I'm thinking about going the STi route too. I just gota close my eyes when I swipe my card for $400+ for something like this... But then again, Radar detectors aren't illegal here (I'm pretty sure) so having the GPS feature to point out the red light camera's is what I think I'd like better. Over here, You're likely to get busted/caught by a red light camera/speeding camera (2 in 1) over a cop hiding out.

Here's this article as well.

Bel STi Driver vs Escort 9500i Reviews
http://www.buyradardetectors.com/blo...i_reviews.aspx

Comparison chart between the STi and 9500i
http://www.buyradardetectors.com/Pro...7&product2=442

 

I just purchased the Escort 9500i over the weekend. So far it has been great. I have a pretty recent build date which supposedly may have some software upgrades to address some of the problems first adopters were having. So far it has worked very well. False signals are few and far between and I really like the ability to lock them out with the GPS feature if I want to. I also considered the V1 but I like the lockout feature on the 9500i better than the arrows on the V1. Its just personal preferance. I have an invisicord on the way and am exploring the mounting options.
With all the technology available today, you cant go wrong with any of the top three, V1, 9500i or STI. They are all excellent detectors.

 

Well report back to us about how it's working once you've had it for a while.

 

it depends on what's type of radar/laser is in your area. i don't see the big deal about the V1. yeah, it's supposed to be the best at detecting laser, but so what. when you detect laser, they already got you. it's just the way it works.

when a cop is using radar, it has a beam over 200 feet wide from a 1/4 mile away, with laser the beam is only 3 feet wide at a 1/4 mile. so basically, when you detect laser it was aimed directly at you and it's already too late. i've detected laser a bunch of times and every time i saw the cop aiming the gun at me. luckily only got 1 ticket, but i knew it as soon as he shot me with it since i detected it.

i have the bel pro rx65 which it great at laser and detects the latest type of radar called POP.

 

^^They actually use POP up in NY right now?

 

that is why i installed the escort ZR3 laser shifter package. it shifts the laser away from the car so the beam can not go back to the gun. My friend is a cop and we tested it with his laser gun and it worked read error on the gun when he shot me...

 

Radartest.com is run by a guy named Craig Peterson who works for Bel and Escort so he bashes the V1 every chance he gets. He got busted trying to sabotage the Guysoflidar.com 2007 radar detector test and he will probably have to part with a couple thousand dollars on top of the $1000 radar gun that he hid under camouflauge on top of a mountain to throw off the testing.

http://www.radardetector.net/viewtop...biassed+biased

http://www.guysoflidar.com/march-2007/sabotage.html


The Guys of Lidar are the only truly unbiased radar detector testing site.

http://www.guysoflidar.com/august-20...ctor-test.html

http://www.guysoflidar.com/july-2007...ctor-test.html

 

^^+1

Guys Of Lidar FTW


I've reasearched and researched... its always changing and never ending. I bought a Escort 8500 x50 with minimal research.... it def is great. If i could do it all over, i wd def have got the V1.

I used to think V1 pushers were just stubborn, but independent test after test, it usually comes out #1, sometimes #2. I see the light! lol

I would buy a V1 right now... but need the STEALTH abilities of the STi, so i'll go with that. STi or V1... cant go wrong. I don't know enough about the 9500i to comment, but the Escort x50 and Bel RX65 are STILL top notch as well.

Good luck

 

I just mounted my V1 with the mirror mount from County Joy. I am having a hard time getting it level. Anyone else?

 

Based on cost and reliability Escort 8500 x50 all the way. still!