The only radar detectors with antennas facing the rear are the Valentine1 and the whistler 3600 if a second radar antenna is bought and installed. The escort 9500IX and all other radar detectors do not have rear facing antennas. They all see rear radar by having the radar bounce off something in front of them.

The Beltronics Stir is the best radar detector on the market due to it's sensitivity and programability. For optimum performance bands 2,5,8 on Rdr off. The hardware of the stir is the same as the 9500ci, minus the ZR4 laser jammers, which are perform poorly in my experience the best laser jammer is the laser interceptor.

See www.radardetectorforum.org for more info.

Laser interceptor is the best laser jammer.

 

I recommend the Blinder M27 x-treme. Very good product!
RW

 

escort 9500ci for me, performance has been flawless

 

9500ci. Many laser saves in last 2 years.
Only down side is they don't have a DB download that works directly on a Mac.

 

ALWAYS get a laser jammer if looking for a new unit...

 

Got lucky and had two near-misses this week, thanks to my 9500ci. Can endorse that it works!

 

I just closed the barn door after the horse ran out. I was the subject of a vicious attack. I passed a known camera car with my halo firmly in place. I then relaxed only to be ambushed 200 feet later by hand held laser, 40 in a 25 they say. Now I've got a 9500ci. Fool me once......

 

Friends tell me this one also the best. Like the way it looks and is very thin.

 

You gotta have it wired to the fuse panel. Hook up easy there, ie with small stick in plugs that squeeze in next to fuse (at Radioshack), but finding a good ground can be tough. Using the lighter is bad because always hot even without key and invariable you'll forget to turn it on ((bad for tickets) and too often forget to turn it off which is bad for the battery.

 

Valentine 1, trust the arrows.

 

Wow, surprised this thread is still alive. I still opt for the Val 1, it works for me, everytime and still o tickets......

 

Blinder and V1.

 

I'm behind the times i guess. Haven't researched jammers/rd's in a long time.

 

If you live in California, CHP is using LIDAR HEAVILY! Ask me how I know....
V1 went off alright, but not until it was too late. Hello traffic school.

From what I've gathered so far, Laser Interceptor has had the best reviews. X-mas present to myself.

 

Valentine 1- never leave home without it! It's the arrows and upgradability. Mine has been my in car companion since 2002 and sent it in for 2 upgrades in nearly 10 years. Although I think they give you a new unit instead of upgrading the old model...