Best Reviewed
Radar Detectors
- Best radar detector overall Escort Passport 9500ix *Est. $500
- Best midrange radar detector Beltronics RX 65 *Est. $300
- Best radar detector under $200 Beltronics Vector 955 *Est. $150
- Best "invisible" radar detector Escort RedLine *Est. $500
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- Good basic detector
- Improved radar and laser detection
- Won't detect radar as quickly as others
- Some false-alarm complaints
Experts occasionally recommend the Whistler Pro 78SE as a good budget radar detector, but usually as a second choice to the Beltronics Vector 955 (*Est. $150) . The Beltronics unit beats the Whistler in one head-to-head test, detecting radar better on straightaways, around curves and over hills. However, neither unit can detect radar from as far away as a top-of-the-line detector like the Escort Passport 9500ix (*Est. $500) , tests show. Critics do give Whistler credit for improving its detectors' sensitivity to the much-used Ka-band radar, but some users complain about false alarms. This basic detector lacks advanced features such as speed/red-light camera alerts, which are found on the Escort Passport 9500ix.
SpeedZones.com compares the Whistler Pro 78SE with multiple other radar detectors in its expert tests. RadarTest.com tests it against a couple of rival budget detectors, and LaserVeil.com reviews three budget Whistler models. RadarBusters.com rates the Pro 78SE, but there is no full test. This new model had only a few owner reviews at Amazon.com when we checked.
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| Whistler Pro-78SE High Performance Radar Detector | |
(41 reviews) In Stock. Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping |
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| Featured Stores | Store Rating | Notes | Total Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |  1,219 store reviews | In Stock. Earn 2% eBay Bucks on qualifying purchases! Backed by eBay Buyer Protection Program. Terms and Conditions apply. | $167.99 | See It |
 | 1,219 store reviews | In Stock. Earn 2% eBay Bucks on qualifying purchases! Backed by eBay Buyer Protection Program. Terms and Conditions apply. | $163.00 | See It |
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Our Sources
1. SpeedZones
The Whistler Pro 78SE can't detect faraway radar as strongly as pricier Escort and Beltronics models, this test finds. Although the Pro 78SE isn't invisible to police, the popular Spectre 3 radar-detector detectors in this test don't detect it (the VG-2 RDD does, though).
Review: Annual Radar Detector Test 2009-2010, Editors of SpeedZones.com
These three budget Whistler models do a better job of detecting laser and Ka-band radar than their predecessors did, this tester says. Although they can't always match expensive detectors' performance -- especially on X-band radar -- he says the Whistler models are the best value in radar detectors.
Review: Whistler Pro 78SE, XTR-695SE, XTR-690SE Radar Detectors Review, "The Veil Guy", Updated May 24, 2009
Unlike the review at LaserVeil.com, this test finds the Whistler Pro 78SE does the best job of detecting X-band radar of the three tested models. However, the reviewer ultimately likes the Beltronics Vector 955 better than other budget radar detectors.
Review: Best Radar Detector Under $179, Craig Peterson, Updated Sept. 13, 2011
"Radar Roy" Reyer, the former police officer who runs this retail site, recommends the Whistler Pro 78 (now the Pro 78SE) in the under-$200 range. Although Reyer does some testing, there is no full review of this radar detector.
Review: Radar Roy's Product Recommendations, Roy Reyer
5. Amazon.com
This Whistler model has accumulated more than 35 owner reviews at Amazon.com, earning an average rating of 3.9 stars out of 5.
Review: Whistler Pro 78SE High-Performance Radar Detector, Contributors to Amazon.com
Radar Detectors Runners Up:
4 picks including: SpeedZones, Guys of Lidar…
3 picks including: Amazon.com, RadarTest.com…
3 picks including: Amazon.com, RadarBusters.com…
3 picks including: SpeedZones…
2 picks including: RadarBusters.com, Guys of Lidar…
2 picks including: Guys of Lidar…
2 picks including: Amazon.com, RadarTest.com…
2 picks including: Amazon.com, SpeedZones…
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Escort Passport iQ 5" Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator with Radar/Laser Detector
In Stock.
Average Customer Review: |
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