Escort 9500 IX vs. V1
 

Can't decide which one to purchase. I've seen great reviews for both. I can get the Escort 9500 IX for a discounted price because I know somebody that works somewhere, but I can't say the same for the V1. However, I've heard the V1 works wonderfully.

Any input/personal experiences w/ either radar will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

PS. I know there are other threads on this topic, though I couldn't find an up-to-date one. If you find an up-to-date one, by all means post it here.

Having owned several RDs over the tears, I can say the V1 is without question, the best of them all. Range may not be the absolute best, but the interface really gives you plenty of good information. I like the arrows helping track where radar is, but narrow band laser really gives very little warning. Hope this helps!

GPS makes the 9500IX a whole other animal. I love when I make my 3rd trip somewhere and the false alarms get blocked. I had always heard that picking up laser basically just meant you were getting a ticket, but I actually had it go off once and slowed down and wasn't pulled over. That was also the first time I had seen a cop running laser, which made me nervous. I also like being able to see my speed in real time, since I know my speedo is off.

I definitely can appreciate the V1's arrows, but the GPS is also a plus. Man, this is going to be a tough decision lol

I love my V1. Regarding false readings, in my area the cops only use Ka and Laser, and the K and X are most known for false readings. The setting I use I customized so it only shows Ka and Laser, and since then have not had a single false reading. Can't speak about the Escort but the V1 has awesome distance and gives you plenty of time to slow down, especially on the highway with the troopers.

I think you will be happy with either. Both are great products and IMO the only options that are worth looking at. Had a Cobra before my V1 and it was the biggest waste of money.

LAser will not allow the radar to react quick enough. Odds are as soon as you're tagged it's too late.

Plus in Cali they use Lidar which singles you out and not like a flashlight where it's more widespread.

I love my V1. I have used the passport, escort, cobra etc and after spending the last 6 years with a V1 I'll never use anything else. Sure I get a few false alarms once in a while but nothing terribly bad. The arrows seal the deal for me.

Valentine 1 tucked up by the rear view mirror with conceal display in front of driver.

I run a V1 in my Z and a 9500ix in my work vehicle.

The V1 is better at detecting radar. The 9500ix is better at filtering out the radar you don't need to be bothered with.

Any tips on customized settings? My only complaint on the V1 is false alarms. Like the arrows too much to go another direction. Ka and Laser are about it around here too - would love to turn off the "CVS Store" detector lol

You can block out X and K band totally so all you get reported is KA and Laser. I would not recommend that since parts of Oklahoma uses X band and many departments still only have K band guns. If you travel you will have to make sure to enable them or pay a ticket.

http://www.valentine1.com/Lab/techreport3.asp
http://www.valentine1.com/v1info/pdf...-REVforPDF.pdf
http://www.valentine1.com/v1info/aboutprogramming/

By me it is only Ka and Laser, so I only have those on. However if I was in a place that still uses X band also, I would turn off K, and set X so that it is on mute until level 3 signal strength. That would be my recommendation for you.

It is really easy to change the settings. Takes me literally 1-2 minutes to do it.

I usually only see k band with small town sheriffs, but they are out there. Just depends where you drive. 95% of the time k band is nothing. That's why I like having the false alarm filter. I used to drive all over the southwest so I saw a little of everything.

I think these days that with the top tier detectors it really comes down to personal preference. the warnings you get from them are really similar and it comes down to features. For some people the arrows are awesome "I'm one of those people". I have gotten so used to knowing what direction the signal is and more importantly knowing when I've gone past it so my foot can go back down. For other people who drive mostly in town where stores and false alarms are prevalent the GPS is a godsend.

It really comes down to what features give you the best chance at avoiding a ticket.

I don't think you can go wrong with either of your choices.

Thank you for all your input. I think I'll be going with the Escort 9500 ix as I don't do too much highway driving. From what people have stated, it seems the V1 is a lot more prevalent and useful in highway situations--I live and drive mostly in a crowded city. Thanks again Z fam.

I've owned both - i'd go with the 9500ix, very peaceful and quiet in the cabin - no false alerts!
so when you are hauling and get a notification it makes u slow down, with the V1 u wonder if its false and end up speeding + getting ticketed.

as far as range, yea the v1 is a little better on the highway, but honestly the difference DOES NOT MATTER, my 9500ix gives me plenty of time to slow down and even scratch my back.

I had a v1 for over a year. I got rid of it after I was hit with a laser and it didn't go off until I was already tagged.

$350 ticket not worth the v1.

That's how they work though. Basically radar is wide, so you pick it up even if it's not hitting you. Laser is narrow so if you pick it up it's hitting you. That's why they make laser jammers, you get hit, jam, slow down, stop jamming, and hope the cop just thinks his laser was slow to pick up the target. They are becoming illegal in more places though I think.

The only reason I can think that I didn't get pulled over when I was hit with laser was that I wasn't quite going fast enough to make they guy want to pull me over. That or I got lucky and he missed at first and got a bad reading. I have my detector right next to my mirror (in the FX) and usually they aim at the front plate. From what I understand a laser shouldn't be picked up by the detector if it's hitting the plate because it's focused enough.

Doesn't matter what RD you use. Unless you have a laser jammer there isn't a RD on the market that will warn you about laser in time for you to avoid a ticket.

Also, where/how do you guys plug in the radars with the lighter being behind the seat? Or are most of yours hard wired w/ the rear view mirror?