NooB here!

[AcesLA07]

Hello all. I decided to join the boards after reading up a bit on some radar detectors. I didn't see a Newbie section so I decided just to post in here because I have read up and it seems like the Whistler Pro 78 is the best radar detector out for the lower budget. I would like to ask if it would be good for me. I do a decent amount of driving around town and on the highway. I have been driving for almost 4 years now and I have only gotten one ticket but I will admit I like to drive a little fast. I have heard many theories of radar detectors and would like to get some good advice. I don't want to spend a fortune and originally only wanted to spend a max of $50. Here are my 2 main options: I can get the the Whistler XTR-220 for 47.99 shipped off eBay or I can get the Whistler Pro 78 for $129.90 shipped. I just want something that beeps to warn me to slow down. I don't need anything fancy just a simple reliable radar detector.

Thanks guys.

[jdong]

If you want a simple reliable detector, I think the Pro-78 and XTR-690 are the best bang for the buck. They are really the best detector money can buy and perform adequately to even satisfy some seasoned veterans here. The XTR-690 is usually $10-20 cheaper than the Pro-78, and has the same detection performance but just a cheaper screen.

If you're not willing to spend around $120 on a detector I'd recommend just not getting one and not speeding -- anything in a lower price bracket will compromise your level of protection.

[AcesLA07]

That's what I have been reading as well. I figure I'll just go ahead and spend the extra dollars. It should last a long time so $130 isn't that bad.

Does anyone know what bands are used here in Franklin, TN? I'm new to this stuff but I saw where you can turn pop on or off and maybe something about x band??? I'm not sure but I think you all will know what I'm talking about.

[dpatel01]

The higher cost of the pro78 can be easily justified. If the 78/690 give you a long range save even once where the 220 would not (very likely scenario considering the 78s ability to scan far ahead and excellent ability to sniff out weak signals), you'll save the cost of a ticket and even bigger, the insurance hikes. In addition to having a good detector, situational awareness is a must.

You can turn pop off, because crapras are the usual culprit, not a LEO. But then Whistler also has the best crapra filtering. Drive around with the new RD for a while and see what bands are used. X-band use is hardly heard of except for NJ but there are some small town cops still using it in the middle of nowhere. For highway use, I run my Bel in Highway mode, no filtering, no bands turned off.

[djrams80]

Dollar for dollar, I'd say nothing on the market beats a rev C Whistler. I personally prefer the Pro-78 over the XTR-690, because I like the display better.

[jdong]

That's what I have been reading as well. I figure I'll just go ahead and spend the extra dollars. It should last a long time so $130 isn't that bad.

Does anyone know what bands are used here in Franklin, TN? I'm new to this stuff but I saw where you can turn pop on or off and maybe something about x band??? I'm not sure but I think you all will know what I'm talking about.

POP should be disabled because these aren't $400 detectors with sophisticated filtering logic to block out POP falses (read: other cheap detectors on the road).


I have seen X-band used in Tennessee on the highways but I am not from the area so I can't confirm it's a regular sighting. I'd recommend keeping all bands on when you get it and figure out from personal experience what's used most locally.

EDIT: Just as important as choosing the right detector is getting to know your detector... Just like how buying an expensive sports car doesn't make you the best driver in the world instantly, you need to spend some time getting to know what your detector is trying to tell you.

[AcesLA07]

Thanks for all the help guys. I will hopefully be ordering my Pro 78 unit soon.

[guit123]

get 78 , worth the money spent.

[Ck15]

i have an xtr 140. it has never let me down. more than enough protection to not justify spending another $100 for a pro 78

[Ovencleaner]

i have an xtr 140. it has never let me down. more than enough protection to not justify spending another $100 for a pro 78

What threats are in your area? Yes, it has Ok Ka detection, but the Pro 78 outdoes it. If you want solid Ka detection and solid all band detection, you need a Pro 78.