Radar Detector FAQ's
Here are our most common Radar Detector questions that we receive:
1. What is the best radar detector?
Without a doubt we can say that we feel that the best radar detectors are between the following units: Escort 8500 x50 ($299.95 Red Display, $339.95 Blue Display), Beltronics RX65 ($299.95 Red Display, $339.95 Blue Display), Escort 9500ix ($499.95) , Beltronics GX65 ($469.95), and the Beltronics STi Driver ($499.95).With a starting price of around $300 for these units, they may be out of the price range for many shoppers. We rank these radar detectors on top because they offer the absolute best performance, all include POP mode protection and they are all firmware upgradeable.
If you live in an area where radar detectors are illegal (Virginia, Washington DC & some countries including parts of Canada) and you can afford $469.95 then the Beltronics STi Driver is the unit for you. In areas where detectors are illegal enforcement uses RDD's (Radar Detector Detectors) to find vehicles using radar detectors. The Beltronics STi Driver is the only detector on the market that is immune to all RDD technologies.
The Escort 9500i is designed from the Escort 8500 x50 but it adds a GPS antenna. Adding GPS to a radar detector allows you to save coordinates of false alert locations and also mark red light cameras. For more information on the benefits of this product please click here. The new Escort 9500ix takes false alerts to the next level with an Auto Learn feature which will automatically learn all the false alerts in your area and ignore them making it an extremely quiet detector. The Escort 9500ix also comes with a complete North American database of all red-light and fix speed camera locations. 2. What is the best radar detector is the $200 or less range?
There are some good detectors under $200, Currently we have 4 units that perform very well in this price range we recommend the Whistler XTR-695SE at $169.95, Whistler Pro 78SE at $169.95, Whistler XTR-690SE at $159.95 and the Beltronics V965 at $169.95. The SE models are the latest detectors from Whistler and on these second edition (SE) they managed to add some neat features but more importantly they were able to squeeze additional KA Band performance out of them. All 3 share the same antenna but there are some slight feature differences between the 3 models.
Beltronics has recently discontinued the Beltronics V965 but we managed to scoop up a bunch of them before they sold them out. The Beltronics 965 was normally sold at $219.95 which would have normally keep this radar detector out of the $200 range but we got a special buy on them and we now have them for $169.95.
You may not be aware of this but Beltronics and Escort merged some time ago. Both of these detectors offer extremely similiar performance and they are based on the same antenna platform but there are some feature differences. The most popular differences are that the RX65 includes voice alerts and also includes a new KU Band that is being used in Europe. They are currently priced the same at $299.95 and with the additional features the Beltronics RX65 is our choice.
4. What is the difference between the Escort 8500 x50 Red & Blue and why does the blue cost more?
The color of the display is the only difference. Escort has claimed that the blue display cost more money to produce so they pass that cost on to the consumer in the price of the unit.
5. Whats the deal with cordless radar detectors and why have so many of them been discontinued?
One of the biggest problems with a cordless radar detector is that in order to conserve battery power these units cycle on and off constantly. Because of this cordless radar detectors have less range and most do not offer protection from the newest POP Mode radar guns. Unless you are in and out of rental cars daily we highly recommend you stay away from the cordless models.
6. What is POP radar?
POP™ Mode is a normal K or Ka band radar signal which travels from the radar gun to a target and back in less than a 1/10th of a second. Most radar detectors manufactured over 2 years ago and cordless radar detector models can not see this signal because it is just too fast. This technology is growing and many of the newer models do offer protection for this new technology.
7. What are Voice Alerts?
Voice alerts is an option on some radar detectors that will verbally tell you what radar band is being picked up. You will also get audible alerts and messages on the screen when a laser or radar signal is detected. Most units that have voice alerts also have SWS which will give voice alerts such as "Ambulance Approaching", etc.
8. Between the Beltronics RX65 and the Escort 8500 x50 which one is smaller?
This is best explained in a picture.
The Beltronics is shorter in length but is slightly wider. The Escort 8500 x50 is more narrow but it is slightly longer.
If you have any additional questions please feel free to call us toll free at 1-888-229-7594 or email us at cs@bestradardetectors.net
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