keep using BEL 985 or buy another detector?

[louisdarke]

i have been using a BEL 985 for a year or so and i am quite happy with it. i also run a Blinder M20. does it make sense to move to a newer unit like the rx65 or 8500 x50 now, or wait until KU is being utilized in the US? i know the tests show more range on the newer units, but i'm not sold yet on switching from the 985 solely for the extra detection range. any thoughts would be appreciated.

[Hessen]

I have a Bel 985...it is an Excellent RD.
But the newer models are better.....X50, RX65, V1
I don't think KU is going to be a threat any time soon.

[boomerman]

I would keep the bel 985 if it was me.
That is a great detector and as long as it works well why spend the money?

[hankd]

I've used my 985 along with just about everything else out there and I'm sticking with it for now. I like the features and it has excellent range and filtering. My main complaint is the abortion of a windshield mount!!

[GTO_04]

Keep the 985. I tried a 995 and the range was not as good as on the 985. Others have good reports about the 995 though. I would keep the 985 unless POP radar is used in your area. Or unless you want to upgrade to a V1 1.8

FYI, the 985 is nearly as good as the V1 (1.7) on Ka band.

GTO_04

[happya$$]

Yeah keep the Bel 985. As you saw on the SML reports it is an EXCELLENT detector

[drochebs]

How good is the 985 with Laser? I was travelling from KC to STL and was lasered by a motorcycle cop on I-70. I did receive a Laser alert but that was the first time it had ever gone off. I have had my V985 for about 4 months.

[GTO_04]

How good is the 985 with Laser? I was travelling from KC to STL and was lasered by a motorcycle cop on I-70. I did receive a Laser alert but that was the first time it had ever gone off. I have had my V985 for about 4 months.

Laser is OK on it, but not like the V1.

I like that Avatar. Do you realize that is one of the few Unidens that was any good? I think that won one of the Car and Driver tests in the '80s!

GTO_04

[drochebs]

Yeah, the RD9XL was my first RD. Could fit in your shirt pocket easily. It did win one of theCD tests in the 80's. :D

[Radarboy12312]

i have been using a BEL 985 for a year or so and i am quite happy with it. i also run a Blinder M20. does it make sense to move to a newer unit like the rx65 or 8500 x50 now, or wait until KU is being utilized in the US? i know the tests show more range on the newer units, but i'm not sold yet on switching from the 985 solely for the extra detection range. any thoughts would be appreciated.

It deoends. If I where you I would just keep what you have at least wait to KU really is a issue. but on the other hand if you have anuff money to buy the X50 now then go ahead. As I.am sure you know there is a upgrade for Ku band with the X50

If you ever want to sell me your RX65? I would be willing to buy it form you for a good price as long as it is in good working order. PM if you do want to know what I,am willing to give you for it. Thanks

[amoney]

Ok, as far as I am concerned I am keeping MINE!

Reasons:

In regards to POP, my 985 has gone of at the 33.8 fequency, so to chase down the added false alarms just for POP, I dont feel the need to.

As far as laser goes, I believe in a high mount (less baking in the sun, and out of thiefs eyes), and everytime far ahead, and even close up the detector gave warning! (the pack of cars ahead, and even as I then later drove by eyeing the cop as he was eyeing me, dam that laser is nasty stuff, appearing more and more, but the Ka detection is wonderfull)

Now for the up coming Ku band, well actually I was going to call support to see what Bel says about their never obsolete software upgradeable technology... I wish I did get the european 985 model (forget the number, was it 990?)

Anyways, very predictable, and wonderfull advance warning.

PLUS good god the new Bel units are UGLY!

[boomerman]

Do not bother calling Bel about their "software upgrades" there was never any software upgrades ever offered by bel. This was a big sales marketing hype/scam.

[amoney]

Do not bother calling Bel about their "software upgrades" there was never any software upgrades ever offered by bel. This was a big sales marketing hype/scam.

Thanks for the heads up.

[outrun]

DON'T GET RID OF THAT 985

That was the 3rd detector that I ever had. 1st was a crap cobra cheap one. 2nd one was a bel express something. I hated it. 3rd I got the 985. I loved that thing. I thought it was messed up when it started picking all kinds of stuff up in the begining. But it is just that much better than the ones that I had before. Also I have been hit with laser and it has gone off. It was mounted low on the windshield. Also in my opinion the RX-65 and the 985 are almost the same. I just think they changed the design and added a few more features that to me are not worth upgrading to yet.

OUTRUN

[fireant]

hey Outrun,

Do you think the same could be said about 995 and the 985. The 995 would be closer because it detects Ku. The 995 is the Rx 65 minus some features. The 985 could be the same minus some features and Ku.

[outrun]

hey Outrun,

Do you think the same could be said about 995 and the 985. The 995 would be closer because it detects Ku. The 995 is the Rx 65 minus some features. The 985 could be the same minus some features and Ku.

Yeah, you are probably right. I just have never looked into the 995. That may be the upgrade from the 985. But I have heard most say they don't like that 995. I just have used the RX-65 long enough to assume it is pretty much as good as the 985.

OUTRUN

[fireant]

The Rx 65 is a great detector don't know alot about the 985 have heard good things though about it. I have the 995 it seems to be a great detector the Rx 65 was just a little out of my price range and after reading the 995 had Ku and was basically the same detector went with it to save the money. The wife would not let me spend the extra cash. Was trying to find some info about the 985 just wanted to see this detectors abilties any links to info about it out there???

fireant

[amoney]

The Rx 65 is a great detector don't know alot about the 985 have heard good things though about it. I have the 995 it seems to be a great detector the Rx 65 was just a little out of my price range and after reading the 995 had Ku and was basically the same detector went with it to save the money. The wife would not let me spend the extra cash. Was trying to find some info about the 985 just wanted to see this detectors abilties any links to info about it out there???

fireant

Uh?

I was about to dig up the testing that was done (I wanted to see it again since I purcahsed my 985 2 yrs ago) but after just browsing a recent archive I could not locate the review... BUT I found another, this one... and I dont understand WHY the 985 is listed in POP mode catagory... the 985 was sold pre-POP so whats the deal?

2003 SML Review:

http://www.radarbusters.com/support/speedlabs/radar-review.asp

I feel a sense of happiness comming over me ;-)

Now all I have to worry about is Ku.

Edit

Ok apparently POP with Ka 33.8 (Bee III) was tested, dont know about other POP sensetivity, wish SML would review this older RD with their newer line ups... sorta do an obsolete testing to help us judge when to throw our detectors away.

[amoney]

And according to this page

http://www.radarbusters.com/support/speedlabs/radar-pop.asp

Some radar detectors (including mine ;-)) already detect POP both Ka and K... so no need for the extra "POP" mode, when I am already covered, I am so happy I found these pages!

[amoney]

BUT...

whats the deal here

http://www.radarbusters.com/support/speedlabs/radar-laser.asp

985 not listed???

Obvisously it isa laser detector and from my experience it works pretty darn well.

Is these archived review getting corrupted perhaps I am in for some bad news about that POP?