Got an XRS9930 for my B-day, should I exchange?

[SkortchGT]

Hi all,
I'm new to this board. My birthday was 3/26 (i'm 24, feelng old lol) and my girlfriend bought me a radar detector for my birthday, the Cobra XRS9930. I've never owned one before. After reading this board, I've come to learn Cobra's are bad. I still have the gift receipt, and have until 4/5 to return it. I think she paid around 180-200 for it from Circuit City. I want to exchange it now. What are the recommendations for a good detector in this price range that will detect all bands? I can spend a little extra also. I know Ku isn't here in the USA. I'm a complete newb to radar detectors. Any help is much appreciated. Thanks is advance!

[Acecool]

Return it and put another 1 to 2 hundred on top of what she paid for an rx65, x50 or v1

[SkortchGT]

Hey, thanks for the reply. The only other ones I see on Circuits website are:

Whistler:
-PRO73

Beltronics:
-V940
-Vector 955
-Vector 965
-Vector 995
-Vector 975R
-Sti

I didn't stop in the store yet, i'm assuming they have the same selection at the store. Which one of these is the equivlant of your suggestions?

[ELVATO]

Ok, apparently the Cobra is 169.99 on circuit City's website. I'm assuming you are going to get this much back.

For only a couple dollars more, you can get the V955, which according to GOL, is the best "budget" (under 200) detector.

If you want the ability to shut off bands, the V995 is your only choice. It'll be about 260 at Circuit City's online store.

Where do you live (to see what your "threats" are.)

[SkortchGT]

Hey, thanks for the reply. I live in Bethlehem (Lehigh Valley) PA.

[ELVATO]

According to the list of states, Pennsylvania uses Vascar and K band radar.

You might also be interested in this:
http://www.speedtrap.org/speedtraps/ste.asp?state=PA&city=Bethlehem

The V955 should do you well. Just watch out for that VASCAR which can be pretty deadly.

[SkortchGT]

Hey, thanks for the info. I might just pick up the 995, or possibly a higher model if the store near me has it. I don't mind spending a bit more to get good protection. I'm not to familiar with VASCAR. I'll have to read up on that. I'm glad I found this site though, saved me from the Cobra. Thanks for all of your help

[SkortchGT]

Just returned the Cobra. Got a Beltronics Vector 995. Is this just as good or close to the RX65 or RX55?

[ELVATO]

It is said that the V995 is the same thing as the RX-65, without a couple features, like USA Ka mode, and a Expert mode.

My roomates V995 alerts a bit sooner than my X50 on K, if that gives you any idea.

Good luck with your purchase :)

[SkortchGT]

Hey, thanks! Man am I glad I found this site, saved myself from Cobra. I had no idea they were that bad!

[SkortchGT]

Oh, i'm not to sure what USA Ka mode is? If there is a "newbie" area, feel free to point me over to it.

[bauzer71487]

Oh, i'm not to sure what USA Ka mode is? If there is a "newbie" area, feel free to point me over to it.

Your okay.

What he means by Ka USA mode, is that the rx65 can also be set to scan a shorter Ka range so that it can pick up the gatso's on the other half of the world. Your 995 doesn't offer the Euro mode, so its permanently in USA mode.

Feel free to fire questions off either here or in general - we dont' really have a newbies thread.

[ELVATO]

USA Ka is a feature that the RX-65 has where it scans only the the three Ka frequencies used in the US(33.8, 34.7, 35.5), as opposed to the whole Ka frequency, which is from 33.4-36 GHz. Most other detectors scan the whole Ka frequency. Therefore, the RX-65 detects Ka better when in Ka US than when it is in Ka International(where is scans the whole frequency.

You can check out the www.guysoflidar.com page. They have many informative articles and FAQs.

[ELVATO]

Oh, i'm not to sure what USA Ka mode is? If there is a "newbie" area, feel free to point me over to it.

Your okay.

What he means by Ka USA mode, is that the rx65 can also be set to scan a shorter Ka range so that it can pick up the gatso's on the other half of the world. Your 995 doesn't offer the Euro mode, so its permanently in USA mode.

Feel free to fire questions off either here or in general - we dont' really have a newbies thread.

Hmm, I always thought that the V995 was an RX65 on International mode, which meant it scanned the whole Ka frequency.

[bauzer71487]

International Ka = Shorter
USA Ka = Longer

So when they are in euro - they pick up the low powered units much much faster. AFAIK.

[SkortchGT]

Hey, thanks for the website links, very useful, lots of good info. Oh, one more question that popped into my head; on the Vector 995 box, it says it's software can be updated. Whats the process on this? I couldn't find much. I'm assuming it has to be sent into Beltronics?

[bauzer71487]

You are right, it needs to be sent to beltronics. Although the software update doesn't usually mean a whole lot

[ELVATO]

Ah, you have discovered Belscorts' "weakness." They aren't too upgradable. Sure they can upgrade the software and stuff, but it usually isn't much, as bauzer said. They will usually upgrade the hardware, as in the X50's case(5.0 to 6.1...don't know if there was an earlier one).

Actually, I don't totally know..hasn't the STI been software updated a couple times?

[SkortchGT]

Hmm, interesting. I'll have to check the version on mine. Anyone know the latest on the Vector 995?

Oh BTW, here in Bethlehem, i'm real close to highway 78, where they are doing contruction. They have a speed sign, so I decided to take a drive and test out my new RD. This thing detects K very well, was warned WELL in advance, i want to say probably a mile. Not sure, I didn't hit the trip od to get an exact distance. Still have to see if I get any other hits on any other bands.

[bauzer71487]

Glad you like your new rd.

Don't forget that IO CAN kill you really quick :-\

[proudNMAmember]

Skortch, welcome to the board. Glad to see your 995 is working for you. I like my 995. :D

[SkortchGT]

So far I am very pleased. Picked up a state trooper today using Ka probably a mile in advance. I didn't think these things could detect so far from a source. Not bad!

[nascar]

Just returned the Cobra. Got a Beltronics Vector 995. Is this just as good or close to the RX65 or RX55?

Wise man! :D

Please come back with your feedback. Thanks.

[SkortchGT]

So far I love it. I'll post a new thread in the Beltronics section since this is not really on a Cobra (Crapra as i've been seeing on this board lol) anymore. Thanks everyone for your replies and input, much appreciated.