Passport 9500i Radar Detector

Our latest invention, the all-new PASSPORT 9500i, has revolutionized the radar detector category again. Its blistering performance is derived from the "World's Best" PASSPORT 8500 X50, which means it delivers the best protection possible against all speed measuring devices. We added advanced GPS-powered intelligence, which makes the PASSPORT 9500i the best performing, quietest and most user-friendly radar detector ever designed.

Michelle Kline
My husband travels a lot for business and he is the worlds worst at speeding in the process. I know this radar detector has saved this family loads of money in speeding tickets. He loves the GPS lockout feature since he goes to the same cities all the time and he was able to load those false alarms in. This gets rid of those annoying beeps that would otherwise occur in those same spots over and over again.

Plus, I am not sure how it works but it seems to know just how fast he is going and adjusts the distance it scans ahead for potential radar.

I would say the only real drawback to the unit is the price, but depending on how prone you are to speeding it may be worth it. Just do the math and find out if it is in the cards for you.

Bob McEvoy
I have to admit I liked the idea of being able to lock out false positives with the 9500i, but I was a little concerned about how it would actually work. I do pass by certain locations that always sent my old radar detector into a fit of warnings when there was no radar around, but then there were times a policeman was actually in the area.

I was concerned that if I locked out one location, then went by that same location when police radar was in use, I would not be protected. But the unit did an amazing job at telling the difference between the frequency that I locked out on previous trips on my commute and the new one being used in the attempt to catch speeders.

The mark feature was also really helpful so that I can mark hot spots in my area that are known for being covered by radar so that I can be better prepared.

MP
The first thing I want to say is that I ALMOST bought the passport 8500 because of what I read from one of the other reviews about a side by side test between the 9500i and the 8500. I read more about the topic and discovered that you can not compare the sensitivity of radar detectors by sticking both of them on your windshield and driving down the road. When they are that close to each other, they interfere with each other.

Boy am I glad I got the 9500i. The GPS functionality is great and I have blocked out all the false alarms on the usual routes I travel. So easy to do it, just hit the mute button on the device or the smart cord three times and you never have to hear that false alarm again. Sweet.

This thing has great range too. It picked up radar up to 5 miles away from one particularly well hidden detector along the Ohio turnpike.

Also, with the GPS function, it displays the speed you were going when you got "pinged" with the radar, so you can tell if you need to slow down or not. I know what you are thinking, but just because the detector is going off doesn't mean that someone with a radar gun can tell your speed. For a radar gun to detect speed, it must hit your vehicle then bounce back. This is only good for a mile at the most and under prime conditions. The detector just has to pick up the radar reaching it, so it can pick up from much farther away.

When you first get the alarm, it is usually with one bar on the detector. You can safely slow down (No slamming on the brakes) before you pass the radar source and the 9500i will keep you informed about how strong the signals are.

Another great thing about the GPS function, you can mark those pesky vascar spots. See, vascar doesn't use radar...so with any other detector, you are not protected when you pass over the white lines on the road. With this device, you can mark that spot so you know where it is next time, and it will warn you that it is coming in the appropriate amount of time depending on your speed. Sweet again.

The only down side that I can find in the 9500i after taking it around where I live and down the highway about 20 hours worth is that when the first warning shows up you can never be sure if it is a false alarm or not. You have to wait and see if it goes up high, or just stays a low signal...false alarms are almost always low signals. However, once you pass that low signal and it goes out of range, you can not...after the fact...still mark it as a fake signal to be blocked. It would have been nice if the device would allow you to still mark the most recent alarm a minute or two after you pass it. Obviously, you can mark it the next time past, but I'm just saying.

Mounts easy, comes with a nice case, extra suction cups, smart cord is awesome, and the dark feature (audio only, no light) can't be beat at night.

Overall, a GREAT device, can't recommend it enough. It has already saved me a ticket and I've only had it 2 weeks. Paid for itself.

p.s. Just so you know, radar detectors are legal in pretty much the entire country except for a few states (as long as you don't have a commercial driver's license). You can read about it on the Escort website.

CRP
This is an amazing device. Everyone knows the protection you get from owning a Passport radar detector, but let's face it, it can also be a pain in the rear around town. There are WAY too many false alarms.

Well, this can virtually eliminate them. Whenever you encounter what you know if a false alarm (be sure!) you can program the unit to know this signal in this location is a false alarm (total of 3 keystrokes, not hard). You will never again get that alarm in that spot. Amazing.

It is also "smart" and knows how fast you are going, auto adjusting the sensativity on the unit, again reducing false alarms.

If you drive much and want to avoid "revenue generation" tickets, this is a virtual must have purchase.

Karl S
I have used radar detectors for 22 years, and the introduction of a gps is the best. I the first week in school zone I was watching my speed and got lasered the 9500 showed me 27 mph 2 over i new i was safe!! On the way to work i pass 3 false, now i have marked and removed the noise. I have marked speed traps all over Greater Denver. I think it's the best.

Clay L
I've had many radar detectors over the years, but what really separates this detector from everything else is the GPS capability combined with superior auto-sensitivity in the 9500i.

These two features combined give the 9500i the ability to give fewer false positives than any detector I've ever owned, including the V1. If it ever does give a false positive, you can train the detector to ignore that particular signal based on its geographic location and frequency. It also tracks multiple signals, so even if you lock out some X-band signal from the local grocery store, you can still pick up other bogeys in the same area.

Conclusion: Definitely worth the money.

Andrew B
I won't say much here except this 9500i is fantastic. I was very hesitant in getting the GPS part of the marketing push. I figured bad weather and satellite positioning would reduce the effectiveness of the unit. I wasn't sold on the "marking" the areas where nuisance "x band" was present in shopping centers and such.

Wow, did Escort prove me wrong. Everything that is advertised works exactly as it is advertised. Sort of rare nowadays.

I used to turn off my Escort 8500x50 because of the constant nuisance false alarms going off in city areas. Let me tell you that forgetting to turn your detector back on will cost you plenty of $$$ (don't ask me how I know this, please don't) The step to mark and eliminate each and every single false alarm area is the icing on the cake for me. No more turning the unit off just for some peace and quiet.

From what I remember, Escort did say it was upgradeable via the internet when upgrades were available. I even registered with Escort and being a year later still have not heard or seen anything. I have heard the newer 9500ix is upgradeable and they seem to be promoting that and stopped with the original 9500i option. I'll have to check further into this.

Operating Bands
  X-band 10.525 GHz ± 25 MHz
  K-band 24.150 GHz ± 100 MHz
  Ka-band 34.700 GHz ± 1300 MHz   Ku-band 13.425 GHz ± 25 MHz
  Laser 904nm, 33 MHz Bandwidth

Programmable Features
  Power-On Indication
  AutoVolume (On/Off)
  AutoMute (On/Off)
  Power-On Sequence
  Signal Strength Meter
  SpeedAlert (On/Off)
  Units (English/Metric)
  Voice (On/Off)
  5 Levels of Brightness Control
  Dark Mode
  Radar/Laser Bands

Auto Calibration Circuitry

Mute, AutoMute and SmartMute

Radar Receiver / Detector Type
  Superheterodyne, Varactor-Tuned VCO
  Scanning Frequency Discriminator
  Digital Signal Processing (DSP)

Laser Detection
  Quantum Limited Video Receiver
  Multiple Laser Sensor Diodes

GPS Receiver
  SiRFstar III

Display Type
  280 LED Matrix/Text
  SpeedAlert
  Bar Graph
  ExpertMeter
  SpecDisplay

Power Requirement
  12VDC, Negative Ground
  Escort SmartCord Included

Sensitivity Control
  Highway, Auto and City

Compact Size
  1.4" H x 2.90" W x 5.35" L

Do you have a question? Need more information? Please call us at 800-964-3138.