Too many choices and questions, but here goes.

[columbo]

First post, so a little background. I'm not the typical demographic for driving a WRX, but I'm not in mid-life crisis.

A friend of mine upgraded his Whistler XTR 330 (gave it to me) for another Whistler xxxxSE? $200? He says it's much better than the 330. I have nothing to compare the 330 too, but it seems there is not very much alert time before I get a visual sighting...as in NOT ENOUGH alert time.

So let me say this; I'm a bit older and because of the chronic exposures to neurotoxic chemicals at work, my "processing speed" is slower than it should be. I know that and keep that into account at all times.

I used to drive 2,000/mo (24,000/yr.) but not anymore. Not since being forced into an early disability retirement (see above.)

Driving around town, I'm usually pretty close to the speed limit; 5 over, but not much more. So using the RD in the city would mostly give me false X and K for door openers. I guess the cops on bikes are using Ka and laser. In my town, we only sheriff, and that is Ka. So being able to lock those out would be helpful.

I've never been one to try to "beat the light", so the red light cameras are not a real issue. Even with a database that shows where they are, it doesn't show if they are working....and I've seen some that don't. Again, not a real concern for me.

On the freeways (or highways, or whatever they are called in your part of the Country) I'm usually in the 10+ crowd. It's when I NOT in the crowd that I get into trouble. Wide open spaces. I was doing some "cat and mouse" with another guy, going upwards of 125mph (I know, I know...don't hit me.) I think that is an automatic arrest and impound. Luckily we didn't get caught.

But on the way back, going around a pack of slower cars, (posted 75, doing 75) I got nailed slowing down at 92mph. Anything 20 or over, you can't go to traffic school, so I lucked out there. CHP motorcycle parked under the shade of a tree in late afternoon.

The other ticket more than 2 years later was what I call chicken sh1t! Posted 65, flow of traffic was 75, I was entering the freeway and wanted to get in front of a cell phone using driver in the right lane, busted for 80 getting on the freeway! That damn turbo thing.

GPS for speed traps? You have to find and set those yourself as you drive along? No database?

RD would mostly be used for highway use. Possibility of wanting to mount on my motorcycle and use a "screamer."

What is the difference between front and rear radar and 360 degree radar protection? Only the V One has rear lazer according to their site.

Choices for my needs, even though I don't drive much (but when I do!) ;

Firstly, RELIABILITY and from reviews I've read, both the Escort and Bel have about a 10% "NEEDS SERVICE" failure within a year. True or not?

I need the longer range because of slower reaction time. I know laser is "busted" anyway.

Can X and K be turned off on the units below without losing sensitivity on Ka? That's what happens on the 330 in City Mode.

Escort 8500
Escort 9500 (i or ix?)
Bel RX 65
Bel GX 65
Valentine V One

I think that's it for my post! Any advice is appreciated!

Thanks.

[rocky2]

Your situation screams 9500ix or GX-65. If you don't want to deal with alot of X and K band falses these RD's are for you. Escort does have some speedtraps in it's database but you pretty much have to mark your own. Also the newer Escorts with the M4 platform, don't have the service required message very much anymore within the first couple of years. Sounds like laser is also a problem in your area you will need a good jammer Blinder and L.I. are both pretty respectable units.

[Lucky225]

Your situation screams 9500ix or GX-65. If you don't want to deal with alot of X and K band falses these RD's are for you. Escort does have some speedtraps in it's database but you pretty much have to mark your own. Also the newer Escorts with the M4 platform, don't have the service required message very much anymore within the first couple of years. Sounds like laser is also a problem in your area you will need a good jammer Blinder and L.I. are both pretty respectable units.

x2 except I'd also mention that if you have a cell Trapster for GPS speedtrap locations would be good.

[columbo]

Your situation screams 9500ix or GX-65. If you don't want to deal with alot of X and K band falses these RD's are for you. Escort does have some speedtraps in it's database but you pretty much have to mark your own. Also the newer Escorts with the M4 platform, don't have the service required message very much anymore within the first couple of years. Sounds like laser is also a problem in your area you will need a good jammer Blinder and L.I. are both pretty respectable units.

x2 except I'd also mention that if you have a cell Trapster for GPS speedtrap locations would be good.

Even though Bel and Escort have the same parent company, do they share similar technology and build quality? GM makes Cadillac and the now demised Saturn, but the two really had nothing in common.

Is the voice alert loud and clear on the 9500ix and GX 65? Some say you don't need it as you just learn the sound of the band that's the most risk. I heard that the RX 65 was not very loud if you had a noisy car or the stereo turned up. Both have rebates for turning in your old RD too.

While I understand the need for an illegal jammer, I don't think I'll invest in one until I find I'm out on the road more. Being on SoCa, I think lots of City cops use lazer, but not Sheriff or CHP. I could be wrong though. The detector could be moved from car to bike, but not the jammer.

Never heard of Trapster, but I'm just starting to look into these things.

And no votes for the V1?. I thought the arrows were a worthy feature.

[Lucky225]

Your situation screams 9500ix or GX-65. If you don't want to deal with alot of X and K band falses these RD's are for you. Escort does have some speedtraps in it's database but you pretty much have to mark your own. Also the newer Escorts with the M4 platform, don't have the service required message very much anymore within the first couple of years. Sounds like laser is also a problem in your area you will need a good jammer Blinder and L.I. are both pretty respectable units.

x2 except I'd also mention that if you have a cell Trapster for GPS speedtrap locations would be good.

Even though Bel and Escort have the same parent company, do they share similar technology and build quality? GM makes Cadillac and the now demised Saturn, but the two really had nothing in common.

Is the voice alert loud and clear on the 9500ix and GX 65? Some say you don't need it as you just learn the sound of the band that's the most risk. I heard that the RX 65 was not very loud if you had a noisy car or the stereo turned up. Both have rebates for turning in your old RD too.

While I understand the need for an illegal jammer, I don't think I'll invest in one until I find I'm out on the road more. Being on SoCa, I think lots of City cops use lazer, but not Sheriff or CHP. I could be wrong though. The detector could be moved from car to bike, but not the jammer.

Never heard of Trapster, but I'm just starting to look into these things.

And no votes for the V1?. I thought the arrows were a worthy feature.

CHP def. uses Laser, a jammer ticket in Cali is a FIX IT ticket, 0 points, speeding can be 1-2 points, I'd rather pay a fix it and keep the points off my license then get nailed with a speeding ticket. Keep this in mind. As for the v1, def. good contender, but it's not a good idea to turn K band off in Calif, hence why GPS detectors were suggested to you as you can lock out noisy k band falses.

[columbo]

Your situation screams 9500ix or GX-65. If you don't want to deal with alot of X and K band falses these RD's are for you. Escort does have some speedtraps in it's database but you pretty much have to mark your own. Also the newer Escorts with the M4 platform, don't have the service required message very much anymore within the first couple of years. Sounds like laser is also a problem in your area you will need a good jammer Blinder and L.I. are both pretty respectable units.

x2 except I'd also mention that if you have a cell Trapster for GPS speedtrap locations would be good.

Even though Bel and Escort have the same parent company, do they share similar technology and build quality? GM makes Cadillac and the now demised Saturn, but the two really had nothing in common.

Is the voice alert loud and clear on the 9500ix and GX 65? Some say you don't need it as you just learn the sound of the band that's the most risk. I heard that the RX 65 was not very loud if you had a noisy car or the stereo turned up. Both have rebates for turning in your old RD too.

While I understand the need for an illegal jammer, I don't think I'll invest in one until I find I'm out on the road more. Being on SoCa, I think lots of City cops use lazer, but not Sheriff or CHP. I could be wrong though. The detector could be moved from car to bike, but not the jammer.

Never heard of Trapster, but I'm just starting to look into these things.

And no votes for the V1?. I thought the arrows were a worthy feature.

CHP def. uses Laser, a jammer ticket in Cali is a FIX IT ticket, 0 points, speeding can be 1-2 points, I'd rather pay a fix it and keep the points off my license then get nailed with a speeding ticket. Keep this in mind. As for the v1, def. good contender, but it's not a good idea to turn K band off in Calif, hence why GPS detectors were suggested to you as you can lock out noisy k band falses.

Agree on the FIX IT is better than points for speeding. Fees and assessments outweigh the cost of a jammer. So you just remove the jammer, go the CHP office to have it inspected and signed off, and they know you put it right back on? That's what I did with a front-side window tint ticket that went long with one of the tickets. It was the lightest tint made, but he noticed anyway.

[Lucky225]

Agree on the FIX IT is better than points for speeding. Fees and assessments outweigh the cost of a jammer. So you just remove the jammer, go the CHP office to have it inspected and signed off, and they know you put it right back on? That's what I did with a front-side window tint ticket that went long with one of the tickets. It was the lightest tint made, but he noticed anyway.

In theory... we don't know anyone who has actually got nailed for a jammer in Calif. tho. According to the Vehicle Code the infraction for a jammer is the same grade as window tint warranting only a Fix-It ticket, what happens in real life tho is another story.

[columbo]

Agree on the FIX IT is better than points for speeding. Fees and assessments outweigh the cost of a jammer. So you just remove the jammer, go the CHP office to have it inspected and signed off, and they know you put it right back on? That's what I did with a front-side window tint ticket that went long with one of the tickets. It was the lightest tint made, but he noticed anyway.

In theory... we don't know anyone who has actually got nailed for a jammer in Calif. tho. According to the Vehicle Code the infraction for a jammer is the same grade as window tint warranting only a Fix-It ticket, what happens in real life tho is another story.

Thanks. All good advice. I need to pick a detector first. 9500ix or GX65?

Then the Blinder or L.I. for the WRX. It's a 2002 model and I don't think it has the "glass" problem. I'm not Ricky Racer all the time. I tend to take the curvy on and off-ramps at double the suggested speed sometimes however.

[Lucky225]

Agree on the FIX IT is better than points for speeding. Fees and assessments outweigh the cost of a jammer. So you just remove the jammer, go the CHP office to have it inspected and signed off, and they know you put it right back on? That's what I did with a front-side window tint ticket that went long with one of the tickets. It was the lightest tint made, but he noticed anyway.

In theory... we don't know anyone who has actually got nailed for a jammer in Calif. tho. According to the Vehicle Code the infraction for a jammer is the same grade as window tint warranting only a Fix-It ticket, what happens in real life tho is another story.

Thanks. All good advice. I need to pick a detector first. 9500ix or GX65?

Then the Blinder or L.I. for the WRX. It's a 2002 model and I don't think it has the "glass" problem. I'm not Ricky Racer all the time. I tend to take the curvy on and off-ramps at double the suggested speed sometimes however.

If it's in your budget I'd def. suggest 9500IX

[Stealth Stalker]

And no votes for the V1?. I thought the arrows were a worthy feature.

I think that the reason that you so often don't get adequate alert is not because the detector is not sensitive, but because the cops are using I/O (instant-on) radar, instead of leaving it running continuously. Because of that, I would have to recommend a V1 over any Escort product. It is the only detector that consistently beats quick triggered (QT) I/O.

Of course, in SoCal (where I lived until last Summer), there is a LOT of noise from false alerts that will numb you. That is the drawback of the V1. However, your two major threats in SoCal are going to be Ka band and laser. Falses are not a particular problem for them. And X and K bands are so rare as to be almost inconsequential.

On a starter budget, I'd get just a V1, disable the X and K bands, and save the rest of my money for a Laser Interceptor jammer ASAP. As more money were available, I'd add the Cheetah GPS Mirror or C100 for the speed trap alerts and V1 programming options.

If money were no object, I would add an Escort 9500ci remote mount detector to give me relatively quiet K band reception, as well as a slight edge in Ka sensitivity. But under no circumstances would I run only an Escort in SoCal.