Escort 9500ix Radar Detector Review
“I no longer recommend the Escort 9500ix because you have two better options” – Radar Roy 2014
If you’re considering purchasing the Passport 9500ix don’t until you watch this video
When I first reviewed the 9500ix way back in 2007, I called it the best radar detector on the market, however a lot of things have changed since then.
The most notable change is the introduction of the Adaptive Cruise Control systems installed on new cars today.
These sensors operate on the same K-band frequency that police use.
Subsequently detectors that don’t have the ability to filter out these adaptive control systems are almost rendered useless because of the over abundance of false alerts.
Because of this the engineers over at Escort have borrowed technology developed by NASA to communicate with their equipment in deep space called digital signal processing and have integrated it with their newer Passport and Passport Max2 radar detectors.
The result is that both of these newer detectors, the Passport and Passport Max2 are able to sniff out real police radar based on the DNA profile, while also filtering out all those annoying false alerts.
And here is another plus; the Passport is $100 cheaper then the 9500ix and comes included with Escort Live!
Escort Live will enable your Passport to have all the same features such as the Defender photo enforcement database and the ability to lock out known false alert locations when paired to your smart phone.
Your Passport will also have the ability to also share real time alerts with other members of the Escort Live community.
The Passport has four times the capture distance of a police radar gun, which provides you ample warnings for police K and Ka instant on speed traps.
Now here is what a user from Portland Oregon had to say about the Passport in his 5-star rating.
“I’ve only had this detector for a little over a month, but so far I have been very pleased. This doesn’t false on some of the new cars like my much older passport detector was.”
Now here is what the Texas Speed Demon from the Dallas Forth Worth area had to say after rating the Passport with 5-stars.
“This M4 antenna blows the 9500ix away in my opinion – I will also say that the off axis is improved as far as the unit I’m using. “
Now here another option, the Passport Max2.
I’ve rated the Passport Max2 as the worlds best windshield mounted radar detector because it also includes the DSP technology and a new antenna design called the M5, which enables the Max2 to have over 8 times the capture distance of a police digital K and Ka radar gun.
The Max2 also has it’s own internal GPS system and the Defender photo enforcement database already built it.
66 Responses to “Escort 9500ix Radar Detector Review”
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If I had to sum up how I feel about the Escort 9500ix in a just few words, it would be “this detector is absolutely incredible” and leave it and its five star rating at that. But, if I was looking at detectors and see the price of the Escort and read only “this detector is….”, it wouldn’t sell me, so I’ll expand the review (please pardon that the examples I use relate to areas in and around the Twin Cities, but obviously they should apply to anywhere these situations may be encountered)
As someone who has used several other brands and grew accustomed to false alarms, let me assure you this one is different. Better sensitivity without the constant beeping. I’m not sure why it took me so long to try a Passport, but I will say that I will not be driving without one ever again.
I bought my 9500ix last summer, and it’s been an excellent performer! When I drive, its GPS notices the false alarms and after passing by the source a few times, it locks them out! It’s a pleasure to drive with such a quiet detector. It’s also accurate, too. Whenever it goes off, 99 percent of the time it’s a real alert.
The range is outstanding. I’ve had very long alerts on the highway with both K and Ka band. It’s saved me in every encounter. The voice alerts and gps based speedometer are a plus too.
One other feature I enjoy is the Database. Red light cameras are all over Dallas, and it warns me prior to approaching one. It’s also got various speed trap alerts from Escort’s database. That’s something most detectors don’t have.
I definitely recommend buying the 9500ix. Having owned a noisy one, it’s much nicer to have a quieter, more accurate device. You won’t regret it!
This is the best radar detector in my opinion for city/highway everyday use. Realistically, the only thing I could ask more out of this detector is better I/O performance with GPS on. I’ve seen testing that shows turning GPS off increases I/O performance, but otherwise, this is honestly worth every penny. Initial performance wasn’t where I expected it to be, but after 2 months and what Escort tells me is the detector “breaking in” I’ve noticed a significant increase in performance – enough to exceed my initial expectations. Hope this review helps!
How would Input/Output performance be affected by GPS radio?
Makes absolutely no sense!
I/O operations are typically done when the unit is connected to the computer.
Not I/O as in input/output, but rather “instant on” where the police unit triggers the radar gun via a trigger or remote. I can see where the GPS portion *may* potentially affect performance here as it eats CPU cycles processing GPS messages, etc
I find the constant engine static while on alert along with constant laser falsing makes it unusable. If bands have to be shut off, why have one. The previous Beltronics RX 65 worked flawlessly. After repeated electronics scrutiny by numerous electronics people, they can’t determine while it has constant laser falsing and major rpm static in all ares. Great idea but poor technology compared to units that completely work out of the box.
Very seldom any potential laser falsing on my unit, but who can say it is false unless you are going triple digits and don’t get pulled over?
I owned a Beltronics RX65, and my experience was not even close to yours. That piece of junk had so many false alerts I threw it into the back seat after a year of use in frustration. I dumped it on eBay for some other Beltronics fanboy.
I think you are 1) i possession of a defective unit or 2) a Beltronics employee. I have owned two Beltronics radar detectors, and both were poor.
JNelly you are a beltronics fanboy (escort and bel are the same company)
Great product, but I just liked the range of the Redline better, and no cams here
I’am thanking about purchasing one of the Escort 9500ix units. Will this unit PICK UP LASAR RADAR ??. I prefer a dash mounted unit to beable to change to my other vehicles.
Thanks,
Wayne Wachter
For laser you need to have a laser jammer, not a radar detector. Check out the Blinder and the LI under the laser jammer tab.
Admin is correct. It the laser alert goes off and there are no cars between your car and the laser, your car has been painted and measured.
Detectors are passive, whereas laser jammers are active. Big difference.
the 9500ix jam lasor jammer did not see it on the disripon if eingnot what would we use for that and the cost for what i need being detector laser jammer and so on for my goldwing thanks for your time don
My previous comments were from a Goldwing. I can’t use the 9500iX on my bike due to alternator noise unlike ANY other accessory. Also it is not as sensitive as my RX65 on Highway mode and has NEVER gone off on any Red Light Camera. Thats with the 3 year data subscription for updates which was a waste of money since it doesn’t alert, ANYWHERE. I also bought their Ground Loop harness and that didn’t help. I wanted the Red Light capability and Escort Tech Support can’t fix it after two services. I believe I have a bad unit but the bigger issue is their Tech Support will not stand behind an obvious problematic issue as they did in my case. Their final resolution: To bad, live with it.
@Herb that is strange as the 9500ix is built on pretty much the same platform as the RX65 other than it has a GPS
I would have to guess operator error here as one has to be technically proficient enough to hook up an download the new databases.
Any chance you bought this on Ebay, used, or from some other source other than an Authorized Seller? I’ve had issues with great units that were similar to the issues you are experiencing, and both instances it was because I purchased the unit at a discounted price from sellers that I thought I could trust. (One was a Ebay seller with about 20,000+ positive feedback, a physical brick & mortar store, and 100% positive feedback over 10+ years. The second was a open box unit from a large retail store.) Both instances I thought the unit was representative of the model and would have never known that I had been misled by a bad unit if it had not been for someone I knew having the same unit and allowing me to borrow and compare. Even if you did buy from a good seller, in the world of electronics we can never completely filter out defects. Other than that i don’t know what to say, because I have installed a LOT of detectors on large cruiser bikes and as long as everything is done to a high standard and special attention is made to assure a strong and consistent power supply to the equipment I have had only high praise (except when defective equipment had to be replaced, and still achieved the same levels of satisfaction in the end, just made a customer or two nervous in the short term). I would suggest a capacitor and secondary battery to supply power for any sensitive electronics on a bike because of the nature of their electrical systems. But that’s my 2 cents anyway.
Good points Ron. We have have seen several cases were detectors were sold as new on Ebay when infact they were refurbished units from either Mexico or China
just went online to radarbusters and ordered this monster this is juat what I need.Thanks to radarroy and his skills I bought this Hulk of hi-tech machine.
Love my 9500ix.
Hey radar roy, i just purchased a used escort passport 9500i. i was so excited once i received it, i decided to go for a joy ride with my new detector to try it out….. i drove about 5 miles out to a sheriff station and back to my house.
The whole ride, i didn’t hear even one warning even when i passed a city police car leaveing a gas station.
the next day, i saw yet another marked police car yet form another city, and still i didnt hear a thing?
i reset my detector and turned on all bands…. i am scared i have made a bad investment.
please help me fix my problem!
thank you so much!
-Ross
@Ross, you bought a radar detector, not a cop car detector. Radar detectors do only 1 thing, detect police radar when it is activated and turned on. Not all police cars have police radar guns in them.
So did you also monitor the display?
Audio alerts can be turned off.
Yes it works as a radar detector in some grand fassion that warrants $500.00. I bought from BestBuy, where the product description stated it was “web ready for updates of the database.”
HOWEVER…they (Escort) does NOT include a proprietary USB data cord. Nope…after you spend $500 plus S&H, you have to go to Escort and buy their proprietary USB cord for another $15.00 with shipping. $15.00 is not a bank busxter for me by any chance, ever (I hope). The problem is the snake-like manner that Escort misleads its retailers and the consumers. Their methods are purely underhanded and fully un-ethical. Escort is SLEAZY!!!
Read more: Escort Passport 9500ix Radar Detector Weeds Out False Alarms: Tech Test – Popular Mechanics
The common male USB to mini male USB cords are available for about $2.
You got ripped.
You don’t need to buy the Escort USB cable. Any properly sized one works just fine. There is nothing “special” about the Escort cable. I used the one from my digital camera.
Instead of the monthly subscribtion, There are a couple of websites that I get my POI’s from that include red lights, radar traps, etc. Can their database be installed on the 9500ix?
No, the 9500ix has a proprietary database, however you could do it by hand through their radar detector tools program
Subscription is inexpensive. Get it.
i’m looking to buy a good radar for my cbr600rr and have been looking into the escort 9500ix but not 100% sure how i could make it work on a bike could you help me out please
Well 1st thing you would need is a motorcycle mount, then a direct wire cord. As the HARD systems are out of production right now you would have to go with either earphone jack or hope that you could hear it
Under the motorcycle section of the site we have info on the mounts
i bought a 9500ix bout 2 months ago and returned it to best buy. I also have a 8500 x50 that i had sent in to get updated. i put one dector on the drivers side and other on the passengers side of the car. The 9500ix did weed out the X alerts but i lacked picking up the ka and the k by like 4 seconds behind the 8500 x 50. Is there a way to turn up the sensitivity on the 9500ix if i was to go get it agian?
Matt, you NEVER put two detectors within close proximity of each other, they will interfere with each other and would reduce the sensitivity of each other.
Even if you have one on the dash and one in the floor
One in a car in close proximity could have an effect on a radar detector. The harmonics from the unit could be seen as a false alert and the detector will reduce its sensitivity
so is the range different from the 8500 x50 or is it better without the gps add on
The 8500 x50, the RX65, the GX65 and the 9500ix all use the same platform so the range and performance are the same
Great device with excellent features. I for one like the speed display and the false alert learning and storing capabilities.
Though this is the same electronically as my 8500×50, the laser detection on the 9500ix seems a little more sensitive. I got a quarter mile warning one time and could not even see the cops, so it had to be scatter.
Auto dimming works well also.
I recently purchased the 9500ix and love it, should have come with the USB cable but it’s not like i don’t already have about 20 of them around. The detector so far seems to work better then i was expecting. i really like the learning capabilities for false alerts and the sensitivity seems great to me so far. I’m mainly a city/suburban driver and haven’t really gotten to test it yet with highway or laser but if my understanding of what i have read… If I get a laser alert i’m probably already nailed. The cost was more than i wanted to spend but in two weeks i have already avoided 2 maybe three tickets. Not to mention i just bought a 2012 Black GTI so it’s just plain hard not to drive fast.
i have a two part question, first, now that V1 is losing their patent on the directional arrows, will this be a technology that Escort will attempt to pick up? second, is there a way to get one of those bubble levels that comes with the LI, i seem to have left mine at the installer. any tips on best way to check for 90degree placement? are we allowed to include pics of install for help? ok, more than 2 questions but love the site and the advice
@ nathan-tl/type-s 6spd V1’s patent has already expired and yes there is some product development going on now by some people
I am thankful for this site I learned alot about detectors and this is the one I got THANKS Roy.
very bad against highway KA band, when it warnes you, its too late usually, good for other bands.
Is radarbusters.com an authorized dealer? I know in the review you mention to only buy from an authorized dealer and the link you have to buy it goes to radarbusters.com
Thanks
@ Chris B Yes Radarbusters is an authorized dealer of Escort, Bel, LI, Blinder and Whistler
i have a The 8500 x50 thanking about upgrading is the 9500 that much better or should i just keep the one i have
@ terr the advantage would be the GPS filtering and photo enforcement database. You will not see any significant increase in range and/or performance
First of all, as an experience radar detector user I have to say the 9500ix makes me ask one phillosophical question: are there any consequences to using a device that is a gift from the gods? When the gods created this device, were they aware I would have one, and is it alright with them? My answer is that it’s all good. Literally the only possible improvement would be if the cops all texted their coordinates to me along my route.
To all you people who think buying a used one or buy one from an unauthorized dealer, how much money could you possibly be saving? $100? if you’re willing to sacrifice performance to save $100, why buy a detector in the first place? Just keep paying your tickets, just rack up points on your licence, and drve slow. Why spend $400 on a device that is just decoration on your windshield?? Peace of mind?
To all you people think that all radar detectors are all the same, you’re stupid. No offense, I’m sure it’s not your fault but you need to take some extra time and think for a minute. My friend called me up, “Hey Dante I just bought a radar detector too, but I spend 300 bucks less than you chump!!” He bought a top of the line Cobra, and I have to admit that yes, it is shiny. That’s where the similarities end. We went for a drive, side by side, and my 9500ix alerted me to radar hits every time. I was alerted to 4 radar hits in our 100 mile pleasure cruise, his alerted 0 times. No that’s not a typo, his did nothing other than sit there looking shiny. He returned it that day and bought a 9500ix.
If you are considering buying any other radar detector, with one or two possible exceptions, STOP IT!! BAD DRIVER!!! those one or two exceptions are outlined by Radar Roy, and he really does know his stuff.
Let me put it this way, if you have been falsely accused of murder, are you calling the bargain lawyer and using a coupon? Or are you hiring the best lawyer money can buy to keep your freedom? You get what you pay for, except the 9500ix is easily worth $700 for how well it works. Stop reading and buy one already!
Wow, what a great comment! Thank you very much….
This is a unit I’ve had since the start of the year after going quite a long time without any defense. I hadn’t had any issues, but am now more at peace and aware of the road ahead. The speaker can be set loud enough to overcome the music I listen to, and isn’t obtrusive at all to me. Sometimes it scares the shit out of me when I’m going through an area that’s new to me, and it has the red light cams locked down. It’s also eliminated several places where I get falses as well, I heard the different beep once and didn’t know what had just happened, the next time it did I was able to catch it stating that the source was memorized. A great piece, now I need a laser jammer.
Thank you J.G. for your review of the Escort 9500ix. Check out the new Blinder HP905 when you’re ready for a laser jammer
Hoping I might win one with your contest here.
We will be announcing the winners soon
I have a passport X50 mounted to windshield right at rear view mirror, can i get 9500xi & use it in the same location?
The 9500ix has GPS so it will need to see the sky, so as long as it can, yes, you can mount it in the same location
just brought the 9500ix live in Pa not picking up any signal from the police only sometimes X band or K band. so i decided to test in Nj i drive cpuple time by the police radar does not goes off so i wondering is working or something?? i got it from best buy.
Well here is the reason. Pa only allows their State Police to use radar. Therefore the city and county cops rely on Vascar (visual) devices that do not emit radar.
so basically i is working but not in Pa right? but the thing is i test in New Jersey the cop pass by me couple times its didnt even goes off what wrong??
Well not all police cars have radar and if they do they don’t have it turned on. A radar detector does one thing, detect police radar, not police cars…
Got a ticket doing 68 in a 55 zone. The deputy (young punk) came up to the my vehicle and asked for my license and insurance and got my ticket. Believe me if you have a lead foot you need the 9500ix its alot cheaper than paying tickets and insurance rates.
Have figured out a few things about the radar. What gets you a ticket is the cops have instant on radars. When it picks up a cars movement it turns itself on then back off. You have to keep vehicles ahead off you to defeat this. Found out about this going through a road check late one night. State police car seating there and soon as i got into sight of the police car my radar went haywire. The state guy laughed at me. Said he didn’t care what type or how much you pay for your radar you can not bet the instant on gun. Said i have to have people ahead of me for it to work right. Cop said he could go to his car and see how fast I was going when I about flipped my car over trying to brake. Told him that was alright had to get home before midnight. But i thanked him for the advise about keeping cars ahead of me.
Any issues with the 9500 getting interference from my windshield mounted GPS? Also should I mount the radar detector high or low on the windshield?
No, your GPS should not interfere with your detector. As far as high or low, have an article here that will help you decide: http://www.radardetector.org/radar-detector-info/radar-detector-users-guide/
So which is it Roy? The 9500IX or the red line? Sounds like the only advantage of the 9500 is it’s GPS function. How does the MAX stack up to these two? Also, do all three of these have the specter beater feature?
I would classify the 9500ix the best detector for the average US driver the Redline for more advanced users who would segment it and do mostly highway driving
The only one of these that are stealth would be the Redline, here is the full listing of the Stealth Radar detectors: http://www.radarbusters.com/Stealth-Radar-Detectors-s/2387.htm