Escort Passport 9500ix - Review

**typicalmarine** · 10-12-2009, 03:17 PM

I've been on the fence about getting a radar detector for the past few years. Thing is I'm 30 and only received a ticket once when I was 19. Needless to say it was hard justifying the few hundred $ for something that I havent needed.

About three weeks back I'm driving my brothers Magnum and a MD State Trooper nails me with radar. I mean by the time my brothers radar detector sounded it was too late. This got my gears turning full speed on the thought of what detector to go with.

It came down to the Valentine One and Escort Passport 9500ix. The Valetines have been out for quite some time (since the 80s if I remember correctly) and an updated used unit can be found for a great price. I saw new and used units going for $200 to $500. Valentine has a great track record and an awesome customer service reputation to boot. Plus there is a guy on ebay offering a super thin custom version of their remote monitor http://cgi.ebay.com/Custom-THIN-Vale...item35a404a9a1
This would fit perfectly into the ashtray area.

Well the Escort Passport 9500ix on the other hand is hard to find new or used below $400. The unit is on par with Valentine. Some reviews claim it's better while others say the exact opposite.

I tell you what though the thing that sold me on the Escort was it's GPS ability to notify me of red light cameras, speeding cameras and radar traps. The state of MD recently passed a bill that authorized the use of radar cameras and I've seen the use of red light cameras rise dramatically over the past year. Now I'm not known to run red lights purposely but I've found myself in those "oh ****" moments when the lights turning yellow - should I go or should I stop?

With three days of testing I can tell you guys that this thing works! It notified me of red light cameras in areas I had no idea were there!

**TxSwimDad** · 10-12-2009, 04:28 PM

Originally Posted by typicalmarine

I've been on the fence about getting a radar detector for the past few years. Thing is I'm 30 and only received a ticket once when I was 19. Needless to say it was hard justifying the few hundred $ for something that I havent needed.

About three weeks back I'm driving my brothers Magnum and a MD State Trooper nails me with radar. I mean by the time my brothers radar detector sounded it was too late. This got my gears turning full speed on the thought of what detector to go with.

It came down to the Valentine One and Escort Passport 9500ix. The Valetines have been out for quite some time (since the 80s if I remember correctly) and an updated used unit can be found for a great price. I saw new and used units going for $200 to $500. Valentine has a great track record and an awesome customer service reputation to boot. Plus there is a guy on ebay offering a super thin custom version of their remote monitor http://cgi.ebay.com/Custom-THIN-Vale...item35a404a9a1
This would fit perfectly into the ashtray area.

Well the Escort Passport 9500ix on the other hand is hard to find new or used below $400. The unit is on par with Valentine. Some reviews claim it's better while others say the exact opposite.

I tell you what though the thing that sold me on the Escort was it's GPS ability to notify me of red light cameras, speeding cameras and radar traps. The state of MD recently passed a bill that authorized the use of radar cameras and I've seen the use of red light cameras rise dramatically over the past year. Now I'm not known to run red lights purposely but I've found myself in those "oh ****" moments when the lights turning yellow - should I go or should I stop?

With three days of testing I can tell you guys that this thing works! It notified me of red light cameras in areas I had no idea were there!

I'm probably going to send mine in for the upgrade to the latest with the speed camera and red light cameras database added.
thx for the updates.

**Lajus007** · 10-12-2009, 04:34 PM

love my 9500....so far its been the best radar ive owned to date...

**Lil Hemi** · 10-12-2009, 04:37 PM

I've had my 9500ix for almost a year now and I am very pleased with the performance of this detector. I know it has paid for itself several times now as well as being easy to update on the web always keeps it new. Dont forget the jammer will connect with this detector as well. Just my 2cents..

**Manny08** · 10-12-2009, 04:38 PM

Originally Posted by TxSwimDad

I'm probably going to send mine in for the upgrade to the latest with the speed camera and red light cameras database added.
thx for the updates.

You only need to send it in for a firmwire upgrade. The camera daabase can be downloaded and installed via USB cable. You just need a subscription from Escort.

On Side note, I have the 9500ix and I think its great unit. I have the ZR4 which I am planning installing pretty soon.

**TxSwimDad** · 10-12-2009, 05:36 PM

Originally Posted by Manny08

You only need to send it in for a firmwire upgrade. The camera daabase can be downloaded and installed via USB cable. You just need a subscription from Escort.

On Side note, I have the 9500ix and I think its great unit. I have the ZR4 which I am planning installing pretty soon.

Yep! $130 for firmware and a 3 yr subscription. I have that planned for after the All Texas M&G next weekend.

**LancesRide** · 10-12-2009, 05:45 PM

I sell the 9500 series of radars and the new units comes with 3years free photo camera upgrade. These units are awesome.

**typicalmarine** · 10-12-2009, 07:29 PM

My wife has an older model Escort (dont remember the series number, I'll have to check) but is she able to simply upgrade her current model via software and it will be on par with the 9500ix?

**TxSwimDad** · 10-12-2009, 07:56 PM

Originally Posted by typicalmarine

My wife has an older model Escort (dont remember the series number, I'll have to check) but is she able to simply upgrade her current model via software and it will be on par with the 9500ix?

Here is info on non-9500 radar detectors.
http://www.escortradar.com/trade-in-program.php

Here is the response I had from them a while back...
The upgrade for the 9500ix is just $129.95 and will take less than two weeks to complete. That fee also includes the 3-year database subscription. To have this upgrade arranged for you, please contact our service team directly at 800 543 1608 ext 2.

Radar Laser Experts
5440 West Chester Road
West Chester Ohio 45069

Customer Service Department
1-800-543-1608
8 AM - 6 PM M-F EST

Sales 1-800-433-3487