Ultimate Radar Detector Review '05 - Bel, Escort, Valentine

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Originally Posted by 1990FordEscort

How come alot of people don't like the RX65 it seems like the best detector out their! How about the X50 do you think that's a better detector then the RX65? Most people on this website own the V1, I don't know why. I drove with a V1 one time in a Civic, I went down the street and the thing went off the whole time. It was so annoying I was thinking who would pay $400 for this! Then I thought maybe alot of people like the arrows but the arrows seem pointless because radar is in front of you most of the time. The rear antena seems good but how many cops really come from behind. If your going down the street and a cop is a mile away
it's should tell you radar ahead, then when you pass him for a second it should say radar on the sides and when your behind him it should say radar behind. In my opinion I think the arrows wouldn't make that much of a differance then a radar detector without them. Radar Roy's tests shows he likes the X50 the best then the RX65. If I had a choice of what detector to buy I would by the RX65 or the X50. Some tell me how the V1
is better other then the arrows!

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Most will agree the V1 has better sensitivity on radar and definitely laser. I'm an X50 owner and admit the V1 has better sensitivity with the V1's I've tested, but I'm not sure I would buy a V1 because it does false alot in my area. I live in Seattle and we have alot of radar sources, therefore for my environment the X50 is the better choice. If you live in a smaller town or drive on the highway alot I'd get an X50 or an RX65.

Chris

VERY well said Chris. City driving equals X50 or RX65, highway driving equals V1

I read the whole thing, and what it seems to boil down to is this:

The V1 is the absolute top performer, but it's not a good choice for casual users of a radar detector because it's more difficult to learn to interpret the information it provides.

The Veil Guy seems to like both the way the Bell looks and how the controls on the Bell are laid out better than how the V1 looks and how the V1's controlls are laid out. I guess he feels that the Bell's performance comes close enough to the V1's that he can make his decision based basically on looks and controls, and that's why he picked the Bell.

My opinion is this:

I plug in my V1 every time I get into my truck, so I'm not a casual user and maybe that's why I find the V1's information to be easy to assimilate and very useful; I love the arrows and bogey counter. I happen to prefer the distinctive, rugged no-nonsense look and build of the V1. I appreciate the V1's simple control layout and the large, easy-to-read display. I'll take performance, which according to the review the V1 has the best of, over looks any day anyway since looks won't prevent me from getting a ticket.

On top of that, the fact that the V1 is made in the USA means my purchase supported American manufacturing, and supporting American manufacturing is something I try to do wherever possible.

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but it's not a good choice for casual users of a radar detector because it's more difficult to learn to interpret the information it provides.

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No, the v1 just falses more...

I wish there was a way to disable the rear antenna on the V1 to show everbody that they probably false the same but the V1 has 2 eyes and everything else has one so the V1 does pick up more information (falses as some people call them) than others.

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V1 does pick up more information

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That is so sugar coating the word false :lol:

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Originally Posted by Sethy

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V1 does pick up more information

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That is so sugar coating the word false :lol:

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Totally but if i was a V1 owner thats how i'd respond...
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Correct me if I am wrong but the Rx65 performed perfectly in Bob's testing and did amazingly well on Ka range...however we all know that the V1 takes the cake on K-band and Laser

Actually, if you read the Veil Guy's review entirely. The detectors would sound off at the same time or each would slightly beat the other by a small amount but still enough time to slow down. There were occassions when the V1 was beaten in alerting to real police radar by the RX65 and X50 and vice versa. As for laser, the only alert sounded both the V1 and RX65 alerted at the same time from a 1000ft away.

I did read his entire review.

I based my comments on his conclusions, and in his conclusions The Veil Guy says:

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If your looking for the maximum sensitivity [particularly with laser] and are willing to tolerate a noticeable increase of K-band "falsing" rates - with this particular version - and/or require directional information about the radar source, then the Valentine One still stands alone. In our opinion, Valentines aren't really designed for the casual radar detector user - requiring more involvement from its owner to interpret its behavior.

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And to sum up his choice of the Bell:

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We think Beltronics has struck a wonderful balance between absolute performance, ergonomic friendliness, and "fresh" packaging.

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So I don't think I've misread anything; I referenced his conclusions when I posted my take on the review. Sorry I didn't make that more clear.

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Originally Posted by Sethy

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V1 does pick up more information

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That is so sugar coating the word false :lol:

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He he he.... Sethy :lol: 8)