As discussed in my previous post, I recently purchased a Beltronics RX65 radar/laser detector to replace my aging (and relatively crappy) Cobra unit. I was originally going to replace my old Cobra with a newer, more expensive (more expensive = better, right!?) model, until Dmitry suggested the RX65. The RX65 isn’t very cheap — it retails for about $350, but can be had on eBay for roughly $250. I paid about $230 for mine, shipping and all. After using it for a few weeks now, I can definitely say that it’s worth the money. . .

About two weeks ago, I decided to go for a random drive. Instead of turning right at I-10 to head east like I usually do, I turned left and headed west. I quickly left Houston and passed through Katy, where traffic enforcement was nonexistent. I got my money’s worth out of the RX65 as soon as I got out of the city; I-10 between Houston and San Antonio is littered with Texas DPS cars and local law enforcement. For a while, I was averaging 1 alarm every 20 minutes. The Bel performed very well, warning me well before I could see the police cars. Even with the police hiding behind bridges, on offramps, and in opposite lanes, the RX65 was not fooled.

But there was one problem. The RX65 is useless if you’re playing music somewhat loudly. I don’t mean at full volume, or even 3/4 volume – but when you’re driving 85 mph while listening to the radio, it’s very hard to hear the RX65. This isn’t as much a complaint about the RX65 as it is about radar detectors in general, but I could barely hear the damn thing even though its volume is set at full blast.

Either way, the Beltronics RX65 kicks ass. Why? I ended up driving just over 400 miles that day. 0 tickets, 0 close calls, 0 problems, $230 well spent.