Beltronics RX-65 - No Guarantee - Maybe

[sprint_st]

I currently have a Beltronics RX-65 radar detector.  I've had lots of radar detectors over the years to include three Escorts.  My RX-65 has suffered from false laser hits from new, but I don't run in areas that have lasers so I just turned it off because it was prime riding time and I didn't want to return it just yet.  A couple of weeks ago it starts flashing "needs service" so I had to send it back.  Now I did register the unit the day I got it on the Beltronics website.  I call them up and they say it isn't registered.  Things go on and I find they only honor their guarantee from a list of resellers and my dealer was not on the list.  The guy I'm talking to says there is a flat fee of $59.95 to fix it and explains the process.  He says, and my old timers isn't all that bad yet, "we get it, they look at it for a day or two and ship it back to you."   Well, I call them up the day after it arrives according to my USPS tracking report and it isn't in their system yet. They tell me now 10-12 business days before the ship it to me.  When ask about that one to two days, the guy says "I never say that."   I tell him I'm going to the FJR Eastern Owners Meeting, is there any way to expedite this.  The answer was an absolute "NO."   No attempt to do anything other than just say no.   Beltronics/Escort has a price control, distributer issue which they make MY problem.  I don't care if they come out with a system based on telepathy that is 100% effective, I WILL NOT buy another one of their products.  

P.S.  I donated $180 to the State of Virginia on Sunday because my stand in Escort 8500 came in second on a radar shootout with a trooper.  The reason why my registration didn't show was because the place I bought it was not on their "approved" list so they did not register it, nor did they inform that they did not register it.

[Fudge]

Just got mine back a few weeks ago for tthe same issues.  We'll see how well it does in the Arkansas heat this week.

[iXXion]

I thought detectors were illegal in VA.  LEO didn't impound yours?  I thought they all used detector detectors?

[sprint_st]

I thought detectors were illegal in VA.  LEO didn't impound yours?  I thought they all used detector detectors?

They are illegal, but they do not impound them.  $40 for the detector, separate fine.  I was going to Franklin, WV to Mean Gene's for a burger which required a 20 mile cut through VA (US250 to Monterrey, US220 to Franklin).  I don't have a problem with the 72 in a 55, GPS says somewhere I was hitting about 125.  You play, you pay.  I was kind of pissed about the radar detector because I saw the trooper at the same time the light went on.  The trooper was totally professional and a nice guy.  He explained everything.  If the radar detector is not on then there is no fine.  If the trooper sees it there is a ticket no matter what.  It is between you and the judge to sort that out.  Just as a point of interest I was three miles from the WV border.  The trooper wanted me to disconnect the radar detector, but he saw that I had it taped on so he just left that go.  I had to tape the Escort on because my mount was set up for the RX-65.

[MK96xj]

Well. this puts me in a quandry

Belltronic and Escort are one in the same these days, Right?

I was thinking of getting one of these as my Cobra's have been of very poor quality recently.

[sprint_st]

Well. this puts me in a quandry

Belltronic and Escort are one in the same these days, Right?

I was thinking of getting one of these as my Cobra's have been of very poor quality recently.

If I am going to pay full MSRP I just might go Valentine or Whistler Cruisader.  Valentine, IMO has a lot of bells and whistles with limited practical usefulness (remember that is my OPINION, and lots of guys will disagree) but Valentine does enjoy an outstanding reputation for customer support.  

Isn't it odd, ironic, maybe the word is strange that Valentine doesn't discount AND doesn't have a problem with "unauthorized" distributors?   Ever wonder how those unauthorized guys get their Beltronic/Escort units to sell???

[Rogue]

I was kind of pissed about the radar detector because I saw the trooper at the same time the light went on.  The trooper was totally professional and a nice guy.  He explained everything.  

Was the Trooper using radar or LIDAR?

I have the Escort 8500 X50 and have been using it for a couple of years now.  I'm very, very happy with it.  I find them to be 99% effective although I have had a few false alarms with LIDAR.  Probably reflections from other light sources that match those of known LIDAR.  

Anyway, if the Trooper was using LIDAR, you have about 1.5 seconds to slow down before his equipment can get a lock on you.  Sometimes less.  I had an opportunity to personally "test" these LIDAR systems and they are fast.  But they do have weaknesses you can exploit.  

[sprint_st]

Was the Trooper using radar or LIDAR?

I have the Escort 8500 X50 and have been using it for a couple of years now.  I'm very, very happy with it.  I find them to be 99% effective although I have had a few false alarms with LIDAR.  Probably reflections from other light sources that match those of known LIDAR.  

Anyway, if the Trooper was using LIDAR, you have about 1.5 seconds to slow down before his equipment can get a lock on you.  Sometimes less.  I had an opportunity to personally "test" these LIDAR systems and they are fast.  But they do have weaknesses you can exploit.  

Radar, actually I have not seen too many LIDAR units in operation.  The guy had instant on and you are pretty much dead meat.  Oh, I just talked to the court, it's $206, but I can write a letter in lieu of being there.  Defensive driving counts and the lady said to tell the judge about my driving record which has no moving violations in at least 15-20 years.  Also, I'm going to try to make a case on the detector itself.  Taking a radar unit off for 20 miles of VA is kind of a pain, it's worth a shot.  (I had to tape it on because my mount was with the RX-65)