Results 1 to 10 of 10
  1. #1

    Default I need help deciding!

    Just wanted to drop a few lines and say hello to everyone on the forum. I have learned some interesting things on here and was hoping that I could get some suggestions. I recently purchased an escort solo s2 and have been using it for about a week. I have not had any problems with it what so ever. It has saved me twice in the two week period I have owned it. Coming from a generic Cobra radar detector I thought this was a wise purchase. However, after reading all the comments left by users of the S2's inability to pick up Ka band I wanted to know what would the most advisable thing to do? I have some people lined up who will buy my radar detector for $180-200. I read up on the escort x50 and think that it is a much better detector than what I currently own. Please help me out, what should I get, how much should I pay, brand new vs. used,etc...Thanks in advance! -sean

  2. #2

    Default Re: I need help deciding!

    Quote Originally Posted by kicker18 View Post
    Just wanted to drop a few lines and say hello to everyone on the forum. I have learned some interesting things on here and was hoping that I could get some suggestions. I recently purchased an escort solo s2 and have been using it for about a week. I have not had any problems with it what so ever. It has saved me twice in the two week period I have owned it. Coming from a generic Cobra radar detector I thought this was a wise purchase. However, after reading all the comments left by users of the S2's inability to pick up Ka band I wanted to know what would the most advisable thing to do? I have some people lined up who will buy my radar detector for $180-200. I read up on the escort x50 and think that it is a much better detector than what I currently own. Please help me out, what should I get, how much should I pay, brand new vs. used,etc...Thanks in advance! -sean
    Hi Sean,

    First, welcome to the forum!

    Unfortunately the Solo, even when plugged into power, still is a rather poor performer on Ka band -- especially for 35.5 Ka band which is the second most commonly used Ka frequency. Yep, sell it! No cordless radar detector, past or present, has ever had what one would consider to be really good performance. The X50 will significantly outperform the Solo in all respects.

    Radar detectors are the single electronics item which I always buy brand new. Wherever you buy one from, just make sure that the seller is an authorized dealer so that you will have a full warranty instead of a potential paperweight.

    Now, what is best for you? Where do you live (the state)? Do you do mostly city driving, highway driving, or a mix of both? Is it normally just you in the car, or do you usually have friends or family with you in the car? How fast do you drive? What radar detector features do you really like? What is your budget?

    We await your answers so that we can help you figure out what radar detector model will be best suited for your needs.


  3. #3

    Default Re: I need help deciding!

    Quote Originally Posted by MEM-TEK View Post
    Hi Sean,

    First, welcome to the forum!

    Unfortunately the Solo, even when plugged into power, still is a rather poor performer on Ka band -- especially for 35.5 Ka band which is the second most commonly used Ka frequency. Yep, sell it! No cordless radar detector, past or present, has ever had what one would consider to be really good performance. The X50 will significantly outperform the Solo in all respects.

    Radar detectors are the single electronics item which I always buy brand new. Wherever you buy one from, just make sure that the seller is an authorized dealer so that you will have a full warranty instead of a potential paperweight.

    Now, what is best for you? Where do you live (the state)? Do you do mostly city driving, highway driving, or a mix of both? Is it normally just you in the car, or do you usually have friends or family with you in the car? How fast do you drive? What radar detector features do you really like? What is your budget?

    We await your answers so that we can help you figure out what radar detector model will be best suited for your needs.

    Wow, thanks for such a quick and informative reply. I am having some technical issues with the site with posting. With that out of the way I can begin to give you some background information. I live in NE KY, and I commute to WV through Ohio everyday for school. I pass three states in a matter of 25 minutes. I am usually alone in the car when commuting, laser and Ka seem to be the most prevalent forms of radar, but I cannot be too sure. I drive a Red Honda Civic si, yes I am fully aware not the most low key vehicle out lol. As far as radar feature I just want something that I can be confident in under $400, preferably under $300 but I will see. Additionally, I make trips to NC from KY. Thanks in advance!

  4. #4
    Yoda of Radar
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    Los Angeles Area
    Posts
    13,881

    Default Re: I need help deciding!

    No need to post this question in multiple forums. Generally, the same guys read all the same forums.

  5. #5
    Banned
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    Anywhere I want
    Posts
    712

    Default Re: I need help deciding!

    Quote Originally Posted by kicker18 View Post
    Wow, thanks for such a quick and informative reply. I am having some technical issues with the site with posting. With that out of the way I can begin to give you some background information. I live in NE KY, and I commute to WV through Ohio everyday for school. I pass three states in a matter of 25 minutes. I am usually alone in the car when commuting, laser and Ka seem to be the most prevalent forms of radar, but I cannot be too sure. I drive a Red Honda Civic si, yes I am fully aware not the most low key vehicle out lol. As far as radar feature I just want something that I can be confident in under $400, preferably under $300 but I will see. Additionally, I make trips to NC from KY. Thanks in advance!
    step it up to 500 - 550 ish you will be happy later you did

    think about it like this that's only 2 tickets going fast and about 6 -13mph over here anyways
    .

  6. #6

    Default Re: I need help deciding!

    Hi kicker18,

    With your notes in mind, any of the current Bel/Escort windshield mount models (except the Solo) will serve you well. If most of your driving is rural/highway then also strongly consider the Valentine V1. Also strongly consider the V1 because it does have the best laser detection even though laser detection in windshield mount radar detectors is fair at best. If you occasionally drive through VA (where RDs are illegal) then you should strongly consider getting the Bel STi. Other notes:

    -- All of the following models will significantly outperform any Cobra model, in particular against 35.5 Ka band radar guns. The performance difference on 35.5 Ka literally is night and day.

    -- The Bel Vectors and RX65, and the Escort 8500 X50 and C65, all feature Bel/Escort's M4 antenna. Thus these radar detector models provide virtually identical performance. Its just a matter of picking the model with the price and features which you like.

    -- The Bel GX65, and the Escort 9500i and 9500ix, all feature enhanced M4 antennas with slightly better performance. These models also feature GPS so that false alerts from door openers can be blocked based on their GPS locations. The GX65 and 9500ix also feature red light and speed camera databases.

    -- The STi features Bel's completely stealth M3 antenna. This makes the STi completely immune from detection by all police radar detector detectors (RDDs) such as the Spectre. It is your only windshield mount radar detector choice if you live in or regularly drive through VA.

    -- The Valentine V1 in general is the most sensitive windshield mount radar detector. It also has the most sensitive laser detection circuitry.

    You can't go wrong with any of the above radar detector models since all provide excellent to superb performance. Thus it really just boils down to which features are the most important to you, balanced of course by the price. All of the manufacturer web sites have user manuals in PDF format which you can view.

    In any event laser usage is widespread in Ohio. So you should strongly consider getting a laser jammer as well. Your Honda Civic can be fairly well protected by even the less expensive laser jammers. But thats for another thread. Lets first concentrate on getting you some really good radar protection!


  7. #7
    Newcomer
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Posts
    15

    Default Re: I need help deciding!

    So I moved from a Solo to an 8500 - and just upgraded to an 9500CI as I wanted a hidden detector.

    Solo did fine for me - I never got ticketed while using it - but I did have a couple of close calls, and when the chance came to sell it, I upgraded to the 8500.

    8500 is a stellar detector, and saved my arse more times than I can remember.

    Caveat - I don't drive in states were detectors are illegal, so I don't really have to worry too much about hiding it.

  8. #8
    Good Citizen
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Posts
    197

    Default Re: I need help deciding!

    Let me say that the Solo S2 is a remarkable piece of compact engineering.
    However, I had a Solo and returned it for 2 reasons.

    First, whenever I drove at fast highway speeds with the sunroof (or numerous windows) open, the detector's volume was insufficient to overcome the wind noise, and I missed many of the audio alerts.
    Second, under similar high wind noise situations, the detector shut down (to conserve battery life) without me hearing an alert, and I was running unprotected for hours.

    If you drive on the highway with your windows up, or with the unit mounted where you can see every alert visually, then OK. If not, you may want to get a corded model which has a much greater sound output (and no battery conservation shutdown). If, however, you are constantly switching cars, traveling using rental cars, or just need a small easily concealed detector, the Solo may be a great choice for you. It's nice to have the choice to fit your driving needs.
    Last edited by poolmon; 03-21-2009 at 12:42 PM.

  9. #9
    Yoda of Radar
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    Los Angeles Area
    Posts
    13,881

    Default Re: I need help deciding!

    Quote Originally Posted by poolmon View Post
    Let me say that the Solo S2 is a remarkable piece of compact engineering.
    However, I had a Solo and returned it for 2 reasons.

    First, whenever I drove at fast highway speeds with the sunroof (or numerous windows) open, the detector's volume was insufficient to overcome the wind noise, and I missed many of the audio alerts.
    Second, under similar high wind noise situations, the detector shut down (to conserve battery life) without me hearing an alert, and I was running unprotected for hours.
    I drive a convertible and use an Escort auxilary speaker for everything. The Solo S2 is compatible with the Escot speaker.

    http://www.radarbusters.com/radar-detector-accessories/other-accessories/externalspeaker.cfm

    Quote Originally Posted by poolmon View Post
    If you drive on the highway with your windows up, or with the unit mounted where you can see every alert visually, then OK. If not, you may want to get a corded model which has a much greater sound output (and no battery conservation shutdown). If, however, you are constantly switching cars, traveling using rental cars, or just need a small easily concealed detector, the Solo may be a great choice for you. It's nice to have the choice to fit your driving needs.
    The Solo S2 is never a good choice. It's detection capabilities are very substandard.

    http://www.guysoflidar.com/august-2007/radar-detector-test.html

  10. #10

    Default Re: I need help deciding!

    The Solo S2 is fairly good at detecting radar -- except 35.5 Ka band radar. This is unfortunate since 35.5 Ka is the second most common Ka radar gun frequency. I think that the Solo S2 should be redesigned to use a thin and flat NiMH or Li ion battery pack which would be in a compartment in the underside of the case. This would give the redesigned Solo plenty of extra juice compared to 2 AA batteries, and would potentially allow the S2 to have really good performance on all radar bands. If Escort threw in a broadband LNA then the redesigned Solo could have splendid performance, be a cordless radar detector, and it would rapidly become a best seller if they also made a compact charging station into which you insert your Solo, much like a cell phone charging station. I think that such a setup would be ideal for the frequent traveler. And, perhaps, design a charging station which could be installed under a motorcycle's flip-up car seat or which is placed inside a tank bag. Then, when you park your bike for lunch or whatever, simply plug your Solo into the bike charger to juice it up for the next 500 miles.

    Anyway, just some fun thoughts on my behalf.

 

 

Similar Threads

  1. Need some help deciding...
    By BigMitch in forum Radar Detectors - General
    Replies: 17
    Last Post: 06-23-2011, 11:12 AM
  2. Need help deciding what to buy
    By zanderstuff in forum Radar Detectors - General
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 11-13-2010, 10:13 PM
  3. Need some help deciding on RD.
    By nosbusa in forum Radar Detectors - General
    Replies: 15
    Last Post: 07-07-2009, 11:31 PM
  4. Need Help Deciding
    By InfG35Coupe in forum Radar Detectors - General
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 02-23-2009, 10:13 AM
  5. Need Help Deciding
    By msdbsptc in forum Radar Detectors - General
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 05-26-2005, 09:21 PM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •