Escort Passport 9500ci Review on BMW M4

[3er]

Nick Murray just posted a review of the Escort Passport 9500ci (4th gen) on his M4. He also did a comparison to highlight the chatty nature of the Valentine1.

[pesh]

Awesome review! Highly recommend watching it for anyone considering 9500ci. I did and as a result i'm ordering one.

[BMWJ]

that was such a poor video - not only was it way to long and wordy to get to the point, but it was very biased against the V1. I never had so many issues with my V1. I say that as completely unbiased now as I don't use any radar detector so I don't care which one is better.

[oldkingdom]

Originally Posted by BMWJ

that was such a poor video - not only was it way to long and wordy to get to the point, but it was very biased against the V1. I never had so many issues with my V1. I say that as completely unbiased now as I don't use any radar detector so I don't care which one is better.

I was more taken by the fact that he's in my hometown of Westport Connecticut. Parked in the Gold's Deli parking lot across from Silver of Westport (location of my first job in high school). I've seen a bunch of his videos and only ever noticed that he bought his M4 from BMW of Bridgeport. Yes, all that was for me. Totally pointless to anyone else.

BUT, ON topic, I've always been a V1 user and can't see how I can't switch now. Escort seems far superior.

[Swancoat]

I own both of those units and basically agree with the conclusions. V1 is a good highway detector, particularly in areas where police don't run laser (I don't believe Texas State Troopers use laser).

In the city though, it's almost useless because it's going off so much.

[GrussGott]

Originally Posted by oldkingdom

I was more taken by the fact that he's in my hometown of Westport Connecticut. Parked in the Gold's Deli parking lot across from Silver of Westport (location of my first job in high school). I've seen a bunch of his videos and only ever noticed that he bought his M4 from BMW of Bridgeport. Yes, all that was for me. Totally pointless to anyone else.

BUT, ON topic, I've always been a V1 user and can't see how I can't switch now. Escort seems far superior.

I enjoyed it! You be you man.

[tkhan456]

Where can you find it for as cheap as he says? All I can find it for is $2000

[3er]

Originally Posted by tkhan456

Where can you find it for as cheap as he says? All I can find it for is $2000

I'm not sure about the $1,200 comment that Nick made, but you can find them for about $1,500 on eBay. I recall seeing the previous generation 9500ci for $1,200 before the newest one (with Laser ShifterPro ) was released. I'd expect the new one to come down with more time.

[Xerxes480]

Is it possible to get a 9500CI setup that is reversible (for a leased vehicle)? If so, any estimates on how much it would cost to remove all the gear?

[IMMLaw]

Escort is trash. If you actually sit down to do the research, take a browse at the online forums dedicated solely to laser jammers and radar detectors, it'll be easy to see that Escort is just marketed well and does nothing more.

The best brand is Laser Interceptor. I have personal experience with their jammers, each time I was hit with laser I was going 20+mph over the speed limit and never once was pulled over. The guy who runs the company, Cliff, is absolutely outstanding and is a class-act. I invite all of you to check out Laser Interceptor, they are, by far, the best out there.

[racsos]

Originally Posted by IMMLaw

Escort is trash. If you actually sit down to do the research, take a browse at the online forums dedicated solely to laser jammers and radar detectors, it'll be easy to see that Escort is just marketed well and does nothing more.

The best brand is Laser Interceptor. I have personal experience with their jammers, each time I was hit with laser I was going 20+mph over the speed limit and never once was pulled over. The guy who runs the company, Cliff, is absolutely outstanding and is a class-act. I invite all of you to check out Laser Interceptor, they are, by far, the best out there.

ALP has out performed the pants off of Laser interceptor.

[Vectors2final]

Such competition. Very detect.


Okay, so after going to these websites and looking.... They both seem to sell both products, which are really sister companies(Beltronics/Escort). It looks like one is using BT and an app, and the other is using an interface from the above noted. One website seems to be cut and dry as far as a kit, and the other looks like you've got to piece together a kit.

edit: I did some more poking, and some of the stuff is a little more clear, but I'm really not feeling the whole BT app interface. That means I'd have to have my phone out all the time.

Since you two stirred the shit pot, I think you guys should break everything down. Price, setups, functionality as well as price... Prove why one is better than the other...



FIGHT!

[minn19]

Originally Posted by IMMLaw

Escort is trash. If you actually sit down to do the research, take a browse at the online forums dedicated solely to laser jammers and radar detectors, it'll be easy to see that Escort is just marketed well and does nothing more.

The best brand is Laser Interceptor. I have personal experience with their jammers, each time I was hit with laser I was going 20+mph over the speed limit and never once was pulled over. The guy who runs the company, Cliff, is absolutely outstanding and is a class-act. I invite all of you to check out Laser Interceptor, they are, by far, the best out there.

You very well could be right, but why does the business you tell us to go to sell Escort radar detectors if they are crap?

Originally Posted by Vectors2final

Such competition. Very detect.


Okay, so after going to these websites and looking.... They both seem to sell both products, which are really sister companies(Beltronics/Escort). It looks like one is using BT and an app, and the other is using an interface from the above noted. One website seems to be cut and dry as far as a kit, and the other looks like you've got to piece together a kit.

edit: I did some more poking, and some of the stuff is a little more clear, but I'm really not feeling the whole BT app interface. That means I'd have to have my phone out all the time.

Since you two stirred the shit pot, I think you guys should break everything down. Price, setups, functionality as well as price... Prove why one is better than the other...



FIGHT!

Agreed!

[IMMLaw]

Originally Posted by minn19

You very well could be right, but why does the business you tell us to go to sell Escort radar detectors if they are crap?

I've never heard of ALP so I cannot stir the pot at all haha.. In fact, I wasn't trying to stir the pot, just trying to watch for those who may be swayed by Escort's name-brand and marketing power. As I said, I don't have any skin in the game either way but I have personal experience with LI and have actually tested both systems with a community of laser jammer enthusiasts in Houston and we all agree that Escort's system is for those who literally want to take a 50-50 chance of it actually working when you get hit.

The site sells Escort products because they're a business. They want to be able to reach out to all consumers, especially those that are swayed by Escort. I would do the same but it still doesnt take away from the fact that LI is by far, way far, the best choice.

[minn19]

Originally Posted by IMMLaw

I've never heard of ALP so I cannot stir the pot at all haha.. In fact, I wasn't trying to stir the pot, just trying to watch for those who may be swayed by Escort's name-brand and marketing power. As I said, I don't have any skin in the game either way but I have personal experience with LI and have actually tested both systems with a community of laser jammer enthusiasts in Houston and we all agree that Escort's system is for those who literally want to take a 50-50 chance of it actually working when you get hit.

The site sells Escort products because they're a business. They want to be able to reach out to all consumers, especially those that are swayed by Escort. I would do the same but it still doesnt take away from the fact that LI is by far, way far, the best choice.

Thanks for the explanation. I'm going to be purchasing a detector soon, but not the entire laser jammer set up. I've seen reviews and they are all over the place from the Max 2 is the best thing ever to V1 and everything in between. Don't know which one to get for just a radar detector. I would like an excellent detector obviously and it is tough to wade through the marketing and figure out which one truly lives up to the hype.

[IMMLaw]

Originally Posted by minn19

Thanks for the explanation. I'm going to be buying a detector soon, but not the entire laser jammer set up. I'v seen reviews all of the map from the Max 2 is the best thing ever to V1 and everything in between. Don't know which one to get for just a radar detector.

I'm going with the V1 for Christmas. I get my car in a week and one of the first things I want to do is hardwire that bad boy in there.

The V1 is simplistic for a reason - it doesn't need to change 920,394,393 different models and colors in order to achieve greatness. The resale value on the V1's have NEVER really dropped significantly. I bought my V1 many years ago for $400+tax and sold it for $375 at a time when I sold my previous car and didn't feel like I needed a radar anymore (got into a much 'slower' vehicle). Good condition V1's that are used will go for $350 easily.

[minn19]

Originally Posted by IMMLaw

I'm going with the V1 for Christmas. I get my car in a week and one of the first things I want to do is hardwire that bad boy in there.

The V1 is simplistic for a reason - it doesn't need to change 920,394,393 different models and colors in order to achieve greatness. The resale value on the V1's have NEVER really dropped significantly. I bought my V1 many years ago for $400+tax and sold it for $375 at a time when I sold my previous car and didn't feel like I needed a radar anymore (got into a much 'slower' vehicle). Good condition V1's that are used will go for $350 easily.

And this is where I get confused. I don't need the apps and all the other stuff from Escort/Passport. But, the one thing I've heard consistently is that the Escort's false alarms are significantly less than even the latest V1. I would get the V1 immediately if wasn't for this.

[SuckaGDog]

Originally Posted by Swancoat

I own both of those units and basically agree with the conclusions. V1 is a good highway detector, particularly in areas where police don't run laser (I don't believe Texas State Troopers use laser).

In the city though, it's almost useless because it's going off so much.

The state troopers here definitely use laser. Mostly on the motorcycle ones they pull over to the side and hide and target you with laser. The squad cars are parked parallel to the road and get you that way. A lot of times on the tollways here in DFW they will park behind the entrance ramp and wait for someone to rip it on the roadway (mostly radar in this case).

I got a ticket the other day and the city cop (Plano) was using instant on, very deadly. A lot of people aren't familiar with it but there is nothing that can help you radar or laser jammer. By the time my KA band went off full blast the cop already had my speed and had it his lights on to get me. Basically where the cop turns on the radar when he sees a car approaching and you have no advanced warning compared to other cops who just leave the radar on constantly. I have the V1 and full laser jammer setup front and rear on my car.

[IMMLaw]

Originally Posted by SuckaGDog

The state troopers here definitely use laser. Mostly on the motorcycle ones they pull over to the side and hide and target you with laser. The squad cars are parked parallel to the road and get you that way. A lot of times on the tollways here in DFW they will park behind the entrance ramp and wait for someone to rip it on the roadway (mostly radar in this case).

I got a ticket the other day and the city cop (Plano) was using instant on, very deadly. A lot of people aren't familiar with it but there is nothing that can help you radar or laser jammer. By the time my KA band went off full blast the cop already had my speed and had it his lights on to get me. Basically where the cop turns on the radar when he sees a car approaching and you have no advanced warning compared to other cops who just leave the radar on constantly. I have the V1 and full laser jammer setup front and rear on my car.

Completely agree with everything you said.

Texas is infamous for laser use. And instant on, to me, is even deadlier than a laser because there's no protection from it other than hoping to God there is someone next to you he clocked.

Do you have a fuller jammer setup on an M4? If so, could you please post pics of your setup? Which did you go with?

[Swancoat]

Hmm, I've seem tons of laser in the city for sure, but not so much by the troopers. Good to know.

On my M3, I'm currently running a 9500ci and a set of laser interceptors. So, yeah, there's 7 jamming heads on the car.

[3er]

Originally Posted by IMMLaw

The best brand is Laser Interceptor. I have personal experience with their jammers, each time I was hit with laser I was going 20+mph over the speed limit and never once was pulled over. The guy who runs the company, Cliff, is absolutely outstanding and is a class-act. I invite all of you to check out Laser Interceptor, they are, by far, the best out there.

My research showed the same when I was looking for a radar & laser setup a few months ago. I started my research with the 9500ci and quickly moved to Laser Interceptor. To your point, Escort is smart with the marketing and, most importantly, packaging. It's nice that one can purchase an "all in one" setup and not have to bother with piecing a system together.

As much as I like Valentine1, the false alarms drive me crazy in the city. IMO, you can't go wrong with an Escort Max 2 and a Laser Interceptor system.

[Vectors2final]

Are you guys using the bluetooth interface?


That's a huge turn-off for me.