Escort GPS Radar Detector - RLC/Safety Cam Database

I have a 9500ix with a database subscription for a few years now, it is quite up to date as well. Most of the time I receive alerts from both the 9500ix and my Garmin (from the alerts here). Rarely have I seen where one alerts and not the other.

The alerts from Escort are given in plenty of time, although it does alert you to anything within a certain range regardless of what road it may be on. You do receive notices for redlight cameras in the area, even if you are not on the same roadway. There is a directional arrow that tells you where the camera is located.

Not that you mentioned this in your post, but it is definitely worthwhile to purchase a radar with GPS capability as it can lock out the false alerts after you pass the same location 3 or more times.

I too have the 9500IX. I find that the two (POI and Escort) databases are very similar if not exact. I can only think of one or two times when they have varied. I keep my Garmin a bit lower in volume so the Escort, which does not "talk" as much, provides a good reminder. You have to pay attention as the poster above says because when going down the interstate, you get red light cameras ahead notifications.

In the radar forums you will find that there are radar detectors out there with more range and sensitivity but, for me, the 9500ix provides all the range I need as well as the ability to use Escort Live and GPS features.

Garmin along with the 9500ix and Escort Live provide most of the protection that the average driver will need.

Thanks for the info! I'm glad to know that this is a viable option. Out of curiosity, is there a way to temporarily disable the safety camera alerts on the Escort and just use radar like if I'm on the interstate? Not a deal breaker and probably not an option but thought I'd ask anyway. I'm familiar with the Garmin alerting me to RLC's on adjacent roads because it works off of a proximity vs. the actual road you're on but you guys aware of that anyway.

Ok, so I now have to figure out how to download the updates and get them into the 9500ci. I believe I need to take a laptop to the car and plug it into the USB port which (I believe) plugs into the interface module.

Anyway, thanks again!

Hope you enjoy the 9500ci! I've never looked into turning the alerts off, but if you look through Escort Detector Tools (Escort's software program used to update the radar detector) there may be a setting. I just had a few alerts in Baltimore yesterday from both devices, now curious to see how many I seen around here in San Diego today.

I have been using a Valentine One for many years now ... this is an interesting development (adding GPS) that bears some consideration when getting my next unit. Thanks for bringing it up.

CC

For what it's worth I read that the Escort GPS portion needs tons of work. Not refined. Garmin is better.

I have had a Valentine One for over 10 years and constantly updated. I recently tried the Escort and was not happy with the alerts and NO ARROWS. Boy did I miss the ARROWS, I couldn't tell where the alert was coming from.

I just ran a demo of Detector Tools and it appears marking can be shut off for safety cams but I was hoping for a control panel way of doing it. OK, no problem.

BTW, do you have Escort Live as well? Apparently, the updates come through the smartphone (not via Detector Tools) but I heard there were compatibility issues and the Escort Live app was kind of wonky. Apparently it works like Trapster but w/o many users to make it worthwhile. Just curious.

Does the Valentine One have an installed version too (not just a dashboard version)?

I have a Beltronics Pro-500, almost the exact same unit as the 9500, minus a couple bells and maybe a whistle. They are made in the same factory. I have been getting the RLC updates weekly. I do like the lockout feature as there are a lot of false alerts near shopping centers in my area.

As others have mentioned the RLC database seems to be exactly like here at POI-Factory, although so far in PA only Philadelphia has RLCs so I haven't been able to do extensive testing in that respect.

I just got a Jeep with a Garmin GPS built in, can't add my POI's from the factory so the Bel turned out to be a needed item for me. I still use the portable Garmin in my work truck everyday.

Turns out I'll be getting the Bel installed tomorrow (STIR PLUS) instead of the Escort but it's basically the same thing minus the shifters. Anyway, glad to hear the updates are weekly for the Bel. Look forward to getting this unit!

So you went with the stealthy version, is there a part of that you can remove and hook up to a PC or do you have to bring a laptop and a wireless connection to get the updates?

I'm picking up the car from the installer tomorrow but I did a live chat with Beltronics and appears that I need to a) download Detector Tools into the laptop and install and then b) connect to the USB interface module with the laptop utilizing my MiFi connection to get the updates. I was hoping to pre-download the updates and then install them offline but it doesn't sound like that's the case. I will confirm in a few days once I get around to getting the first set of updates.

I do my Pro-500 updates via the computer, hardwired internet/ & USB and it does appear the updates can only be done with an internet connection as they merge any of your marked locations into their database during the update. Looks like "offline" updating isn't possible.

Thanks for the info. I just got the unit installed but haven't registered it yet to get Detector Tools. How is that software? Is it straightforward or clunky? Not familiar with the UI so I wonder what I'm in for. I believe it's PC only too.

Anyway, I'll confirm the above when I do it but I think you maybe right RE: needing an internet connection for updating. In addition to RLC updates do they include firmware updates for the unit itself?

The software is pretty straight forward, a few tabs with different settings to apply to the detector and the update page. Must have an internet connection for the 500 to update both.

Thanks. I finally got around to performing an update and yes it required an active connection while connected to Detector Tools. Worked great. I was even impressed that it could not only offload prefs but a .CSV of all the police encounters including the GPS locations and type of band and frequency used by their radar guns.

No problem.