Beltronics vector 955 or Escort Passport 8500 x50

[coolkidd123]

Which one should i buy? Which one is better? According to latest GOL test results, the Beltronics vector 955 comes pretty close and even better than the escort passport 8500 x50 in some tests. Is it really worth spending an extra $120 to buy an escort or am i fine with a beltronics vector 955?

[ELVATO]

They are both basically the same company. As you've said in other threads, your budget is limited. Just go with the V955, especially if you don't have Ka. I'm saying this because many X50 users (myself included) like using the Spec mode to distinguish real Ka alerts from Cobras leakage. But, from what i was able to gather, Pennsylvania doesn't use Ka?

Either way, you'll be better off with the V955 money-wise.

[coolkidd123]

im not from pennsylvania. im from new jersey, do nj cops use ka?

[happya$$]

The 955 is an RX65 minus the features

[Orbital75]

If you want to spend the extra money for the features the X50 is your detector. The 955 is a good buy though. You can't go wrong with either one.

I'd say if you want to budget your cash get the 955

[asianfire]

Well, here is the thing....if you are like me, you will buy the cheaper one, and then get bored and want the more expensive one cause it has more options. So you get the cheaper one, be happy for awhile and then end up buying the more expensive one. Therefore, you spent a lot more money. But I still haven't learned the lesson yet...lol

[coolkidd123]

thats a pretty accurate description of my problem

[maxima lover]

Well, here is the thing....if you are like me, you will buy the cheaper one, and then get bored and want the more expensive one cause it has more options. So you get the cheaper one, be happy for awhile and then end up buying the more expensive one. Therefore, you spent a lot more money. But I still haven't learned the lesson yet...lol

HAHA, That's the situation I find myself in now. I love how my Bel 945 detects, but I want more stuff to play with and is why I'm thinking about getting a new detector with more features.

Of course, after 3 laser traps in 2 days, I better get a jammer first...

[coolkidd123]

when i try to buy something, i always think about it too much. one of the reasons for this is because i dont have a lot of money, therefore when i buy something, i gotta keep it for a while. my decision is very tough because i seem to be thinking both ways. this is how my logic goes...the bel v955 is one of the best detectors for that price according to GOL tests and reviews by other people. however, then i think but why not spend an extra $100 or so and get one of the best radar detectors out there. but then i think is it really needed to spend that extra $100 because the beltronics seems fine and im not a real big speeder or anything just 10-15 over the PSL. then i think but see i should just buy something really good and use it a couple of years or so and buy the escort. My mind keeps racing back and forth, this always happens to me.

[ELVATO]

im not from pennsylvania. im from new jersey, do nj cops use ka?

Ah, sorry, I mistook you for someone else :P

New Jersey - X, K, Laser, KA, Unmarked cars

To save you the trouble, here's a list what what they use by town. Maybe one of these pertains specifically to you.

New Jersey (thanks yemntftb, midd, vasmir, UpandDown, TrooNorth)

State Troopers: Laser, X (instant and constant-on MPH K-55)
Port Authority Police ( jurisdiction in NY, NJ ): Ka.

- Atlantic County:
Absecon - Ka
Brigantine - X, K

- Bergen County
Bergen County Sheriff X
Franklin Lakes Police Ka
Mahwah Police K, Ka - 287 - Exit 54 Speed Traps
Oakland Police Instant-On K
Ramsey Police Ka/K/X
Wyckoff Police K

- Burlington County
Evesham Township: X
Florence Police X (Instant On)
Moorestown Police Ka
Roebling Police X

- Camden County
Atco Police Ka
Cherry Hill Police X/K, Possibly Ka (Not 100%, I did recieve a low alert and it was not a false)
Gibbsboro Police K
Haddon Township Police Ka/K
Voorhees Police Ka/K/X

- Cape May County
Ocean City Police Ka/K
Somers Point Police X

- Cumberland County
Bridgeton Police X
Cumberlabd County Sheriff X
Millville Police K
Pitman Police Ka
Vineland Police X some traffic division have K, Ka
Wildwood Police Ka

- Gloucester County
Belmawr: Ka
Washington Township X
Woolwich Township: Ka

- Hudson County
Jersey City: Ka

- Hunterdon County
Clinton Police Ka (A&P is the K-signal)
Clinton Twp Police K, Ka and IIRC X
High Bridge Police K, infrequent Ka
Rt. 513 (Lebanon) K
Readington Police X, Ka
Long Valley Police Instant-on K (these guys are queeksdraws) Includes parts of Tewksbury.
- Rt 31 K, Ka, X very adept at hiding under constant X signal south of Glen Gardner, mostly at night, probably for DUI.

- Mercer County
Ewing Police Instant-On X, Ka
TCNJ Campus Police Ka

- Morris County
Chatham Police Instant on K, X rear+forward mounted
Chatham Twp Police X, K
Chester Police K, Instant-on X
Chester Twp Police Const. X
Florham Park Police Constant/Instant On X
Hanover Twp Police Instant on Ka
Harding Twp Police Instant on K, Const. X
Madison Police Cont. K, Ka
Mendham Police K
Mendham Twp Police Cont. Ka Dual Antenna, (no more X band)
Millburn Twp Police ? Ka/K instant on/UNCONFIRMED source
Morris County Park Police Cont. X, K
Morristown Police Ka, Instant on K


- Monmouth County
Asbury Park, X
Deal Police X
Fort Monmouth Police Ka
Garden State Parkway (NJSP) X, instant on x, Laser (Ultralyte)
Holmdel Twp Police X/K
Long Branch Police ka
Manasquan Police Ka
Middletown Police X
Monmouth beach K/Ka, instant on KA
Ocean Port Police X, instant on X
Runson Police K and rolling instant on K band
Sandy Hook Police Ka
Sea Bright Police X/K

- Ocean County
Brick - X (K-55), K, Ka
Wall - X, K, Ka

- Somerset County
Bedminster Twp Police Cont. K and X
Bernards Twp Police X instant on, Laser [Ultralyte]
Bernardsville Police Ka equipted cruisers/X equipped SUV
Far Hills Police - Instant on Ka use on 202
Franklin Township - X, K, Ka
Peapack Police Ka Dual Antenna - *RT 206 speed traps*

- Sussex County
Newton Police K
Sparta Police Ka, Dual Antenna (only encountered constant though...wierd)

- Union County
Kenilworth Ka

[nascar]

NJ uses everything. Everyday is a new adventure. :D

[coolkidd123]

when i try to buy something, i always think about it too much. one of the reasons for this is because i dont have a lot of money, therefore when i buy something, i gotta keep it for a while. my decision is very tough because i seem to be thinking both ways. this is how my logic goes...the bel v955 is one of the best detectors for that price according to GOL tests and reviews by other people. however, then i think but why not spend an extra $100 or so and get one of the best radar detectors out there. but then i think is it really needed to spend that extra $100 because the beltronics seems fine and im not a real big speeder or anything just 10-15 over the PSL. then i think but see i should just buy something really good and use it a couple of years or so and buy the escort. My mind keeps racing back and forth, this always happens to me.

what should i do?

[nascar]

Look here:

http://www.guysoflidar.com/march-2007/radar-detector-test.html

Then, buy here:

http://www.radarbusters.com/products/radar-detectors/default.asp

:wink:

[ELVATO]

when i try to buy something, i always think about it too much. one of the reasons for this is because i dont have a lot of money, therefore when i buy something, i gotta keep it for a while. my decision is very tough because i seem to be thinking both ways. this is how my logic goes...the bel v955 is one of the best detectors for that price according to GOL tests and reviews by other people. however, then i think but why not spend an extra $100 or so and get one of the best radar detectors out there. but then i think is it really needed to spend that extra $100 because the beltronics seems fine and im not a real big speeder or anything just 10-15 over the PSL. then i think but see i should just buy something really good and use it a couple of years or so and buy the escort. My mind keeps racing back and forth, this always happens to me.

what should i do?

That is the question. :) Personally, I would just get the V955, and save the 100(actually more like 120ish) dollars for a possible laser jammer purcahse in the future ;)

[nautica2o3]

Well, here is the thing....if you are like me, you will buy the cheaper one, and then get bored and want the more expensive one cause it has more options. So you get the cheaper one, be happy for awhile and then end up buying the more expensive one. Therefore, you spent a lot more money. But I still haven't learned the lesson yet...lol

Haha, I went from two Cobra XRS9500s, to two Bel 795s, to a X50 and a Bel895 all within a month. The Cobras were an impulse buy on a great deal which then sucked me into the world of radar detectors. Now I'm contemplating buying an STI or V1 this summer.

Get the best one you can afford, the X50. It's a $120 difference, which is really just 3 tanks of gas these days.

[coolkidd123]

yea i think i made up my mind now. i think ill buy the escort 8500 x50. its better than buying the bel vector 955 and then buying the escort 8500 x50 because thats just a waste of more money. thanks for your help guys.

[coolkidd123]

there is still one question i have though. why were there two escort 8500 x50s in the latest GOL test? why did one perform better than the other?

[Event Horizon]

there is still one question i have though. why were there two escort 8500 x50s in the latest GOL test? why did one perform better than the other?

probably unit variation. I think that no two units perform identically.

[ELVATO]

there is still one question i have though. why were there two escort 8500 x50s in the latest GOL test? why did one perform better than the other?

probably unit variation. I think that no two units perform identically.

Yea, unit variation. Sometimes people get "freak" units that do excellent, even when their expected performance should be lower.