Bel STI-R or wait for the Escort Passport 9500ci?

[The STIG]

For that coinage I would seriously wait til both come out and let other people be the test bunnies.

[tactical22]

Originally Posted by RadarReviews_Net

9500ci is very expensive...better perform better then the Valentine One Radar for the price!

I doubt it, the antenna will be too low to start with.piss

[TSi+WRX]

^ A low-positioned antenna, particularly on a low-to-the-ground vehicle, can essentially "see under vehicles."

Brother ProSpeeder's SR7/V1 setup has the SR7 taking advantage of this, on his C6 'Vette, and it is hard to dispute that the logic of this particular mounting method can and does work.

Additionally, there are other, more technical concerns, when it comes to raw sensitivity. Remember, Escort's had quite a few years to up their game on this one, compared to V1. This engineering factor alone may give the new Escort products an edge.

Still, while I feel that raw sensitivity numbers are a good bragging point, I think that in the real world, any of the top-tier detector would do just as well as the other (particularly with individual/unique-unit variations at-play), and that this kind of academic concern is all but nullified by end variances (and the unaccountable variability of physical circumstances).

With all that said - right now, we just don't know - yes, there's a lot of speculation that the 9500ci may surpass the V1 in terms of raw sensitivity, but so far, that's still all just rumor. Until independent bodies test the unit, it's all just "he said, she said."

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Honestly, samq45, based on that last point, I would truly wait until the 9500ci hits the market, and until some independent testing (and full exploration of its features) has been done, before you plunk down that much change.

To me, having money to just throw at this project isn't the only concern - instead, there is significant secondary costs incurred with the proper installation of this product (whether it be a DIY job, which takes *your* time, or if you send the car to the shop, which will cost you additional money - and in either case, your vehicle will be out-of-operation for at least several hours; similarly, the holes that need to be drilled to mount the various components are also "permanent," to an extent, and again of significant secondary cost).

We just don't know anything - factually and truly - about this item, at this time. There's a lot of rumors going around, a lot of hype, and a lot of anticipation.

But if you can, at all, I'd hold-out to see what true first-hand reviewers have to say.

Unless, of course, you, yourself want to be its beta-tester/early-adopter.

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And as an aside, samq45, on the new Escort products, you truly may not need to turn-off POP. I've noticed that on my 9500i (date-of-manufacture is cited in my .sig lines, for your reference), even with POP enabled, I just don't get the "Cobra"-induced POP falses anymore.

With that said, I currently ride with POP-detection disabled. Why? Look at how poorly the 9500i (and other Bel/Escort products) fared against 16 ms Ka as well as both durations of K-band POP on the various GOL tests. Having to put up with even the occasional false while knowing that my chances of actually getting a proper POP warning is less than optimal already, in my estimation, would greatly cut down on the confidence-factor that is required of a good "detector-user" interface/bond.

Since you obviously have expressed a POP concern, I would again encourage you to wait-out, to see if the 9500ci is any better at catching POP (here, I would use the V1 as a benchmark, as it is currently class-leading in this respect).

[CJR238]

Originally Posted by RadarReviews_Net

9500ci is very expensive...better perform better then the Valentine One Radar for the price!

The ci is in a totally different liege than the V1. Jamming and equal or better and more accurate detection.

[samq45]

Originally Posted by TSi+WRX

Unless, of course, you, yourself want to be its beta-tester/early-adopter.

I appreciate everyone's input and the points made are well taken. But I would like to test this out and very shortly will be driving where there are 4 Stalker Speed signs - I have actually never seen another one besides these 4. They are buried deep in the mountains - so we shall see if this lives up to the hype and how much better it is than the STi.

I just ordered the STI-R. I should have it installed by sunday. I am replacing the timing belt and some oil seals on the A6 and will put it in at the same time. I plan on running it with the regular STI and maybe my older V1 for the moment. I will let everyone know my experiences. And again thanks for the input - as always it is certainly appreciated.

On a side note a person a Bel told me that very shortly there will be a price increase across their product line. For example they told me that the dash mounted STi will soon be sold at $499 USD. Higher MFG, energy costs and the slip of the USD are eating into their profits.

[TSi+WRX]

Thanks for the note regarding Bel's upcoming price increases.

And definitely, best of luck on the install. Please do let us know what you think of it!

[wilnevrbbiased]

Makes me glad I bought one of my STi's at $175. Wow, now they are $500. That's just not right.