Recommendations please !! Escort 9500Ci vs Cobra XRS 9970G? legal in NC ?!

[stealth.pilot]

Originally Posted by soooma

Actually 2k all in from what I was able to glean sonfar,
Bel StiR plus has laser jammers and about 1100$ plus installation fee about 700-900k! -

Thing is,
Is laser that popular around?
Never seen one in NC?
I may have heard it say laser my Cobra a few times but no cops around so supposed it was false alarm!!

Nonsense. Bel StiR+ does not include jammers.

You will need a Bel STIR+ and then you will need this on top:
https://www.escortradar.com/lasershifterpro/

In addition that product at $599 only includes front jammers so you will need 2 additional jammer heads which will cost another $400. So you're looking at $1200 for the Bel STIR+, $1000 for Laser Shifter Pro with 4 heads, and $700 for installation, which means a total of about $2900. And at that price the system would still not be good as the one in my car (HP jammers, $4000 installed).

I think you really need to think hard about how you drive, whether the Cobra has let you down and you really need more protection, and if so then whether you are prepared to pony up and go all the way.

[soooma]

Originally Posted by stealth.pilot

Nonsense. Bel StiR+ does not include jammers.

You will need a Bel STIR+ and then you will need this on top:
https://www.escortradar.com/lasershifterpro/

In addition that product at $599 only includes front jammers so you will need 2 additional jammer heads which will cost another $400. So you're looking at $1200 for the Bel STIR+, $1000 for Laser Shifter Pro with 4 heads, and $700 for installation, which means a total of about $2900. And at that price the system would still not be good as the one in my car (HP jammers, $4000 installed).

I think you really need to think hard about how you drive, whether the Cobra has let you down and you really need more protection, and if so then whether you are prepared to pony up and go all the way.

Thank you for the "Nonsense" part
LOL
Anyway
I was telling what I was quoted
Shifters and Bel Stir plus for 1100$ on ebay brand new and then installation about 700-900$
So about 2k all in,
I may be wrong still because I am still learning from you guys here as a couple of days ago I hadn't heard of Beltronics or Escort 9500Ci!! So a new kid on the block indeed, so take it easy on me -

And I agree with you for sure on looking at my driving and cobra not doing me any wrong which is true I don't drive that hard and haven't had a ticket for a few years but with this M5 I don't even trust me on me - LOL
And I wanna do it for peace of mind,
Though peace of mind may make me drive even harder and then get ticketed!!!

[stealth.pilot]

Originally Posted by soooma

Thank you for the "Nonsense" part
LOL
Anyway
I was telling what I was quoted
Shifters and Bel Stir plus for 1100$ on ebay brand new and then installation about 700-900$
So about 2k all in,
I may be wrong still because I am still learning from you guys here as a couple of days ago I hadn't heard of Beltronics or Escort 9500Ci!! So a new kid on the block indeed, so take it easy on me -

And I agree with you for sure on looking at my driving and cobra not doing me any wrong which is true I don't drive that hard and haven't had a ticket for a few years but with this M5 I don't even trust me on me - LOL
And I wanna do it for peace of mind,
Though peace of mind may make me drive even harder and then get ticketed!!!

it's better to have a weak setup and know you have a weak setup, then to spend $2000 and think you have a great setup when you don't.

[RPiM5]

Been running Valentine 1 with Color Remote Display and Laser Interceptor BMW Quad system for a long time now. This combination is great, but some Virginia cops hate me though. I get lasered almost every time I drive in Maryland and those speed cameras in DC can never get a bead on me either with my Laser Interceptors. Love the system!

[soooma]

Originally Posted by RPiM5

Been running Valentine 1 with Color Remote Display and Laser Interceptor BMW Quad system for a long time now. This combination is great, but some Virginia cops hate me though. I get lasered almost every time I drive in Maryland and those speed cameras in DC can never get a bead on me either with my Laser Interceptors. Love the system!

I am really tempted!!
-
Really torn apart
Different memebrs with different philosophies and everybody seems to be right somehow!!!
Can't decide
Goodness
Wasn't as hard deciding on the M5 -
LOL

[Mscarpa]

This is how my tuning shop installed the 9500ci. Control panel in the ash tray and the small display in the corner of the dash. It came out pretty good.

[soooma]

Originally Posted by Mscarpa

This is how my tuning shop installed the 9500ci. Control panel in the ash tray and the small display in the corner of the dash. It came out pretty good.

Clever,
But I doubt that I will be able to tolerate it on my dash,
I am OCD a little -

[Theballzack]

Mine was installed in the ash tray like this, but the screen is integrated into my rear view mirror. Very trick…

[Theballzack]

Here is a video on the 9500ci you should watch.

[soooma]

Originally Posted by Theballzack

Here is a video on the 9500ci you should watch.

Waiting on link sir -
Though I am kinda sold on Bel StiR plus vs Bel Magnum

[Mbdurham17]

Just get a escort max or escort redline and hardwire it to the sunroof motor and mount above your mirror barely noticeable

[soooma]

Originally Posted by Mbdurham17

Just get a escort max or escort redline and hardwire it to the sunroof motor and mount above your mirror barely noticeable

Good idea but heard the ramp up isn't that nice on it -
But again good idea about the hard wiring to the sunroof motor!

What's wrong with it BEING VISIBLE if in a state besides VA and DC?

[Mbdurham17]

Originally Posted by soooma

Good idea but heard the ramp up isn't that nice on it -
But again good idea about the hard wiring to the sunroof motor!

What's wrong with it BEING VISIBLE if in a state besides VA and DC?

Nothing most places you are fine seriously hardly noticeable above the mirror and a redline is not detectable on radar detector detectors if you are worried about such ....if not the max has gotten great reviews

[Spinny02]

Originally Posted by PvsNP

So if I want a decent system, I'm going to shell out 1.5k for Bel STIR+ and another 2k for laser interceptor, plus installation fees. Obviously I need to get this stuff uninstalled in 3 years when the lease is up which will also cost money.

Bel stir+ can be purchased for $800 ( another forums group price) . PM me and I will give you a authorized dealers phone number and website.

[Spinny02]

Originally Posted by soooma

Good idea but heard the ramp up isn't that nice on it -
But again good idea about the hard wiring to the sunroof motor!

What's wrong with it BEING VISIBLE if in a state besides VA and DC?

Give up looking... you have turned down every suggestion we have given you.

Get the cobra off Amazon and call it a day.

[boots]

x2...I'm with Spinny. Just drive the speed limit and don't worry about a detector bro. Save the money for dinner at taco bell.

[Theballzack]

Sorry!

[Susoa]

It looks like the Bel magnum has laser protection built it. Does anyone know if this would be adequate laser protection? I'm in VA so I need an undetectable radar with laser, it appears, but $3k is too much to spend for the high end built in units with laser jammers.

[stealth.pilot]

Originally Posted by Susoa

It looks like the Bel magnum has laser protection built it. Does anyone know if this would be adequate laser protection? I'm in VA so I need an undetectable radar with laser, it appears, but $3k is too much to spend for the high end built in units with laser jammers.

It has detection not protection. And laser detection occurs if he's pointing it at you and shooting a beam that measures your speed at the speed of light.

If you are speeding by 15mph, and are lucky that it needs a second to lock on, and have lightning quick reactions it might save you. If you are doing 40mph over the limit then forget it. You won't be able to slow down fast enough even if it has difficulty locking and even if you have lightning fast reaction.

[soooma]

Originally Posted by Spinny02

Give up looking... you have turned down every suggestion we have given you.

Get the cobra off Amazon and call it a day.

Though I smell sarcasm!! -
I haven't turned down anything
I was open to all suggestions, but this is me trying based on my driving which is not that spirited all the time to see whether it was worth it or not...
Appreciate y'all's input and patience with my hesitation - But was really researching it rather than turning down!

I already got the Magnum and on its way but because of how torn apart I am between it and the Bel StiR+ with laser shifters I am in the middle of talking to the seller to refuse delivery and get the real thing -

[soooma]

Originally Posted by boots

x2...I'm with Spinny. Just drive the speed limit and don't worry about a detector bro. Save the money for dinner at taco bell.

Thanks for the advice boots!! and fkr your modesty!
I will do that!!
And I like these places BTW -

[soooma]

Interesting Amazon Review!! I came across!!

Bel STi Remote - High Hopes, but Disappointing Performance
By davil - June 14, 2009
I have to say that I was very excited when the Bel STi Remote unit was released. I tamed my enthusiasm to some extent however and decided to wait until the 2nd wave of STi Remote units hit the streets. Rumors had circulated on some forums about some "bug fixes" of various sorts, so I waited another couple of months. Finally, I ordered a unit and I could not wait for it to arrive. Since I often drive through the only state in the U.S. which bans detectors (i.e. Virginia), I was psyched about being able to use a radar detector there without (hopefully) getting hassled.

Well, I've now been using the Bel STi for about a year, and I have to say that overall I've been very disappointed.

I previously have owned a Valentine One for about 10 years now. When I got the Bel STi Remote unit, I decided to leave my V1 installed and compare performance of the two for a month or two before ditching the V1 (or so I thought). As it turns out, I still have them both installed. I just cannot fathom giving up my V1, and in retrospect I wish that I had not spent $1,100 to buy the STi Remote. It is IMHO, not worth the cost.

So, here's the nitty gritty... the good, the bad, and the ugly:

The Good
- Undetectable, even by the Spectre IV radar detector detector
- Can be installed concealed behind bumper (as I did)
- External speaker with adjustable volume control
- Switches are small and unobtrusive
- Good X and K band filtering (false signals) in city modes

The Bad
- Slow on the uptake of Ka signals. On average it is 1-2 seconds behind my V1 (could be due to mounting location... I think that is the most likely cause, however... read on)
- Lots of wiring / tedious install. Not really a complaint, but just pointing this out. It is a remote mount though, so what do you expect?

The Ugly
- Last week I had a Ka encounter which my V1 alerted to over 1 mile away. The STi Remote did not alert AT ALL until my V1 was at nearly full alert strength and I was about 1/4 mile from the patrol car (i.e. within range of his/her radar unit).
- I've had one or two other instances when it completely missed a distant instant-on Ka signal picked up by the V1.

Now, the STi Remote is not a bad detector per se. In fact, I would say that it is quite good. However, I don't think it's a good detector to have installed remotely (as it is supposedly intended). Come to think of it, perhaps Mike Valentine is right when he always says you shouldn't do that anyway. My experience with both the V1 and Bel STi Remote seems to bear out that argument.

I think if you must go with a concealed and undetectable detector, then it's not a bad choice. However, you should be prepared for some disappointment and possibly a ticket or two in spite of using it.

Personally, I recommend to my friends that if they want an STi that they purchase an STi-Driver model instead. It is less than half the price and I suspect a better performer.
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