Help! I cant decide on which radar detector

[jay04]

I cant find anything conclusive so i have a few questions.

How much better is 995 compared to 8500 (not x50)?

Also how much better is 8500x50 compared to 8500?

How much better/worse is RX55 compared to 8500, 8500x50, or 995? Thanks

Jay

[RadarReviews_Net]

Honestly the 8500 to the 8500 x50 I had both and could tell that HUGE of a difference between the two. For the others cant really say.

Honestly compared to Bel vs. Escort I would go with a Bel. The Bel 980 radar you can get for 75.00 on ebay is a very well performing radar detector....and from up that would be the bel rx65. The best radar detector I am going to have to go with the Valentine One radar...but that sells brand new for 399.00 on valentineone.com

[jay04]

thanks....i am trying to keep around 200 even. So i think i am leaning more toward the 995 right now. The 955 has a DSP receiver so I am not sure how that performs compared to the superhet receiver.

[CJR238]

How much better is 995 compared to 8500 (not x50)? Well the 995 is a new current model and the 8500 isint so the 995 has an edge because of that alone, even though the 8500 is technically a better unit.
Also how much better is 8500x50 compared to 8500? Same as above, basically from the old 8500 to new M4 designed Belscorts you’re looking at only a 5-15% better RD. There is also variance in RD to RD.
How much better/worse is RX55 compared to 8500, 8500x50, or 995? Safe way to look at it is Escort usually has an edge over Bel but you are paying more, and Bel's units in a similar pricepoint ar just as good. If you have a choice to buy New over used in either direction its worth it to go new.

Top 4 RD's STI, 9500I, V1, 8500X50. You can get deals on X50's if your budget was closer to $300.

[whistlerfan]

You could also get the Whistler XTR 690 or Whistler Pro 78. For easily around 200 dollars. This will provide you with a unit that has a ton of features. A1 customer service. The unit will never show up a error message. Also the unit will give you way more then ample stop time. If you buy a bell your giving yourself maybe a few more seconds of warn time if at that. I own a bell rx 65. I personally still cant justify why I bought the bell rx65 to this day. Since my whistler 690 gives me roughly the same amount of warning time or maybe at most the bell gives a few more seconds.

[CJR238]

Originally Posted by whistlerfan

You could also get the Whistler XTR 690 or Whistler Pro 78. For easily around 200 dollars. This will provide you with a unit that has a ton of features. A1 customer service. The unit will never show up a error message. Also the unit will give you way more then ample stop time. If you buy a bell your giving yourself maybe a few more seconds of warn time if at that. I own a bell rx 65. I personally still cant justify why I bought the bell rx65 to this day. Since my whistler 690 gives me roughly the same amount of warning time or maybe at most a the bell gives a few more seconds.

X2, Whistler is an awesome alternative!

[RadarReviews_Net]

Whistler is known for its "bang for its buck" like they said....its not the top performer but worth the amount of money you spend on one.

[RadarReviews_Net]

You could always get a rocky mountain radar aka phazer or phantom radar scrambler and not let the cops get your radar speed rating ever! ..... haha that was a joke!

[wilnevrbbiased]

This question offers so many answers. If you are on a budget, then go w/ the Whistler pro 78/XTR 690 or maybe even a Bel Express model. If you want the top of the line rd, then maybe you should go w/ either a V1,Bel STi or Escort X50. The Escort 9500i,Escort 8500, Bel 995, Bel 955, and Bel 940 are also very good models.

[fire65]

In your price range go with the pro 78. I love the X50 but you cant touch it in that price range unless you goto Ebay, which you will have to do to find an 8500, which I would not suggest.
Get the 78, best bang for the buck and great, it will be new and great customer service.
If you do go the Escort route, shop Ebay and plan on spending an extra 60 for Escort to check it out.