Newbie - new V995 need help reading the strength meter

[FX35K]

Hello, I recently purchased a Bel V995 and so far it has been really quiet. Sometimes I’m wondering if it’s even working. Anyway, my question is on the strength meters readings.

Last night I was traveling on the highway when my V995 went off. It got stronger as he got closer. It started off at 2 of 6 bars, then 3, when I finally saw him the strength meter was at 4 of 6 bars. Then he passed me going the opposite direction, and then the signal got weaker and fades away quickly.

1. Does the radar have to be shooting in my direction for the strength meter reading to display all 6 bars or at full strength?

2. If so, then at what estimated distance does it display all the bars or full strength?
a. right before eye viewing distance
b. eye viewing distance, but still time to slow down
c. you’re done for, it you didn’t have a radar detector
d. so close that you can read his badge number

So from my experience so far, I slow down when I see 3 bars. Anyone have any suggestion/advice/info on this?

Thanks...

[xrs9430]

well i have a 955 and it really depends on the detectors line of sight for instance there was a "your speed is" sign set up way off in the distance and my 955 and pretty clear view of the sign, i could kind of see it. anyway mine went up to full 6 at about 1.1-1.2 miles away! thats because it could see it. it really depends on the signal itself strong signal,weak signal, you dont have to be that close to get a full reading. now how you said you slow down at three, if its ka band i would recomend slowing down on just a blip, with k and x you can be a little more relaxed

[proudNMAmember]

Most of the time the 6 bars are from the radar coming toward you but this is NOT always the case. I have seen both.

[FX35K]

It happened again last night. I was on my way to Subway when my RD started picking an X band. Started of at 2, then 3 as I got closer to Subway, without having the arrows like in the Valentine 1, I started looking all over for it. Finally saw two cruisers sitting in Subway’s parking lot. I approached them slowly to see how close I had to be before my RD hit full reading. At about 50 yards, it hit 4/6 bars and stayed at that level until I parked at roughly 20 yards from them.

Is this right? Is my RD working correctly? I have the newer V995 with the gray housing. I am wondering if they changed anything else besides the housing.

[Ray]

I'm sure your V995 is working just fine. The strength of the signal depends on a number of things. Just because you are close to the source, does not mean you are going to have six bars. The antenna might not be pointed directly at you. Or, the signal your V995 is getting is from the radar being bounced off of a building or some other reflective object and not directly from the radar unit itself.