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

[marcx5]

has anyone else ordered the new Passport 9500ci (custom installed) radar detector for their X5? This is a VERY cool, remote radar detector system with integrated GPS functionality as well laser jamming.

would enjoy discussing some installation options... i.e. where are you putting GSP sensor? how are you mounting laser jammers in front? etc....

they start shipping in april.... but since i've ordered one recently, thought i'd see if anyone else has thought about this as well...

thanks.

[HaroldC]

$1599? Wow that's expensive! And it's based on their ZR3 laser shifter, which didn't do that well in the GOL tests:
http://guysoflidar.com/march-2007/la...mmer-test.html

I have the V1, which is still the best out there (directional arrows are priceless!) hardwired. I'm looking for the laser jammer, I have the Lidatek on my M3 which is awesome (saved me a bunch of times!). But they seem to no longer make it, so I have been looking for what to put on the X5. The front surface area is much larger than the M3, so performance of the jammer is more important.

[FSETH]

Originally Posted by HaroldC

$1599? Wow that's expensive! And it's based on their ZR3 laser shifter, which didn't do that well in the GOL tests:
http://guysoflidar.com/march-2007/la...mmer-test.html

I have the V1, which is still the best out there (directional arrows are priceless!) hardwired. I'm looking for the laser jammer, I have the Lidatek on my M3 which is awesome (saved me a bunch of times!). But they seem to no longer make it, so I have been looking for what to put on the X5. The front surface area is much larger than the M3, so performance of the jammer is more important.

Escort cannot compete with the V1, IMO. Don't waste your money on that particular setup. This is comming from an owner of the previous generation Passport 8500 X50, which was highly rated when I bought it. It has let me down 3 times with regard to Laser. One of those times it did not even go off. The radar protection has been pretty good, overall.

I am going to buy a V1 and add a Blinder laser jammer when I get the opportunity. You really need a laser jammer to get the most protection available from Laser, which is much harder for the V1 or the Passport to pick up. If you are willing to spend that much on the Passport system, you should really look into the V1 and a Blinder jammer.

http://www.blinder.net/

[marcx5]

Originally Posted by HaroldC

$1599? Wow that's expensive! And it's based on their ZR3 laser shifter, which didn't do that well in the GOL tests:
http://guysoflidar.com/march-2007/la...mmer-test.html

I have the V1, which is still the best out there (directional arrows are priceless!) hardwired. I'm looking for the laser jammer, I have the Lidatek on my M3 which is awesome (saved me a bunch of times!). But they seem to no longer make it, so I have been looking for what to put on the X5. The front surface area is much larger than the M3, so performance of the jammer is more important.

you can find the detector cheaper than $1600... but even at that price, i think it's worth it if it saves you from a couple tickets. I've had the SRX (previous model) and it clearly saved me a lot, especially laser jamming.

The ZR3 did WELL in most the tests i read online, i can look for links later... but this is even the newer version, called ZR4. Also, the GPS functionality adds a lot when you really learn the benefits... and there is no doubt this is the best detector on the market. Having it remotely installed is a huge advantage also... because if you do get stopped the cops are much more likely to give you a ticket if they see you are using a detector.

The arrows might be nice on the Valentine... but that detector is greatly outdated, imo.

[Denalio]

Originally Posted by marcx5

you can find the detector cheaper than $1600... but even at that price, i think it's worth it if it saves you from a couple tickets. I've had the SRX (previous model) and it clearly saved me a lot, especially laser jamming.

The ZR3 did WELL in most the tests i read online, i can look for links later... but this is even the newer version, called ZR4. Also, the GPS functionality adds a lot when you really learn the benefits... and there is no doubt this is the best detector on the market. Having it remotely installed is a huge advantage also... because if you do get stopped the cops are much more likely to give you a ticket if they see you are using a detector.

The arrows might be nice on the Valentine... but that detector is greatly outdated, imo.

Stand alone Laser Jammer is the way to to go. Check out the Laser Interceptor http://85.125.80.136/LaserInterceptor/smf/index.php
Probably the best that is available right now. You can also look at the GOL website http://www.guysoflidar.com/
The LI retail version is different than the prototype that GOL tested. However, all the info is there.

[FSETH]

Originally Posted by Denalio

Stand alone Laser Jammer is the way to to go. Check out the Laser Interceptor http://85.125.80.136/LaserInterceptor/smf/index.php
Probably the best that is available right now. You can also look at the GOL website http://www.guysoflidar.com/
The LI retail version is different than the prototype that GOL tested. However, all the info is there.

The LI tested really well, but is it readily available in the US or Canada?

The Blinder tested was the old M40, the new versions M25 and M45 should be a little better. The Anti Laser tested well also according to your link. I definately agree that a good jammer and a good radar detector would be the best way to go. You could probably get both units for under $1,000 total.

[HaroldC]

I've been looking at either the Laser Interceptor or Laser Pro Park. LPP had a US distributor, but I think that they go through their Canadian distributor.

A separate radar detector and laser jammer is the may to go. That way, if new technology comes along (which is inevitable) you can upgrade the component that is outdated.

Even if the V1 has been around for a few years, it's performance is still the best among those available today. Even with all of the 'improvements' that escort has come out with, they still trail behind the V1 in performance. Many times a company releases a 'new and improved' version to boost sales. When in fact nothing has actually changed.

GOL's latest test:
http://guysoflidar.com/august-2007/r...ctor-test.html

[Denalio]

Originally Posted by FSETH

The LI tested really well, but is it readily available in the US or Canada?

The Blinder tested was the old M40, the new versions M25 and M45 should be a little better. The Anti Laser tested well also according to your link. I definately agree that a good jammer and a good radar detector would be the best way to go. You could probably get both units for under $1,000 total.

Yes it is available in the U.S and Canada. The U.S. distributor is Elvis and you can find his information here: http://www.laser-interceptor.com/index2.html. There is also a Canadian Distributor that is setting up. You can also order directly from Ivan and have it sent to Canada or the U.S.A.

[marcx5]

Originally Posted by FSETH

Escort cannot compete with the V1, IMO. Don't waste your money on that particular setup. This is comming from an owner of the previous generation Passport 8500 X50, which was highly rated when I bought it. It has let me down 3 times with regard to Laser. One of those times it did not even go off. The radar protection has been pretty good, overall.

I am going to buy a V1 and add a Blinder laser jammer when I get the opportunity. You really need a laser jammer to get the most protection available from Laser, which is much harder for the V1 or the Passport to pick up. If you are willing to spend that much on the Passport system, you should really look into the V1 and a Blinder jammer.

http://www.blinder.net/

i don't think you understand which radar detector this is... this is not the 9500.. it's the 9500ci... very different. i have researched these detectors heavily... and used the previous SRX version for many years.... the passport one clearly, by far, is better than any other detector i've seen on the market for numerous reasons, plus it's completely undetectable and is the only one with GPS.

[HaroldC]

Originally Posted by marcx5

i don't think you understand which radar detector this is... this is not the 9500.. it's the 9500ci... very different. i have researched these detectors heavily... and used the previous SRX version for many years.... the passport one clearly, by far, is better than any other detector i've seen on the market for numerous reasons, plus it's completely undetectable and is the only one with GPS.

ummmm....... I think it is you who is mistaken. The 9500ci is just a 9500i that is designed for a custom install and includes the laser shifter. I do hope that the 'new' ZR4 is better than the ZR3, which didn't even detect the Laser Atlanta Stealth lidar gun on GOL's lidar jammer test:

http://guysoflidar.com/march-2007/la...mmer-test.html

The 9500i also did not perform as well as the V1, as you can see from the GOL's latest radar detector test:

http://guysoflidar.com/august-2007/r...ctor-test.html

But hey, it's your money. I'm all for spending it the way you like. I myself will probably end up spending less for more.