Bel RX55 Vs Escort 8500 (Not X50)

**Fl00d_pr0z** · 02-25-2006, 12:12 PM

I've had my Escort 8500 for some time now and have had pretty good luck with it. Just last night while driving down to my beach house it started going off on KA band. I slowed down to the speed limit and two big trucks passed me going in the other direction, I thought it might be them at first. As we got further apart it was still going off but getting a bit stronger... Finally about 2 more miles down there road there's a local cop clocking right as the speed dropped to 35. But anyway, on to the question.
I've been looking to purchase another unit recently with "POP" even though I know that's not used widely but I still wanted a new toy. I just purchased the Bel RX55 online and I was wondering if I made a good decision, if this unit is an upgrade to the 8500. I didn't want to spend the money on RX65. I've been looking at Bel because of the unit size. With my 8500 in my truck it bouces often due to the length I assume. Any information would be great.

Oh, I saw the comparison sheet for all the detectors and saw that the RX55 wasn't much worse as far as performace went compared to the X50 and the RX65 but the plain 8500 wasn't listed so I'm kinda in the dark.
Thanks, Anthony

**amoney** · 02-25-2006, 12:28 PM

Originally Posted by Fl00d_pr0z

Finally about 2 more miles down there road there's a local cop clocking right as the speed dropped to 35

With that kind of performace, anything else is going to suck. Over in this thread (surprising to me) they did not hold much good reviews for the rx55. The one thing that we have come to learn is that RD performace can vary from one to the next, so perhaps that is the delemma here.

http://www.radardetector.net/Bel-vec...X-55-8535t.php

**AirMoore** · 02-25-2006, 12:32 PM

Well I dont know a ton about the RX55 but I would not have bought a new unit (just) because it is pop capable... especially with how good of Ka range you got on the 8500 (The total number of pop units used in the US is estimated at a fraction of 1%).

Anycase I would say try out the RX55 if not return it (hopefully you bought it from an authorised dealer w/return policy). Roy gave the unit 4 badges, so it is probably decent id say.

Your 8500 probably bounces all around on the windsheild because it isnt mounted correctly. The rear of the detector should rest gentley upon the glass of your winshield... this stops the units from flopping up and down insane amounts over bumps (like you said due to its length front to back). If you need to you can bend the bracket to make it level and rest perfectly across the windsheild (be careful not to break it)

**Fl00d_pr0z** · 02-25-2006, 12:35 PM

I did not purchase it only due to the "POP" feature as I stated above, I know it's not used widely, also the future will surely bring more of this I'm sure.. Also, my 8500 is mounted correctly but it still boucnes all over when.

Do you (whoever) not expect the RX55 to perform atleast equal to the 8500 ?

**amoney** · 02-25-2006, 01:05 PM

Originally Posted by Fl00d_pr0z

I did not purchase it only due to the "POP" feature as I stated above, I know it's not used widely, also the future will surely bring more of this I'm sure.. Also, my 8500 is mounted correctly but it still boucnes all over when.

Do you (whoever) not expect the RX55 to perform atleast equal to the 8500 ?

Crap, I only got one time up to 2 mile Ka warning on a perfect flat stretch of road with my old bell, I think it was a mile and a half and that was with Ka wide mode. Ka narrow could have made it a solid 2 mile detection. I witnessed a car once slammed on their brakes which seem forever before I then got a alert, hence I then believed the wild tails of others getting freak performance. If your detector regularly has this level of performance, then I believe you may have a hard time getting as good of performace. Like I say, over 2 miles Ka range is fantastic.

**Fl00d_pr0z** · 02-25-2006, 01:07 PM

Nah, this was actually the first time I've got a rage of that far before. I'm just wondering if I'm going to see a decrease in any performance. :?

**amoney** · 02-25-2006, 01:13 PM

Originally Posted by Fl00d_pr0z

Nah, this was actually the first time I've got a rage of that far before. I'm just wondering if I'm going to see a decrease in any performance. :?

Then probably not. That is some pretty high expectations to meet. I would think that it would be a decent performer, others came away not likeing it but you always hear the bad, who knows how many people out in the world love the rx55. You would be a perfect evaluation candidate, so let us know.

**Fl00d_pr0z** · 02-25-2006, 01:27 PM

Yeah, that's the problem with forums. Most of the time you have people that join to complain about something. I should receive it around Wed. of next week so we'll see

**amoney** · 02-25-2006, 02:33 PM

About your 8500 bouncing around, my 985 bounces a little, I found my solution to be, just so happens lucky me, that I position my RD high and to the right side of my rear view mirror, the RD rest nicely against the side of the rear view mirror, and the mirror is adjusted for me, I am very tall so if anyone else uses my car they can adjust it with out it pushing on the RD actually it then hangs free. I can toggle it up for night driving if I need to. It just works out perfectly. I hate it boucing even a little.

**blazeee** · 02-25-2006, 05:19 PM

ive used the rx55 for more than a year now, and i love it. i get great range on k band, and pretty good range on ka. with the falses, yeah i get falses but im sure all the other higher end detectors would false at the same time as well. with laser, ive only been shot 2 or 3 times with it but its picked it up every single time.