[jkheit]

I was hoping some here might have experience with higher end laser jammers and might be able to offer some advice. Should I just stick with the Escort 9500ci's stock jammers, or upgrade them to another company's? Or should I consider a whole other system?

So for my purposes, the Escort 9500ci is probably the best radar on the market. The GPS lockout of falses is great. It's nice knowning it's stealth so radar detectors cannot detect it. The deal will install it right into the visor and the center console glove box so it's invisible. It's upgradable via USB. Nice system. Great range. But I may be out of touch/date with this and perhaps there is a better system?

However, the 9500ci's current laser jammer's are not the top of the art. I had the 9500ci on my vette, and it was fantastic, and it totally saved my bacon on laser on several occasions. So the tech is very real, and very practical. But in teh last 4yrs or so, laser tech has improved a bunch, and the 9500ci's stock scramblers, while nice and integrated, are seriously behind the curve.

Here is a recent test (it's somewhat cryptic but Dodge Challenger had the 9500ci's scramblers and as you can see, didn't do as well as compared to the Laser Inteceptor units):

http://www.radardetectorforum.org/showthread.php?t=18920

It seems that the best laser jammer unit out there is the Laser Interceptor G8 Quad High Power:

http://www.laserjammer.net/2013/best-laser-jammer-of-2013/
http://www.laser-interceptorusa.com/901.html

If it's possible to just plug-n-play the LI's into the 9500ci as an integrated unit, that seems like the no brainer option. If the LI's have to be installed as a whole other system, then I'm less enthusiastic. I guess I'd love to hear any thoughts on this. Thanks!

 

[jkheit]

I guess I'd love to hear any thoughts on this. Thanks!

For those interested, I got some answers to this in this radar/laser forum thread:

http://www.radardetectorforum.org/showthread.php?t=22861&p=303533&posted=1#post303533

The short story is the 9500ci's laser jammers are not good.

The Laser Interceptor (LI) High Power Quad is probably the best laser jammer in the industry right now (and costs a bunch.

The LI will not really fully integrate into any existing radar detector, and runs as a separate system.

It's still not clear to me if the LI's visual system can integrate into the 9500ci or at least be put into a rear view...


Hope that helps for those in the market.

 

[Heinrichhoernchen]

Hi,
You can look also at Radarfriends.net!
Cheers
Andreas

 

[GoodmanRadio]

Although we carry both, I much prefer the K40 Radar/Laser system over the Escort.

The setup for the 9500ci is front radar detector, front laser, rear laser. This does not make much sense, as laser is almost exclusively used by pointing at the front of the vehicle. Radar can be shot from anywhere around the car, so you are already at a disadvantage.

K40's 360i includes front & rear radar, and front laser (which they recently upgraded). We have found to be the best-of-the-best in terms of product functionality.

If you have any questions about the K40 setup please let me know and I would be happy to discuss. We've done 15+ coupes and 3 spiders at this point so we are not strangers!

Andrew

 

[jkheit]

Although we carry both, I much prefer the K40 Radar/Laser system over the Escort.

The setup for the 9500ci is front radar detector, front laser, rear laser. This does not make much sense, as laser is almost exclusively used by pointing at the front of the vehicle. Radar can be shot from anywhere around the car, so you are already at a disadvantage.

K40's 360i includes front & rear radar, and front laser (which they recently upgraded). We have found to be the best-of-the-best in terms of product functionality.

If you have any questions about the K40 setup please let me know and I would be happy to discuss. We've done 15+ coupes and 3 spiders at this point so we are not strangers!

Andrew

Thanks Andrew. The auto false learning on the 9500ci is a killer feature for me, and for a quick read up of some (older) reviews, it seems you have to manually block out falses on the K40?

That said, the k40 is pretty compelling. It's good, because this tech has seemingly stalled a good bit, and K40 pushing escort is a good thing.

 

[Bluensx]

Why can't one of these companies just come out with an all in one radar/laser detector/jammer that works well? The technology is there.... If They can do them separately!
And for those companies technically motivated, everyone of today's cop cars have gps locators in them. There has got to be a way that a detector can just link up to the satellites that ping the law enforcement signal, no? And just beep when it detects one of their signals. Am I that far off? Poof! No more need to keep up with x/k/ka/laser bands, and any new ones

 

[GoodmanRadio]

Thanks Andrew. The auto false learning on the 9500ci is a killer feature for me, and for a quick read up of some (older) reviews, it seems you have to manually block out falses on the K40?

That said, the k40 is pretty compelling. It's good, because this tech has seemingly stalled a good bit, and K40 pushing escort is a good thing.

Regarding falses, K40 has a "quiet ride" setup where under a certain speed (user set), the K40 will mute the voice function and only light up the LEDs.

It also has a Mark to Alert function with the GPS feature, where if you are coming up to an intersection that you know is monitored frequently by police (here in PA the use the VASCAR system a lot), you can set the system to alert you as you approach that area.

Auto false learning is definitely a neat feature, but for me it comes down to how much the system can actually catch, and as I mentioned in my first post all those laser sensors are just a little silly to me. I'm more confident with a dual radar and front laser defuser.

 

[GoodmanRadio]

Why can't one of these companies just come out with an all in one radar/laser detector/jammer that works well? The technology is there.... If They can do them separately!

Both K40 and Escort make detectors that work well. Only difference is configuration.

And for those companies technically motivated, everyone of today's cop cars have gps locators in them. There has got to be a way that a detector can just link up to the satellites that ping the law enforcement signal, no? And just beep when it detects one of their signals. Am I that far off? Poof! No more need to keep up with x/k/ka/laser bands, and any new ones

You may be right but there is certainly a legality issue there. What would stop criminals from using that technology to evade police when they rob a bank or something?

 

[jkheit]

Both K40 and Escort make detectors that work well. Only difference is configuration.



You may be right but there is certainly a legality issue there. What would stop criminals from using that technology to evade police when they rob a bank or something?

GPS is a broadcast signal. As far as I know, that means the satellites send a signal and you triangulate position from the sent signal. So the satellites do not know who is receiving the signals. I think the only way to do what you're suggesting, is if the police cars report their position back to the police departments, and have the departments share that information.

 

[Mac 1]

what do you guys think is the best overall RD, i want to be able to move it to other cars etc..
is the V1 my best bet?

 

[Calvin C]

Here is a funny story I red on the officers.com forum.

Top this for a speeding ticket:


Two California Highway Patrol Officers were conducting speeding enforcement on I-15, North of MCAS Miramar. One of the officers was using a hand-held radar device to check speeding vehicles approaching near the crest of a hill.

The officers were suddenly surprised when the radar gun began reading 300 miles per hour. The officer attempted to reset the radar gun, but it would not reset and turned off.

Just then a deafening roar over the treetops revealed that the radar had in fact locked onto a USMC F/A-18 Hornet which was engaged in a low flying exercise near the location.

Back at the CHP Headquarters the Patrol Captain fired off a complaint to the USMC Base Commander.

Back came a reply in true USMC style:

Thank you for the message, which allows us to complete the file on this incident. You may be interested to know that the tactical computer in the Hornet had detected the presence of, and subsequently locked onto your
hostile radar equipment and automatically sent a jamming signal back to it.
Furthermore, an air to ground missile aboard the fully armed aircraft had also automatically locked onto your equipment.

Fortunately the Marine Pilot flying the Hornet recognized the situation for what it was, quickly responded to the missile system alert status and was able to override the automated defense system before the missile was launched and your hostile radar was destroyed.

Thank you for your concerns.

 

[jkheit]

what do you guys think is the best overall RD, i want to be able to move it to other cars etc..
is the V1 my best bet?

The V1 and 9500xi are both great. I love the GPS in the 9500 series mapping out falses. It's amazing and means I leave it on most sensitive settings as all the falses go away after a while. When I get a buzz, it's usually the real deal. It also has all the red light cameras and warns you of those.

With the V1, I started ignoring it after a while as it was always going off. But that's a personal kind of thing and depends on use. Both are fantastic.

 

[Calvin C]

The V1 and 9500xi are both great. I love the GPS in the 9500 series mapping out falses. It's amazing and means I leave it on most sensitive settings as all the falses go away after a while. When I get a buzz, it's usually the real deal. It also has all the red light cameras and warns you of those.

With the V1, I started ignoring it after a while as it was always going off. But that's a personal kind of thing and depends on use. Both are fantastic.

I love the arrows on the V1. But like the stealth of escort 9500ci

Did you go with the escort 9500ci install or just the radar unit that stays on windshield?
Im afraid of the laser jammer pissing off the police. It seems they def wont give u a break if they catch u speeding. Hearing too much about how troopers not happy if you have laser jammers jamming them. Even with a radar, they figure if you get busted speeding, that was your warning and u didnt slow in time.

lc

 

[aahtt]

The V1 and 9500xi are both great. I love the GPS in the 9500 series mapping out falses. It's amazing and means I leave it on most sensitive settings as all the falses go away after a while. When I get a buzz, it's usually the real deal. It also has all the red light cameras and warns you of those.

With the V1, I started ignoring it after a while as it was always going off. But that's a personal kind of thing and depends on use. Both are fantastic.

I have 4 V1s and wouldnt leave home without one, that said, the V1 needs to be reprogrammed since the way it comes from the factory is useless with all the bands turned on causing tons of falsing. the V1 website details how to reprogram the unit to your area and avoid 99% of false alerts. for example in my area/state the bands X and K are no longer used. everything is Ka or laser so my units only have these 2 bands turned on and they work like a charm, no falsing at all and they pick up all the real threats. most people who owns V1s dont even know they are reprogrammable, including other countries like in europe where different bands are used.

 

[jkheit]

I have 4 V1s and wouldnt leave home without one, that said, the V1 needs to be reprogrammed since the way it comes from the factory is useless with all the bands turned on causing tons of falsing. the V1 website details how to reprogram the unit to your area and avoid 99% of false alerts. for example in my area/state the bands X and K are no longer used. everything is Ka or laser so my units only have these 2 bands turned on and they work like a charm, no falsing at all and they pick up all the real threats. most people who owns V1s dont even know they are reprogrammable, including other countries like in europe where different bands are used.

Agreed, problem is the NY metro area uses all of this. NJ still uses X, which is brilliant by the cops as everything falses in X. Then NY and other areas around here use K and Ka. So I need to keep them on.

The arrows and bogey counter are cool. I think patents are preventing Valentine from using GPS and Escort from using the arrows. Wish they just cross licensed and moved on.

Oddly the 9500 comes with POP turned off, as well as the safety warning signals. WTF. Anyway, easy to turn on.

Like I said, both are great. Just depends on what you like. For me, the GPS mapout is great. As always, YMMV

 

[jkheit]

I love the arrows on the V1. But like the stealth of escort 9500ci

Did you go with the escort 9500ci install or just the radar unit that stays on windshield?
Im afraid of the laser jammer pissing off the police. It seems they def wont give u a break if they catch u speeding. Hearing too much about how troopers not happy if you have laser jammers jamming them. Even with a radar, they figure if you get busted speeding, that was your warning and u didnt slow in time.

lc

I do have the 9500ci. Had it in my vette as well. It's great. Had Philly Mac put the display up into the rear view mirror, and controls into the center glove box. However, I upgraded the laser jammers to the Quad High Power Laser Interceptors (LI) instead of the stock ones that come with the 9500. The LIs jam everything.

It's legal in NJ and NY, plus, there is a kill switch, and they also act as a proximity sensor, so if a cop asks what they are, they legitimately are proximity sensors.

Yea, if you jam them, you should have the courtesy to turn off the jam after you after you slow. You can set them to auto turn off in 3-10 seconds. Or kill it manually. So reality is they won't know unless you just over do it.

But understand why it wouldn't be your cup of tea. As always YMMV

 

[Calvin C]

Hey, any of you guys know where the OBD diagnostic port is on the mp4-12c?
v1 has a module called savvy which plugs into the ODB port for power as well as other fun stuff. Below is a description of savvy:

A STREETWISE
PARTNER FOR V1
So you can keep your attention where it belongs, SAVVY turns down the volume of V1’s alerts automatically at low speeds. SAVVY has just one control, a thumb wheel to set a speed threshold. Below your set point, the audio comes through on V1’s Muted Volume (set this with V1’s Control Lever). Above the threshold you hear the normal loudness you’ve set with the V1’s Control Knob.

SAVVY stays nearly out of sight down near your steering column where it serves as V1’s power source. It replaces the Lighter Adapter or, in “hiddenwire” installations, the Direct-wire Power Adapter. Just plug SAVVY into the OBD diagnostic port, standard on every new car and light truck built since January 1, 1996. Then plug V1’s power cord into one of two RJ-11 jacks (the other works with the Concealed Display or other V1 accessories). The thumbwheel has eight setting between 15 and 65 mph. Choose one, or select AUTO, which mutes all alerts, or choose NONE to eliminate automatic muting.

SAVVY is ideal for those who want to hide V1’s power cord. Two wire clips and a beaded tie strap are included to secure the power cord to V1. SAAVY fits in the palm of your hand and weights just 2.2 ounces. Black only.

 

[bbywu]

OBD port is under the driver side lower panel, below the steering wheel. It is covered by a plastic cap.

 

[FastZilla]

Having both the 9500 & RL360i in different vehicles IMO the "protection/warning" is the same. One time I think one is more sensitive then the other but it's like the Ford/Chevy argument.... Conclusion is they are pretty much the same. I personally get mad all the time with the K40 because its always going off on false signals - sure I can lock them out with the GPS memory but that's such a PITA, you also have to be cognizant and attentive to marking where the 9500 is FastZilla-proof. I don't like the control panel of the 9500 because you have to mount it somewhere (mine is in front of the parking break lever on the black plastic pocket for the parking break mounted vertically), display is in the mirror, LED to be mounted under instrument cluster cover. In the daytime the display in mirror is difficult to read with polarized glasses. The LED is nice to let you know when the signal has passed. The K40 has a neat wireless remote. In the car itch the K40 there is a nice pocket it sits in that is very convenient, in the 12c there isn't such a place so it would either get lost, be put in a console or Velcroed somewhere.

I borrowed a friends windshield mount Valentine and loved the directional arrows, as I like the front/rear LEDs on the K40. However my 1st ticket I got with a radar detector was because I was looking around for the cop instead of lowing down. Success for me is to jam on the brakes once the detector goes off, once down to limit hit mute to turn off laser, then look for cop - over half the time I never see them.

I've been hit with laser several times in each and because of immediatly jamming on the brakes as described above, I have yet to get a ticket from laser with either system. It's all personal preference, both are outstanding systems that you will not be disappointed with. If you are a current 9500 user and move to K40, Valentine, etc. you will become very frustrated with the non-9500 systems as they are always going off on false alerts. Up until a couple months ago I had all 3 generations of k40 in different cars. Of the 2 I have remaining I want to rip them out and switch to 9500. Onc you go 9500 you will not tolerate any other system - so beware if you have several cars with other than 9500's. buying your 1st 9500 has hidden costs.....like swapping out all the non-9500 in your other cars down the short road.

 

[Calvin C]

Thanks guys.
Slamming on the brakes seems kinda dangerous, especially with people driving just afew car lengths behind. Ive thought of doing that, but airbrakes will def give us away as well (C=
lc