I just got this today to replace my Escort 8500 x50
I was on another forum and heard there are some problems with the new technology, especially the TrueLock malfunctioning and I'll update this as I get my own personal experiences.

After about an hour with it, the stored location feature (For speedtraps, cameras, etc -you can choose the category when you label it) worked well.
Audible alerts are like the x50 and I am liking so far.

New features on top of the 8500 x50 include:

Variable-Speed Radar Performance
GPS-Powered Truelock™ Filter (Heard has some bugs right now)
Mark Location Features via GPS (Plans that you can eventually hook up your 9500i via the USB and upload locations of speedtraps and cameras in your location)
Speed Alert (Shows your speed, very accurate)
Crystal-Clear Voice Alerts (Female voice only)
New Intelligent Volume Control

Here's some pictures next to my old X50 for some visuals:

 

1 Week Update

I have not gotten too many alarms since getting this, which I consider to be good. Has gone off for Ka few times and of course I look up and see a cop.
Around town, I have gotten the same false signals at known locations, but since I heard there are some problems with the LockOut technology, I have not used it yet
The voice alert is loud and clear, but might not be enough for some who drive on the freeway with the windows down playing music...

Overall I am happy with it and the speedometer on it is very accurate, within 1mph 99% of the time.

 

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what does it say on your detector in that pic doesnt look like city or highway do you have another setting on or something??

 

wow that looks sweet, what are you doing with your old x50? sell it to me! I'd also like to know the performance of the 9500 compared to the 8500, I heard that the 8500 falses alot.

 

Looks like auto to me.

 

Yeah it says auto. Photo took it weird

 

Is this thing battery powered? Or did you hard-wire it? Doesn't look like it's plugged into anything.

 

Looks hard-wired. I'm assuming Invisicord, since it looks to be running up the backside of his rearview mirror.

 

Yep, he is correct it is hardwired

 

Is it difficult to do? I'd rather have it like that. Looks very smooth and nice.

 

Nope. Took like 2 minutes, all you do is tap into the powered mirror

 

Pretty soon someone is going to come along and 'hack' the 9500i. You'll be able to use it as GPS with your laptop (has USB port), trade truelock profiles, trade custom firmware, etc...

http://www.9500i.net

 

this is a great radar detector.. It works even better with the ZR3 laser jamming system.

 

That's when you get the SR7 and add the ZR3's(jammers). You can find it on auction sites for about the same price(+-$100) I haven't found a better version out yet(my opinion no need to argue). I was looking for another one to put in wifes car that doesn't install in the bumper so glad to hear first hand on the 9500i, Thanks.

 

no matter what i think V1 is always greater then escort. just my opinion and experience though.

 

Valentine doesn't even make a radar for in the bumper let alone a laser jammer(scrambler). It is possible to put one in a case and hard wire it but that isn't the way it was made to get the best signal. Don't get me wrong the valentine makes a GREAT dash radar probably the best(haven't tried the escort 9500i yet though), the only one with two sensors for front&back detection unlike most with one to the front only. But why just detect when you can JAM IT?

 

Hey quick question..

Are the power cords the same on the 8500 and the 9500?

 

+2 on the power cord question. Same?