Confused about which detector to buy
Hi all,
I nodoubtedly came across this site after I received my first speeding ticket ever, 15 years without a moving violation, guess my time was up.
Well, that being said I'd like to stop kicking myself for throwing the first and only radar detector I ever owned (radio shack model with plug in lazer eyeball). I know, probably better off without it, needless to say it did help but for some reason I just threw it away and never looked back.
After reading/researching throughout this website/forums, talking to Roy, I've got a few questions still and this could probably be due to all the mis-information floating all over the web.
I have narrowed my brand choices down to BEL/Escort (They are probably the same company I have also read)
1. I see radar detector companies advertising software revisions yet I read that people are sending them in for these revisions, you can't download and flash the radar detector?
2. I have been reading that people who buy radar detectors can get different software revisions and some are better than others, how do I know I will get the latest and greatest? Expanding on that question further, what are the reasons for the revisions, increased sensitivity etc?
3. I've seen many radar detectors that advertise 360 of protection/detection etc, I saw a valentine one that has the same thing but it looks like the "horn" as many have called it also faces the rear. Does the Escort 8500 x50 or 9500o or RX65 offer rear radar detection?
4. How long do radar detectors last, meaning with all the talk of revisions, updates etc, how long can I expect either a Escort 8500 x50, 9500i or RX65 to last, considering the initial investment up front?
5. Sensitivity is the other concern I have read with people here, along with false alarms etc. Some preach the Valentine One is the best, other's the 9500i, then others complain stating the 9500i is flawed with issues, then other say the 8500 x50 and 9500i have the same sensitivity you just pay for more bells/whistles etc. You can see now how confused I am with all this.
So, if someone would like to take a stab at this, I feel I've taken up enough of Roy's time in regards to question asking so I figure'd I would throw myself to the wolves so to speak and go from there.
Thanks for reading.
Re: Confused about which detector to buy
Quote:
Originally Posted by kaotik78
1. I see radar detector companies advertising software revisions yet I read that people are sending them in for these revisions, you can't download and flash the radar detector?
2. I have been reading that people who buy radar detectors can get different software revisions and some are better than others, how do I know I will get the latest and greatest? Expanding on that question further, what are the reasons for the revisions, increased sensitivity etc?
3. I've seen many radar detectors that advertise 360 of protection/detection etc, I saw a valentine one that has the same thing but it looks like the "horn" as many have called it also faces the rear. Does the Escort 8500 x50 or 9500o or RX65 offer rear radar detection?
4. How long do radar detectors last, meaning with all the talk of revisions, updates etc, how long can I expect either a Escort 8500 x50, 9500i or RX65 to last, considering the initial investment up front?
5. Sensitivity is the other concern I have read with people here, along with false alarms etc. Some preach the Valentine One is the best, other's the 9500i, then others complain stating the 9500i is flawed with issues, then other say the 8500 x50 and 9500i have the same sensitivity you just pay for more bells/whistles etc. You can see now how confused I am with all this.
So, if someone would like to take a stab at this, I feel I've taken up enough of Roy's time in regards to question asking so I figure'd I would throw myself to the wolves so to speak and go from there.
Thanks for reading.
1)The only company that on a regular basis offers 'revisions' is VR. (Makers of the Valentine one). Normally they will do it for free, but if you have an older unit, it will cost you. The only problem is you have to send it back to get this done, there is no way to just upload it or anything. Bel/Escorts claim to be upgradeable with new revisions (and they are), but the fact is Belscort NEVER comes out with them... so dont hold your breath.
2) Well, the latest is not always the greatest. Take for example the Rev. 5 Escort X50's, it is a consensus of many people that the Rev. 5 (One of the older versions of the X50), is a better detector then the new 6.3version. Belscort really only changes their detectors to accomidate a whole new platform (in other words, hardware peices which the older rev's cannot be updated to). The V1 has new revisions, which often are only software updates, and you can upgrade them, if you send it in. Recently they have upgraded their hardware though, which makes it so older units must pay a fee to upgrade a part from analog to digital. For the most part VR does a good job making the new rev. better then the last, but in recent times (past 6 months) they have had to troubleshoot many issues, so the latest rev. may not always be the greatest.
3) Most all high end detectors have a front and rear LASER detector... the V1 has a front and rear radar detector and laser detector. This gives better reception from the rear to radar, and also allows the arrows to be used. Most any high-end detector will allow you time to slow down, even with an officer coming up from behind you, since the signal bounces off something infront of you, then back into your RD.
4) The general Belscort can last for years upon years, if its treated right. The problem is it wont have any revision upgrades, so what you buy today may be not top of the line for belscort in 3 years. So in other words, as long as your treat it right you should have great detection for 2,3,4+ years, but on the other hand as new technology comes out and such, you may find yourself upgrading to another belscort for that little extra range. The V1 often gets new revs released by VR... these allow people who have detectors that are 1,2,5,8+years old to upgrade their unit with the newest technologies for no fee or a nominal fee (lets say 75-250bucks), which isnt much compared to buying a whole new detector.
5)All the high end detectors are great, bickering about them usually boils down to features, and who likes what. All the high end detectors: X50,RX-65,V1,STi,9500i have their ups and downs, but all of those detectors are very capable, and should treat you well should you buy any one of them. The reason why people argue about sensitivity on here is because we are nerds essentially, and everyone wants that detector that will get them that extra 100feet in a real life scenario... does that 100feet really matter, considering the range that all the aforementioned units get? Not really, but its fun to debate. Honestly any of the detectors I mentioned, you cant go wrong with, ITS ALL personal preference.
(I like my X50 MUCH MUCH more then my V1, for some people its the EXACT opposite)... any one will treat you well if you use it correctly.