Problems with Bel units

**SportsFan** · 11-20-2005, 01:57 PM

From reading posts in this forum, it seems that Bel units in general seem to have an aweful lot of problems.....much more than I would expect from a product with the price tag that Bel offers (for all but the Express line). But I also realize that since we usually don't hear about a product when it does NOT have any problems....I know that perhaps this isn't the best place to ask this. At least I figure that I'll get some honest answers and detailed responses.

I'm curious whether or not most members who post here with problems represent the general public at large, or if it is heavily skewed towards the negative and the Bel products are more reliable than what the posts here would seem to indicate. Are there any links to quality management type surveys from customers that anyone could provide as far as their reliability goes? I hear that "when they work"...they work great. But with a 1 year warranty and a steeper price tag than most competitors, I guess I would just expect a better quality and longer lasting product with fewer problems than what I am seeing here........

**jimbonzzz** · 11-20-2005, 02:06 PM

I dont know of any surveys etc, there was this poll though:

http://www.radardetector.net/Self-ca...poll-4391t.php

**SmaartAasSaabr** · 11-20-2005, 02:54 PM

Originally Posted by SportsFan

From reading posts in this forum, it seems that Bel units in general seem to have an aweful lot of problems.....much more than I would expect from a product with the price tag that Bel offers (for all but the Express line). But I also realize that since we usually don't hear about a product when it does NOT have any problems....I know that perhaps this isn't the best place to ask this. At least I figure that I'll get some honest answers and detailed responses.

I'm curious whether or not most members who post here with problems represent the general public at large, or if it is heavily skewed towards the negative and the Bel products are more reliable than what the posts here would seem to indicate. Are there any links to quality management type surveys from customers that anyone could provide as far as their reliability goes? I hear that "when they work"...they work great. But with a 1 year warranty and a steeper price tag than most competitors, I guess I would just expect a better quality and longer lasting product with fewer problems than what I am seeing here........

I would venture to say most of the comments are harsh against the units.

**holein1** · 11-20-2005, 03:36 PM

Go to google or yahoo & type in epinions and whatever detector your looking for!

**SportsFan** · 11-20-2005, 03:47 PM

Originally Posted by jimbonzzz

I dont know of any surveys etc, there was this poll though:

http://www.radardetector.net/Self-ca...poll-4391t.php

Thanks for that link, Jim...very interesting read.

Originally Posted by holein1

Go to google & type in epinions and whatever detector you looking for and see how many people have problems with bel/escort!

Yeah, I've read various reviews from Bel users at different sites (including epinions), and while they seem a little more favorable in general, I still see several people who rate them low and write about problems they have incurred.

I just know that if a product works AS EXPECTED....most people won't take the time to praise it, where as if someone spends their hard earned money on something and they are disappointed, they will go out of their way to complain (and rightfully so!).

I'm guessing that Bel doesn't have any customer satisfaction surveys, because from the sound of things they may not like to publish the results

Not to mention I haven't heard the best of things regarding their customer service.

So if these units have so many problems, they're expensive and have poor customer service.....why are they still held in such high esteem? When I asked about a Whistler Pro or a lower end Bel, almost everyone yelled "BEL"....but other than falses (which Bel also has, from what I'm reading), I haven't heard similar complaints about the Whistler models...

**SmaartAasSaabr** · 11-20-2005, 03:52 PM

Originally Posted by SportsFan

So if these units have so many problems, they're expensive and have poor customer service.....why are they still held in such high esteem? When I asked about a Whistler Pro or a lower end Bel, almost everyone yelled "BEL"....but other than falses (which Bel also has, from what I'm reading), I haven't heard similar complaints about the Whistler models...

Cheap Bels are extremely good in comparison to anything else in the price range. The Ka range is very impressive.

**holein1** · 11-20-2005, 04:14 PM

Originally Posted by SportsFan

Originally Posted by jimbonzzz

I dont know of any surveys etc, there was this poll though:

http://www.radardetector.net/Self-ca...poll-4391t.php

Thanks for that link, Jim...very interesting read.

Originally Posted by holein1

Go to google & type in epinions and whatever detector you looking for and see how many people have problems with bel/escort!

Yeah, I've read various reviews from Bel users at different sites (including epinions), and while they seem a little more favorable in general, I still see several people who rate them low and write about problems they have incurred.

I just know that if a product works AS EXPECTED....most people won't take the time to praise it, where as if someone spends their hard earned money on something and they are disappointed, they will go out of their way to complain (and rightfully so!).

I'm guessing that Bel doesn't have any customer satisfaction surveys, because from the sound of things they may not like to publish the results

Not to mention I haven't heard the best of things regarding their customer service.

So if these units have so many problems, they're expensive and have poor customer service.....why are they still held in such high esteem? When I asked about a Whistler Pro or a lower end Bel, almost everyone yelled "BEL"....but other than falses (which Bel also has, from what I'm reading), I haven't heard similar complaints about the Whistler models...

I've never had a problem with any of my bel's nor have any of my customers, and I wouldn't even try to compare whistlers high end unit's aginst bel's/escort's!

**SportsFan** · 11-20-2005, 05:06 PM

I guess from what I'm reading.....if what I really want is good performance, even if it's only for a few months....and don't mind spending a lot of money and possibly being without it for periods at a time as it's being serviced, repaired, or replaced....then Bel is a product for serious consideration. :?

IF...on the other hand....I want a detector to last me for a few years, PROBLEM FREE...and don't care quite as much about (slightly?) better performance....then perhaps I should consider another model. :cry:

I dunno, sounds kinda like a risky proposition....to spend a few hundred dollars on a product that might encounter problems early on, has a somewhat short warranty period, and also has a customer service department that most people seem to want to avoid like the plague. :roll:

**SmaartAasSaabr** · 11-20-2005, 05:19 PM

It seems to be only the high-end Bels that have ever had the calibration issues, and generally you'll be alright with the warranty.

I haven't heard of a 795 going into any service required modes, might be because the display can't show it?

**Holla** · 11-20-2005, 06:14 PM

[quote="SportsFan"]I want a detector to last me for a few years, PROBLEM FREE...and don't care quite as much about (slightly?) better performance....then perhaps I should consider another model. :cry:
quote]

That would be the V-1...problem free for many years! NO service requires stuff you see on bells and escorts :shock: