Entry Level Detector

[Thaddeus]

Hey guys just found this forum via the Radar Busters site and its great. Lots of info and I've been able to weed out some ideas I had about picking a new detector. I'm looking to replace an old whistler 17 something series I got about 5 or 6 years ago now. I've started traveling a lot more for work and Ive just put it off to long. I know you get what you pay for on these things but I'm a broke college student so I need to stay in the lower priced models so the STI or a nice Escort are out for the time being. I know Cobras are for the most part not up to par and I shouldn't waste the money. Right now I'm thinking either the Pro-78 or the Bel 940?

From what I've read on here and on the radar busters site the Whistler has more features but the bell may get a little better performance. I like the blue strobes of the 78 because I'm the stereo cranked up high way speeder but I think I care a little more about getting the best detector for the money. Both of them sitting around 140 right now. Any one have strong feelings one way or the other or used both??

Thanks for the help!

[hockey005]

940..and id get one new

[Serg]

V1 my friend Don't waste money on something that you will not use in 6 month, get V1 and you are set for life 8)

[focalcivic]

V1 my friend Don't waste money on something that you will not use in 6 month, get V1 and you are set for life 8)

Read the post again, money is the problem, I would go with the Bel 940, but the Pro 78 from what I have read is not bad. I would go with your personal perference between the 2.

[jdong]

You've already hit the nail on the head with the difference between the two. Pro-78 has more bells and whistles plus the unparalleled customer service from Whistler, while the 940 will have a bit better performance.

IMO both perform well enough in that entry class to offer adequate protection; I own an XTR-690 based on the same detection platform and I've never had a single complaint about it not detecting a threat from a far enough range.

[Serg]

V1 my friend Don't waste money on something that you will not use in 6 month, get V1 and you are set for life 8)

Read the post again, money is the problem, I would go with the Bel 940, but the Pro 78 from what I have read is not bad. I would go with your personal perference between the 2.

If money IS the problem then he needs to save it for bread and butter and obey all traffic laws.

[jdong]

Come on, the 940 and Pro-78 aren't THAT bad to avoid them like the plague!

[Orbital75]

The Beltronics Vector 940 is what you need.
Yes the Higher end detectors do have the
advantage but in reality the Vectors do hold
their own with the big boys.

[MEM-TEK]

Hey guys just found this forum via the Radar Busters site and its great. Lots of info and I've been able to weed out some ideas I had about picking a new detector. I'm looking to replace an old whistler 17 something series I got about 5 or 6 years ago now. I've started traveling a lot more for work and Ive just put it off to long. I know you get what you pay for on these things but I'm a broke college student so I need to stay in the lower priced models so the STI or a nice Escort are out for the time being. I know Cobras are for the most part not up to par and I shouldn't waste the money. Right now I'm thinking either the Pro-78 or the Bel 940?

From what I've read on here and on the radar busters site the Whistler has more features but the bell may get a little better performance. I like the blue strobes of the 78 because I'm the stereo cranked up high way speeder but I think I care a little more about getting the best detector for the money. Both of them sitting around 140 right now. Any one have strong feelings one way or the other or used both??

Thanks for the help!

Hi Thaddeus,

Welcome to the forum! In my opinion...

The Whistler Pro-78 has fairly good performance whereas the Bel 940 has very good performance. As you mentioned, the Pro-78 does have those bright flashing LEDs to immediately get your attention, and it does have a larger and louder speaker as well. Although the Bel does have better performance, not noticing or hearing the initial alerts from the Bel 940 when your car stereo is cranked up could easily cost you a ticket. The internal construction of both models is top notch with regards to reliability.

In either case, be sure to buy brand new AND from an authorized dealer. Don't buy from unauthorized dealers or from an online auction even if they claim that the radar detector is brand new -- you could easily get stuck with a lemon which actually was either returned or refurbished and which is without a factory warranty from Bel or Whistler.

Needless to say, a radar detector is absolutely no guarantee against getting a ticket. Use a radar detector wisely -- especially at night. If you encounter several police radar guns then you know that the police are out and are hot and heavy to pull motorists over. Wisely drive the PSL in such situations -- especially on Friday and Saturday nights in TX! Another use for a radar detector in town is to let you know when a patrol car is nearby. In such situations, always make sure that you use your turn signals when making a turn or changing lanes, and make sure that you don't chance running a yellow light and that you drive at or slightly less than the PSL. State money has dried up for many towns in TX and other states, and traffic citations are on the rise for even the smallest infractions.

For what its worth!

--Michael

[jerry540i]

The 940 is the industry's best kept secret. It has the same internals as the other Vector series, the RX-65 and the Escort X50. Check out the last test done by Guys of Lidar, and you'll see that it performs very well for the money.

See www.guysoflidar.com

J/