Need Help Deciding

[InfG35Coupe]

Hello this is my first post on this site

I cant decide on a radar detector im looking for under 500 dollars. My choices are narrowed down to Beltronics GX65, Escort Passport 9500ix and Cobra XRS R10G...please provide with as much intel as possible i been to many many sites to try to compare and read numerous reviews...radar roy gave the 9500ix a 5 star rating and called it the best on the market but still i am not sure...

[stevo1569]

I don't have much time to type so here is a super quick respone -


1) DO NOT get the Cobra

2) The Passport 9500ix is a REALLY good detector

3) The GX65 is right behind the 9500ix


I've got to go!! Hope that helped somewhat

[happya$$]

Beltronics GX65 & the Escort Passport 9500ix are build around the M4 platform so performance will be the same. If you see a difference it is because of manufacturing variance. Out of these two pick the one that has the features you like. Personally I would go with the V1. Beltronics and Escort are the same company. Many of us like to call them Belscort. They try very hard to be a different company, but when they are literally building the same performing RD's with different features, that is hard to do. It would be like VR, every-time they made a firmware change with new features, they would call it a new model name and charge full price. They do not do this. Instead they charge minimal price for updates, not full retail prices like Belscort. This industry is stuck, and has been stuck, at a standstill in terms of performance improvements, this is why you see so many "new" models with similar performance, but have new features. Belscort has to satisfy their shareholders so they need to do this. VR only has to satisfy Mike V. and his customers so updates that you see from VR are truly value added enhancements (like reliability example going from an analog to a digital thermal comp) not BS "enhancements like a new LED color display.

[Jon_Doh]

I would suggest either the Passport 9500ix or the Bel STI. I have both the V1 and 9500ix and like them equally. Of the three mentioned the STI may have the best overall range. The V1 excels on some bands in certain situations and then falls flat on its face in others. The 9500 is a solid performer across the board, but not necessarily the winner in any category. I like the ability to lock out false alarms and to mark speed traps that the 9500 gives me. I also like the V1's arrows, but dislike its falsing on X and K bands. Each detector has its strengths and weaknesses and you should look at how you are going to use it in making a decision. If you are doing mainly highway driving then the V1 or STI will be better for you. If you are doing mixed driving in well developed areas then you might do better with the 9500.

As others have said stay away from the Cobras, their range is very limited, they false a lot and they leak like hell on Ka band and set off other detectors.

[djrams80]

Beltronics GX65 & the Escort Passport 9500ix are build around the M4 platform so performance will be the same. If you see a difference it is because of manufacturing variance. Out of these two pick the one that has the features you like. Personally I would go with the V1. Beltronics and Escort are the same company. Many of us like to call them Belscort. They try very hard to be a different company, but when they are literally building the same performing RD's with different features, that is hard to do. It would be like VR, every-time they made a firmware change with new features, they would call it a new model name and charge full price. They do not do this. Instead they charge minimal price for updates, not full retail prices like Belscort. This industry is stuck, and has been stuck, at a standstill in terms of performance improvements, this is why you see so many "new" models with similar performance, but have new features. Belscort has to satisfy their shareholders so they need to do this. VR only has to satisfy Mike V. and his customers so updates that you see from VR are truly value added enhancements (like reliability example going from an analog to a digital thermal comp) not BS "enhancements like a new LED color display.

Jeez! He just got here! No need to bombard him with your zombie rant/message already.

[djrams80]

Hello this is my first post on this site

I cant decide on a radar detector im looking for under 500 dollars. My choices are narrowed down to Beltronics GX65, Escort Passport 9500ix and Cobra XRS R10G...please provide with as much intel as possible i been to many many sites to try to compare and read numerous reviews...radar roy gave the 9500ix a 5 star rating and called it the best on the market but still i am not sure...

The 9500ix and the GX65 will perform exactly the same. The Cobra will not perform anywhere near the level of the other two RDs you asked about. The GX65 and the 9500ix are the exact same RD with two differences:

1) Display - The GX65 has a red display and the 9500ix has a blue display.

2) GPS Lockout - False alert lockouts on the GX65 are done manually, but are done automatically(I like this feature a lot) on the 9500ix. You can also lockout falses manually on the 9500ix if you see fit.

Where do you live? Where do you drive, as in, what percentage is highway driving and what percentage is city driving.

Here are a couple of GOL testing results, which are by far the most reliable in the industry. You'll notice that the Cobra always finishes at or near the bottom of every test. This is because Bel, Escort, VR(Valentine Research) and Whistler have a stranglehold on all of the patents that make for good Ka band radar detection. Also, I used to own a 9500i, but since upgraded it to a 9500ix and also bought another 9500ix. All three versions perform exactly the same and so does the GX65.

Guys of LIDAR - Radar Detector Test - August 2007

Guys of LIDAR - Radar Detector Test - March 2007

[happya$$]

Jeez! He just got here! No need to bombard him with your zombie rant/message already.

What about my statement was a rant? Those are FACTS.