Passport 9500i to ix upgrade - worth it? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

DangerZL1 · 11-25-2009, 12:47 PM

I have a 9500i that I purchased a couple months before the 9500ix came out. It picks up so many false alarms that I've since taken it down and put it on a shelf. I'm thinking the auto lockout of false signals iin the ix will be a big help, since I travel the same route to work every day. I don't find the manual lockout feature to be very effective and I was wondering if it is worth it to upgrade to the 9500ix for $129? Any thoughts and does someone have experience with both of the units?

SS Drifter · 12-04-2009, 11:35 AM

I picked up a 9500ix back in September. It's a nice unit with good sensitivity and it almost never falses. You can also turn off bands that are not used for speed radar (i.e.: X band.) in your area.

The GPS based photo-stoplight feature is great but, if you are driving on a freeway that crosses over alot of photolights it can get annoying. The voice features are nice (Warning! Approching Camera Light.) but it tends to talk too much with redundant statements like "Your destination has been reached." when you actually pass the light.

I ran the 9500ix side by side with the a Valentine for a few days. Both units had equally sensitivity but the Valentine falsed frequently on K band when passing cars with cheap detectors that splatter all over K band. Also, fixed K band radar for speed/traffic flow monitiring usually created a false on Valentine while the 9500ix ignored these.

I do prefer the directional indication on the Valentine. If they would just update a few features (band selection, auto-dim, etc.) it would compete well with the 9500ix.

Anyway your question was the ix over the i. If you have a lot of photolights or need better false signal rejection though GPS asistance then it may be worthwhile. You can alway put your 9500i in the rear window for laser and some directional capability on radar.

I was looking at the 9500i but opted for 9500ix (too late) after getting a $450 photolight ticket.

DangerZL1 · 12-04-2009, 01:16 PM

Thanks for the repsonse and congratulations on your new Camaro. Photo lights are getting more widespread in my area, but the interstate doesn't cross over any of the locations on the roads that currently have them, so at least that won't be a worry. The main improvement I'm looking for is the improvement from the GPS false signal rejection.

Wow! $450 for a photolight ticket. That's outrageous.

*mlee* · 12-04-2009, 01:25 PM

I have the ix and after driving my normal area for a couple weeks I almost never get false alarms... My wife actually asked me if it worked... I love the red light camera feature too.

Not sure if I would actually pay another 430 bucks for a simple upgrade, but I would manually store more of those FA

SS Drifter · 12-06-2009, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DangerouSS

Thanks for the repsonse and congratulations on your new Camaro. Photo lights are getting more widespread in my area, but the interstate doesn't cross over any of the locations on the roads that currently have them, so at least that won't be a worry. The main improvement I'm looking for is the improvement from the GPS false signal rejection.

Wow! $450 for a photolight ticket. That's outrageous.

Yea, one ticket would almost pay for the ix. Minimal falses are great too. Good luck.

11-25-2009, 12:47 PM	#1
DangerZL1 Drives: 2023 Black ZL1 Auto Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: FEMA Region 4 Posts: 2,936	Passport 9500i to ix upgrade - worth it? I have a 9500i that I purchased a couple months before the 9500ix came out. It picks up so many false alarms that I've since taken it down and put it on a shelf. I'm thinking the auto lockout of false signals iin the ix will be a big help, since I travel the same route to work every day. I don't find the manual lockout feature to be very effective and I was wondering if it is worth it to upgrade to the 9500ix for $129? Any thoughts and does someone have experience with both of the units?

12-04-2009, 01:25 PM	#4
mlee CamaroFans.com Drives: ZLE & ZR2 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Conroe, TX Posts: 38,001 View My Garage	I have the ix and after driving my normal area for a couple weeks I almost never get false alarms... My wife actually asked me if it worked... I love the red light camera feature too. Not sure if I would actually pay another 430 bucks for a simple upgrade, but I would manually store more of those FA __________________

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12-04-2009, 11:35 AM	#2
SS Drifter Drives: 2010 2SS/RS L99 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: California Posts: 588	I picked up a 9500ix back in September. It's a nice unit with good sensitivity and it almost never falses. You can also turn off bands that are not used for speed radar (i.e.: X band.) in your area. The GPS based photo-stoplight feature is great but, if you are driving on a freeway that crosses over alot of photolights it can get annoying. The voice features are nice (Warning! Approching Camera Light.) but it tends to talk too much with redundant statements like "Your destination has been reached." when you actually pass the light. I ran the 9500ix side by side with the a Valentine for a few days. Both units had equally sensitivity but the Valentine falsed frequently on K band when passing cars with cheap detectors that splatter all over K band. Also, fixed K band radar for speed/traffic flow monitiring usually created a false on Valentine while the 9500ix ignored these. I do prefer the directional indication on the Valentine. If they would just update a few features (band selection, auto-dim, etc.) it would compete well with the 9500ix. Anyway your question was the ix over the i. If you have a lot of photolights or need better false signal rejection though GPS asistance then it may be worthwhile. You can alway put your 9500i in the rear window for laser and some directional capability on radar. I was looking at the 9500i but opted for 9500ix (too late) after getting a $450 photolight ticket.

12-04-2009, 01:16 PM	#3
DangerZL1 Drives: 2023 Black ZL1 Auto Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: FEMA Region 4 Posts: 2,936	Thanks for the repsonse and congratulations on your new Camaro. Photo lights are getting more widespread in my area, but the interstate doesn't cross over any of the locations on the roads that currently have them, so at least that won't be a worry. The main improvement I'm looking for is the improvement from the GPS false signal rejection. Wow! $450 for a photolight ticket. That's outrageous.