Redline Observations

**Hessen** · 07-14-2010, 01:16 PM

Now that I’ve had the Redline since May I would like to share my observations.

I also have a STi (presently on loan) and a V1 so I thought I would give the Redline a try and see what all the “Hype” was about. Also I have never owned an Escort RD so I figured it was time.

I had absolutely no complaints with my STi; it is an excellent RD and never let me down.
What I have found so far in the real world. The difference in performance between the Redline and Sti are IMO negligible. Yes the Redline does have marginally better detection and sensitivity but it is also more “Chatty” in urban areas than the Sti. So far I have not found the difference in the detection of real world threats so minimal it’s not worth debating in my opinion.

I do find the sound of the ramp up of the Redline much more pleasing than the Sti’s. That being said both the Sti and Redline still have a long way to go before either is a threat to the V1’s ramp up.
In fact at times I have found that the Redline’s ramp up sequence absolutely blows. It will sometimes go to a full alert almost immediately and the threat is still a considerable distance down the road.

My pet peeve with the Redline is than dam “Lip” on the front panel. This RD was designed for use in areas where RD’s are illegal. If the RD is mounted high out of sight that lip essentially obscures the frt screen. Good luck seeing anything! Not sure what they were thinking when they design that. (FYI I’m 6’5” and I have trouble seeing the display past that lip)

In legal areas, I will continue to use the V1, the Redline and Sti are great no doubt about but on the open road there is no better RD than the V1 IMHO. I’m addicted to those arrows. That said in town I will switch back to the Redline or Sti as the V1 is just too “Chatty” alerting to every door opener in town.

All 3 are excellent RD’s; all have their strengths and weaknesses.

IMO you can’t go wrong with either one depending on what your needs are. My buddy who was an die hard Zombie that is borrowing my STi is blown away with it’s performance. The point being that from my observations the difference between these RD’s in negligible.

In closing I will say that the Redline is an excellent RD, I am not disappointed with it, but from what I have witnessed so far all the “Hype” about is just that hype.