false alerts". I would recommend this detector to anyone.
  
  
• what a life saver
  By A39H8XQPQYIEF1 on 2008-04-30
  I just bought a new car. It is much different than my old s-10. I'm heading up north and all the sudden my radar detector goes off and I see that I'm cruising along at 90+ mph!!! With the superior detection systems and excellent range I was able to slow down to posted speed without any trouble. It was even better after I found out about Michigan's Driver Irresponsiblity fines. It just paid for itself!!! I was so impressed that I bought on for my Mom for Mother's Day.
  
  
  
• Passport 9500i
  By A3P9HQEGLU2CD6 on 2008-05-30
  Love my new radar detector. Best feature is the option to lock out false alarms from stores, etc. Works great.
  
  
• Very Expennsive and Very Lousy Performance!
  By A34AB1FGI1PVD2 on 2008-07-12
  Got this radar detector and had high hopes for it because of the GPS and anti false alarm sensitivity.
  Unfortunately in my first week I got a nasty speeding ticket. The officer had a laser gun and it didn't warn me until it was right in front of me. With this kind of protection who needs protection at all?
  Sure the slim unit looks great, and I like the talking radar but at the end of the day don't you buy this to avoid tickets? My friend swears by his Valentine, which looks ugly, but really who cares about the looks of a radar detector.
  
  

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