I'm now thinking, "to hell with the Escort X50"

**Darcy** · 09-22-2005, 07:36 PM

So we have two very similar products in the Escort X50 and the Bel RX65. Just yesterday, I was pretty well decided on the X50 due to the blue LED alone. Not anymore.

The X50 is an awesome RD, with a really good looking blue LED that I'm willing to pay extra for.

BUT: even though the threat of Ku band is upon us, they don't seem to give enough of a sh*t about upgrading their units now - yet 'when the threat is here', they'll upgrade the unit after you mail it to them. If they know that they can, know that they will, know that we will want them to, WHY don't they do this for their newest units before shipping them out? A firmware upgrade isn't rocket science, so why are they stalling? It's like a car dealer not putting tires on until the buyer wants to drive it away.

The RX65 is without question the best out there. It's cheaper as well, and there's a discount from Radar Roy for it. It doesn't have to be shipped out to be upgraded to Ku.

BUT: IMO, it's ugly. Not a big deal for what the unit is for, but if the X50 can look nice, why can't the RX65?

What's bugging me is, both RD's are made by the same parent company, so why does one have the Ku ability and the other not? Why does one have to be ugly and the other not? It just doesn't make sense. If either RD was made by a different company, I'd buy one to spite the other...

I have to ask - why can't the 'BelEscort' company make a unit that performs and is upgraded like the RX65, but look like the X50? Why have two units?

For an RD and a $10 straight cable, I can save $50 CAN by choosing the RX65 - but as petty as this sounds, you know damned well I'll be looking at the 1970's design and Radio Shack display on this albatross wishing I had the pretty blue LED of the X50...

X50 RD and Straight cable: $377 USD = $442 CAD
RX65 RD and Straight cable: $334 USD = $392 CAD

**sethy** · 09-22-2005, 08:32 PM

The rx65 is a great detector, it detects short triggering almost 50% of the time compared to escorts 1/4.

A few things about the rx65 is its VERY poor laser detection, and it does not have a multithreat display, and no full alerts. Other then that, it tramples the x50...

**Darcy** · 09-22-2005, 08:43 PM

A few things about the rx65 is its VERY poor laser detection

Please don't take this the wrong way, because I do appreciate all the advice I can get on this - but WTF?

I read on Roy's site that the X50 and RX65 are virtually identical in detection. I take this as the two detectors are very close to each other in all types of detection. Now, I've got you telling me the rx65 is VERY poor at laser detection.

First of all, is this the consensus around here?
Second, does this mean both units are bad at laser detection but the rx65 is worse?
Third, if the rx65 is so poor at laser, why should I even care about the new Ku at all?
Let's say that 1/2 the LEOs use laser - even without the Ku band, to your reasoning, I'd still be better off with the X50.

Thanks for your input, but the decision is back into the 50/50 realm again. Help! I'm about 3 days away from ordering.

**raresvx** · 09-22-2005, 11:06 PM

Originally Posted by Darcy

So we have two very similar products in the Escort X50 and the Bel RX65. Just yesterday, I was pretty well decided on the X50 due to the blue LED alone. Not anymore.

The X50 is an awesome RD, with a really good looking blue LED that I'm willing to pay extra for.

BUT: even though the threat of Ku band is upon us, they don't seem to give enough of a sh*t about upgrading their units now - yet 'when the threat is here', they'll upgrade the unit after you mail it to them. If they know that they can, know that they will, know that we will want them to, WHY don't they do this for their newest units before shipping them out? A firmware upgrade isn't rocket science, so why are they stalling? It's like a car dealer not putting tires on until the buyer wants to drive it away.

The RX65 is without question the best out there. It's cheaper as well, and there's a discount from Radar Roy for it. It doesn't have to be shipped out to be upgraded to Ku.

BUT: IMO, it's ugly. Not a big deal for what the unit is for, but if the X50 can look nice, why can't the RX65?

What's bugging me is, both RD's are made by the same parent company, so why does one have the Ku ability and the other not? Why does one have to be ugly and the other not? It just doesn't make sense. If either RD was made by a different company, I'd buy one to spite the other...

I have to ask - why can't the 'BelEscort' company make a unit that performs and is upgraded like the RX65, but look like the X50? Why have two units?

For an RD and a $10 straight cable, I can save $50 CAN by choosing the RX65 - but as petty as this sounds, you know damned well I'll be looking at the 1970's design and Radio Shack display on this albatross wishing I had the pretty blue LED of the X50...

X50 RD and Straight cable: $377 USD = $442 CAD
RX65 RD and Straight cable: $334 USD = $392 CAD

RX65 and X50 performance is the same. If you want upgrades then buy a V1. Dont make this harder then it should be.

**Veil Guy** · 09-22-2005, 11:24 PM

Sethy's observation is spot-on.

The X50 appears to possess superior laser detection capabilities as compared with its cousin, the RX65.

The detectors are not identical by a long-shot.

Each one has its own distinct personality.

We haved lived with both for months and months and many thousands of driven miles...

Check out, if you haven't read a detailed review of each:
http://www.laserveil.com/en/ultimate.../introduction/

Veil Guy 8)

**riley2638** · 09-23-2005, 06:10 AM

Does it really matter if a detector picks up laser or not??? Unless you get a off-axis from a LEO that shoots the car in front of you, than I could understand, but that rarely happens..I mean, if you get shot from a gun, then you are already caught..Alert or no alert...I can also say that my RX65 has picked up nearly every laser alert that has been shot at me, but I guess other RX65's may vary..If your undecided about the detector that picks up laser the best than go with the V1..It seems to have the best laser detection..

**jimbonzzz** · 09-23-2005, 06:36 AM

Detecting off-axis laser, scatter, etc from a vehicle being targeted ahead is one thing. But another is when YOU get targeted. In many cases, the laser gun cannot get a speed reading right away, especially if you have a stealthy vehicle. VEIL or Laser Shield can help out a lot with this. With some vehicles a reading cannot be obtained until it is within 500 feet or so of the gun. So in many cases you'll have some time to slow down between the time you are targeted and when a speed reading is obtained. But in order for this to happen, you need a detector that will inform you in all circumstances when you are being targeted.

No, it isn't 100% protection, but neither are the jammers for that matter.

Jim

**KnightHawk** · 09-23-2005, 07:09 AM

Originally Posted by Sethy

A few things about the rx65 is its VERY poor laser detection, and it does not have a multithreat display, and no full alerts. Other then that, it tramples the x50..

Like my RX65, it surely does not give you full alert like the X50. The only time i got a 7/7 was when LEO was 3 cars behind me.

**happya$$** · 09-23-2005, 07:11 AM

Sethy your short triggering stats are off. You are using numbers that are not valid do tot he fact that we were overloading the RX65 and X50 when we were short triggering (a couple of feet away). When shot at normal distances both detectors detect them A LOT better.

**jimbonzzz** · 09-23-2005, 07:24 AM

Even with a full alert on the RX-65, the audio never goes to a constant tone. It continues to go beep, beep, beep when it should be going beeeeeeeeeeeeeee....

Jim