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Equipment
How they
look together. Note: Detectors not tested this way.
Beltronics RX65 Pro
The packaging includes the detector;
detachable power cord; lighter adapter
with power and alert LEDs and single
push button mute and remote volume level
adjustment; windshield mount; aluminum
travel case; replacement suction cups;
manual; and quick reference/programming
card.
Escort 8500 X50 (Red)
The packaging includes the detector;
detachable power cord; lighter adapter
with power and alert LEDs and single
push button mute; European power
adapter; windshield mount; nice travel
case; replacement suction cups; manual;
and quick reference/programming card.
Valentine One v1.8 /w POP2
The packaging includes the detector; two
detachable power cords (one coiled and
one straight); somewhat bulky/pivoting
lighter adaptor that comes with
user-replaceable modular fuse (nice
touch) which can also power the optional
remote display head-unit; permanent
wiring kit; windshield & visor mount;
replacement suction cups; manual; and
spare fuse.
Build Quality
The build quality of each of these
detectors is impressive - the Valentine
One being the most so. It appears to be
the “tank” of the bunch with its
“box-like” magnesium case. Both the
RX65 and 8500 X50 are also well built
and the controls of all three brands are
of the highest quality in feel.
The V1 appeared to be most resistant to
scuffs and minor dings and its metal
case serves to further isolate/shield
its electronics.
Display
Bel RX65, Escort
X50 (Red), Valentine V1 at Night
T the
Bel RX65 Pro easily had the most
readable display at its maximum bright
settings, followed by both Valentines,
and then the 8500 X50. The display
brightness differences only became
apparent in a direct comparison and all
were more than adequate.
Both the Escort and the Bel had
additional brightness levels and an
ability to run in "Dark Mode" which
minimized unwanted attention during
evening drives. The
Valentine offers a dark-mode operation
when paired with the (optional) remote
display head-unit.
The Bel unit - with its flat frontal
face - allows for operation in either
right or left-hand driving scenarios
where the Escort and both Valentines -
with their left-facing fronts - are more
suited to left-hand driving situations.
Audio
Volume
The Bel had the loudest maximum volume
followed closely by the V1, v1.8.
The Escort and the older Valentine were
somewhat muted by comparison requiring a
bit more attentiveness when driving to
music.
Tone Distinction (Radar/Laser Band
Identification)
We believe both the V1 and the RX65
really excel in this regard followed by
the 8500 X50. The Bel has the
additional ability to augment its alert
with voice band-id - which we warmed up
to.
The tonal qualities and volume levels
obtainable with either the Beltronics or
the newest Valentine allow for rapid
communication to the driver - an
essential ability.
Perhaps it’s due, in part, to the
history I have with the V1 over the
years (almost 15 years), but I feel that the
distinct tones are one of the
more appealing qualities of the V1 -
they're instantly discernable.
After
we got used to the RX65's alerts, we
actually found that they may be more
consistently identifiable - especially
at mid-low volumes and/or when
accompanied by music. In these
situations, the Valentine's X and K
alerts can be confused with one another
- particularly when they are brief in
nature. The Bel's tone's remained
distinctive even at lower volume levels.
Audio Signal Strength Meter
("Gradient")
Both the Valentines and the Escort
had excellent "gradients" followed by
the Bel requiring review of the display
to confirm the strongest (i.e.; most
threatening) encounters.
Audio Muting
Both the Beltronics and the Escort
>b?radar detectors provided auto-muting
capability which reduced volume levels
after the initial alert.
Chassis Size
The Bel is the smallest of the group and
has a nice stream-lined chassis.
The Escort is similar in width (to its
Beltronics' cousin) but a bit longer.
The Valentine v1.8 (although smaller
than its older brother) felt the
bulkiest although its somewhat larger
size allows for what appears to be
larger antennae which may enhance the
ability of the V1 to see very weak and
distant radar sources (more about this
later.)
Ultimately, though, we're not talking
huge disparities here.
Windshield Mounting
Both the RX65 Pro and the Escort 8500
X50 have dual-suction cup windshield
mounting brackets that really adhere
to the windshield in a variety of
temperature conditions and allows for
ultra-quick detector
mounting/dismounting.
The Valentine's mounting bracket had
occasional difficulty in keeping its
adhesion to the windshield and required
a little more effort with
mounting/dismounting of the detector,
itself. It was
the only detector, though, that was
supplied with a additional visor
mounting clip.
Programming Ease
Both the Bel and the Escort excel in
this area. Given their ease of use,
either of these detectors is easily
programmed in the field without
requiring reference to a manual or to
the little programming card that is
provided.
Another nice feature of both the Bel and
the Escort units was the ability to
perform a quick factory reset with a
power-up push-button sequence.
It essential to note that both the
Escort 8500 X50 and the Bel RX65 Pro
default settings have POP reception
disabled.
The Valentine One, in comparison, feels
a little like something from the 70s
when it comes to programming. The
single LED display and single
push-button knob serve as the limiting
factors here. We would not recommend
programming this unit without reference
to the programming manual, which can be
inconvenient if one is on the road.
To our knowledge, there is no quick
reset mechanism available on the V1.
Unlike the other two detectors, the
default settings have POP reception
enabled.
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