Is the RX-65 still good?

[mwdf]

I have an RX-65 detector that I haven't used in a while (bought it about 4 years ago I believe), and was wondering how it compares performance-wise to the newer Bel and Escort detectors on the market? At the time it was the best detector and cost me like $400.

Is it worth rushing to upgrade? Or will the RX-65 still perform competently?

Thanks!

[Fiah]

Radar Detector Tests and Reviews by Guys of LIDAR - Radar Detector Test 2009

[milkman]

The RX-65 is still a good RD but you might want to send it in for a tune up if you think that it is not working correctly.

[Whistler1]

I have a RX65 S7 and M4 models. These are the "standard", by which I judge all other detectors I have purchased. Only recently has Whistler come close to matching the RX65 on KA band with the Pro78 and Pro78SE models. The Redline certainly exceeds the RX65 on all bands in sensitivity. If the RX65 is operated in USA mode on KA band it gives it about a 2.5db bump in sensitivity nearly equal to the BEL STI in Ka performance. The Whistler is faster in reacting to I/O alerts than the RX65. I have noticed that the Redline reacts pretty quick to I/O. The RX65 is still a very good detector in my book.

Whistler1

[mwdf]

Whistler1 - what exactly do you mean "in USA mode" ? Is that dependent on where the detector was purchased, or an option I don't know about/have forgotten about? I bought the detector when I was living in Florida in 2006, if that makes any difference :-)

Good to know that it's still a good detector!

[Fiah]

Whistler1 - what exactly do you mean "in USA mode" ? Is that dependent on where the detector was purchased, or an option I don't know about/have forgotten about? I bought the detector when I was living in Florida in 2006, if that makes any difference :-)

Good to know that it's still a good detector!

USA mode is toggled in the preferences and it sets the detector to only sweep the USA KA band freq's +/- 100mhz (33.8 / 34.7 / 35.5). Most other detectors are permanently set on ITNL mode which sweeps the entire KA band range.

[kpatz]

It's still a fine detector, not top of the line anymore but still a good upper midrange model.

Its Ka performance, especially in USA mode, is very good. The M4 platform is a little weaker on K band, probably due to more filtering than on its sibling the Escort 8500 X50. The M4 antenna also has more "tunnel vision", making it weaker on off-axis signals. This can make it miss shots around a corner or over a hill, but it also makes the detector quieter in town as it doesn't false on door openers as much.

The M4 RX65, at least the unit I have, has the best laser sensitivity of all my Belscort units (I also have a S7 X50 and a M3 Redline).

[compu44]

I noticed the same as Whistler1 - setting the RX65 in USA mode brings the Ka range up nearly equal to the STI.

The RX65 is still an excellent detector, particularly when run in USA mode.

[mwdf]

Sounds great guys, thanks! Looks like I can keep the RX-65 around for a bit :-)

Question: Does USA mode mean USA only, or does Canada use the same frequencies as the USA? I would hate to put it on USA mode only for it to not pick up the frequencies they use in Canada...

[TRun]

Sounds great guys, thanks! Looks like I can keep the RX-65 around for a bit :-)

Question: Does USA mode mean USA only, or does Canada use the same frequencies as the USA? I would hate to put it on USA mode only for it to not pick up the frequencies they use in Canada...

canada bands are same as usa