New Escort 9500xi radar detector.

[CJR238]

There is a new Escort radar detector/upgrade! The 9500ix...

The new ix model/upgrade will have the AutoLearn Feature that’s in the ci and a pre loaded red light and fixed position speed camera Database. It’s priced the same as a regular blue 9500I and you will be able to send in your old 9500I's for the kit and upgrade making your old 9500I to a 9500ix for about $130.
Should be avalible August/September 08.

Escorts Wright up:
Passport 9500ix Radar Detector & Laser Detector - Escort Inc.

Manual:
http://www.escortradar.com/pdf/9500ixOwnersManual.pdf

\/Edit with new info\/:
Other than the added and very cool features of the ix below, the I & ix radar performance is the same.

What the new 9500ix features add over the 9500I:

USB DataPort & Safety Camera Database:

This allows you to update your database, (red light and fixed position speed cameras) and other software from Escorts website. All marked locations in the database will be reported as you approach them. Or you can set it to Selectable Markers (on/off) this allow you to customize which Markers are monitored and you are alerted to.

AutoLearn-TrueLock:

AutoLearn works just like the 9500I’s TrueLock with the addition of the AutoLearn feature analyzing (over time)

the source of radar signals by location and frequency. The ix automatically locks out this source at this particular location after ~3 passes. AutoLearn will also UnLearn signals if a particular signal is no longer present at a location that was previously locked out.

Laser can also be locked out now.

NOTE: AutoLearn typically needs to see the exact frequency in the same location approximately three times to lock it out. Since some door openers are turned on and off routinely, some variations may occur.


A few improvements for mark locations:
Once marked and assigned a label, the ix provides the following alert distances:
• Red Light Cameras = 250’ or 10 seconds
• Speed Cameras = 250’ or 10 seconds
• Speed Traps = 1/3 mile
• Other = 1/3 mile

AutoPower:

This feature automatically turns PASSPORT off if the vehicle has not moved for 4 hours. This is especially useful if your vehicle has a hot plug (12 volts all the time). See the Preferences section for details.

Auto mode No X setting.

In addition to adjusting sensitivity according to speed like the 9500I, the ix can be set to turn off X band in auto mode. City mode is nolonger an option.

NOTE: If your vehicle is moving less than 20 mph and you encounter a radar or laser signal, only a doubletone is used. However, the display meter will keep you informed of the signal strength until it has passed or until you reach a speed above 20 mph.

The 9500I & ix work off exactly the same platform so there radar performance should be exactly the same other than variance from RD to RD. The added features certainly can have advantages for some areas, especially for areas that have a lot of red light and fixed position speed cameras. Pus the AutoLock is an awesome advantage for the RD user that doesn't want to do all the thinking for the RD.

Escort also added the ability to delete Locked out locations and manually marked locations:

Clearing The Database

At some point you may want to clear all of
the data in PASSPORT’S database. This
includes all markers and your false alarm
locations. In order to do this, simply press
and hold the “SEN”, “BRT” and MUTE buttons at the same time. To confirm this
action, press the “GPS” button.

[delonix]

Now all they need to do is add Ka narrow / band select and I'd use one.

[CJR238]

It also looks like Escort is upgrading the 16bit processor in the 9500I to a 32bit processor in the xi.

[RadarReviews_Net]

Originally Posted by CJR238

It also looks like Escort is upgrading the 16bit processor in the 9500I to a 32bit processor in the xi.

Im assuming the higher processor would be for the more features...how about for performance....do you think we will see a greater increase in it? If the 9500i could stand up the performance to the valentine one I would definitely go with it instead...I have personally used both of them and noticed the Valentine 1 was a huge improvement over the 9500i...which is why I sold the 9500i...but the amount of features the 9500i vs the valentine one is like night and day...once they get the performance like the valentine one.....that would be the best radar detector.

[Brad Bishop]

One of the things that bugged me in the email I received today about this detector is that it's "the only detector that allows you to upload/update cameras and speed traps via the internet." I kept thinking: Wait, I have a useless USB port on the side of my 9500i that at one time held the same promise. Get that right and I'll believe you.

I'm happy with the 9500i - just bugs me when they sell you the product with the 'will be able to do this soon'-claim and it never happens.

[TSi+WRX]

^ Unfortunately, with Escort, this kind of "broken promises" is rather routine.

[CJR238]

I don’t see it as a broken promise at all. All they stated was that as an "added benefit you will be able to down load and install software updated from there web sight". They didn’t say it would be free, they didn’t say that it wouldn’t need to be sent in to be updated first, nor did they say you would be getting all the other added features as another bonus.

I personally prefer getting a Trinity Database, AutoLock, improved mark location radios, auto power down, more memory and a trained professional installing it on my 9500I. Rather than a thrown together mark location database that is not proven and using old technology.

And I think it may also have the arrows of the ci.

It’s not a broken promise if they never made it. If they stated there would be free software to be sent to the client when available than i would be up there @$$ in a heart beat.

[CJR238]

Originally Posted by RadarReviews_Net

Im assuming the higher processor would be for the more features...how about for performance....do you think we will see a greater increase in it? If the 9500i could stand up the performance to the valentine one I would definitely go with it instead...I have personally used both of them and noticed the Valentine 1 was a huge improvement over the 9500i...which is why I sold the 9500i...but the amount of features the 9500i vs the valentine one is like night and day...once they get the performance like the valentine one.....that would be the best radar detector.

We are actually getting allot more in the xi than just the database and Autolock, plus the new processor will help with the GPS performance features.

The 9500i has been close to the V1's performance for quite some time now, however its a totally different breed of RD than the V1. If you prefer the excessive sensitivity and overwhelming info the V1 gives its hard to understand the benefits of the 9500I. Plus it takes allot more than 2 weeks to get to know the 9500I and its detection efficiency in comparison to the V1.
The 9500I alerts the user of real threats at a more than ample distance. You don’t need 2mi detection all the time and the 9500I seems to know when to have 2-3mi detection range and 1/2mi detection range. If you can slow down with ample time before the LEO sees you the RD has done its job.
You should really invest in the xi and resolve yourself in keeping it. That’s the only way to make a real comparison.

[Brad Bishop]

From the 9500i manual:

USB Data Port:
This allows you to backup your TrueLock
data and other software related functions.

No it doesn't. It does nothing.

Yeah - I think I've seen some other home-grown stuff that may allow you to monkey with it but as far as official support form Escort, I've seen nothing. I swear I remember reading somewhere a quote that said something to the effect of, "This will allow the the user to backup and share speedtraps and camera locations with others on the internet." To be fair, it may have just been a bunch of reviewers saying (hoping) that's what they think will happen.

Say what you want - my Escort let me down on the USB port for my 9500i.

I like the unit. I would have like drivers, though.

[CJR238]

Originally Posted by Brad Bishop

To be fair, it may have just been a bunch of reviewers saying (hoping) that's what they think will happen.

A big X2!

The 9500I comes with a post card that states: "you will be able to download and install software updated directly from our sight. In order for you to receive notice of any software upgrades, you must register on-line"

This only tells me that they are working on something that will allow me to download and update from there sight (possibly upgrades). It doesn’t say the $$ amount, or what it consists of, or even when it will be released.
All it really says is that Escort is working on something to allow the 9500I to be updated/upgraded via there sight utilizing the USB, nothing more nothing less.

who knows maybe they will have something for the 9500i, maybe if someone with a ci can test a 9500i with its software something will come up?