Escort 9500ix w/Escort Live?

[Aquineas]

Hey folks, does anyone have any direct experience with the Escort 9500ix and Escort Live service? I have some questions:

1. How much is the subscription after you buy the initial Escort Live kit?
2. How effective is it? I know effectiveness will be determined by how many people "participate" in the network. Has anyone actually benefiited from someone else alerting them to a speed trap?

(V1 owners, please don't turn this into a V1 vs Escort discussion; I've already got a V1 and am looking for the social networking integration that V1 lacks)

Thanks!

 

[Aquineas]

Found a couple of reviews; searching for more.

http://radartest.com/Escort_Live_vs_Cobra_iRadar.asp
http://radartest.com/Escort-Live-review.asp
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhyjvmeQivc"]escort live review - YouTube[/ame]

 

[krazyfiend]

Have you ever tried 'Trapster' out on your phone. The member participation is high in metropolitan areas and suburbs that surround. It could save you a few bucks, but I understand...integration would be nice with the iX's gps.

I own a RX-65 and a V1 (the v1 is newer and on most current firmware), the RX-65 is in my girl's ride. Both are concealed up high and above the rear view mirrors. Unless the iX has really pushed ahead of the RX65 in terms of range, ability, discretion of sensitivity (I do know you can 'teach' it).. The V1 running Trapster on my dash mounted Samsung Nexus when I'm up around Chicago works great for me.

 

[Aquineas]

Thanks for the tip; I'll give Trapster a try! I kinda already ordered a 9500ix though, so I should have some time to compare both systems.

 

[rae0568]

I've been running Redline w/Escort Live since January 2012. Living in N. VA force me to save my V1 for out of state road trips which I run both detectors together. There's not a big user base in N. VA to be as effective IMO, but I am starting to see an increase in alerts within the past six months. During the Thanksgiving holiday on my way to Atlanta, GA, I received a huge number of alerts from drivers in NC, SC and GA One of the alerts was a deadly laser trap on I-85 in GA. Although I have Laser Interceptor, it was nice to know what was lurking up ahead. NC and GA was very active in reporting alerts. In all, a pretty good concept, just not a lot of alerts in N. VA which I attribute to their ban on radar detectors.

Like any device, there are shortcomings, but not enough to exclude from my recommended list. IMO, for this device to be effective you need to have a big enough subscriber base in your area and the users must use the system effectively. Let me elaborate, if the subscriber base isn't large enough, you may not get enough reporting to notify you of potential threats on the road you're traveling. Secondly, users sometimes report moving LEO's (I do not), which can lead to alerts that may not be there when you arrive in the area. I experienced that on a long trip and started to ignore the alerts because of what I viewed as over reporting or reporting moving LEO's. Big mistake, I overlooked a laser alert and had to react to my LI screaming at me. Since you cannot rely on radar detectors to save you from a laser trap, this is where Escort Live can be a life saver. Escort Live automatically reports laser and Ka band, but the user can manually report K and X band, police spotted and cameras.

The subscription was automatically extended for 1 year for premium subscriptions, users who purchased prior to or by 11/2012. I paid $84.95 for the smartcord in January 2012, which included a 1 year subscription. Last time I checked, the subscription only was $49.99 yearly or $4.99 monthly. It is is $99.95 for the smartcord or directwire and $149.95 with 9500ci which includes subscription cost for one year. Hope this was helpful.

 

[DRS]

I use trapster. Works very well, with good reports even on less traveled interstates.

The Laser Intercepter effective jammer?