anyone else ordered new Passport 9500ci radar detector for their X5?

[xwith5]

Originally Posted by FSETH

The Laser Interceptor tested really well, so did the Anti Laser. The new version of the Blinder should be pretty good. Check them out and see which one you prefer. I am sure other websites have tested these. I was sold on the Blinder until I saw how well the Laser Interceptor tested.

It seems like the majority of people here like the V1 and I have to agree as far as detectors go.

nynd, it doesn't matter if the cop knows something wierd is going on. If the jammer is legal in your state then you aren't breaking any laws. You leave the jammer on the entire time he is shooting at you. That is the point of having it. Having said that, it is very important to know your states laws on jamming devices. Here is a link from the guys of lidar.

http://guysoflidar.com/usa-laser-jammer-laws.html

Not sure about Canada.

The Interceptor is a Shady jammer. I would recommend either the blinder M45 or the Escort Shifter. These are jammers from quality companies that have good reputations. Be careful about using "Guys of Lidar" tests to make all your decisions. There are many forums online warning about the Laser Interceptor. The following is an overdramatic by legitimate warning against no name brand jammers.

http://www.mefeedia.com/entry/laser-...alert/7223836/

http://www.laserjammertests.com/laserinterceptor2.htm

[FSETH]

Originally Posted by xwith5

By every test category, you are referring to radar detection range, and as I said, the difference is absolutely insignificant. If am am to argue within price range, the passport 9500i at 450 dollars plus a quality laser jammer would be the ultimate choise for the price, allowing only the loss of being undetectable to RDD's. For the exact same price, you can eliminate false alarms, which means better radar detection. You can call the 8500 a POS if you like, but all you have against it is laser detection, which is a joke on ANY RADAR DETECTOR. There is no such thing as laser protection unless you jam the laser. Any radar detector mounted on a windshield will show no more than around 70% success at detecting a laser at all, because the beam of light has to bounce off and hit the detector. Either way, if you have been lasered, you have a ticket. Radar detectors should be measured by RADAR - distance of detection and quality of detection. Distance is virtually identical for the V1 and 9500i, (and will be better for the 9500ci), and quality of detection is undeniably better with Escort.

I still think the extra range is a good thing. I want as much time as possible to put my foot on the brake.

I was unhappy with the 8500 X50 with regard to the high number of false alarms (I know it is better on the newer 9500i) and the fact that it can't be upgraded like the V1. I have said that I was happy with the radar detection on the Escort and I also liked the extra mute button on the power adapter. I just seems like V1 stands behind their products over the lifetime of the unit better than Escort.

I do agree that pretty much any window mounted detector by itself is a ticket notifier. That is why I am interested in a jammer. As far as the 9500ci is concerned, it is better than just a detector by itself, but doesn't seem to be as good as a good detector coupled with a stand alone jammer. However, it costs similar to a detector and a jammer, so why buy it?

Denalio, too funny on how the Propark can be marketed. I now see where the name came from. I also agree that most LEO probably would just move to the next car for a signal if their gun couldn't pick up a particular car. Unless you were really hauling ass or driving aggressively.

AVB-AMG, can't help you with the newer offerings from K40. Sounds interesting, but I haven't seen any comparison tests. Sounds like it is on the expensive side.

xwith5, that seemed a little weird to me about the whole "Elvis" ordering thing as far as Laser Interceptor is concerned. I think one other poster said "Elvis" was the U.S. distributor and I didn't really understand what that meant. I have not looked into Laser Interceptor since earlier posts. I was originally interested in the Blinder, but was surprised by the results of the LI. If there is any truth to the video you linked, I guess I can see why the results were so good. Blinder for me in the future.

[xwith5]

Originally Posted by FSETH

I still think the extra range is a good thing. I want as much time as possible to put my foot on the brake.

I was unhappy with the 8500 X50 with regard to the high number of false alarms (I know it is better on the newer 9500i) and the fact that it can't be upgraded like the V1. I have said that I was happy with the radar detection on the Escort and I also liked the extra mute button on the power adapter. I just seems like V1 stands behind their products over the lifetime of the unit better than Escort.

I do agree that pretty much any window mounted detector by itself is a ticket notifier. That is why I am interested in a jammer. As far as the 9500ci is concerned, it is better than just a detector by itself, but doesn't seem to be as good as a good detector coupled with a stand alone jammer. However, it costs similar to a detector and a jammer, so why buy it?

Denalio, too funny on how the Propark can be marketed. I now see where the name came from. I also agree that most LEO probably would just move to the next car for a signal if their gun couldn't pick up a particular car. Unless you were really hauling ass or driving aggressively.

AVB-AMG, can't help you with the newer offerings from K40. Sounds interesting, but I haven't seen any comparison tests. Sounds like it is on the expensive side.

xwith5, that seemed a little weird to me about the whole "Elvis" ordering thing as far as Laser Interceptor is concerned. I think one other poster said "Elvis" was the U.S. distributor and I didn't really understand what that meant. I have not looked into Laser Interceptor since earlier posts. I was originally interested in the Blinder, but was surprised by the results of the LI. If there is any truth to the video you linked, I guess I can see why the results were so good. Blinder for me in the future.

Well I do appreciate you listening to my opinion through all this. I do agree that the video is a bit overdramatic and extremely unprofessional, but the the Laser Interceptor is very fishy, and I don't trust it in the least bit. I also don't see how you can say that the 9500ci is less than the quality of a regular detector plus a Jammer, when the range is comparable (9500ci will be better) and it has more features . . . but as you said earlier, "to each his own." Blinder is an excellent excellent jammer, and I do commend your choice in this area. I never meant to say that the V1 is not a good detector, only that both the 9500i and 9500ci are both very slightly superior. But in the long run, you will know where the bastard is coming from, and I will not be bothered by the local CVS pharmacy, and here our ways part.

[xwith5]

Let's all remember though, that the 9500ci has not yet been tested. I guarantee it will outrange the V1

[HaroldC]

xwith5 - I appreciate the information that you're sharing about the 9500i. While it has an impressive list of features and seems to have a good fan base on radardetector.net, I am very happy with my V1.

For most of my local driving, I usually have the V1 on mute, which means that I am not that concerned about getting clocked. While I recognize the fact that the 9500i will provide less falses the more you use it, I mainly use the RD for highway, specifically road trips. It is here that I would like to have the extra distance and warning, which the V1 still does. On top of that, the V1 does have the directional arrows, and when traveling through an area that I am not that familiar with, every bit of information helps.

I also have a Lidatek, on the M3 only, which I have been very happy with. It has saved my 6/6 times, and all at speeds that were generally 20-30 mph over the limit. I'm currently looking for a laser jammer for the X, and since they aren't making the Lidatek anymore, I've been doing a lot of researching and haven't made up my mind yet. The Laser Pro Park seems to have good feedback and is readily available with decent customer service. The Laser Interceptor, which has a great reputation, is not easily purchased with terrible CS. Still trying to decide, what are your thoughts?

[xwith5]

Originally Posted by HaroldC

xwith5 - I appreciate the information that you're sharing about the 9500i. While it has an impressive list of features and seems to have a good fan base on radardetector.net, I am very happy with my V1.

For most of my local driving, I usually have the V1 on mute, which means that I am not that concerned about getting clocked. While I recognize the fact that the 9500i will provide less falses the more you use it, I mainly use the RD for highway, specifically road trips. It is here that I would like to have the extra distance and warning, which the V1 still does. On top of that, the V1 does have the directional arrows, and when traveling through an area that I am not that familiar with, every bit of information helps.

I also have a Lidatek, on the M3 only, which I have been very happy with. It has saved my 6/6 times, and all at speeds that were generally 20-30 mph over the limit. I'm currently looking for a laser jammer for the X, and since they aren't making the Lidatek anymore, I've been doing a lot of researching and haven't made up my mind yet. The Laser Pro Park seems to have good feedback and is readily available with decent customer service. The Laser Interceptor, which has a great reputation, is not easily purchased with terrible CS. Still trying to decide, what are your thoughts?

Well, I don't have much experience with laser jammers, but I have done tons of research and I have come down to three options. My number one choice is the Blinder M45, which has the most prevalent positive test results accross websites. It is also affiliated with Beltronics/Escort, which I trust. The next choice would be the Escort Shifter ZR4, which is not out yet, but I have confidence that they will fix what few problems were found in the ZR3 (the ZR4 will be automatically integrated into the upcoming 9500ci). And my next choice would be the K40 bluetooth Laser Diffuser, because I am intrigued by it, and it seems to have a good reputation, although it is not an American brand.

I would avoid the Laser Interceptor, not because of the fishy videos disclaiming it, but because there is just no conistent testing to support it, and it is difficult to find (which is not a good sign). Whether the Guys of Lidar test was done by the maker of the Laser Interceptor or not, I am certain the test, saying it was 96% effective, was flawed. NO laser jammer will read up that close to 100 percent effective, and I will tell you why. When they did the test, the person aiming the laser was suppoed to move the lser in an attempt to find a reflective surface that would give a reading. The effectiveness was based on the distance it took to get a reading, and frankly, ANY laser gun will eventually get a reading on a car, because as the car gets closer, the reflective surface area options increase (including the sides of the car as it begins to pass). This is why all the top end jammers like the Blinder and the Shifter ZR3 had around 88 percent effectiveness, because eventually, the gun will always get a reading. The matter of the best jammers will be how long it takes the gun to get a reading, and the Blinder came back excelelnt in this matter, allowing plenty of time to slow down. I'm certain the new shifter will be excellent in this matter also.

A cool thing too about the Escort ZR series is that you can stop the laser from shifting once you have slowed down to the correct speed. This is nice because The cop read nothing until you slow down, and will eventually get a reading and think you were not speeding. The alternative is your car passing by with an obvious and incriminating lack of laser signal. I might be wrong, but I think that this is not a feature in the Blinder or the K40. Laser Pro Park would probably be my fourth choice. I don't know as mucha bout it! Hope this all helps.

[FSETH]

Originally Posted by xwith5

Well, I don't have much experience with laser jammers, but I have done tons of research and I have come down to three options. My number one choice is the Blinder M45, which has the most prevalent positive test results accross websites. It is also affiliated with Beltronics/Escort, which I trust. The next choice would be the Escort Shifter ZR4, which is not out yet, but I have confidence that they will fix what few problems were found in the ZR3 (the ZR4 will be automatically integrated into the upcoming 9500ci). And my next choice would be the K40 bluetooth Laser Diffuser, because I am intrigued by it, and it seems to have a good reputation, although it is not an American brand.

I would avoid the Laser Interceptor, not because of the fishy videos disclaiming it, but because there is just no conistent testing to support it, and it is difficult to find (which is not a good sign). Whether the Guys of Lidar test was done by the maker of the Laser Interceptor or not, I am certain the test, saying it was 96% effective, was flawed. NO laser jammer will read up that close to 100 percent effective, and I will tell you why. When they did the test, the person aiming the laser was suppoed to move the lser in an attempt to find a reflective surface that would give a reading. The effectiveness was based on the distance it took to get a reading, and frankly, ANY laser gun will eventually get a reading on a car, because as the car gets closer, the reflective surface area options increase (including the sides of the car as it begins to pass). This is why all the top end jammers like the Blinder and the Shifter ZR3 had around 88 percent effectiveness, because eventually, the gun will always get a reading. The matter of the best jammers will be how long it takes the gun to get a reading, and the Blinder came back excelelnt in this matter, allowing plenty of time to slow down. I'm certain the new shifter will be excellent in this matter also.

A cool thing too about the Escort ZR series is that you can stop the laser from shifting once you have slowed down to the correct speed. This is nice because The cop read nothing until you slow down, and will eventually get a reading and think you were not speeding. The alternative is your car passing by with an obvious and incriminating lack of laser signal. I might be wrong, but I think that this is not a feature in the Blinder or the K40. Laser Pro Park would probably be my fourth choice. I don't know as mucha bout it! Hope this all helps.

The Guys of Lidar website does say that the Laser Interceptor tested was a "development unit" who knows how well the unit you can actualy purchase would test. I find it a little strange that no tests on the production Laser Interceptor unit were performed by the guys of lidar.

I do agree with you on Blinder. They seem to test well, be a legitimate company and are priced reasonably.

I think you just have to power down the Blinder if you want to let the LEO get a reading. Once again though, if you are in a state where jammers are legal why bother doing this?

[xwith5]

Originally Posted by FSETH

The Guys of Lidar website does say that the Laser Interceptor tested was a "development unit" who knows how well the unit you can actualy purchase would test. I find it a little strange that no tests on the production Laser Interceptor unit were performed by the guys of lidar.

I do agree with you on Blinder. They seem to test well, be a legitimate company and are priced reasonably.

I think you just have to power down the Blinder if you want to let the LEO get a reading. Once again though, if you are in a state where jammers are legal why bother doing this?

A valid point, but I think that the switch off feature on the ZR4 is an important feature for the same reason that radar detector invisibility is important - because if a cop knows you have radar or laser protection, he is more likely to give you a ticket for something else, or catch you speeding in a different way, such as Instant-on radar.I would feel much safer if that cop thinks I have no defense system whatsoever, although I must admit, this is an expensive preference.

I would probably narrow my package choices down to four options -
1. 9500ci ($1599)
2. V1 Plus Blinder M45 ($1200)
3. Passport 9500i Plus Shifter ZR4 ($1000)
4. Passport SRX ($700 on ebay)

You can get the Passport SRX on ebay new for half the price of the 9500ci, at the expense of the GPS and invisibility. It has the Shifter ZR3 integrated, whose success rate is not #1, but it is up there. I think these are the top options. I don't think you can get full defense for a better price than that. Any other ideas?

[xwith5]

http://www.radarroy.com/archives/254

[xwith5]

The first 9500ci review claims that the range is better than the current V1 and that the integrated Shifter ZR4 jammed all laser guns, outperforming the ZR3 and Blinder. Clearly if money is no object, this detector is the god of all detectors. We will see how future reviews go...