Radar Detectors

Tech mode is the only way to go! Beltronics Vector 960 Radar Detector I recently purchased my Bel 960 and am the happiest that I have ever been with a radar detector by my side! I hav...

Poor Quality Beltronics Vector 990 Radar Detector My Bel Radar detector only worked for 3 weeks. Then it would not give any warning of Radar. I would see detector...

My name is Brad, and I have owned radar detectors since the early 80’s, and have always read up on all the tests, and experienced how they work from my own perspective.

Back in 1987, photo radar was introduced in Paradise Valley (a neighboring town), and it was touted as being “UNDETECTABLE”. Well, of course a detector came out, and I bought it. It didn’t give you much warning, and was VERY similar to the Bel 995. Horrible detection!

I own 3 Bel 980 radar detectors, and they ALL pick up photo radar up to a 1/2 mile away. Here in Scottsdale, we have a lot of vans that sit on the side of the road and shoot this photo radar.

Today, I purchased a Bell 995. I eagerly searched for a van, and found one on Scottsdale Road. The 995 didn’t even go off until I was 20 feet away from the van! MUCH TOO LATE, and I would SURELY have gotten a ticket. I then did a U-TURN and turned on my Bel 980, and picked up the van about a 1/2 mile away!

I was so dismayed. I called Circuit City, where I purchased this thing, and they told me I could return it, but will have to pay a 15% restocking fee. Not only have I been inconvenienced with a company that makes POOR products, but now I have to PAY for it!

In summary, Cincinnati Microwave used to be the best radar company back in the 70’s and 80’s until it went through a lot of troubles (joined with Dynascan to make other products, got bought by Bel, got bought by a Chicago business man out of Bankruptcy court, etc). Mike Valentine LEFT the company to start Valentine One (the next detector I will try).

The BEL 980 was probably the last BEST detector made by Bel, before they were bought out by a company that knows nothing about detectors.

The NEW Bel products have a LOT of similarities to the “Escort” brand. The “Phone Cord” plug, the “Automute” feature which still continues to beep but at a lower volume (rather annoying), instead of the OLD AUTOMUTE on the 980 which simply CLICKED after a radar encounter, and even the “smart cord” feature, which has a mute button and warning indicator on the cigarette lighter plug (big deal, no value whatsoever).

This tells me that Escort probably has the same innards placed in the Bel line. This is EXTREMELY disappointing. Essentially this company is making money off two brands, and is make inferior below par equipment that only makes people FEEL like they are safe.

The BEL 995 in NO WAY gives you adequate time to stop for photo radar! And don’t be fooled…PHOTO RADAR IS DETECTABLE UP TO A 1/2 MILE AWAY!

They will probably tell you that Photo Radar is a “low power signal”, and is “shot on an angle” and is very hard to detect, and probably not detectable in time to stop or slow down. Malarkey! I challenge ANYBODY to compare a BEL 980 to the Bel 995.

My BEL 980 goes off well in advance when a Photo Radar Van in the area, and I slow down. In fact, the Bel 980 picks up KA from these vans IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION! It gives me plenty of time to flash my lights and warn the oncoming cars as well!

Beltronics Vector 995 Multi-Band Radar Detector Vector 995 Multi-Band Radar Detector features: digital "POP" Alert, Voice Alerts help keep your eyes on the road, Digital Signal Processing...

A 980/970 alternative for the NAME… Beltronics BEL 890 Radar Detector Beltronics for the past years has produced Second rate detectors but at reasonable prices. Fighting for first Hono...

RX55 ineffective against PHOTO RADAR Beltronics Pro RX55 Radar Detector I just purchased a Bel RX55 detector for about $200. Please keep in mind I also own a BEL 980, so obviously I am s...

Beltronics Vector 955 Radar Detector Technical Details:Vector 955 Key FeaturesDetection Mode:City / Highway modesDetecti...

Good basic detector but lacking in critical areas Escort Solo S2 Radar Detector The Solo S2 is a good, tough, reliable radar detector which keeps false alarms to a minimum and provides good vers...

Old Technology, don’t buy it Beltronics BEL 946 Radar Detector I've had the unit for two weeks, and by the time I've gotten alerts from police driving past me, they were only 75...

Very poor against nonUSA radar such as Multanova Beltronics Pro RX65 Radar Detector

Beltronics Vector 960 Radar Detector

Tags: Beltronics, Escort, Valentine One

Filed under: Radar Detectors Reviews