RX65 Blue vs Refurb S7 RX65

[ksujedi]

So obiously a new guy here, I discovered the site after deciding to replace my 4+ year old Cobra 9600 that I really have thought has served me well (no tickets since buying it, ~2/year prior), however after a lot of reading on the site over the last couple weeks I've realized how false a sense of security I've probably had. Anyway, I've come into the light, and about to make a purchase, and have pretty much decided on the RX65.

I can get the Refurb Red 65 on Ebay from Escort with the S7 horn or the Blue brand new from another site (I'm assuming wih the M4 horn) for the exact same price (last day of offer I believe is today).

I've been reading all I can find about S7 vs M4 and know there's a lot of controversy, but there's one thig that I'm confused about. I've seen a lot about the range and off axis differences, which has many folks singing the S7's praises, however given the controversy and my NOOBness with relative happiness with a Cobra, I'm sure the M4 will suite me just fine as far as those issues go. Plus, superficially, I would prefer the blue for asthetic reasons.

The one thing I haven't been able to figure out is if the response time to IO/QT is different between the horns, or is it a difference between the RX65 and the X50? I can stomach a difference in time of notification of a second or two from range differences, but I really can't stomach the thought of the RD never even making a peep if the LEO is just quick enough on the trigger. If I'm recalling correctly (have done a lot of reading and may be misremembering due to info overload) the testing and videos comparing the response times were between an S7 Rx65 and an M4 X50. Not sure if the improvement in response time when enabling the RX65's USA mode was related to it's S7 horn or the differece in RD's themselves.

So basically what I'm wondering is, can I buy my eye pleasing Blue RX65 and still get the response time benefit of USA mode, because if not, I'll get the Refurb red, because at least for me, in that consideration, form definitely follows function. Thanks in advance!

[Malibumaxx]

As far as I know if you have I/O in your area S7 or M4 will suit you just fine as long as its a RX65.

Now with that being said... any other belscort has a hard time picking up I/O quicker than i'd say a second or so. As long as your using the USA mode you'll catch I/O. I'm not saying its fool proof, but for the most part.

M4 has better range and better reliability from calibration error
S7 has better off axis

You be the judge... I wouldn't go with anything other than a RX65 though unless its a V1 or STI-R(+)

Also, make sure that blue RX-65 is being sold through a belscort authorized vendor otherwise there may be no warranty.

GL with your purchase!

[ksujedi]

Thanks for the info.

Can't afford a V1 or STI, so after my reading, that's why I settled on the RX65. My general impression is that below 200, go with a vector, midrange 200-250 depending on refurb/sale the x50 & rx65 are the options, and then there's a big price jump to the next level at 400+ for a V1, STI, 9500. Seems like the 300 level is a little ignored, but that's a different discussion.

The blue rx I'm looking at is from a seller that's not on bels non-authorized list, so by exclusion, I'm assuming they're authorized. Big e-tailer, rhymes with Blue Peg. ;-) Sorry, know there are rules I don't want to break about discussing sellers and price.

[ksujedi]

Well, cr*p, plot thickens.

Redeisovered this thread (know I have read it before but just read it again with new eyes): http://www.radardetector.net/forums/...fo-wanted.html

In it, RobInAlbany states " I have an M4 and it does have USA mode. There is definately a BIG difference in Ka sensitivity with USA mode on. I have gotten lots of IO saves"

However nine_C1 (who in another thread has a nice series of videos demonstrating the IO capabilities of an S7 RX65) states that " Never had an RX65(M4) on the bench and other members have indicated that their RX65's with the M4 antenna still suck vs quick triggers."

Sorry, know this subject has been debated ad naseum before, and there may not be an answer out there due to lack of dedicated head to head testing, was just hoping someone might have some good solid evidence on the IO capability of an M4RX65 in USA mode.

[TwoLitersOfFury]

I'd buy from Beltronics direct instead of trying to save some money.

My friend tried to buy a cheap RX65 from Frys Electronics (unauthorized refurb) and hey guess what...dead on all bands. Unit powered up and everything but since it's unauthorized, no repairs authorized from Beltronics unless we paid extra. I had him return it and buy one direct from Beltronics.

Get something with a factory warranty intact! It's worth the extra money spent.

As for the M4 vs S7, the M4 is still reaaaally good at picking up instant on KA compared to other M4's. Only other thing I can think of getting the M4 over the S7 is if your area uses traffic radar monitoring, the S7 cannot be upgraded with Traffic Signal Rejection (aka TSR) while the M4 can (RX65 Revision 6.5)

[Vette6893]

You know that you will get one heck of a detector if you get the S7 RX65. If the V 1 is out of your budget, this is the detector that I would recommend. I would not buy the M4 on the hope that it is as good as the S7. If you need TSR in your area, you will not have a choice. If you buy the S7, Buy a factory referb unit. Good luck.

[nine_c1]

I'm a big fan of the S7 for it's off axis performance, but if your heart is set on a Blue display then I think the RX65(M4) might delight you as well.

The S7 has an inherent advantage on K-Band response but appears to be no better than the M4 in stock settings against Ka. That better response on K-Band is maintained in USA mode which I think is what most other folks were using in their QT testing.

Though I've never tested an M4 RX65, I suspect the Ka response is probably as good as the S7 in USA mode and K-Band improved, but just not as quick.

So it really depends on what bands are being used in your area.

[4ringz4life]

I'm a big fan of the S7 for it's off axis performance, but if your heart is set on a Blue display then I think the RX65(M4) might delight you as well.

The S7 has an inherent advantage on K-Band response but appears to be no better than the M4 in stock settings against Ka. That better response on K-Band is maintained in USA mode which I think is what most other folks were using in their QT testing.

Though I've never tested an M4 RX65, I suspect the Ka response is probably as good as the S7 in USA mode and K-Band improved, but just not as quick.

So it really depends on what bands are being used in your area.

Nine i can't recall you saying the m4 would be as good on ka as the S7 when both run in usa. That makes me quite happy. Is k band performance poor on M4s? Guess i'll have to check GOL, or are you simply talking about response time to K?

[ksujedi]

Seller of the new m4 is authorized, confirmed with escort. Live/drive 90 percent + in kc metro = pretty good mix of k, ka, and laser. No tsr needed in kc that I know of (at least for now). As I see it.....

M4 -
Pros - 1 year warranty, blue color, better on axis sensitivity?, potential for tsr if ever needed, theoretically more durable
Cons - likely, but untested, response to QT, worse off axis sensitivity

S7 -
Pros - tested response to QT, better off axis sensitivity
Cons - 6 month warranty, no future tsr if ever needed, red color, history of being lesstolerant of being left in hot/cold car

Does seem like probably can't go wrong

[TwoLitersOfFury]

Honestly though Red is better then Blue.

(I have an STI Driver in Red and the Escort 9500ix in Blue)

Red is easier on your night vision, and easier to see during the day.