Need some help deciding...

[BigMitch]

Hey guys,

I need some help deciding on a new RD. First, some general info:

-My budget is between $150-200.
-Local city and county cops use K band while the Staties use Ka.
-I live in Morgantown, WV, so it can get hilly so I'd like something that's decent at off-axis detection and over/around hills.
-There's a decent amount of automatic doors so a RD with X-band mute or dimming would be preferred. Ideally I'd like to get something with GPS, but that's is way out of the budget.

I've done a decent amount of reading on the forums lately and have come to some choices that can be found within my budget as new or manufactured refurb.

-Whistler Pro-78se
From what I have read this RD excels in the Ka band area in therms of price/performance, coming close to that of much more advanced RDs, but is only average/acceptable in the K band. Good display and the LED periscopes are something that I consider a love/hate relationship. I usually listen to music and the LEDs would be a nice visual notification, but it also screams, "Oh hey there, I have a radar detector! Everyone follow meeeeee!!!"

-Bel V995
It seems like this is a pretty good all around detector with good reception in the K and Ka band, plus I can mute the X band which is a plus.

-Escort 8500 x50
Also, a good RD. I really like the multiple signal detection on this RD. I've read that the ramp up is good as well. Good I/O and audible alerts.

-Bel RX65
From what I have read, this is slightly a little bit better than the x50, but not at I/O.

So, I need some help deciding on which RD to get. From what I have read, the V995 is an RX65 without the USA option. The x50 and the RX65 have the same engine, but again the RX65 has USA mode...they all seem the same, are there really any big differences? I'm personally leaning towards the rx65 that I can get off of Belscorts eBay store. I honestly doubt I will be disappointed in any of the choices, but I'm still trying to squeeze the best out of my budget. Please if you have any additional suggestions and information please throw them up. Look forward to any help.

Thanks,
Mitch

[North Alabama]

Welcome to the forum. Did you search "Guys of Lidar" on the web? Good reading for info on RD testing. Without a top line RD, hilly country with I/O or a slow RD with C/O over-the-hill or around the curve (many more situations) is going to get you nailed if you all by yourself (the strongest and the fastest signal) or on the fastest display of the radar gun in traffic. Money is an object, but the payout of a ticket is much more (plus the insurance hike) so one needs the max range of the top end models to lessen the chance of getting caught. Depending on the way the driver drives, some drivers can use the best RD and still get caught for they think they are safe, nobody is. For a RD is just one tool and you need the best like the Redline or V1. Speeding is a chance and money game, pay now or pay big time later during the blue light dance......

[pilot_corey]

I agree with North Alabama. But, I totally understand your budget constraints. I owned an x50 and took it on many very long roadtrips and was never surprised by police radar. I'm sure if I had my V1 at the time I would have been alerted farther away, but the x50 did perform admirably considering I paid so little for it. There is a reason that detector has been rated so high for so long.

[Event Horizon]

I'd go for the RX65 S7 refurb. Very nice I/O reactivity in USA and range is close to the top detectors. I cannot say about the Whistler because I haven't used any but I read they are also good at Ka range/reactivity but mediocre with K as you mentioned. The X50, V995, and RX65 (newer model) all have the same M4 antenna but different features here and there.

[Hunter]

Welcome to the forum.I used to own an Rx65 and it was not bad.If you like and can wait a little,...my advice is to save some more money and get a redline or V1.

[TurboNerd]

I would avoid the Whistler.

The 995 is going to be your best value. But if you want a bit better performance and do not mind spending the money, I would stick with the 8500.

[BigMitch]

Well, I do like the idea of saving up for a V1 or a Redline, but I'm not that serious of a speeder. At most I'm going 15 over the PSL, average flow of traffic on the interstate around here is usually 10 over anyways. Plus, I've usually use a rabbit knowing that RDs don't make me invincible. I narrowed it down to the X50 or RX65, the X50 is no longer listed on Belscort's eBay site and I don't feel like spending $30 extra for blue LEDs, so I think I'm going with the RX65. Maybe once I graduate college next year and have a bit more cash to throw around, I'll dive in to the high end side of RDs. Thanks for the suggestions guys.

[Vette6893]

Based on your situation, I think you made a good decision.
Good luck

[BigMitch]

Well, now that I think of it....I'll just save a few more weeks and sell some stuff on Craigslist and get a V1.

[speeddemon]

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