What would be the best choice?

[Guru Evi]

Well, I read through all of RadarRoy's website and some posts on these forums. I'm looking for a decent radar/laser-detector (aren't we all)

My environment: PA & NY hills. I drive through hills, state parks etc. I live in NY, work in PA, have a big car (Buick Park Avenue) and got pulled over once in my life in NY on the way to Buffalo (Stalker Dual or something).

I try to be good and detect the weasels visually but they are finding out I have to drive to work daily and I regularly do more than the 35&45mph limits through state park because the limits are plainly too low (long straight pieces, some sharp curves, a lot of rocky hills on both sides without any chance of deers jumping off the cliff).

They usually stand right after a big rock or in a place concealed by lots of trees and recently one probably just was able to get a pre-emptive reading on me after which I was able to slow down by the time he came back in range (cars from the other side saved me).

I still drive safely (under 75mph) but I am used to driving in Europe and keep my car safe (which is important because I got fined once because my 4wd went in the ditch after the brakes failed).

So, what are your experiences with lots of rocks, hills and trees, low but broad 6-person car (very low by the ground, but lots of shiny places to tag) and sneaky law enforcement. I don't care if it gives a false reading once in a while, I do that visually too but it has to be decent. I would like to keep the price under $300 but still have a good product. I sometimes take long trips to bigger cities (like Buffalo, Rochester etc.) but it's not as big of a deal there because traffic is too dangerous to speed for me.

According to RadarRoy the BEL 65PRO is a good thing but if I read here on the forums a lot of people like the Express too and there are a lot of contrasting reports in out-of-lab situations. I won't have a lot of false readings I think because I just live in an area where there is not a lot of things that can interfere (we can't even get broadband internet here, it's that bad).

[ryansandlin]

http://www.radardetector.net/LOOKING...%21-15551t.php

this has a lot of real world reports about the top 3.

based on the curves and hills, i would recommend the bel rx65. i have owned each of the top 3 and the rx65 is the one i settled on. it is a boss on Ka, does just fine on K, and x isn't a factor here but i'm sure it doesn't good on that as well. the only thing is its not the top contender on laser, though this has supposedly been fixed with the newer revisions.

the v1 will false even in areas that you describe.

the x50 and rx65 are roughly the same detector, though the rx65 seems to be better on Ka, and has better instant on/over the hill detection IMO.

ultimately, its what YOU like the best. neither of the top 3 will let you down. i would suggest taking advantage of each of the top 3's "30 day" policy, and then decide which one you like the best.

i think roy made a good recommendation though w/ the bel rx65.

[Arashi666]

if youd like to keep it low (<$300 like you said) Id go for the X50 red, its $300 and you get great protection, its definately the cheapest of the top 3, and nobody can argue with that, and it seems to work pretty well over hills

[Switchback]

[quote="ryansandlin"]the v1 will false even in areas that you describe.
quote]

Interesting, First off I guess I should ask what you consider to be a "false".

because I have never had a "False" alert out of my V-1 Ver. 3.826.

It has alerted to microwave radiation eminating from devices other than police radar. but that is what is designed to do right? Alert to microwave radiation in the frequencies used by radar-based speed meters.

I live in a fairly open & unpopulated area, I have gone days without ever hearing a peep out of my current detector.

I guess maybe your defenition of a "false" alert is different than mine, I would describe a "false" alert as an alert from the detector with no microwave radiation present for it to alert to. But Door openers and alarms systems I would consider more of a background noise.

[crazyVOLVOrob]

Considering you don't speed much you could spend a bit less money...a BEL Vector 995 is only 270 and it's a great detector. I love and still trust mine when it's on duty as my back up

[ryansandlin]

switchback, why do you have to be a jerk about everything i say?

most users on this forum consider a "false" to be a signal from a non-radar unit. yes, i know its a REAL signal or whatever you may, but the point is, the v1's filtering sucks, and that has been stated in different tests as well as several real world experiences.

seriously. stop picking on me. it's really annoying.

and you didn't even offer the poor guy some help on what he should get, you just simply chose to attack my post.

[Audi Quattro]

Any of the 4 RD's would be good.

1. V1

2. RX65

3. X50 (Red if your on a budget)

4. Bel V995 ( I have this and it pick's up signals at 90 deg. angles and gave me .5 mile alert, more then enough time to slow down.) The V995 is the least expensive but up with the big boy's or just very close. Enjoy this site and there are alot of people here to help you out.

[Road Warrior]

I live in a fairly open & unpopulated area, I have gone days without ever hearing a peep out of my current detector.

No disrespect but have you ever been in a large city with your RD?????
K falses from: banks, subway stations, Home Depot, Wal-Mart, most of the small grocery stores, financial institutions, office buildings, car dealerships, etc., etc., etc. And that's just K, try and use X in the city!!!
Not everybody lives in a "fairly open & unpopulated area"...!!!

[lowkey]

Considering you don't speed much you could spend a bit less money...a BEL Vector 995 is only 270 and it's a great detector. I love and still trust mine when it's on duty as my back up

i say with that cash plus like $10 bucks more i say he should buy a red escort x50 order it from RadarRoy he will give you a great price on it snice you are a member here on his forum

[WRC]

x2 on the x50 you won't be disapointed, it's an excellent all around detector