Get the Escort X50 or something cheaper?

[aphex]

With a few days to spare on my Amazon 25% off Wish Certificate, i've been thinking about possibly getting a nice Radar detector....

The Escort X50 seems to always pop up, and i can get it for ~$255 shipped 2nd day air.

Is the Escort X50 really worth the $150 difference over the cheaper ones? What makes it so much better?

Also, how does the Solo S2 compare? Wouldn't mind a cordless one so i wouldn't have to tap the Escort wire into my sunroof power.

 

[DeviousTrap]

I have the X50, used an S2, and had the older 8500. I loved my 8500 but it mysteriously stopped working after the warranty period ended so I went out and bought the X50. Its saved me from a bunch of tickets so I guess it does it's job. I've compared my X50 with a friends S2 and for some reason I just think that the S2 isn't as sensative as the x50. Maybe it's because it runs on batteries on some sort of savor mode so it doesn't scan as often?

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: DeviousTrap
I have the X50, used an S2, and had the older 8500. I loved my 8500 but it mysteriously stopped working after the warranty period ended so I went out and bought the X50. Its saved me from a bunch of tickets so I guess it does it's job. I've compared my X50 with a friends S2 and for some reason I just think that the S2 isn't as sensative as the x50. Maybe it's because it runs on batteries on some sort of savor mode so it doesn't scan as often?

Well i have an old Whistler right now which i don't use because the voice comes out all scratchy....

I wonder if i can find an 8500 on the cheap.

 

[Sukhoi]

A radar detector is one thing I wouldn't skimp on. No way a cop is going to be lenient on you if he pulls you over and you have a detector on your windshield, so make damn sure you don't get pulled over.

 

[EvilYoda]

I bought an X50 because I wanted to know that I had one of the ones on the market, leaving hardly any chance that the detector would be at fault if something were to happen...if I buy a $100 piece and it fails just once at the wrong time, that ticket and insurance jump would be more than the difference between the cheap one and an X50.

I haven't had any issues with it yet.

 

[dmw16]

you get what you pay for

 

[aphex]

Well is there anything you guys would recommend over te X50? Valentine one? Bel RX65?

 

[m2kewl]

go buy a cheap arse detector and you might as well throw your $$$ in the garbage

 

[Sukhoi]

Originally posted by: aphex
Well is there anything you guys would recommend over te X50? Valentine one? Bel RX65?

I read a review on the Valentine One that mentioned one very nice feature. It has front/rear directional arrows for the warnings. So if you just get a light alarm, but it's coming from the rear you may still want to slow down incase there is a cop tailing you a little bit back. However the same review complained about the Valentine One giving too many false alarms. I don't know which detector I am going to buy once I get one.

 

[JRock]

V1

</thread>

 

[m2kewl]

Originally posted by: JRock
V1

</thread>

werd! had mine for 3 years and it has WAAAY paid for itself.

 

[Sukhoi]

Originally posted by: m2kewl

Originally posted by: JRock
V1

</thread>

werd! had mine for 3 years and it has WAAAY paid for itself.

Do you find the directional arrows to be helpful? And how are the false alarms?

 

[bmacd]

I love every day of my x50. I've never had or dealt with a v1, so I can't comment on that, but I can tell you how many times over my x50 has paid for itself. They are both excellent detectors. In the end, it comes down to personal preference.

-=bmacd=-

 

[aphex]

Well im leaning hard towards the X50..... I don't really want to spend the extra money on the V1 if all it has extra is the directional arrows (which the use of for me is questionable anyway)

I cant decide between the red and the blue. I can get them both for right around $250

 

[CtK]

the X50 is great it has paid for itself 10 times over!!
but they are coming out with a new version or an updated one in the next month or so

 

[bmacd]

Originally posted by: CtK
the X50 is great it has paid for itself 10 times over!!
but they are coming out with a new version or an updated one in the next month or so

how do you know? Not trying to knock you, just looking for more info.

-=bmacd=-

 

[CtK]

Originally posted by: bmacd

Originally posted by: CtK
the X50 is great it has paid for itself 10 times over!!
but they are coming out with a new version or an updated one in the next month or so

how do you know? Not trying to knock you, just looking for more info.

-=bmacd=-

Info

 

[EvilYoda]

heh...some of those guys posting live probably 5-10 minutes away.

Aphex, if you decide to go with an X50, I'd go with the blue LEDs if you can get both for the same price since the blue ones are usually more expensive and might bring a little more if you ever choose to sell it in the future.

 

[spacejamz]

some things in life you never buy based on price alone:

toilet paper, trash bags, paper plates, radar detectors...

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: EvilYoda
heh...some of those guys posting live probably 5-10 minutes away.

Aphex, if you decide to go with an X50, I'd go with the blue LEDs if you can get both for the same price since the blue ones are usually more expensive and might bring a little more if you ever choose to sell it in the future.

Very true, good call

Might be easier to see during the day as well...

 

[JoeFahey]

When you use a radar detector, can you put it in a concealed place? Does it have to be on the windshield to detect cops? I was wondering because it would be nice if you can keep them out of sight.

 

[mugs]

In my experience, most of the times I've been pulled over were because I was doing something retarded to call attention to myself. I've only ever gotten one ticket when I was driving along at the speed of traffic doing nothing out of the ordinary. I drive by cops all the time going 15 over, they don't care. When you're doing 15 over while tailgating and making frequent lane changes, they take notice.

Moral of the story is, you could save yourself a few hundred bucks if you don't drive like an idiot.

 

[holden j caufield]

Originally posted by: JoeFahey1
When you use a radar detector, can you put it in a concealed place? Does it have to be on the windshield to detect cops? I was wondering because it would be nice if you can keep them out of sight.

the detector needs to be able to "read/see" radar and that's through the windshield. It also needs to be plugged into your cig lighter to power it so it's hard to disguise

 

[CtK]

Originally posted by: holden j caufield

Originally posted by: JoeFahey1
When you use a radar detector, can you put it in a concealed place? Does it have to be on the windshield to detect cops? I was wondering because it would be nice if you can keep them out of sight.

the detector needs to be able to "read/see" radar and that's through the windshield. It also needs to be plugged into your cig lighter to power it so it's hard to disguise

u could buy the sensors that mount in the front and rear of ur car and conceal the screen someplace in ur car

 

[upsciLLion]

Originally posted by: mugs
In my experience, most of the times I've been pulled over were because I was doing something retarded to call attention to myself. I've only ever gotten one ticket when I was driving along at the speed of traffic doing nothing out of the ordinary. I drive by cops all the time going 15 over, they don't care. When you're doing 15 over while tailgating and making frequent lane changes, they take notice.

Moral of the story is, you could save yourself a few hundred bucks if you don't drive like an idiot.

Not in Washington state. I know people who have been given speeding tickets for doing 8 mph over the posted speed limit. I've been pulled over for doing 7 over.