Passport 9500i: Radar Detector and GPS |
Thursday February 8, 2007 8:53 AM CST - By: Dave White
| |
|
|
  Take it from someone who just got a speeding ticket: A radar detector is one handy device.
I know, I know: I'm not supposed to speed. I've paid my fine, which was rather steep, and I certainly won't consciously do it again for a very long time. Yet sometimes the pressures of the road demand that ...
Well, anyway, I would welcome a radar detector that has other features, so I don't feel like I'm spending money only to avoid getting another speeding ticket. The Passport 9500i, from Escort, is just such a device, packing in GPS and voice messaging systems so it's one handy thing to have in your vehicle. It even has a USB port, for transferring data from the Web to the Passport.
The GPS is a SiRF starIII chipset. That's all well and good, but the exciting part is that it is programmable, enabling you to identify and tell the 9500i to ignore false alarms, like an automatic door sensor. The onboard memory system can remember a series of speed trap locations and traveling speed via GPS, and even tell the difference between true and false readings, sounding the alarm if a patrol officer happens to set up shop right next to a known false reading spot.
The LED is a high-intensity matrix display, in bright red, so you can't possibly miss it even if you don't hear the sound alarm.
About the only thing not palatable about the Passport 9500i is the price, which is a stiff US$450. Still, that's a bit less than a handful of speeding tickets.
Mind you, we're not advocating that you break known traffic laws. We're merely pointing out a device that might come in handy someday, especially if you have teen drivers, who are expensive to insure anyway.
Via LaserVeil
|
 Reader Ratings |
|
| This article has been rated 70% by 3 user(s).
|
|
Recent Headlines
Why You Want to Replace the MSI Wind Touchpad- posted on Thursday December 4, 2008 2:28 PM CST
Buy the 4GB iPhone 3G for $99 from Wal-Mart- posted on Thursday December 4, 2008 2:09 PM CST
Apple iPod and iPhone No Longer Afraid of Dark- posted on Thursday December 4, 2008 2:00 PM CST
Netbooks Get Cheaper, Hit Sub-$100 Mark!- posted on Thursday December 4, 2008 1:35 PM CST
Next Major Google Android Phone Looks Like New BlackJack- posted on Thursday December 4, 2008 1:21 PM CST
Feature: Why the BlackBerry Storm Will Fail in Canada- posted on Wednesday December 3, 2008 11:26 PM CST
Might Be Hard to Find an iPod This Holiday Season- posted on Wednesday December 3, 2008 4:18 PM CST
T-Mobile Giving Away Free Mobile Phone Games- posted on Wednesday December 3, 2008 3:33 PM CST
Next Nokia Superphone Powered by Maemo Linux- posted on Wednesday December 3, 2008 3:17 PM CST
More Pink Options from Sony Ericsson Mobile Phones- posted on Wednesday December 3, 2008 2:32 PM CST
President-Elect Barack Obama Owns a Zune and a Mac?- posted on Wednesday December 3, 2008 2:25 PM CST
Laptop Cooling Stand with USB Ports, Slot-Loading HDD Dock- posted on Tuesday December 2, 2008 12:31 PM CST
QIGI i6-Goal Android Phone Prepares for China's TechFaith Wireless- posted on Tuesday December 2, 2008 12:21 PM CST
Video: Top Gear Takes Bus Race to Rally Track- posted on Tuesday December 2, 2008 12:11 PM CST
Nokia N97 Flagship Phone with Angled Touchscreen and Slide-Out QWERTY- posted on Tuesday December 2, 2008 11:48 AM CST
Ted Rogers Passes Away at Age 75- posted on Tuesday December 2, 2008 11:36 AM CST
Feature: What is the Ultimate Smartphone Form Factor?- posted on Monday December 1, 2008 6:08 PM CST
Get Ready for Full HD Video on Mobile Phones- posted on Monday December 1, 2008 1:50 PM CST
Check Out the White HTC Touch Diamond- posted on Monday December 1, 2008 1:34 PM CST
Fujitsu Wants to Give You a Free Laptop Every Three Years- posted on Monday December 1, 2008 1:17 PM CST
Lisa Simpson Hits New Mapple Store at Springfield Mall- posted on Monday December 1, 2008 1:16 PM CST
Supercar Shootout: Bugatti Veyron vs. Pagani Zonda F Roadster (Video)- posted on Monday December 1, 2008 12:51 PM CST
Feature: Why Don't We See More Solar Stuff?- posted on Friday November 28, 2008 3:17 PM CST
BlackBerry Curve 8900 Javelin In Stock at Rogers, Ready to Go- posted on Friday November 28, 2008 1:02 PM CST
Telus BlackBerry Storm Priced at $300 by Best Buy- posted on Friday November 28, 2008 12:39 PM CST
|
|
|
|
XML Feed