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  1. #1
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    Jul 2007
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    Orygun
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    29

    Default Time to send the Bel980 out to pasture for a Sti, 9500i, V1

    I'm in the market for another detector as I've had a Bel 980 for several years. The 980 was a good detector for me but a few times it freaked out on me during hot days where it sat in the car for a few hours. It made some strange noises during these instances, sometimes wouldn't turn on etc, anyway I don't trust it anymore, it very well may be fried.... and it's old so I'm gonna get a new one.

    My candidates are the top 3 detectors: The V1, 9500i and the Sti driver. We also have an Audi Q7 with the side assist that emits radar, whether or not that should be considered...... The detector will be used mainly for distance trips though I may use it in town depending on how well I like the one I get. I might use it on motorcycle trips as well which is usually on twisty roads with the occasional straight slab freeway to get to the twistys.

    I'm very intrigued with the 9500i. It seems like it's the detector of the future but other than veilguy's initial review I haven't been able to find any other reviews, head to head, or otherwise online. Firmware, speedtrap/camera downloads would be great feature to have if Escort chooses to provide the service. Some posts here on this site have mentioned that they've had to send this model back to get fixed for various reasons. Any feedback on this unit would be much appreciated.

    The Bel STi Driver seems like it is a very good detector although it's already been out for a year. Since I don't upgrade very often I'm wanting to get the best latest and greatest detector available. Beltronics is offering me $80- trade in for my old 980 which is a nice gesture.

    I have a few friends who swear by the V1 but they don't have any experience with any other detectors. V1 offers upgrading from what I understand but I haven't been able to find how much their typical upgrade can cost. There sure is a cult following for this particular detector. Does that mean it really is that good though? I have no idea...

    As previously mentioned, any suggestions you all can share would be greatly appreciated. I'm planning a 2000 mile road trip next week and , I definitely want to get my hands on a detector prior to the trip, and one that I'll be content with for the next several years. Thanks for reading...

  2. #2
    Radar Fanatic
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    ARIZONA
    Posts
    2,554

    Default Re: Time to send the Bel980 out to pasture for a Sti, 9500i,

    Quote Originally Posted by Randy M
    I'm in the market for another detector as I've had a Bel 980 for several years. The 980 was a good detector for me but a few times it freaked out on me during hot days where it sat in the car for a few hours. It made some strange noises during these instances, sometimes wouldn't turn on etc, anyway I don't trust it anymore, it very well may be fried.... and it's old so I'm gonna get a new one.

    My candidates are the top 3 detectors: The V1, 9500i and the Sti driver. We also have an Audi Q7 with the side assist that emits radar, whether or not that should be considered...... The detector will be used mainly for distance trips though I may use it in town depending on how well I like the one I get. I might use it on motorcycle trips as well which is usually on twisty roads with the occasional straight slab freeway to get to the twistys.

    I'm very intrigued with the 9500i. It seems like it's the detector of the future but other than veilguy's initial review I haven't been able to find any other reviews, head to head, or otherwise online. Firmware, speedtrap/camera downloads would be great feature to have if Escort chooses to provide the service. Some posts here on this site have mentioned that they've had to send this model back to get fixed for various reasons. Any feedback on this unit would be much appreciated.

    The Bel STi Driver seems like it is a very good detector although it's already been out for a year. Since I don't upgrade very often I'm wanting to get the best latest and greatest detector available. Beltronics is offering me $80- trade in for my old 980 which is a nice gesture.

    I have a few friends who swear by the V1 but they don't have any experience with any other detectors. V1 offers upgrading from what I understand but I haven't been able to find how much their typical upgrade can cost. There sure is a cult following for this particular detector. Does that mean it really is that good though? I have no idea...

    As previously mentioned, any suggestions you all can share would be greatly appreciated. I'm planning a 2000 mile road trip next week and , I definitely want to get my hands on a detector prior to the trip, and one that I'll be content with for the next several years. Thanks for reading...
    I have a few friends who swear by the V1 but they don't have any experience with any other detectors. V1 offers upgrading from what I understand but I haven't been able to find how much their typical upgrade can cost. There sure is a cult following for this particular detector. Does that mean it really is that good though? I have no idea... yes it does but the others you mentioned are top notch as well. You cant go wrong with any of the three you mentioned.

  3. #3
    Banned
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Posts
    9,497

    Default

    If you want the quietest detector with plenty of cool features that will only warn you if there is a threat get the 9500i (9500i is a very personal quiet detector)
    If you want all-around great highway performance/range the V1 is one to get but it will be a bit noisy with the false alerts.
    If you want all-around great easy striate forward performance and need stealth the STI is a great choice.

    Personally I love my 9500i and have been saved at least a dozen times but it is a very involved personal detector. Next year I may also get a V1 for my long highway trips to NC and keep using my 9500I for my dally commutes.

    Get your 2 favorites try them out, then decide.

  4. #4
    Professional
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    Northern New Jersey
    Posts
    974

    Default

    Your top 3 is missing the 8500 X50.

  5. #5

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    *****

  6. #6
    Newcomer
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    Orygun
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    29

    Default

    I live in the Portland, OR metro area. I'll be using my RD mostly for interstate road trips in OR, WA, CA and a yearly trip to BC. I could possibly use the RD for motorcycle trips as well. Those trips are usually day trips through highly wooded twisties. I haven't been using my Bel 980 in town too much as I think it's fried but I may use my new RD in town as well even though I dont need the protection too much in town; as traffic is usually pretty dense, and Oregonian motorists drive like snails. It's on it's way to being a communist colony with all of the tree huggin' Prius' drivers around here......

  7. #7

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    *****

  8. #8
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    Jul 2007
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    Orygun
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    Default

    Hey thanks for posting up, you've made some very good points.

    Last month I spent some time w/ a V1 (not sure of the vintage). We were trailering 4 bikes for a motorcycle track day out at Miller Motorsports Park just outside SLC, Utah. The V1 is definitely is a pretty chatty box and after a while it seemed that it became a bit of a nuisance as we always had to reach forward to mute the V1. If I were to be completely honest w/ myself I'd say that I was starting to disregard the beeps. In a different environment where I was actually relying on the alerts then maybe I'd be paying more attention to the beeps. Afterall we were in a Dodge Ram 2500 hauling bikes, though we were cruising at 80mph a few times.

    Now this is a big question that may tip the scales for the Sti. We have an Audi Q7 with the radar emitting side assist which causes an issue between the Q7 and RD's that are in pop mode, it basically makes them go nuts from what I've read. On the Sti you can turn pop mode off but I haven't been able to find if you can turn pop mode off w/ the V1.....? Veilguy has an article http://veilguy.blogspot.com/2007/05/...-mix-well.html about this.

    What I like about the Sti is that it's undetectable to radar guns. The way I look at it is that cops don't like RD's and if they know you have one they're certainly more apt to go after you. It's a quieter RD too, my wife thinks that RD's are annoying and that they don't work. I'd rather not hear sighing from her everytime the RD beeps when we're on a trip. And it has a mute button at the plug which is in much easier reach as the Q7 windshield is pretty raked and forward. Bel has a trade in program where they'll give me a $80- credit for my 980, and the STi comes with everything you ever want, even stuff I don't need like an external speaker.

    It's tough decision, I could try them both out for 30 days I suppose.

  9. #9
    Power User
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Posts
    3,827

    Default

    I think for your needs the STi is the best, because it is one of quietest and has the best shielding. Since you own the Q7, sheilding is very important because the side radar thingy. I have an older Bel and and my cell phone sets it off in X band (due to poor shielding). So play it safe and get the STi because of the shielding.

  10. #10
    Newcomer
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    Jul 2007
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    Orygun
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    Default

    Well I went ahead and traded my 980 in for a new Sti. I hope it's all that and a bag of chips. Got the extended warranty as well. From some of the posts on this board all of the different brands are less than failsafe. Thanks for all of the comments :wink:

 

 

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