Real World V1 78SE STi 690 X50 9500i Test

Well, I found a 34.7 speed sign today, so I went back tonight with the following:

V1 - 3.817 Pop1
Pro78SE - Just received it back from Michael B. for a "checkup"
STi Driver - Date code 3408-never sent in for ramp up fix yet
XTR690 - Just upgraded by Michael B. to a Rev C from A
8500 X50 - Rev 5 S7
9500i - Date code 2907
XTR260 - Just for fun (not really, read on)

The setting was on Interstate 79 outside Fairmont, WV. The 34.7 speed sign is set up facing the Southbound lanes. It is at the top of a hill, as you approach it you make a gradual right hand turn descending, then ascend toward the speed sign. I was surprised at the results.

This was a real-world test as I don't own any radar guns. Yes there was traffic, yes there were more cars on some runs than others, although when I encountered a big truck I would wait for it to pass before proceeding.

The first number is APPROACHING the sign, the second number is going Northbound (AWAY) with a concrete divider between the lanes. I could not see the sign going Northbound, so the number is the total number (in tenths) of alert, I don't know how much before the sign or how much after (it was around midnight). All measurements are in tenths of a mile.

........................TOWARD..................... AWAY
Valentine 1........... .6 ............................ .7
Pro78SE................ .6 ............................ .4
STi Driver............... .6 ........................... .8
XTR-690................. .6 ........................... .6
8500 X50.............. .55 .......................... .5
9500i.................... .55 ........................... .7
XTR-260................. .5 ........................... .4 (<---All alerts were LASER, not Ka:confused:)
XTR-695................ .55 ......................... .5

EDIT- Finally got my new XTR-695, made a run there and put the results in the graph.

Nice. It must be fun doing these real world tests.

nice test, all were very close too.

Thanks bigalinwv for you tests. I think I saw that ka band speed sign because I came thru there last Friday. Too bad we couldn't meet up. I was on I-79 until route 50 and took that east all the way to I-81 in Virginia. Remember, Capon Bridge West Virginia still uses x band. I did see a couple of West Virginia cops while I was in Morgantown. Do you live in/around Fairmont WV?

I live outside Clarksburg.

See my edit to the post above, I finally got my XTR-695 today and couldn't wait.:D

Nice test good Job ! What is your take on the new SE platform?

I really enjoy my 78se...So much so I sold my V1 because the 78se fits more my style because most of my driving is in metropolitan areas and everything is usually C/O.....Less Noise....Great Range so far!!!

Just a note to anyone who is confused the measurements would be in MILES, not TENTHS of a mile.. not to get on the 'Verizon can't do math' subject, but if you put a '.' in front of a number it automatically makes it a tenth, and I doubt these RD's were doing 6/10ths OF 1/10th of a mile going towards the sign:D

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Originally Posted by Lucky225

Just a note to anyone who is confused the measurements would be in MILES, not TENTHS of a mile.. not to get on the 'Verizon can't do math' subject, but if you put a '.' in front of a number it automatically makes it a tenth, and I doubt these RD's were doing 6/10ths OF 1/10th of a mile going towards the sign:D

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6 mile detection from a Pro78se.....WOW!!!!!

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Originally Posted by Blinder-Guy

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Originally Posted by Lucky225

Just a note to anyone who is confused the measurements would be in MILES, not TENTHS of a mile.. not to get on the 'Verizon can't do math' subject, but if you put a '.' in front of a number it automatically makes it a tenth, and I doubt these RD's were doing 6/10ths OF 1/10th of a mile going towards the sign:D

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6 mile detection from a Pro78se.....WOW!!!!!

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He put a . in front of the 6, it automatically MAKES IT 6/10ths of a mile, claiming that the measurements are *IN* tenths of a mile would mean it's .6 TENTHS of a mile, or 0.06 MILES instead of 0.6 miles.

Yes, the most detection obtained was 6/10 of a mile, sorry for the confusion. Give me a break, I'm from WV, you're lucky I can spell!

Anyway, couldn't resist, I went to a known K band false, the front door of my kids' school. It's a K band transmitter. As you approach it from the highway from far away the school is in a straight line from you, as you get closer, the road goes to the left.

I took the same detectors as last night, with the exception that I substituted an XTR-255 for the XTR-260 that wasn't working properly. (By the way, Michael B PMed me and wants to take care of the 260, how many manufacturers will do that??)


V1/8500 X50/STi Driver..............First..........1700 feet detection
Passport 9500i..........................Second......1500 feet detection
Pro78SE....................................Third.. ........1400 feet detection
XTR-695....................................Fourth..... ...1240 feet detection
XTR-690....................................Fifth...... .....1180 feet detection
XTR-255....................................Sixth...... ....1170 feet detection

By the way, the V1 can detect the K band while in the other lane driving away from it in the rear antenna, freaking awesome!


The box of doom:
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3.../boxoradar.jpg

Nice..I appreciate all your time. Does the 78 SE have a all blue lense cover?

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Originally Posted by Jag42

Nice..I appreciate all your time. Does the 78 SE have a all blue lense cover?

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Yes it's Blue..That is my favorite part..It is so easy to read in all light conditions and if you look at his results the 78se didn't to bad compared to others. I kept saying the 78se was compared to my 9500i and his test shows its not far off.....100ft...That's nothing in my opinion...I can live with that.

Yes, the 78SE lens is blue. I find it very readable, unlike the RX65 Blue, which was totally unreadable in daylight conditions for me. I have only owned the XTR-695 for a day now, and I already don't like the display, I swear the 690 is MORE readable than the 695.

So far, I'm not sure about the chatter of the 34.7 detection, mine seems fine. I mostly did the first test because I was trying to figure out the 34.7 question for myself. I don't see a problem.

I was pretty surprised at the 78SE K band detection. After 27 years of driving with detectors, I pegged it's K band sensitivity at between 105-107 dbms. Just my educated guess. Maybe I'm wrong.

Shock of all shocks was the lowly XTR-255 coming in only 10 feet less than the 690, I would not have seen that coming.

(I am sad to say, though, I think I'm going to finally get rid of my S7 X50, it's been a dandy, but I'm just tiring of it and rarely use it. It seems like part of the family.:( For me, it's mostly the alert tones, they have soooo much treble to them and no bass, that it's irritating to me. The Whistlers, 9500 series, and V1 all have more bassy, pleasant tones to me.)

Clarksburg huh. I wasn't too far from there when I got onto route 50 heading Eastbound. I did stop at a gas station just east of I-79 on route 50 to get fuel though. Too think I was this close to you, upsets me but maybe someday we'll hook up.

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Originally Posted by bigalinwv

Well, I found a 34.7 speed sign today, so I went back tonight with the following:

V1 - 3.817 Pop1
Pro78SE - Just received it back from Michael B. for a "checkup"
STi Driver - Date code 3408-never sent in for ramp up fix yet
XTR690 - Just upgraded by Michael B. to a Rev C from A
8500 X50 - Rev 5 S7
9500i - Date code 2907
XTR260 - Just for fun (not really, read on)

The setting was on Interstate 79 outside Fairmont, WV. The 34.7 speed sign is set up facing the Southbound lanes. It is at the top of a hill, as you approach it you make a gradual right hand turn descending, then ascend toward the speed sign. I was surprised at the results.

This was a real-world test as I don't own any radar guns. Yes there was traffic, yes there were more cars on some runs than others, although when I encountered a big truck I would wait for it to pass before proceeding.

The first number is APPROACHING the sign, the second number is going Northbound (AWAY) with a concrete divider between the lanes. I could not see the sign going Northbound, so the number is the total number (in tenths) of alert, I don't know how much before the sign or how much after (it was around midnight). All measurements are in tenths of a mile.

........................TOWARD..................... AWAY
Valentine 1........... .6 ............................ .7
Pro78SE................ .6 ............................ .4
STi Driver............... .6 ........................... .8
XTR-690................. .6 ........................... .6
8500 X50.............. .55 .......................... .5
9500i.................... .55 ........................... .7
XTR-260................. .5 ........................... .4 (<---All alerts were LASER, not Ka:confused:)
XTR-695................ .55 ......................... .5

EDIT- Finally got my new XTR-695, made a run there and put the results in the graph.

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Just a reminder........

Please note that the STi and 9500i have a delay alert as shown in the test result. That will invalidate your away distance and also depends on your speed of travel. If the speed differs from one of the other tests, that will also invalidate your away test results.

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Originally Posted by bigalinwv

The box of doom:
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3.../boxoradar.jpg

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Sweet collection of RD's.

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Originally Posted by KnightHawk

Just a reminder........

Please note that the STi and 9500i have a delay alert as shown in the test result. That will invalidate your away distance and also depends on your speed of travel. If the speed differs from one of the other tests, that will also invalidate your away test results.

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I disagree. I don't think the factors that might come onto play for any certain RD, invalidate anything about these test results. bigalinwv just recorded what he got. I personally don't think its up to bigalinwv to interpret the data for those reading it, but rather I feel it's up to those reading this data, to extrapolate whatever they might find useful from his test results. Just my opinion.

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Originally Posted by proudNMAmember

Clarksburg huh. I wasn't too far from there when I got onto route 50 heading Eastbound. I did stop at a gas station just east of I-79 on route 50 to get fuel though. Too think I was this close to you, upsets me but maybe someday we'll hook up.

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PM me when you're in the area.

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Please note that the STi and 9500i have a delay alert as shown in the test result. That will invalidate your away distance and also depends on your speed of travel. If the speed differs from one of the other tests, that will also invalidate your away test results.

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Invalidate them? This is a real-world test, the detectors were all used as you would use them in your car.

As far as your statement above, the STi has a delay, but the DISPLAY changes BEFORE the audio kicks in. I measured from the change in DISPLAY. I, frankly, find it ridiculous that a $500 RD has so many quirks, it's really not my cup of tea. Furthermore, your statement would imply that the STi somehow wasn't given enough distance, yet it was tied at #1 coming toward the 34.7, and way in front #1 going away, so I don't understand your comment.

I understand dj. That is why I had to put a reminder. There is close to 10 sec delay alert with the STi and 9500i that would translate to increase distance after the last signal is detected when going away from the source. I may have type it wrong and my grammar is not that good.

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Originally Posted by bigalinwv

Quote:

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Please note that the STi and 9500i have a delay alert as shown in the test result. That will invalidate your away distance and also depends on your speed of travel. If the speed differs from one of the other tests, that will also invalidate your away test results.

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Invalidate them? This is a real-world test, the detectors were all used as you would use them in your car.

As far as your statement above, the STi has a delay, but the DISPLAY changes BEFORE the audio kicks in. I measured from the change in DISPLAY. I, frankly, find it ridiculous that a $500 RD has so many quirks, it's really not my cup of tea. Furthermore, your statement would imply that the STi somehow wasn't given enough distance, yet it was tied at #1 coming toward the 34.7, and way in front #1 going away, so I don't understand your comment.

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Please excuse my typo. I may have not made it clear. When the STi and 9500i picks the last signal, both units continue to alert with no actual radar source. It would translate to a longer distance when going away from the source because it keeps alerting for a few seconds after the fact. That's what I'm trying to point out.

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Originally Posted by KnightHawk

I understand dj. That is why I had to put a reminder. There is close to 10 sec delay alert with the STi and 9500i that would translate to increase distance after the last signal is detected when going away from the source. I may have type it wrong and my grammar is not that good.

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Oh, ok, I understand now. I will absolutely confirm for you that the STi DOES hold a signal longer than the V1. I have driven with both of them on (I know, I know:mad:) and the STi always stays on long after the V1 stops alerting.

I can't, however, confirm that on the 9500i. IF it is true, it is NO WHERE near as long a hold then the STi. Again, this is just based on many thousands of miles using every detector known to man except the 9500ix.

Either way, I would peg the longer alert hold on the STi at about 4-5 seconds, no where near 10 seconds. Just my educated guess.

(One more bit of info, my speed going toward the 34.7 or away would not have any affect at all on the distances I measured. The detections were in distance, not time. I stayed close to the PSL both ways anyway, but I'm pretty sure that shouldn't affect the distance of alert. Maybe some technical wizard could chime in here, but my last college math course (20 years ago) would have taught me different.)

I have seen what bigalinwv is talking about on the Bel STi. It alerting on the display before it starts giving audio isn't uncommon but I think it got better w/ the ramp up fix. Since I have 3 Bel STi's, I guess I will have to test this to see what I come up w/. Two of my STi's have the new ramp up and one of them has the old ramp up. The one w/ the old ramp up only cost me $150 so I was kind of forced to buy it at that price.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bigalinwv

(One more bit of info, my speed going toward the 34.7 or away would not have any affect at all on the distances I measured. The detections were in distance, not time. I stayed close to the PSL both ways anyway, but I'm pretty sure that shouldn't affect the distance of alert. Maybe some technical wizard could chime in here, but my last college math course (20 years ago) would have taught me different.)

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I believe there is a factor when there are speed variations during the test.

Example:

Test 1. Time from source to end of alert is 15 sec. with speed of 55 mph.
Test 2. Time from source to end of alert is 15 sec. with speed of 60 mph.
Test 3. Time from source to end of alert is 15 sec. with speed of 65 mph.

Distance difference:

Test 1 will result to 0.229 miles
Test 2 will result to 0.249 miles
Test 3 will result to 0.271 miles

You can check it here (distance calculated by speed and time) and make sure you select the right units in mph.
Time, Speed and Distance Calculator

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Originally Posted by KnightHawk

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bigalinwv

(One more bit of info, my speed going toward the 34.7 or away would not have any affect at all on the distances I measured. The detections were in distance, not time. I stayed close to the PSL both ways anyway, but I'm pretty sure that shouldn't affect the distance of alert. Maybe some technical wizard could chime in here, but my last college math course (20 years ago) would have taught me different.)

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I believe there is a factor when there are speed variations during the test.

Example:

Test 1. Time from source to end of alert is 15 sec. with speed of 55 mph.
Test 2. Time from source to end of alert is 15 sec. with speed of 60 mph.
Test 3. Time from source to end of alert is 15 sec. with speed of 65 mph.

Distance difference:

Test 1 will result to 0.229 miles
Test 2 will result to 0.249 miles
Test 3 will result to 0.271 miles

You can check it here (distance calculated by speed and time) and make sure you select the right units in mph.
Time, Speed and Distance Calculator

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I still think you're way off here. I did not use any TIME measurement, so my SPEED is inconsequential. Anyway, take my tests for what they're worth. Maybe a lot, maybe a little, but is fun trying.:D

Don't get me wrong. I'm just saying that if there were any difference with speed each time you test it, the distance traveled will make a difference. The example about the 55, 60 and 65mph I gave was based on a single test sample. The time was an example of which it took 15 sec from the source to the time it stopped alerting as you were going away from the source. Of course you were not paying attention to the time because you were paying attention to the distance. I'm not disputing your results. I'm just saying that if there were any speed difference of at least 5 mph with each test, there will be some difference with the distance traveled within 15 sec.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bigalinwv

Yes, the most detection obtained was 6/10 of a mile, sorry for the confusion. Give me a break, I'm from WV, you're lucky I can spell!

Anyway, couldn't resist, I went to a known K band false, the front door of my kids' school. It's a K band transmitter. As you approach it from the highway from far away the school is in a straight line from you, as you get closer, the road goes to the left.

I took the same detectors as last night, with the exception that I substituted an XTR-255 for the XTR-260 that wasn't working properly. (By the way, Michael B PMed me and wants to take care of the 260, how many manufacturers will do that??)


V1/8500 X50/STi Driver..............First..........1700 feet detection
Passport 9500i..........................Second......1500 feet detection
Pro78SE....................................Third.. ........1400 feet detection
XTR-695....................................Fourth..... ...1240 feet detection
XTR-690....................................Fifth...... .....1180 feet detection
XTR-255....................................Sixth...... ....1170 feet detection

By the way, the V1 can detect the K band while in the other lane driving away from it in the rear antenna, freaking awesome!


The box of doom:
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3.../boxoradar.jpg

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I can't believe that the x50 has the same detection as the v1 and sti. I have heard good things about the rev 5. I know my m4 would not be that close.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by milkman

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bigalinwv

Yes, the most detection obtained was 6/10 of a mile, sorry for the confusion. Give me a break, I'm from WV, you're lucky I can spell!

Anyway, couldn't resist, I went to a known K band false, the front door of my kids' school. It's a K band transmitter. As you approach it from the highway from far away the school is in a straight line from you, as you get closer, the road goes to the left.

I took the same detectors as last night, with the exception that I substituted an XTR-255 for the XTR-260 that wasn't working properly. (By the way, Michael B PMed me and wants to take care of the 260, how many manufacturers will do that??)


V1/8500 X50/STi Driver..............First..........1700 feet detection
Passport 9500i..........................Second......1500 feet detection
Pro78SE....................................Third.. ........1400 feet detection
XTR-695....................................Fourth..... ...1240 feet detection
XTR-690....................................Fifth...... .....1180 feet detection
XTR-255....................................Sixth...... ....1170 feet detection

By the way, the V1 can detect the K band while in the other lane driving away from it in the rear antenna, freaking awesome!


The box of doom:
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3.../boxoradar.jpg

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I can't believe that the x50 has the same detection as the v1 and sti. I have heard good things about the rev 5. I know my m4 would not be that close.

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Just remember, this is ONE test. Every radar encounter is different. The 9500i is M4 based.....

Nice test! Thanks for taking the time to post the results and do the testing. Since the results are close across the board I would guess terrain is blocking the signal from the sign. Is the sign over a hill, around a bend or on a long flat section of road? I would bet you are coming onto a straight away from a bend at the .60 mile mark or over a rise etc. This duplicates alot of my encounters in the real world, where based on terrain, no matter what rd I have running I would get about the same results. Cool Thanks for sharing.

edit.. missed this first time


The setting was on Interstate 79 outside Fairmont, WV. The 34.7 speed sign is set up facing the Southbound lanes. It is at the top of a hill, as you approach it you make a gradual right hand turn descending, then ascend toward the speed sign. I was surprised at the results.

At the point you make the gradual right hand turn, is this where the units started to alert?

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Originally Posted by Freebird

Nice test! Thanks for taking the time to post the results and do the testing. Since the results are close across the board I would guess terrain is blocking the signal from the sign. Is the sign over a hill, around a bend or on a long flat section of road? I would bet you are coming onto a straight away from a bend at the .60 mile mark or over a rise etc. This duplicates alot of my encounters in the real world, where based on terrain, no matter what rd I have running I would get about the same results. Cool Thanks for sharing.

edit.. missed this first time


The setting was on Interstate 79 outside Fairmont, WV. The 34.7 speed sign is set up facing the Southbound lanes. It is at the top of a hill, as you approach it you make a gradual right hand turn descending, then ascend toward the speed sign. I was surprised at the results.

At the point you make the gradual right hand turn, is this where the units started to alert?

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Yes. Even though a lot of people would dismiss this test because the results are so close, I found it interesting that in a real world scenario, the playing field is completely level. In other words, the V1/STi being more "lab sensitive" did NOT translate into advanced warning time.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bigalinwv

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Freebird

Nice test! Thanks for taking the time to post the results and do the testing. Since the results are close across the board I would guess terrain is blocking the signal from the sign. Is the sign over a hill, around a bend or on a long flat section of road? I would bet you are coming onto a straight away from a bend at the .60 mile mark or over a rise etc. This duplicates alot of my encounters in the real world, where based on terrain, no matter what rd I have running I would get about the same results. Cool Thanks for sharing.

edit.. missed this first time


The setting was on Interstate 79 outside Fairmont, WV. The 34.7 speed sign is set up facing the Southbound lanes. It is at the top of a hill, as you approach it you make a gradual right hand turn descending, then ascend toward the speed sign. I was surprised at the results.

At the point you make the gradual right hand turn, is this where the units started to alert?

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Yes. Even though a lot of people would dismiss this test because the results are so close, I found it interesting that in a real world scenario, the playing field is completely level. In other words, the V1/STi being more "lab sensitive" did NOT translate into advanced warning time.

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Bigalinwv,

Thanks. Your results are definitely consistent with my real world experience of these units. Especially in the terrain that you have tested them in. Excellent...

This video is a very good example why the excort/bel RD's tend to match a V1's detection capability when going away from the radar source with the radar source pointing the opposite direction of travel and this is because of the delayed alert which confirms OP's result. When going away form the source traveling the same direction of where the radar is pointing, the V1 justs blows the competition.
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvN90k25GYE[/ame]

Quote:

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Originally Posted by KnightHawk

This video is a very good example why the excort/bel RD's tend to match a V1's detection capability when going away from the radar source with the radar source pointing the opposite direction of travel and this is because of the delayed alert which confirms OP's result. When going away form the source traveling the same direction of where the radar is pointing, the V1 justs blows the competition.
YouTube - Quick Radar "Test" V1 and 9500i #2

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No it isn't. That video is worthless. YOU CANNOT TEST RADAR DETECTORS at the same time people.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by noTe

Quote:

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Originally Posted by KnightHawk

This video is a very good example why the excort/bel RD's tend to match a V1's detection capability when going away from the radar source with the radar source pointing the opposite direction of travel and this is because of the delayed alert which confirms OP's result. When going away form the source traveling the same direction of where the radar is pointing, the V1 justs blows the competition.
YouTube - Quick Radar "Test" V1 and 9500i #2

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No it isn't. That video is worthless. YOU CANNOT TEST RADAR DETECTORS at the same time people.

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Are you saying that the 9500i will outperform the V1 in that situation? I really doubt if it will change the outcome. I believe that no matter how we flip this video, the outcome will be the same. Experience tells me that the RD that alerts first most of the time when 2 RD's are being used will always be the winner when tested individually(discussed in my previous post regarding off axis 35.5 with V1 vs 9500i). A good example is the 9500ci vs V1 when both RD's are used at the same time as posted by some members. You can only say it is worthless if the 9500i will beat the V1 in this case whether it is tested individually or not.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by KnightHawk

Experience tells me that the RD that alerts first most of the time when 2 RD's are being used will always be the winner when tested individually.

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You must have some really ****ty experience then. :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by noTe

Quote:

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Originally Posted by KnightHawk

Experience tells me that the RD that alerts first most of the time when 2 RD's are being used will always be the winner when tested individually.

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You must have some really ****ty experience then. :rolleyes:

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x2, 2 RDs next to each other will delay performance on BOTH RDs. You need a CONSTANT SOURCE and you need to test each RD by it's self against that source individually on different passes.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by noTe

Quote:

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Originally Posted by KnightHawk

Experience tells me that the RD that alerts first most of the time when 2 RD's are being used will always be the winner when tested individually.

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You must have some really ****ty experience then. :rolleyes:

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That's just like saying djrams80 and happya$$ experience is also ****ty when it comes to using both the V1 and the 9500ci's outcome. :D It will be silly for someone to claim that rear detection of the V1 will be beaten by any RD's out there today and is pretty obvious that an RD with no rear antenna will always loss rear detection tests. ;) It will be a ****ty experience if the V1 fails in your rear detection test vs the 9500i or any RD's out there and I'm sure the V1 zombies will run after you. :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lucky225

x2, 2 RDs next to each other will delay performance on BOTH RDs. You need a CONSTANT SOURCE and you need to test each RD by it's self against that source individually on different passes.

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Totally agree. But in this particular video and situation, it will be very difficult to change the outcome whether individually tested or when both tested. My views are based on a particular video and situation with the 9500i vs. V1 for rear detection capabilities.

There is a 10 sec hang time alert with the 9500i/ix that would increase distance alerting after the last signal is detected when going away from a source.