Trying to decide between X50 and RX65.

[Niskyspy]

I am trying to decide which radar detector to buy. And I got my choices down to two.
1) Escort 8500 X50 (Red Display) $299
2) Bel RX65 Pro (Red Display) $329
I spent hours researching but I can't find any solid proof on which one is better. Guys at www.guysoflidar.com had a review from 2006 which has RX65 beating X50, but in 2007 review the two are almost the same. Then other reviewers say that X50 and RX65 are the same and there wont be any difference in their performance. So I guess radardetector.net will be my last stop before I finally go out and buy myself one of them.

PS: I live in Upstate New York and kind of in suburb area, but only 15mi from Albany, NY which is Capital of NY so its more like a city. Daily I spend about 30% driving on suburb roads (til I get out to a High-Way), and 70% on either highly traffic four lane roads or High-Ways. We do not have many Laser equipped police cars in the area so Laser performance doesn't matter to me. 95% of the time police uses Ka band and the other 5% are by laser and K band.

Thank you...

[acura_driver]

i have an 8500 x50 now and i have no complaints with it. it definitely does what it is supposed to do. it alerts to all the types of radar and since having it i've only had it register "laser" once and that was from a state trooper actually shooting laser. i mean obviously i am a bit partial to the x50 since i have it and it's saved me countless times, esp on local roads, not really on highways since i tend to stay with traffic on highways.

as a site note i am upgrading to the 9500i because of the many falses in my area, i would like the GPS function to be able to lock those falses out.

[jimbonzzz]

For the most part, the two have very similar performance, although from what I've seen the RX-65 can sometimes edge-out the X50 on Ka if the RX-65 is run in "USA Mode".

If I was given the choice, I would choose the X50. My two main reasons: The gradient audio alerts are far superior to the RX-65's audio alerts in my opinion, and I also like the "thumbwheel" volume control instead of buttons. However, someone wanting the ability to adjust volume via the smartcord might not see things like I do...

[cdilln]

I have had both. I prefer the 8500 x50 over the RX65 because it's a little cheaper for the red display and the ramp up us soooo much better. I also think the range is a little better too with the x50.
Using V1 now.....Just my 2 cents

[Niskyspy]

Last time my Cobra alerted me with laser happened about 6 month ago. I was going on the High-Way there was a hill and a slight right turn. My Ka band started to go off so I slowed down started to go up the hill. When I reached the top my laser went off and I saw a State Trooper on the left side of the road sitting there with this Laser Gun. I just looked at him and smiled.

[Niskyspy]

People from my local car forum telling me to either get V1 or not get anything.

[MetalFlame]

People from my local car forum telling me to either get V1 or not get anything.

I have RX-65 and when I got V1,I was amazed.V1 works MUCH ,MUCH better and it has some very unique features,like the Arrows,to tell you where the Radar is,it has rear antenna-no other RD has that,audio ramp up is one of the best in the industry.Look at the tests by GOL or sensitivity(-dB/cm2) test (you'll find it in V1 section,it's a Sticky) and you will see that V1 is the most sensitive RD on the market.If you have the money(399$),get V1.You won't regret it.

As Jimbonzzz said,RX-65 may have the edge over X50,because you can limit Ka-band sweep to 3 main US freq.That is the only advantage over X50.I would get X50,because it has perfect linear ramp-up(unlike RX-65 which has horrible ramp-up),better options(Expert meter is much better than Bel's Threat display) and it's 30$ cheaper.

[Niskyspy]

I think I'll get V1. I mean if I spend that $300 why not just add $100 and get the top of the line, right!
Just waiting for my credit card bill to clear and I'll prolly have it in my car by Wed Can't wait [/code]

[MetalFlame]

I think I'll get V1. I mean if I spend that $300 why not just add $100 and get the top of the line, right!
Just waiting for my credit card bill to clear and I'll prolly have it in my car by Wed Can't wait [/code]

That's a wise choice :wink:
Welcome to the ValentineOne club.

[Obsidian]

I've never used the RX65, but I've had the X50 for years and love it. Low falses, many saves, and I've never gotten a ticket while using it.

I used a V1 for 7 or 8 months and got 2. Not that it was the V1's fault ... completely.

-Obsidian-