Well i need a radar detector.

Okay im 17 and wanna get a radar detector because i have a heavy foot and cant really afford a ticket. Right now I have about 280 to spend, but i can save up more. It will be used for mosly highway driving ( i drive about 50 miles on I-40 every day), and some backroads. i dont really speed in the city. I know the more you spend, the better the detector but i really dont know what to do. for my driving will a v1 really be that much better than a x50 or rx65, and would those be that much better than a whistler pro78? Id really like to spend as little as possible, but I want to get a good detector that i will be satisfied with. What would you get? Is the v1 really that good on the highway? Ive found a rx65 for 240 shipped, x50 for 300 shipped, and the pro 78 for 140 shipped

Do you mean the X50 blue?

Do not buy a detector from fleabay or amazon unless it is a truly amazing deal. In that case you don't mind spending $60.00 for Belscort to tune it up.

You can get a brand new V1 for $350.00 from V1 but you will have to wait about 3 weeks (returned units, but brand new).

I have used both the RX65 and X50 and they both give similar range. Good units, but really poor design as the buttons are on top making it hard to operate when it is mounted high.

The whistler is a descent unit, but we tested it against same directional Ka band and the detection was very poor compared to a top Bell, Escort or V1.

I would go with a V1, you will truly love it. Try it for 30 days and if you don't feel it is right for you, then return to V1.

V1 has laser detection that can save you from a ticket, well the Belscorts do not have such good laser detection.

Best of luck and welcome to the forum.

Hello,

My picks are:

V1 , STI or the 8500 x50 (what ever color).

Have fun picking one out, either one you'll get a great detector. Each has it's pro's and cons. Everyone has their favorites (V1 for me) and you'll get a ear full from most of us. :wink:

Take care,

Spin

V1
8500
MPH K55
Kustom Hawk
Kustom Golden Eagle
Targetron K
Stalker ATR

I would not say it would save you from a laser ticket.

But I would recommend trying the V1 out for 30 days. I believe you can try out the X50 and RX65 if you buy them from Escort/Beltronics.

If you are looking for a budget detector, you could try the Bel V940.


Check here for results.

First off, the very best source of the most reliable info on all RDs is:

http://www.guysoflidar.com/

Check it out (also there is a special GOL discussion section on this forum) and chose for yourself the one that suits you best... Unless you plan on driving in VA (but I40 runs from NC, a state that borders VA, all the way to Los Angeles) you do not need the STI, a very very good RD but also the most expensive (the only one stealth), and I realized you're not a trucker (you can't be at 17 years old :wink: )

But my strong advice, as you are very young, just 17, so not much driving experience, LEARN, LEARN and LEARN again to drive, gain lots of driving experience b/c ultimately is YOUR life that is pretty much at stake... I for instance have 24 years and about 700K miles driving experience on all roads and traffic conditions, snow, heavy rain, black ice (I'll never forget a shortcut I took in Arkansas in the winter of '01-'02, somewhere thru the woods, up/down hills and black ice every 2nd mile)...
Best of luck in choosing the right RD and drive very careful :) :wink:

I agree on the learning thru experience and such. As far an rd to go w/ for what you have saved up, either the X50,Bel 995, Bel 955 or a Whistler Pro 78/690. Hope you enjoy whatever you get and be safe out there.

I've owned a few radar detectors. A cheap $30 whistler de1730, an escort 7500s, x50, and now v940.

Unfortunately I can't speak for the v1, but I imagine it's everything you'd expect it to be. However that said, it is quite a bit of money.

That said, I really like the design of the x50. Sure some buttons are on top, but the design makes it a lot easier to manipulate than the bel series. The volume dial is great too. I've enjoyed the voltage readout and expert mode (where it can track multiple sources of radar at the same time)

However, the bel vector 940 is pretty much the same performance as the x50 according to gol tests. And for only around $140 (msrp of $170 or so I believe), it can't be beat.

The bel series are all really the same model (minus older models, rx55, and sti). The differences are in software. With the 940, you don't get voltage display, or threat mode (bel's weaker version of expert), city nox (lox is good enough), and some other features.

That said, v1 would definitely be a long haul detector. With the others, there's a good chance you're just going to eventually work up to the v1, so it's really your call, especially since you say you can pony up those extra dollars if it's really worth it. Versus, you could buy the 940 and have extra money to do what 17yearolds use money for, which is always good.

But either way, we all know what it's like to be 17. The most important part is to take it easy at first and learn the nuances of using a detector instead of just thinking you're invincible. I definitely got lucky a few times in the beginning.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RW'07

But my strong advice, as you are very young, just 17, so not much driving experience, LEARN, LEARN and LEARN again to drive, gain lots of driving experience b/c ultimately is YOUR life that is pretty much at stake... I for instance have 24 years and about 700K miles driving experience on all roads and traffic conditions, snow, heavy rain, black ice (I'll never forget a shortcut I took in Arkansas in the winter of '01-'02, somewhere thru the woods, up/down hills and black ice every 2nd mile)...
Best of luck in choosing the right RD and drive very careful :) :wink:

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x2 Get some experience, trust me, you're not ready to be doing 80 on a daily basis. just because the pedal can go down that far doesn't mean it's a good idea...

thanks a lot everyone!

Circuit City has the v940 on sale for 124.99! I will be buying it tomorrow

I am in the same spot as jdeaton, except I only have 150 to spend. What is the best bang for my buck? (I tried to search for this on the forums, but didn't find anything.)