View Poll Results: Whistler PRO 78 or BEL V995

Voters
27. You may not vote on this poll
  • Whistler PRO 78

    9 33.33%
  • BEL V995

    18 66.67%
  • Alternate between the two

    0 0%
  • PRO78 in the summer and V995 in the winter

    0 0%
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Results 1 to 10 of 21
  1. #1
    Experienced
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    Northville, MI
    Posts
    200

    Default Whistler PRO78 or Beltronics V995

    Currently, my primary detector is the pro78 and has so far gained my complete trust. I have a pro73 that I use as a backup (for maybe 1 week out of the year where my pro78 gets sent back for a firmware update or something).

    I made a random impulse buy earlier this week and purchased the v995. From what I've been reading, its performance is the same as the RX65 with the exception of the v995 having the wider Ka-band sweep (Ka International) and the RX65 having the option for narrower sweep (Ka USA mode).

    Which of the two units would be the better overall detector (and earn its place as my primary hardwired system)? The pro78 has exceptional false filtering and better customer support while the v995 has Tech mode and possibly better sensitivity (?) but more prone to the dreaded Self Cal show stoppers.

  2. #2
    Professional
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Posts
    1,476

    Default

    Shoot, If I'd Take a V955 Over the 78, I Think u Can Tell I'd Take the 995 Over the 78...

    Again, I'm Somewhat Biased Juzt Becauze I Own a Bel, But IMO Any Problemz Would b Worth the Performance Gainz in The 995...

  3. #3
    Power User
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    MI / MA
    Posts
    3,594

    Default

    You've gotten yourself in the toughest decision:

    PERFORMANCE:
    I really say "who cares"? BOTH detectors would get you more than enough detection range to deal with instant-on or constant-on threats on any band.

    FILTERING:
    Bel is supposedly superior in filtering, though from what people are saying the Whistler pro-78 is pretty good at it too.

    MULTIPLE THREATS
    Bel takes the cake on this one -- the ability to see multiple threats or see the frequency is just not there in Whistler's products.

    QUALITY / CUSTOMER SERVICE:
    Whistler undoubtably takes the cake for this one.

    So, you should consider the tradeoff of customer service / reliability for the abiliy to display multiple threats.... Hmm.... hmm....

    Well can't help you any more.

  4. #4
    Stealthcb
    Guest

    Default

    Depends what you're willing to spend. If you can handle almost $300 for the 995, get it. But if I had to choose between the 955 and the Pro-78, I'll take the 78 all day long. Why? It's reliable. Bels simply are not. And if my 78 fails, I know Michael B will fix it for me without any trouble.

  5. #5
    Experienced
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    Northville, MI
    Posts
    200

    Default

    OK. I should clarify. I did not buy a brand new V995. I bought a used unit from craiglist (made 35th week of 2004 with the S7 horn). From the pictures, it seemed to be in EXCELLENT condition (no scratches or evidence of long term use). I know all about the horror stories buying used from EBay and CG, but for $100 shipped, I had to at least try. Whether it is actually going to perform at all (if I don't get the SELF CAL message within 2 minutes of power-up) is going to be the big question once it arrives. I've been reassured that I will get my money back if this unit is a lemon.

    So yes, reliability is a big factor in my decision. I'm thinking that I bought it just to venture outside of Whistler and try something new. Even if the 995 ends up beating my 78 by miles and miles (which I know it won't), I will probably end up selling it again and keeping the pro78 just because of the reassurance of the 3 year warranty.

  6. #6
    Newcomer
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    Central IL
    Posts
    48

    Default

    I own both the whistler xtr-690(same platform as the pro 78)and the V995. If most of the leos in your area run KA band guns then get the Whistler Pro-78 as it is more sensitive than the V995. However if K band is your main concern then get a V995 as it is a fair amount more sensitive than the pro 78. MY Bel V995 actually alerted me to a laser hit 2 days ago and I saw an IL State Police Vehicle hiding behind a concrete barrier with his nice little lidar gun. At least my Bel alerted to it. Thankfully I was only going 5 over the speed limit.

  7. #7
    Professional
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Posts
    1,476

    Default

    If yr Not Buyin a Brand New V995, Get the Whistler. I'd Never Buy a Detector Uzed, and I'd ESPECIALLY Never Buy a Bel Uzed. Heard 2 Many Bad Storiez Regarding That...

  8. #8
    Experienced
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    Northville, MI
    Posts
    200

    Default

    The primary threat on my daily route to work is through Novi's K-band alley. The pro78 has performed admirably on K-band and has given me 1-1.5 miles of warning on average over multiple hills. However, some of the weaknesses that I have noticed (that I think are non-trivial) are band-confusion and lower off-axis sensitivity.

    I (and some other users) have had K-band radar being reported as X-band on multiple occasions. Mike B says that this is due to another radar source present in the area. However, I have experienced this on my daily route and I know for a fact that this wasn't the case in my situation(s). A K-band speed sign was put up on a portion of my evening route home in an area w/ no previous alerts and no automatic door openers. However, the 78 alerted to a solid X-band signal and did not switch to K until I power-cycled the unit. I have also experienced this as I drove past a stationary Novi K-band LEO perpendicular to the road. I haven't heard of any instances of Bel/Escort/Valentine units behaving this way.

    Compared to my pro73, the pro78 no longer alerts to the corner CVS and Rite-Aid. From the FCC pics of the 78/690 horn vs the 73 horn, it is obvious that the 78's horn is more narrow and directional. With a more directional antenna, on-axis sensitivity is increased at the expense of off-axis performance. Although off-axis sensitivity is not a major concern (as LEOs are unable to obtain accurate off-axis measurements), it can be quite useful at intersections where there may potentially be a LEO using IO turning onto the road after you pass by. Although these situations may be rare, a RD with good off-axis sensitivity would offer one more thing to put you at ease.

  9. #9
    Professional
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    The Socialist People's Republic of California
    Posts
    1,190

    Default

    I know I have said this many times before but he Bell995 saved me hundreds of times (read my sig). It was my first detector and I truly did fall in love with the hobby because of it. It rocked on both K and Ka band.

    Yea guys, it did well on k band even though bells supposedly suck.

    I was saved probably 8-10 times from k band instant on. It alerted instantly when I was shot . It did likewise on ka band instant on and sniffed out Stalker constant on guns from miles away. As for laser or pop, I can't report .

  10. #10
    Old Timer
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Orlando, FL
    Posts
    8,881

    Default

    If you are going to have both, then why not try each for a little bit? Maybe I missed something in your post.

 

 

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