Beltronic's latest radar detector is called the RX65. Apparently its the best, AND has POP radar detection that the V1 doesn't have. The latest Escort is the 8500 X50. It has the same hardware as the Bel, and the same price, so get whichever you prefer.

These new units are reportedly to have better range than the V1 against some of the new radars, and can detect the latest POP K and POP Ka radars. I am in the process of purchasing one, not because of the price or the wiz-bang functions (V1 has the arrows, the Bel has a frequency identifier, showing the exact frequency that was detected, so you can even know what brand radar gun/equipment is being used by looking up the frequency!).

 

Escort Cordless SOLO S2 http://www.escortradar.com/solo.htm

 

Hard wiring the V1 only took about 15 minutes. It could not have been a more simple solution.

 

You dont want a cheap radar. They dont work, and are a complete waste of money. Like I said in the other thread....with the exception of the 8500 ( i have a V1 now) I have owned every brand (top of their line) detector. Whistler, Bel, Cobra....Uniden. They were all crap. Waste of money. My V1 has saved my has at least 20 times already, and the arrows are incredible. Worth every penny. As far as I am concerned, there are only two radars on the market today, the V1, and the 8500. The rest are 100 dollar paper weights. Get the V1, the arrows are worth it.

 

Since getting the 8500 no tickets. That says everything.

 

Think of the V1 as two 8500's at 35% off. One for the front and one for the back plus a computer to tie them both together plus longer range.

-Matt

 

Matt, I'm not so sure about that one. The 8500 in recent tests had better range. Both have front and rear detection. The V1 has arrows, and that's a nifty trick, but the new 8500 has better guts.

All in all this debate has been beaten to death in many threads & both detectors are excellent. Either way you can't got wrong. Just shop around, and, whatever you do, don't get a cordless. I've had one, and as the batteries die so does your detection. The SOLO is useless overpriced garbage.

 

Can you site your sorces other than radartest.com? Both Car and Driver and Motor Trend site the V1 has better range in resent test.

 

I actually have a Cobra, it has saved me quite a few times. I am content with it so I really dont feel the need to get a V1. However I do drive the same roads 2 ways each way as I have for the past 10 years, so with the combination of common sense, my knowledge of the roads, and my Cobra I feel safe.

 

The car and driver test i found was over two years old but the Motor Trend test did rate the 8500 slightly better. I'm not sure about range, but you are right, the sensitivity rating was better on the V1, if only by a hair.

Both detectors are great. You can't go wrong either way. I liked the cost benifit of the 8500, you can find deals on them and they retail about $100 cheaper than the V1. Both seem to have an almost religious following, but i needed the extra dough, so 4 me the 8500 was the way to go.

-bill