Without question, the two top manufactures of radar detectors today are Escort Passport and Beltronics and both companies are under the same ownership.
Since 2002 their products have consistently been given top marks by independent reviews such as Speed Measurement Laboratories, RadarTest, RadarBusters, Motortrend and Car and Driver.
Their Top models for 2007 include:
Escort 9500i: New for 2007, the 9500i is Popular Mechanics editor's choice for 2007, the Passport 9500i is the newest radar detector that employees GPS technology to both eliminate false alerts and to store speed enforcement zones, such as photo radar and red light cameras.
On the popular RadarDetector.net message forum, the 9500i was dubbed the "Radar Detector of the Future" for its new and innovative features that include:
- USB Port for user programming and firmware upgrades
- Truelock Signal Rejection unitizing its GPS capabilities to lock out common false alert locations
- Speed Alert providing an instant view of your vehicles speed
- Mark Location to "mark" known speed traps
- Auto Volume feature increases the volume in noisy conditions
- Expert Meter that tracks up to eight radar signals simultaneously
The range, sensitivity and filtering of the 9500i is in par with all the other high end Escort and Beltronics detectors.
The 9500i retails for $449.95
Beltronics STi Driver: Previewing in early 2006, the Bel STi Driver is the first radar detector that is totally stealth, in that it is the first radar detector that can defeat all RDD's (radar detector detectors) that are used by police where the use of radar detectors are prohibited.
The STi Driver is the first radar detector that deploys two forward facing antennas, allowing the detector to have superior range and sensitivity where it is needed, to the front. The STi was tested along with the Valentine One at the 2006 Speed Measurement Laboratories Radar Detector Shoot Out, the STi was the clear winner in the K and Ka long range tests, leaving the antiquated V1 in the dust!
If you are a professional driver, requiring stealth capabilities and long range, the STi would be the detector of choice.
The STi retails for $449.95
Beltronics RX65: Dubbed "The Best Radar Detector Radar Roy has ever tested" in 2005, the Bel RX65 continues to be the top choice for budget minded radar detector enthusiasts. During the 2006 Radar Detector Shoot Out, the RX65 finished second during the long range tests, just behind the STi Driver.
The RX65 uses digital voice alerts to warn of approaching speed traps and was one of the first detectors marketed in the USA that had the Ku band and POP radar capabilities.
The filtering of the RX65 is rated as very good and advanced programming features allows the user to lock out POP and X band in areas where these bands are not used, to almost eliminate false alerts.
The RX65 retails for $329.95
Escort Passport 8500 X50:
Dubbed "The best radar detector in the World" by RadarTest, the Escort 8500 X50 is the most recognized and trusted radar detectors in the industry. The 8500 X50 provides extreme range across all the radar bands and was the winner for instant on radar detector testing at the 2004 and 2005 Radar Detector Shoot Out and during the 2005 Guys of Lidar testing, the 8500 X50 was the top performer in several of their long range tests.
When shopping for a radar detector, think of the Escort 8500 X50 as a high end luxury car, with all the stylish design, without sacrificing on high end performance.
The Escort 8500 X50 red display retails for $299.95
The Escort 8500 X50 blue display retails for $329.95
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