Originally Posted by Got_Z (Post 2589801)

Came in to state my opinion...

Valentine 1. Yes the 9500ix is a sexy and sleek radar that has awesome features to keep it quite but it's not the same as having a valentine 1. I had the Beltronics vector 965, the escort 8500 x50, and the 9500ix but all of them combined are not as great as the valentine. The valentine is a very sensitive radar so you are sacrificing the comfort of "no noise" for performance. The arrows DO MATTER. I can't begin to explain how much those arrows help!

I think of it like this. The 9500ix is like a G37. It does perform well and has the luxuries. But the v1 is like the Z, raw performance.


-M-

Originally Posted by Gadgetech (Post 2589984)

How is not knowing what direction the signal is coming from better? V1 hands down for radar protection.

Originally Posted by DEpointfive0 (Post 2589804)

^so... If the "cop" is behind you, you slow down? Or not slow down? Or if it's in front of you you slow down? Or... Do you not slow down...?

Originally Posted by winnre (Post 2590203)

Slow down using your hand brake. That way there are no brake lights to alert the cop that you see him. Plus, stay vigilant for a few minutes anyway. SInce is not always golden. Cops around here use Ka, no one has the budget for Lidar.

Originally Posted by XwChriswX (Post 2590201)

I'll take preloaded (and constantly updated) trap spots and traffic cameras and GPS detection over colorful arrows any day.



Because of 2 reasons:

1. For those that argue that radar detectors don't help prevent you from getting pulled over, they just let you know you've been caught... What does it matter what direction it's coming from, if you're caught you're caught? :confused:

2. But seriously, when I get a spike on my detector I don't care what direction it may be coming from, I do a 360* scan and check the sides of both directions of traffic and every car I can see to spot the emitter.

If I have a device that I put my faith in that it's going to tell me where the signals coming from, it allows the driver to get complacent and only look where the arrows pointing, and they may not see anything, and speed back up... When the actual emitter could have been somewhere else.


I'm not knocking the V1 at all, I know it is extremely sensitive and will pick up a lot of (potentially false) signals. For those that have them, since it's not GPS capable, how do you weed out what is/is not a false signal, or prevent them from happening every time you pass by that emitter, say a 7-11 door?

When comparing them V1 and the 8500/9500xi side by side, it's essentially a coin flip depending on what feature set you want. But for me, I wanted the stealth look making it easier to drive through Detector Intolerant states without being harassed. So for me the 9500ci was the best choice that offered the feature set I wanted and the clean install.

Originally Posted by Got_Z (Post 2590210)

Makes sense. But where I live there aren't any speed traps and I sure as hell don't run red lights. So the 9500 didn't make sense. As a personal preference I like hearing my radar. The 9500 can't even be heard if I have the windows down on the freeway, whereas my valentine can be heard even with windows down and music on. In the end there really isn't a "BETTER". It all boils down to personal preference.


-M-

Originally Posted by XwChriswX (Post 2590217)

I would imagine that's due to it having a built in speaker? You can up the volume but I can see that being an issue.

The 9500ci has a separate 3" speaker unit I have mounted under the steering column. I have it set to MAX volume, and even with the windows down and stereo up, I hear "RED LIGHT CAMERA AHEAD" clear as day.

I simply say thank you, and keep :driving:

:icon17:

Originally Posted by Got_Z (Post 2590219)

Not sure how the "ci" works. But I had the "ix" I know for a FACT had terrible speakers. It was very annoying.


-M-

Originally Posted by XwChriswX (Post 2590222)

The 9500ci is the "Custom Installed" version, it has multiple sensors/parts that can be mounted wherever you choose.

http://www.bestradardetectors.net/as...ort_9500ci.gif

Originally Posted by XwChriswX (Post 2590206)

You're putting a lot of faith in the car behind you to be paying enough attention to slow down with you instead of riding up on you. :ugh2:

Originally Posted by Got_Z (Post 2590223)

Yeah that looks much better than the 9500ix. How much does everything run brand new?


-M-

Originally Posted by winnre (Post 2590225)

If there is a car behind me then the cop is watching him and not me and there is no need to slow down as I stated.

Originally Posted by Got_Z (Post 2590233)

Chris, the 9500ci setup is about 1700 dollars. I paid 350 for my valentine 1. So the 9500ci isn't even in the same category as the valentine 1. I would compare the 9500ix to it.


-M-

Originally Posted by XwChriswX (Post 2590235)

I wasn't saying the 9500ci is in the same price point as the 9500ix or V1, just that for me it was the best unit.

Originally Posted by XwChriswX (Post 2590234)

And you know this... how?