Recommend me a Whistler!

[Midwestspecial]

Ok thanks for the info.
Heres what I got it narrowed down too:
-Escort 8500 (ebay refurb)
-Whistler Pro 78 "Rev C"
- Whistler Pro 68
-Whistler XTR-690 SE
-Whistler Pro 78 SE

So from what you are telling me the Pro 68 is only a few seconds behind the
Pro78RevC. And the XTR-690 SE and Pro 78 SE are comparable to the Escort 8500.

What is the best best detector on my list?

I like the looks of the Whistlers more than the Escort. I'm not really liking the blue display on the 78SE tho. I really want a Red display to match the rest of my interior lights.

How much better is the XTR-690SE than the Pro78RevC? The price difference between the two is only like $20.

[MEM-TEK]

^^ If you are young and have good eyesight (as in being easily able to focus on objects which are only 1 foot or a bit closer to your eyes), then you will have no problem reading the 690 SE's red display at night. I would definitely pick it over the 8500 refurb on eBay since Whistler high end models are really good at picking up very quick instant-on radar bursts. The Pro78 is just as good at this, but it has trouble with forward facing radar guns. The newer SE models, from the video which I have seen, appear to offer a noticeable improvement in this regard.

Well, thats my two cents.

[Whistler1]

I would second Memtek's recommendation. Spending the extra dollars for an upgraded SE model would be the best. For the price of the refurbished Escort 8500 you can get the XTR690se. Check out the Veil guys review of the new SE models. The XTR690se is a very impressive unit.



Whistler1

[Midwestspecial]

Thanks. Just read that article. I can't believe hes comparing the SE models to high end units like the V1 and such. Crazy stuff going on here guys!

OK the 690SE it is. Thanks everyone for your help and expertise! Hopefully this thread helps some other make a decision as well. Thanks again.

[Michael B]

I believe the reference to the V1 was in regards to the ramp up/down texture

"their quickness also does a good job at conveying the texture to approaching instant-on police radar traps, something that generally gets lost in translation from other radar detectors' trailing alerts, which continue alarming for a finite period of time after the radar signal is no-longer present (trigger-released). These Whistlers behave more like the Valentine One in this regard, which is something that I personally much prefer."

[zerbey]

$50 simply isn't realistic for a good radar detector, save your money and go for a Pro-78. They're about $100-150 depending on where you look.

[MEM-TEK]

I believe the reference to the V1 was in regards to the ramp up/down texture

"their quickness also does a good job at conveying the texture to approaching instant-on police radar traps, something that generally gets lost in translation from other radar detectors' trailing alerts, which continue alarming for a finite period of time after the radar signal is no-longer present (trigger-released). These Whistlers behave more like the Valentine One in this regard, which is something that I personally much prefer."

Hi Michael,

I take it that the ramp-up profiles on the new SE models is very similar if not identical to the ramp-up profile on the Pro78? I hope so since this is one Pro78 feature which I really like.

[Whistler1]

All the new Whistler models since 2007 have pretty quick ramp up times.




Whistler1