M4 RX-65 doesn't seem to compare to S7 955

[supercowpowers]

A few months ago I picked up a new M4 RX-65 and I've had some time to get familiar with it. I also used an S7 955 for about two years.

I've been keeping the 955 in my Miata and I haven't really been using them (the car and the detector) very much until it got warmer recently. Just this morning I was on the highway approaching a construction zone. I got three full power IO warnings (the one where it goes BEEBEEBEEBEEBEEBEEBEEEEP beep... beep... beep), the most distant one being at least 5/16 mile away from the source, a handheld gun of all things (didn't identify it, unfortunately).

Now, this made me sad because I've had handhelds pointed directly at my car before at very short range and the RX-65 struggled to give the IO warning. Yeah, it beeped, but not with the "you're screwed" sound.

I also noticed that the RX-65 alerts more erratically to sources to the rear and to the sides. The signal level is lower and sometimes it will cut in and out on a source the 955 would be continuously alerting to. I understand it was designed that way, but it actually makes it hard to mute some of the falses I drive by because it will beep and then quit and if I hit the volume/mute button it will just raise the volume, but then it beeps again 3 seconds later. It also doesn't really inspire confidence because I need all the detection I can get for certain situations, like low powered guns being aimed in the same direction as traffic where the only detection would be from reflections.

I guess I just sort of expected more from a newer detector.

[kpatz]

The M4 platform has more "tunnel vision" than S7, which is both good and bad. Bad because it reduces off-axis sensitivity, and good because it falses less in town.

Also, I've found that the M4 RX65 is weaker on K band than my S7 X50. Ka performance seems to be pretty decent, but I haven't had an opportunity to do a true comparison.

[zerbey]

Then M4 antenna is better in a straight line but off axis is not as good in my experience. Note also that the M4 RX65s have an interesting design quirk were you get better range if you tilt the unit down about 10 degrees (see MEM-TEKs posts on this). Make sure you turn off POP and put it in Ka-USA mode also.

I've had 3 mile+ Ka and K saves off my M4 RX65 and it does a pretty decent job with Laser as well.

[KaPro]

I've always preferred the S7 platform. A little more falsing but better all around performance. Just my opinion.

[jerry540i]

Then M4 antenna is better in a straight line but off axis is not as good in my experience. Note also that the M4 RX65s have an interesting design quirk were you get better range if you tilt the unit down about 10 degrees (see MEM-TEKs posts on this). Make sure you turn off POP and put it in Ka-USA mode also.

I've had 3 mile+ Ka and K saves off my M4 RX65 and it does a pretty decent job with Laser as well.

Mount your detector nice and level, as per the manufacturers instructions. There is ZERO proof that tilting your detector down does anything to help in radar detection. This "pointing down bs" is simply one guys theory on this forum.

J/

[Zapple]

Well if MEM-TEK said it he probably posted it with truth? Can someone find the post?

Also, remote RD manufactures say you can mount it behind anything that is not metal in per their instructions, right?

[jdong]

The M4 platform has more "tunnel vision" than S7, which is both good and bad. Bad because it reduces off-axis sensitivity, and good because it falses less in town.

Also, I've found that the M4 RX65 is weaker on K band than my S7 X50. Ka performance seems to be pretty decent, but I haven't had an opportunity to do a true comparison.

I don't have any S7 units, but comparing my M4 X50 with my V1, sometimes the X50's off-axis and around-the-corner performance is, honestly, sorely disappointing, in comparison.

Yes, it does tend to be a lot less chatty driving through the city, but it's not coming without cost either.

[happya$$]

The M4 platform has more "tunnel vision" than S7, which is both good and bad. Bad because it reduces off-axis sensitivity, and good because it falses less in town.

Also, I've found that the M4 RX65 is weaker on K band than my S7 X50. Ka performance seems to be pretty decent, but I haven't had an opportunity to do a true comparison.

I don't have any S7 units, but comparing my M4 X50 with my V1, sometimes the X50's off-axis and around-the-corner performance is, honestly, sorely disappointing, in comparison.

Yes, it does tend to be a lot less chatty driving through the city, but it's not coming without cost either.

That is one of my major *****es on any M4 based RD, the damn tunnel vision. Whistler has this as well. The only positive is the city driving. They are a pleasure to drive in the city

[bigalinwv]

My S7 X50 beats both my 9500is and my M4 X50. The S7 is clearly more sensitive. Of course I live in WV, and there is no such thing here as a straight stretch, mostly S curves all day long.

[happya$$]

My S7 X50 beats both my 9500is and my M4 X50. The S7 is clearly more sensitive. Of course I live in WV, and there is no such thing here as a straight stretch, mostly S curves all day long.

I think off axis detection is far more important than straight away just because of this reason. Any RD can pick up radar straight away. Bring hills and curves into the mix and the picture changes