M4/S7 Questions

[Swift101]

Hey all,

So I recently bought a Bel v995 and have been reading some forum posts on the S7 and M4 antenna. Is it really the end of the world that I bought an M4 unit? I live in the city however do some highway driving when I go on road trips. What are some of the benefits of the M4 or the S7?

[Frenzy]

S7 has better off-axis detection, which others will agree.

I own a v995 M4 platform, and it is a great detector. It's K-Band range has been great recently. You'll come across Ka 34.7 as well, which it has done a decent job on.

What types of threats are you faced with in NYC?

[bigalinwv]

Don't believe all the S7 hype. It's mostly just that, hype. M4s are much better in the reliability department. I have 3 9500s installed in my cars, all stay high mounted thru the summer heat and winter cold. S7s can't handle that.

[Event Horizon]

there's quite a few threads for this topic. But long story made short, the M4 is a fine choice. Belscorts just changed to the M4 due to lower manufacturing costs than the S7 I believe. And yes the S7 has very good off Axis KA detection and probably better than M4. But I've had an M4 X50 once and that thing rocked on on-axis Ka's especially 34.7 and 33.8. It was rad on K band too.

I had an original 8500 S7 for about 6 months and it was pretty good, but my V1 consistently beat it on range. I now have an RX65 S7 refurb on order and if you've seen nine_c1's videos, there's something to be excited about there!

[nine_c1]

Don't believe all the S7 hype. It's mostly just that, hype. M4s are much better in the reliability department. I have 3 9500s installed in my cars, all stay high mounted thru the summer heat and winter cold. S7s can't handle that.

S7 Hype & V1 (Ka Guard off) vs. 34.7 Ka Forward Facing Quick Trigger........


S7 Around the bend Hype..........


S7 Over the Hill Hype.......


S7 Over the Hill & Around the Bend Hype........


S7 Response Time Hype.......


Yep.........that's alot of Hype.

The M4 in the 9500 series is no slouch either..........but it's sloooooooow, and there is nothing you can do to make it any faster. The S7 is naturally quicker on K-Band and can be made even faster on Ka by switching into USA mode on the RX65.

Now, maybe the RX65(M4) has the same reaction times in USA mode as the S7 version........but maybe not. K-Band is not as quick on the M4 to start with so I doubt USA mode makes it as quick on the M4. In any case, the S7 is generally known to have better off-axis vs the M4 apples to apples. Perhaps the condensor lens in front of the 9500ix levels the field? But an S7 with a condensor lens would be something really special I think.

[bigalinwv]

Comparing apples to apples, without USA mode, the S7 RX65 would be nothing special.

[nine_c1]

Comparing apples to apples, without USA mode, the S7 RX65 would be nothing special.

All I can say is that I never had an S7 that I didn't like. They all did a very decent job and supplied adequate range........a very well balanced platform with respect to dead ahead and off-axis detection.

I've had a bunch of M4s and the only one that impressed me was the 9500ix. It's a big step above the others in my opinion.

[bigalinwv]

Comparing apples to apples, without USA mode, the S7 RX65 would be nothing special.

All I can say is that I never had an S7 that I didn't like. They all did a very decent job and supplied adequate range........a very well balanced platform with respect to dead ahead and off-axis detection.

I've had a bunch of M4s and the only one that impressed me was the 9500ix. It's a big step above the others in my opinion.

If you saw my 34.7 speed sign videos, the S7 X50 sucked b@lls. It did as bad on K as it did on Ka. I actually had two, but since sold them. They were a real letdown, almost as much as the 3.872.

I may let you test my C65 that's coming this week. Also a blue RX65, both M4s.

[nine_c1]

Comparing apples to apples, without USA mode, the S7 RX65 would be nothing special.

All I can say is that I never had an S7 that I didn't like. They all did a very decent job and supplied adequate range........a very well balanced platform with respect to dead ahead and off-axis detection.

I've had a bunch of M4s and the only one that impressed me was the 9500ix. It's a big step above the others in my opinion.

If you saw my 34.7 speed sign videos, the S7 X50 sucked b@lls. It did as bad on K as it did on Ka. I actually had two, but since sold them. They were a real letdown, almost as much as the 3.872.

I may let you test my C65 that's coming this week. Also a blue RX65, both M4s.

I did see your video of the X50(S7) and it was underwelming. I think it needed a checkup. The S7 is no different than any other detector out there........after 5 or so years they need a tune up.

Ahhhh........that C65 is another rare gem! The only Escort ever made with USA mode.

[bigalinwv]

Comparing apples to apples, without USA mode, the S7 RX65 would be nothing special.

All I can say is that I never had an S7 that I didn't like. They all did a very decent job and supplied adequate range........a very well balanced platform with respect to dead ahead and off-axis detection.

I've had a bunch of M4s and the only one that impressed me was the 9500ix. It's a big step above the others in my opinion.

If you saw my 34.7 speed sign videos, the S7 X50 sucked b@lls. It did as bad on K as it did on Ka. I actually had two, but since sold them. They were a real letdown, almost as much as the 3.872.

I may let you test my C65 that's coming this week. Also a blue RX65, both M4s.

I did see your video of the X50(S7) and it was underwelming. I think it needed a checkup. The S7 is no different than any other detector out there........after 5 or so years they need a tune up.

Ahhhh........that C65 is another rare gem! The only Escort ever made with USA mode.

USA mode and NO serial killer voice!!