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  1. #1
    Newcomer
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Posts
    5

    Default Which RD for a noob?

    I'm looking to buy my first RD.

    I found a super crappy 1995ish Whistler RD in my parents' garage about a month ago and have been toying around with it. I started watching videos of some newer RDs and it made me realize how utterly awful the one I have is.

    I've never had a ticket and only been pulled over once, but I just got a new job and my commute will be basically the reverse of everyone else around here. I've had too many close calls and would like a RD to help cut down on those a little.


    Some factors:
    -I'm not completely decided on my budget yet. The cheaper the better, but if I'm going to get something that'll give me very noticeable increases in sensitivity or very useful features, that's fine. I'm fine with spending $200 but may be convinced to spend a bit more if necessary.
    -I'll be driving almost exclusively in MA and NH, so I don't need anything stealth.
    -I don't care much about false alerts. I'd *much* rather have a RD beeping too much than not enough. I definitely don't care to spend the money on a unit with GPS.
    -From what I've heard, police around here do use POP. The NH state police use laser as well. I'm okay with going without a laser jammer at this point. I'll watch my speed when I'm around there.


    I was originally thinking of a refurb 8500 as per the recommendation from a lot of people here. However, after finding out that POP is used around here, I'm thinking of maybe an x50.

    I also have all the V1 users in my ear saying how much they like them. I don't care much about the arrows or the price; mostly I just like the increased sensitivity I'm seeing in things like GOL tests. Then again, something like an x50 might be sensitive enough for me.

  2. #2
    Professional
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    SW FL
    Posts
    1,329

    Default Re: Which RD for a noob?

    Spend more, get the V1

  3. #3
    Old Timer
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    New Hampshire
    Posts
    6,806

    Default Re: Which RD for a noob?

    Quote Originally Posted by Ples View Post
    -I'll be driving almost exclusively in MA and NH, so I don't need anything stealth.
    -I don't care much about false alerts. I'd *much* rather have a RD beeping too much than not enough. I definitely don't care to spend the money on a unit with GPS.
    Are you doing more highway or more city driving? If you don't care about falses, the V1 is the way to go.
    -From what I've heard, police around here do use POP. The NH state police use laser as well. I'm okay with going without a laser jammer at this point. I'll watch my speed when I'm around there.
    There's no POP used in NH or MA. Only certain MPH radar guns have a POP mode, and no one has MPH radar guns around here. They do use instant-on though, maybe that's what you're thinking of. There's also quick-trigger, which is just a certain method of using instant-on, which is often confused with POP. The V1 and higher-end Whistlers are the best RDs for detecting instant-on (often abbreviated to IO or I/O here).
    I was originally thinking of a refurb 8500 as per the recommendation from a lot of people here. However, after finding out that POP is used around here, I'm thinking of maybe an x50.
    There's NO POP around here... a refurb 8500 will suit you fine. The older S7 platform is better in radar detection than the newer X50s with the M4 platform.
    I also have all the V1 users in my ear saying how much they like them. I don't care much about the arrows or the price; mostly I just like the increased sensitivity I'm seeing in things like GOL tests. Then again, something like an x50 might be sensitive enough for me.
    There's lots of V1 zombies on here. But it really is the top dog of detectors, especially for sensitivity and I/O performance. The Escort and Bel units are very good detectors too, and some of them are cheaper than the V1, and quieter in the city, but are a bit slower in response to I/O hits.

    As for laser, both NH and MA staties have it and use it, and you're pretty much dead meat without a jammer. But it all depends on where you drive. For example, I only see laser a couple times a year where I drive (Manchester to Salem and back on 93), while Donut Patrol, another member here, drives route 2 in MA and route 3 in NH and MA and seems to post a new laser trap video every week.

    So, if you see lots of laser and want protection, you'll want a jammer.
    If I'm passing you on the right, YOU are in the wrong lane!

    If speed kills, how come I'm still alive?

    Active Countermeasures: V1 3.858, Escort Redline, Beltronics STi-R+, LI Dual 7.1x CPU/8.7 Heads (front)
    Other/Backup Countermeasures: V1 3.813 (loaned to friend), Beltronics Pro RX65 M4 6.3
    Vehicle: 2002 Audi A4 1.8T Quattro
    LEO Toys: Kustom Pro Laser II & III
    Encounters/Saves August 2011: Radar 3/1, Laser 0/0


  4. #4
    Newcomer
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Posts
    5

    Default Re: Which RD for a noob?

    -Probably a good mix of highway and city, I'd say. I'm fine with muting the RD if I'm not speeding and it's throwing off falses.

    -Someone on another forum mentioned that they use POP around here, but you're right, they may have confused it with IO. Good to know, though.

    -I saw NH staties using laser last week on 3N just past the MA border. I wasn't speeding though as I know cops love to hang out there. I do also l live just off of Route 2 in MA, but I think a bit closer towards Boston from where the others are seeing laser traps. They're pretty common out towards Gardner and such, right?

    So, yeah, I may just go with an 8500. Not sure on whether I should spring the extra $50 for the x50 yet. That'd also leave me with some free money for a laser jammer, if I did end up wanting to do that.

  5. #5
    Speed Demon
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Sanford, Florida, United States
    Posts
    625

    Default Re: Which RD for a noob?

    Look for one of the refurbished 8500s on Ebay, they truly are the best you can get for less than $200.

  6. #6
    Lead Foot
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    Syracuse NY
    Posts
    353

    Default Re: Which RD for a noob?

    Here's how it goes...

    If you want to start with the best and not worry about anything else, Valentine 1.

    If you want an economical alternative, refurb 8500 S7 off eBay purchased directly from Escort. Do not buy from any other person on eBay. Make sure its from the Escort Factory Store on eBay.

  7. #7
    Power User
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Posts
    3,724

    Default Re: Which RD for a noob?

    Quote Originally Posted by nyjason13 View Post
    Here's how it goes...

    If you want to start with the best and not worry about anything else, Valentine 1.

    If you want an economical alternative, refurb 8500 S7 off eBay purchased directly from Escort. Do not buy from any other person on eBay. Make sure its from the Escort Factory Store on eBay.
    I agree.

  8. #8
    Speedtrap Crasher
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Houston, TX
    Posts
    6,732

    Default Re: Which RD for a noob?

    Quote Originally Posted by <<JAZZY>> View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by nyjason13 View Post
    Here's how it goes...

    If you want to start with the best and not worry about anything else, Valentine 1.

    If you want an economical alternative, refurb 8500 S7 off eBay purchased directly from Escort. Do not buy from any other person on eBay. Make sure its from the Escort Factory Store on eBay.
    I agree.

    X2. But be advised the Valentine is the best interstate commuter RD. And the arrows are addictive.
    Project "BONES" Speed Lab:
    Valentine One, Blinder M47 "All Front Configuration"
    Pro97 Police Scanner
    1 Saves / 3 Strikes as of 8/22/2009
    Estimated saves in U.S. Dollars: $200

  9. #9
    Speed Demon
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Posts
    598

    Default Re: Which RD for a noob?

    In MA and NH you will get destroyed by laser with any RD if you stand out from the pack. Either get laser jammers (starting around $450) or go whatever the speed the left lane is moving at (usually high enough in MA)

  10. #10
    Newcomer
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Posts
    5

    Default Re: Which RD for a noob?

    Quote Originally Posted by lidper24 View Post
    In MA and NH you will get destroyed by laser with any RD if you stand out from the pack. Either get laser jammers (starting around $450) or go whatever the speed the left lane is moving at (usually high enough in MA)
    Agreed. I *hate* driving in the left lane without anybody in front of me. MA is great, though. 495 and 2 are generally like 75+ in all lanes, regardless of whether it's a 55 or 65 PSL, hah.


    Anywho, I found a friend with an unused red x50 and he says he'll sell it to me for $125. Sounds like a great price to me. Is there a way for him to tell what version it is by looking at it?

 

 

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