Hey guys, convince me to purchase or not purchase a RD :)

[that1guy64]

Hey guys, newbie here... although just fyi I'm not really a forum newbie I'm actually a moderator (with over 35,000 posts) on boards.ign.com which is the 2nd largest board on the internet. I've been lurking here for a good two days reading many misc. threads and the FAQs gathering as much information on everything as possible. with that said, thanks for the wealth of information you guys provide

Anyway, recently I've been looking into purchasing a RD since I've been traveling a little more. The problem is I can't figure out if I can justify $300 for the Escort 8500 X50. I've never had a speeding ticket in my life and I am nearly 22 years old. For the most part I travel around the city (I am a pizza driver too), I drive occasionally an hour or more to see friends or family and more recently a three-hour drive to see my girlfriend. That should be ending soon, but until then...

I'm a good driver and I am proud that I've never had a ticket because I almost always set my cruise control to only 7-8mph over the limit. The problem is I sometimes get impatient and want to go 80-85mph or like 70mph in a 55mph zone. Recently on one of my 3-hour trips I got pulled over going 63-64 in a 55mph zone and he was very nice and gave me a warning. This is where I started thinking that I could've prevented that.

I think the reasons why I would want one is to protect myself and to alert me when I am over the limit when I occasionally press the gas pedal too far. I'd rather never have a speeding ticket and never have to pay one. I wouldn't purposely use it so that I could speed, but I'm sure I'd feel more comfortable if I was speeding and had a RD on my dash.

So, convince me if you think I can justify spending this much on a RD. I don't need a super fancy one nor can I afford one over $300. I feel like I'm often times paranoid of the LEO even when I'm not going more than 7-8mph over the limit. I've been pulled over twice and warned both times. I fear that next time I'd actually get a ticket. The other thing is that I'd be afraid of new technology coming out too soon and then I'd feel like I wasted $300... I looked around online and found one on Amazon, but I'm not sure if it's from an authorized dealer. I'm sure you guys know of some decent places selling them at decent prices... if you can't post them then don't worry about it.

Sorry for the long first post, but I appreciate any replies

EDIT: I just want to add that sometimes I feel like the little speeding actually makes little difference in arrival to my final destination. I've also been told "just go the speed limit or 5 over. It's not hard. Don't waste $300 when you can have self control and be patient. It's not worth going 15 over to save yourself 5 minutes on a trip". These are the things that kind of bring me back to reality and think maybe I don't need a RD.

[Kayrac]

nothings perfect, but having used a rd for about 3-4years now, i absolutely hate driving without one, i mean really hate it, i drive pure PSL

they save you many times, no sense getting pulled over doing 5 over when you can just slow down

that being said they are not a license to speed, just a 'addition' to your tool kit

[dagored]

So, convince me if you think I can justify spending this much on a RD. I don't need a super fancy one nor can I afford one over $300. I feel like I'm often times paranoid of the LEO even when I'm not going more than 7-8mph over the limit. I've been pulled over twice and warned both times. I fear that next time I'd actually get a ticket. The other thing is that I'd be afraid of new technology coming out too soon and then I'd feel like I wasted $300... I looked around online and found one on Amazon, but I'm not sure if it's from an authorized dealer. I'm sure you guys know of some decent places selling them at decent prices... if you can't post them then don't worry about it.

Sorry for the long first post, but I appreciate any replies

EDIT: I just want to add that sometimes I feel like the little speeding actually makes little difference in arrival to my final destination. I've also been told "just go the speed limit or 5 over. It's not hard. Don't waste $300 when you can have self control and be patient. It's not worth going 15 over to save yourself 5 minutes on a trip". These are the things that kind of bring me back to reality and think maybe I don't need a RD.

Your last paragraph reads as if you already know what you want or in this case don't need. As stated previously, it is a tool for your convenience. Nothing more.

As far as new technology, that is a given. All electronics will continue to improve. If you wait for the latest and greatest, you will never buy.

[Super Dave]

My Escort X50 is not the *best* detector on the market depending on who you ask, but pretty close I must say and in the top 4 or 5. For about $300 it's the best $$ I have ever spent. 1st save you come out ahead when you factor in ticket fee plus insurance. Now remember your detector is a tool and really will only save you less than 50% of the time. The rest is up to your eyes and awareness of surroundings. Laser, Instant on, pacing, all the rest a detector cannot save you, but why not have every advantage? It has saved me more times than I can count.

And dont buy online from an unauthorized dealer. Too many horror stories. Spent the extra few bucks and if something goes wrong you have recourse.

[PbFoot]

Remember, radar and sometimes even lidar are not always accurate. You are also assuming that any police you encounter are using their equipment properly (properly maintained, calibrated and deployed), and are honest. (Some may just want to fill their quota and go home.) Personally that's a bit too much assuming for my comfort. I like to be alert and aware of whats happening around me, and know when I am being monitored.

The Escort is an excellent machine, but for a "casual" speeder like you, perhaps a lest costly Whistler or Bel might be a cheaper choice.

[focalcivic]

My Advice is the get a cheaper detector, like the Whistler Pro 78 or Bel 955, both good performers and you save money.

[hockey005]

where do you live? this plays a big part on what RD you will want (STi in illegal areas) and if laser is a the predominant weapon of choice then you may look into jammers

[guit123]

pro 78 is the best value. next comes vector series, then all high end ones.

[MEM-TEK]

pro 78 is the best value. next comes vector series, then all high end ones.

That hits the nail on the head. I was thinking about what that1guy64 said about most of his driving being around town and with the occasional longer road trip. The 9500i with its TrueLock feature to lock out false alerts is the quietest RD for use around town, but the 9500i's price is way beyond what that1guy64 has budgeted for a RD. Thus I too highly recommend the Whistler Pro78 since it is the second quietest RD which I have used around town, since its Ka band performance is excellent, and since it offers a ton of user adjustable features for the price.

Of note, be sure to buy a brand new Pro78 from an authorized Whistler dealer to assure that the model you receive will be the latest Revision C with the boosted performance.

[Kayrac]

he could check around local bestbuys, tweeters, etc(any authorized seller) i grabbed my 9500i for 320, open box, full warrenty from purchase date because it was an authorized seller, if i was worried it wasn't working coulda just sent it in and had them look it over for only the price of shipping