Radar detectors: Bel RX65 & Passport X50

[GITRDUN]

I want to buy myself a radar detector for x-mas, and have narrowed it down to the Beltronics RX65 or the Escort Passport 8500 X50. They're pretty much top dogs in the market right now, leaving behind the Valentine One.

Do any of you have one of these, and if so, what has been your experience with it? Does it protect against the photo-radars? Has it saved your butt, more particularily so, within the Calgary city limits?

I know radar detection is only part of the equation, and that a laser jammer system should also be considered, but I just want a detector for now.

Feel free to share your experiences.

Thanks!

:burnout:

[ga16i]

I've been using a Bel rx65 for 1.5yrs, yeah, it saved my ass a few times. Calgary's photo radar sets off KA band. You can pretty much ignore K and X bands, those don't mean jack here. The suction cups that it comes with is complete weaksauce and falls off quite often. I use a PDA holder to keep it up now. I like my rx 65, but for me it's not really THAT useful. If they're shooting you with laser, you probably won't pick it up, and if it's photo radar, they're stationary by the side of the road and I'm looking out for those anyway. Only way to avoid tickets is to go limit :)

[bituerbo]

I have the RX65. Bought on ebay and saved some coin. (paid $275 CDN shipped/taxed to my door).

RX65 has Ku band detection - something that X50 does not. Ku is not currently implemented in North America - but who's to say it won't be introduced? Works well, picks up cops who leave their radar turned on while driving around, that's where it's saved me the most. Haven't had any photo-radar run-ins yet. I think the RX65 has another feature which made me get it over the X50...

Either way they are very, very similar units since bel amalgamated with passport.

[rc2002]

I had an X50 a few years back. Worked well on the highway but did nothing for photoradar. Best way to avoid photoradar is to watch out for cars on the side of the road. It's pretty obvious usually.

[SilverBoost]

I use the X50. It'll detect photoradar, but it's a weak signal, so if you are actually speeding, chances are you'll still get dinged because of the late warning.

On the highway, it's saved me a few times. If this thing saves you twice, then it's paid for itself. - regardless of the fact that some people will say they are completely useless.

You can't look at a radar detector as a licence to speed. It's just one more set of eyes, so that in case you're not paying attention, you might catch a break with a radar detector backup. Your best detector is you own spidy senses. :D

[khtm]

Dude, they are essentially THE SAME detector. Owned by the same company.

You can't go wrong with either.

Personal experience: I sold my RX65 last summer after getting 2 tickets in 1 day for ~$700 coming back from Vancouver. Cops with instant-on radar busted me both times oncoming. This was a tough lesson but I learned to just slow the fuck down rather than depending on a detector so I could speed.

[Mitsu3000gt]

You should know that 99% of the radar used in Calgary is laser, and a radar detector within the city limits is next to useless. It also does a good job of warning you of automatic doors, microwaves in fast food places, etc. etc. You can also see just about every photo radar van so your detector is just going to point out what you can already see. Photo radar is very hard to detect as well, most of the time your detector won't pick it up anyways.

Read this:

http://forums.beyond.ca/showthread.php?s=&threadid=128206

Hope that helps. I really think you will regret buying a radar detector, I sure did.

[googe]

detector isnt very good in city limits. that said, mine has paid for itself MANY times over. its probably only saved me two or 3 times in the city after years of having it. i definitely dont regret that purchase!

[GITRDUN]

Thanks for the input guys, and for the link Mitsu3KGT.

[codepoet101]

well i have the Valentine One and maybe i just dont know how good the others are but it works hella well for me in the city ive had it about 6 months and its saved me quite a few times, in the city it does a good job most areas and indicates side if it is a stores alarm or auto doors, the highway it give me about a 10-15 second warning which i think is steller.