2015 Radar Detector Thoughts / Opinions

Chance · Jan 6, 2015

I recently picked up the 9500ix at a local flea market. Don't shoot me.. But I got it for $10 WITH the smart cord. The cord has a light and volume controller built in so you can run in stealth mode. I've been using it in my car for a couple of weeks and am really impressed and pleased, so far. It has the gps which is fantastic for marking red light cams and it automatically records 'false' signals and ignores them after 3 times. It records the frequency so you don't have to worry about a cop hiding in a radar hotspot.

I really am anxious to try it on my bike.... But as you stated, will need a waterproof container. Amazon rates it over 500 4 star plus reviews. If I can answer any questions.. Ask away.

Btw.. Mines the blue model. G'luck!

nhdiesel · Jan 6, 2015

Slasher said:
Man, that sucks to have a $300 paper weight! That is the main selling point to the TPX, even if it never found a bogey it sure as hell shouldn't ever leak! That's a big "con".

Especially since I bought it to do rallies last year. It died on the way to the first rally. I couldn't get a replacement in time for the next rally the following weekend (the Cape Fear) and I ended up getting two performance awards during it! I think that hurt the most.

Slasher · Jan 6, 2015

Chance said:
I recently picked up the 9500ix at a local flea market. Don't shoot me.. But I got it for $10 WITH the smart cord. The cord has a light and volume controller built in so you can run in stealth mode. I've been using it in my car for a couple of weeks and am really impressed and pleased, so far. It has the gps which is fantastic for marking red light cams and it automatically records 'false' signals and ignores them after 3 times. It records the frequency so you don't have to worry about a cop hiding in a radar hotspot.

I really am anxious to try it on my bike.... But as you stated, will need a waterproof container. Amazon rates it over 500 4 star plus reviews. If I can answer any questions.. Ask away.

Btw.. Mines the blue model. G'luck!

$10?!?!?

you could've paid ten times that and still would've gotten an excellent deal! If I had to buy one right this second, it would be the 9500ix because it has more than respectable range and the gps functions are helpful in unfamiliar territory. We have no red light or speed cameras around here but it would be nice to know you are in an area that has them. I think I ran every single traffic light in Milwaukee back in 2003... I didn't even realize they were on the side of the street for the first few days of my trip there!

Chance · Jan 6, 2015

Lol! Sorry.. I'm certain it had something to do with them being ILLEGAL in Virginia

. I'm just a rebel.

. I work with a few cops and had them shoot me... It's definitely functioning fine

. They claim they could catch me by 'blipping' the radar.. Somehow I think they are doing a bit of wishful thinking. You won't be disappointed if you settle on the 9500..

Troy

Ps. If I could get more at that price, you'd be 45th in line

Slasher · Jan 6, 2015

nhdiesel said:
Especially since I bought it to do rallies last year. It died on the way to the first rally. I couldn't get a replacement in time for the next rally the following weekend (the Cape Fear) and I ended up getting two performance awards during it! I think that hurt the most.

I think LD riders really need them and not to speed but because we cover so much unfamiliar territory that it's impossible to know that cops like to hide over the next hill or there is a small town in SC counting on you not hitting the brakes just before the 35 sign (if you read this whole thread you might think I'm still bitter about that particular ticket and you'd be right). I consider my self lucky that my conservative riding style has kept me mostly out of trouble so far but the last time I was riding in Florida I think I was only able to escape unscathed because all the cops I saw already had customers.

Slasher · Jan 6, 2015

Chance said:
They claim they could catch me by 'blipping' the radar.. Somehow I think they are doing a bit of wishful thinking.

I watched a Video of a guy with a Redline and a radar gun do exactly that. Out of the box, the redline missed 10 out of 10 times he hit the button but after he changed the settings to make the redline scan faster it was able to catch it every time. While the 9500 doesn't have the same level of customizable settings as the Redline, you have to look at what features will help you overall. I don't intend on running triple digits down the slab... I just want to keep up with everyone else. I keep going back and forth between the two. Do you have the subscription to update your units database of red light and speed cameras or just use the ones that came with it?

Chance · Jan 6, 2015

Just what came with it.. You can manually hit the 'mark' button to add them. The database is readily available, I just haven't bothered. Again, only have had it for 2 weeks.

That said.. Florida has gone crazy with the revenue they're getting from red light cameras and I'd certaintly update before heading there!

MeanST · Jan 6, 2015

Alternatively you can use the POI factory red light database and crank it into your regular GPS with proximity warnings. http://www.poi-factory.com/poifiles/us/red-light-cameras
I am also pretty sure that the Waze app has redlight revenue tax collectors too. I have not integrated this tool with my defense scheme but I do look forward at rest stops to see what is down the road.

Slasher · Jan 6, 2015

Chance said:
That said.. Florida has gone crazy with the revenue they're getting from red light cameras and I'd certaintly update before heading there!

I think I saw on the news awhile back where they are trying to make red light cameras illegal in Florida on the basis that they circumvent due process... you are automatically guilty, pay up! If the court sides with whoever the plaintiff is, Florida would have to repay all the citations issued due to the cameras!

Slasher · Jan 6, 2015

MeanST said:
Alternatively you can use the POI factory red light database and crank it into your regular GPS with proximity warnings. http://www.poi-factory.com/poifiles/us/red-light-cameras
I am also pretty sure that the Waze app has redlight revenue tax collectors too. I have not integrated this tool with my defense scheme but I do look forward at rest stops to see what is down the road.

DAMMIT MAN! I didn't even think of doing that! Well crap... LOL. I should also mention for anybody following along that the Escort units are both compatible with Escort Live which basically hooks your radar detector into your smart phone via blue tooth and your phone will actually give you red light alerts and speed camera alerts and even allows you to post if you see a cop just sitting there via the Escort App. I didn't mention this previously because it is a subscription service that I don't intend on partaking in.

Chance · Jan 6, 2015

Ya? Good! It's amazing to watch people *accelerating* to avoid entering the intersections too late and or hammering their brakes! It's hones quite dangerous! The news has even reported the yellow light timers have been sped up at intersections with cameras!

Slasher · Jan 6, 2015

Chance said:
The news has even reported the yellow light timers have been sped up at intersections with cameras!

Now that's just plain dirty!

DaveM · Jan 7, 2015

Slasher said:
Got any pics you'd like to share?

I could only find one right now.....

nerSTeve · Jan 7, 2015

DaveM said:
I could only find one right now.....

I know where it is now, still a great disguise.

Uncle Phil · Jan 7, 2015

Slasher said:
UNCLE PHIL!!!! I was really hoping you'd hop in here! I have read about your under headlight mount on numerous threads but couldn't find any pictures. Since you and I have the same ride (except mine is not abs) and we even have the same sound system, I'd really love to know more about your install. Any pics or a writeup of how you did it? I was planning on making a custom smartcord with a power switch, alert lights, and a mute button to mount on my dash so I don't need to see the actual detector anyway.

Well, the 8500s have been through all sorts of 'frog drownings' over the years and they still are working just fine. Here's a picture or two. I usually put car window film over the front 'window' so you can't see inside the box if you look. Also, a plain phone cord will work just fine as a power cord for them (have to sort out which pair in the cord) -

T_C · Jan 7, 2015

Chance said:
Florida has gone crazy with the revenue they're getting from red light cameras and I'd certaintly update before heading there!

...or just don't run a redlight.

I occasionally (daily) break the speed limit suggestions. But I think most officers see me in full gear and give me a little lee-way. Or so I hope, haven't had a ticket in many years and that includes quite a few miles riding on roads that I am unfamiliar with.

But redlight tickets, no fear of getting one of them. I am not even coming close to taking a chance.

Slasher · Jan 7, 2015

T_C said:
...or just don't run a redlight.

I occasionally (daily) break the speed limit suggestions. But I think most officers see me in full gear and give me a little lee-way. Or so I hope, haven't had a ticket in many years and that includes quite a few miles riding on roads that I am unfamiliar with.

But redlight tickets, no fear of getting one of them. I am not even coming close to taking a chance.

i would tend to think that most people on this forum don't intentionally run red lights but might use every bit of that yellow. It's not always even a matter of getting through the light it's sometimes a way to allow the cage behind you to get through the light without going over you since his attention is solely on that light.

Chance · Jan 7, 2015

Slasher said:
i would tend to think that most people on this forum don't intentionally run red lights but might use every bit of that yellow. It's not always even a matter of getting through the light it's sometimes a way to allow the cage behind you to get through the light without going over you since his attention is solely on that light.

Yup! I wasn't lying about the lights being changed. It's really become dangerous.. especially for motorcyclists. We tend to get 'pushed' to run the light.. by the guy behind us..that either doesn't see us or doesn't care.

http://www.tiki-toki.com/timeline/entry/135673/10-News-investigates-Floridas-Yellow-Light-Trap/#vars!date=2013-05-13_00:00:00!

and

http://www.citizenstoabolishredlightcameras.com/

I don't think motorcyclists generally see an advantage in running lights. It's ALOT more dangerous for us.

STOC# 889 · Jan 7, 2015

Another option is the Escort IQ. It combines a radar detector with a navigator. It's not waterproof but I live in California, it doesn't rain here. I only use it for longer rides, I do not leave it on the bike. I paid $20 for the update service for one year. I still get email notifications of available updates well over one year and I do update it via USB and the Escort computer Ap.

Slasher · Jan 8, 2015

STOC# 889 said:
Another option is the Escort IQ. It combines a radar detector with a navigator. It's not waterproof but I live in California, it doesn't rain here. I only use it for longer rides, I do not leave it on the bike. I paid $20 for the update service for one year. I still get email notifications of available updates well over one year and I do update it via USB and the Escort computer Ap.

If I didn't already run two Zumo 550's I might entertain this option but I'm definitely covered in the navigation department. Thanks for mentioning it though... I'd never heard of the IQ before.

2015 Radar Detector Thoughts / Opinions

Chance

Taming the dragon!

nhdiesel

Slasher

Chance

Taming the dragon!

Slasher

Slasher

Chance

Taming the dragon!

MeanST

Slasher

Slasher

Chance

Taming the dragon!

Slasher

DaveM

nerSTeve

Uncle Phil

Attachments

T_C

Slasher

Chance

Taming the dragon!

STOC# 889

Slasher