tj90

Saw the latest Escort 9500i. WOW! It has GPS and learns the locations and frequency of false alerts to adapt and reduce falsing, You can program redlight cameras or speedtraps. Detection sensitivty changes depending on the speed you are traveling. Automatic volume control to compensate for ambient noise levels in the cabin of the car. MSRP of $450.

Does anyone have this yet? Driving impressions?

I can totally see the future, the ability to download red light camera locations nationwide and "share" speedtrap and false alarms with other users to build a network.

Kigiin

I just bought one and have been using it for a week or so. The GPS feature is great. After about a week of driving around my smallish city, I have virtually eliminated all false alarms.

A few other nice features: knows your speed so it never goes off when your in parking lot dirving less than 5-10 mph; and it has a volume feature that knows the ambient noise in the cabin so it adjusts automatically. I use to drive my wife nuts as I always had my 8500 X50 cranked up to overcome the radio when I drove alone.

As far as it actually being a better radar detector - I am not sure. I have received some earlier warnings with it than my old 8500, but still not sure.

Rob

edit - yes it does have a USB port, but haven't fooled with that yet as my city doesn't use many cameras. However, I could see this being a very useful feature.

Land Jet

Regardless of what new features it has, if it doesn't shield you from laser, it doesn't much matter. I speak from experience 2 tickets in a month and a half. I just can't get my brake foot down faster than the speed of light. F**king bureaucrats!

993 Guy

Have you looked into the Blinder setup?

I have it it 2 of my 3 cars and so far so good...

Land Jet

993guy, I would like info on that setup because I've never heard of it before. Do you have a web address or phone #. Do you know you actually got hit by laser and went through it undetected. Oh man, I've gotta have it!

cabrio993

It works!
http://blinder.net/

Land Jet

Thanks, I'm looking that up right now! If I hear a couple more testimonials, that thing is gonna be riding my dash quicker than you can blink. I've had an escort 8500 x-50 for the last 2 years and it saved me at least 25 times from K-band, but the laser tickets just killed me and made me lose faith except against small town Barney Fifes. Anyone else out there know about this Blinder setup?

cabrio993

I have the Escort 8500x50 on the 993 and another Escort 8500 on my Audi. I have gotten 2 tickets and both have been Laser guns. There is no radar detector that can warn you soon enough about laser, period. The only solution to laser is to mess the signal going back so the gun can't read the correct speed. Having the blinders on my Audi gives me peace of mind. I'll be installing them on my 993 next.

Here is a post about blinders and radar detectors on AudiWorld: http://forums.audiworld.com/a4b7/msgs/77006.phtml

Land Jet

Just checked out Blinder and ask them to hook me up with a user in Balt-Wash area so I can maybe take a look and get more feedback. I also saw in that Audi forum that there is another system called Lidatek. Went to their web site and it pretty much looks like the same thing but theirs turns itself off automatically after 5 seconds. Man I'm getting one real soon!

cabrio993

Lidatek is also great. I think it costs a bit more but the 5 seconds auto off feature may be worth the price difference. Blinder and Lidatek are both equally effective. Keep us posted on which one you end up getting.

Land Jet

Hey guys, I'd like to know where and how you mounted the laser detectors on your 993? Doesn't look like any place to me except down in the spoiler air intake. Is that too low for protection?

David in LA

They had a group buy on the Lidatek 12-18 mos ago...I was on the list buy pulled my name at the last minute...you could probably set another one up if you can source the vendor they used.

cabrio993

yeah...I remember that group buy. I didn't participated at the time because I didn't know how effective these things were. Why did you pull out? What did you end up getting?

centerpunch

Escort sell laser jammers, too.

http://www.passportsr1.com/

briefescape

I have both the 8500 and the Shifter ZR3 and no tickets . For me it has work very well .