Getting a radar detector:
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 205
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From: Birmingham AL
Getting a radar detector:
I have been looking at the V1 and 8500 x50 and I am pretty sure I am going with the Escort because I can get the "blue" for $279 and the "red" for $249. I've been doing alot of research and I don't think the arrows make the V1 (to me) worth the extra $$, plus the 8500 x50 hasa longer range than even the V1. Plus it looks like it doesn't start going off at every little thing like the V1.
So my main question is how does everyone like the 8500 X50? Is it easy to learn how to use? (this is my first detector). Just a general opinion by those who OWN one, thanks.
So my main question is how does everyone like the 8500 X50? Is it easy to learn how to use? (this is my first detector). Just a general opinion by those who OWN one, thanks.
Last edited by AllTaken; Feb 22, 2005 at 07:42 PM.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 276
Likes: 1
I have owned two of them they are very good, maybe the best. If you do not go to wild with all the features the instructions say to leave it set to Automatic. In that mode it does everything for you. I think the blue is neat 
but did not want to flip for the extra money so this time bought the Bel Pro RS65, same company. The feature that sold me was it talks to you, that way when the wife gets upset with me I still have a voice in the cockpit to listen to. 
but did not want to flip for the extra money so this time bought the Bel Pro RS65, same company. The feature that sold me was it talks to you, that way when the wife gets upset with me I still have a voice in the cockpit to listen to.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Vancouver
2015 C5 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10
Whatever you get will be good. I think that they are all so much the same these days it doesn't really matter. The one thing I would love to have is something that protects you from laser. They are expensive and illegal here in Canada. I have also had a detector for a number of years now and feel it's most useful on the highway when your on a trip. Around town there's just to many false alarms and you end up tuning it out. But on the highway when it goes off you take notice. My .02
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 205
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From: Birmingham AL
Originally Posted by 2003vert
Great price. Who's car did you get it out of. Just kidding where did you get it.
Yeah, thought I was getting a deal at $250. Where did you find that deal?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,266
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From: Galloway Twp. NJ
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Originally Posted by pyro5o
Get the V-1..... the arrows are great! I thought the same thing. Glad I went with #1. No regrets.
plus in expert mode I can "see" multiple targets, all I have to do is visually look for them to confirm what they are (same thing you are doing when your "arrows" report a threat.)
and, to me, the V1 is just plain UGLY!
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Race Director
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From: Gone
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03
I have the X50 blue and love it,
If you need the arrows to tell a real threat from a false, you need a lot more experience with how and where police use radar, and, you are also relying too much on the detector, and doing that will eventually bite you.
No detector can ever replace your awareness, and that will always be your best form of defense. A detector is a handy tool to increase your awareness factor, but if you think you're immune from a ticket having it in place, you couldn't be more wrong.
If you need the arrows to tell a real threat from a false, you need a lot more experience with how and where police use radar, and, you are also relying too much on the detector, and doing that will eventually bite you.
No detector can ever replace your awareness, and that will always be your best form of defense. A detector is a handy tool to increase your awareness factor, but if you think you're immune from a ticket having it in place, you couldn't be more wrong.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Gaithersburg Maryland
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St. Jude's Donor '06-'10-'11, '15
Originally Posted by RPOZ4Z
I bought the 8500 because the V1's arrows are not important to me, as long as there is a radar "threat" I don't care which direction it's coming from.
plus in expert mode I can "see" multiple targets, all I have to do is visually look for them to confirm what they are (same thing you are doing when your "arrows" report a threat.)
and, to me, the V1 is just plain UGLY!
plus in expert mode I can "see" multiple targets, all I have to do is visually look for them to confirm what they are (same thing you are doing when your "arrows" report a threat.)
and, to me, the V1 is just plain UGLY!
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Gone
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03
Originally Posted by VatorMan
So you think yours will see behind you? NOT. Believe me when I say that some LEO's are smart enough to hit you from behind.V1-worth its weight in tickets.
Awareness.
If there's a car behind you (between you and him), and you can't see him, he's not shooting you. If his radar is constantly on, the Escort picked it up as well.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,266
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From: Galloway Twp. NJ
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Originally Posted by VatorMan
So you think yours will see behind you? NOT. Believe me when I say that some LEO's are smart enough to hit you from behind.V1-worth its weight in tickets.
not entirely true.
I don't know if you've noticed but, i don't usually follow the rest of the crowd. (as you can tell from my choice of corvettes.) I do my own thing.
the V1 is the detector of choice on this forum, mainly because of the arrows. well whoop de do...
despite the fact that the V1 is the most popular here, there are other detectors out there that are just as good, if not better.
you sound like you're trying to justify why you spent the extra $$$ on a V1.
just who are you trying to convince, me or yourself????
I took a long time deciding on which detector to buy, it came down to the 8500 and the V1, and the 8500 won.
all I'm saying is that, FOR ME, the V1 is not worth the extra money.
it's ugly, expensive and falses too much, just my opnion, that's all.
Last edited by RPOZ4Z; Feb 22, 2005 at 11:00 PM.
Corvette ***** OG
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From: Charlotte NC
St. Jude Donor '05
CI VI Veteran
Originally Posted by RPOZ4Z
I bought the 8500 because the V1's arrows are not important to me, as long as there is a radar "threat" I don't care which direction it's coming from.
plus in expert mode I can "see" multiple targets, all I have to do is visually look for them to confirm what they are (same thing you are doing when your "arrows" report a threat.)
and, to me, the V1 is just plain UGLY!
plus in expert mode I can "see" multiple targets, all I have to do is visually look for them to confirm what they are (same thing you are doing when your "arrows" report a threat.)
and, to me, the V1 is just plain UGLY!
Mark
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From: Section 326 Row A!! Finally. Go STARS!!
Cruise-In VI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
Originally Posted by AllTaken
Again this is a question for the 8500 x50 owners, not a debate as to which is the best, I'm getting the Escort enough said.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 981
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From: Miami Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
Originally Posted by AllTaken
Again this is a question for the 8500 x50 owners, not a debate as to which is the best, I'm getting the Escort enough said.
What a butthead read your own writing cheese ****** -
I have been looking at the V1 and 8500 x50 and I am pretty sure I am going with the Escort
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 412
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From: Newport AR
I narrowed it down to the Escort Blue 8500 or the Bel Rx65 Pro for my new Vette, the Bel has the same tech (same company ownership) plus it talks, so I got the Bel. I have a red 8500 in another vehicle, and after using both I like the Bel better.
Leave it on auto, programming is too difficult. Sooner or later they're going to have to make these things easier to program - they need some engineering help from the cellular phone guys to put in a keyboard, an LCD screen, a camera, a wireless internet connection, email, a microwave oven, a taser, an air compressorm a NOS bottle and a few more gadgets like on todays's telephones.
Leave it on auto, programming is too difficult. Sooner or later they're going to have to make these things easier to program - they need some engineering help from the cellular phone guys to put in a keyboard, an LCD screen, a camera, a wireless internet connection, email, a microwave oven, a taser, an air compressorm a NOS bottle and a few more gadgets like on todays's telephones.
Last edited by GMDGary; Feb 23, 2005 at 03:58 PM.