New Escort 9500xi radar detector.

[TSi+WRX]

Originally Posted by CJR238

It’s not a broken promise if they never made it.

In the revised context and with further thought, yes, you're right - they didn't "promise," but as many in the auto-enthusiast communities have e-mailed/PM'ed me, i.e. people who are not "detector enthusiasts," per-se - they do see this as, even if not an outright "broken promise," as being, at best, too-smart marketing, and at-worst, deceptive.

I can well understand that technology progresses - and that if you're a hobbyist/enthusiast in this area, or any other technology-concerned area, such cost issues are just something that's going to have to be dealt with. It's a price of the game, simple as that.

I did it with the upgrade of my x50 to the 9500i. I paid when I upgraded the control-box of my LPPs to enable 100 PPS Ultralyte jamming. I paid to get another, new, control-box with my Laser Interceptor.

I understand that's the deal, and I have no complaints, as such.

With that said:

I have no need for the AI-assisted false-lockout. I have no need for the Trinity database, as that's taken care of by my Cheetah GPS-Mirror.

All I want is an ability to access the data stored in my 9500i - and asmany of our fellow hobbyists here and on RD.net have pointed out, this was a "promise" that Escort did make to us - that the 9500i's database would be able to be manipulated (again, the extent of that "promise" is indeed debatable, and you do have valid points, CJR, in that it is not an outright promise, but rather, an indication of "potential"). One which, as their previous promise of an "upgradeable" x50, has come to bear as a false one - or, at the very least, an inaccurate one.

Looks like we'll all have to thank jimbonzzz for making that available to the 9500i owners/users, when Escort either will-not or cannot.

As a long-time, dedicated, Escort user (since 1993, and a Bel user prior to that), I'm very, very disappointed in how they are approaching this.

They need to make-good with the 9500i owners, now - although given the features enabled with the 9500ix, as well as the access to Trinity for three years, I do NOT feel that the upgrade fee is too steep as to be reasonable, it simply fails to address the needs/wants of the 9500i end-user who is not looking to upgrade to the features of the ix.

[CJR238]

I agree the "potential" & "inaccurate" claim for the USB has been a bit missed from what was expected and needs to be corrected for the 9500i owners in a better way.

Just a side not in hopes something’s in the pipeline for the 9500i. According to a test I had a friend do with the new version 1.1 ci software it connects to the 9500I, xi & ci. Potentially it can update and adjust settings but as of now just shows the regular screen but the big green update buttons were both grayed out . Escort just needs to implement it.

[TSi+WRX]

Originally Posted by CJR238

Just a side not in hopes something’s in the pipeline for the 9500i. According to a test I had a friend do with the new version 1.1 ci software it connects to the 9500I, xi & ci. Potentially it can update and adjust settings but as of now just shows the regular screen but the big green update buttons were both grayed out . Escort just needs to implement it.

^ I just saw what you did with that, on RD.net. Thanks, BTW.

I'm holding out hopes, too!

[CJR238]

Originally Posted by TSi+WRX

^ I just saw what you did with that, on RD.net. Thanks, BTW.

I'm holding out hopes, too!

I figured since Escort is so tight lipped and probably wants to upgrade as many 9500I's to xi first. The ability is there just not fully functional yet.

It should be pretty simple to have the old 9500I's just connect to the sight and download the setting-adjustment and down load any 9500I specific updates.

But I wont hold my breath.

[TSi+WRX]

Originally Posted by CJR238

But I wont hold my breath.

I know, I know.

[CJR238]

I’m interested to see what people think of it? I don’t really need the features of the xi but I love top of the line and new stuff.

I will most likely send one of my 9500I's in to be updated to an xi when its available.

[Brad Bishop]

I feel the same way.

The learning-part is kind of nice but I actually think of it as a bit of a downside. I'd rather specifically state: "Ok - that's a Walgreens - definitely mute that."

Kind of makes me wonder what would happen if you passed the same cop with the same detector (maybe this is extremely unlikely because they check them in and out each day or something - I really don't know) and then the 9500ix out-thinks out and marks it as 'bogus'.

The camera/speedtrap database looks nice but I can either do that with my current 9500i by just marking it or let my GPS alert me.

I generally let my GPS tell me when I'm approaching a speed camera and use the radar detector for cops. The GPS (StreetPilot) will bing at me and put an alert on the screen and I can set the distance. A mile-out for a red-light camera would be way too early - 1/4 mile makes a little more sense. Basically I just glance down every so often to see if there's a red-light camera ahead based on the icon on the screen for the area or the alert that pops up.

I like the instant-setting of the radar detector for speed traps, though.

[TSi+WRX]

I think that most speed-detections countermeasures hobbyists will find that their current arsenal covers most of the ancillary features of the 9500xi - i.e. NavAlert or Cheetah GPS-Mirror to cover the Trinity database, a vehicle/aftermarket GPS-unit to cover the same (plus marked interest locations, etc.).....

As with Bishop, I don't really have a need for those.

In terms of the AutoLearn, with my local driving habits and threat locations, I unfortunately *cannot* take advantage of this feature (i.e. I pass a police station on two of my usual routes, and although 95% of the time they're not running enforcement, they both can and will - and have demonstrated to do so in the past, in more than one circumstance). However, this, I think, is a much more unique consideration.

For the rest of the public (including those hobbyists who do not currently utilize secondary protective measures for fixed threats), though, I think that these features will make the 9500xi extremely popular.

[rckydenver]

First post here, Newbie. I just purchase the 9500i-Blue- April of this year, so basically it only 3 months old. After recieving an email from Escort about the 9500ix i sent a email to Escort for maybe a possible firmware update via the USB port but no reply...Today i got on line and did the online chat thru Escort and the guy i chatted with basically told me later they will do an update for the 9500i and to check back in couple of weeks, he did say it would run about $100. that was the end of that chat..Well i decided to call Escort thinking that i just got this 9500i about three months ago thinking maybe if there was a discount in the works, well after talking to customer service the lady there told me no discounts where available, but there i got quoted $129.95 for the upgrade, Wow i thinking i already paid 499.00 for the detector and now another 129.00 brings this detector up to 628.00, Oh and BTW when i went to Escorts website i notice that the 9500i Blue has been removed from the site..It was discuss on the phone that the 9500i will have to be sent in for the upgrade, processor upgrade and etc..did'nt know intill i did an online search for escort radar forums and found this site, and read thru these post and found what was being added to the detector...If i get this upgrade i'm hoping that all other upgrades will be done via the USB port.

[CJR238]

Originally Posted by rckydenver

If i get this upgrade i'm hoping that all other upgrades will be done via the USB port.

Yes, all software updated will be made via the USB & Escorts web sight.

Figured i would add what new features the ix has over the 9500i:

AutoLearn
The AutoLearn feature analyzes (over time) the source of radar signals by location and frequency. The ix automatically locks out this source at this particular location. The ix will also UnLearn signals to
protect you from locking out real threats. If a particular signal is no longer present at a location that was previously locked out, PASSPORT will unlock that signal.

AutoPower
This feature automatically turns ix off if the vehicle has not moved for 4 hours.

Software Updates
The ix’s red light and speed camera database and operating software is easily updated using Escorts web site. Firmware, for the detector, can also be updated using these tools.
The following are alert distances for marked locations:
• Red Light Cameras = 250’ or 10 seconds
• Speed Cameras = 250’ or 10 seconds
• Speed Traps = 1/3 mile
• Other = 1/3 mile