Ya I have a 9500 too, it kicks ass.
You guys in this thread have some serious misinformation. Radar detectors work VERY WELL if you are smart with them, and YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR.
Right now, the two best on the market are the Passport 9500 and the Valentine 1. With either of these you will stand a good chance. They can detect K, Ka, X, Laser and POP3 from in front and behind of you. There are a few different types of radar that you should know about.
RADAR:
K, Ka, X and POP3. POP3, K and Ka are cops most of the time, and X is usually automatic door and the like. Your radar detector will work almost all the time, and will work well. If you get a nice radar detector, they can pick up cops at over a mile away. My 9500 has easily done a mile and saved my ass MANY times. Radar jammers, which some people have, are VERY ILLEGAL! Radar detectors are legal in every state but 2, West Virginia and Utah I think.
LIDAR:
Lidar is the new Laser technology. It can get you in under a tenth of a second and is very accurate. However, the cop needs to hit a flat spot on your car and it can be hard to do. My radar detector tells me if Laser is in the area, but it's really hit or miss because of how specific laser is compared to radar. LASER DETECTORS AND JAMMERS ARE LEGAL! The Jammers are legel by FDA regulations because of potential eye damage due to lasers so you can legally have a jammer.
With that being said, nicer radar detectors also have different modes like city or highway that will filter out alot of the useless crap. If you do some research you can see that detectors are not a waste of money, and can be an incredibly good investment if you are smart and know how to use one.