Beltronics question

[WhistlerMan]

Two weeks ago I sent in my 13 month old Vector895 to Beltronics because my speaker went out, and they repaired it out of warranty for free. I notice the work order I received said it was also updated. My question to you is:

What buttons do I have to push on the Vector895 to read what my knew updated code is?

I would like to comfirm that it was really done.

[MEM-TEK]

Hold down the program buttons and then press the power button to turn on the RD. It should very briefly display the firmware version and then display "RESET".

Note that apparently Belscort no longer is updating the displayed firmware version number whenever they release a newer firmware. For example, Escort quietly introduced a firmware update for the 9500i which greatly improved its sensitivity, yet the displayed firmware number didn't change. So don't be surprised if the displayed firmware version has remained the same. Belscort's service department staff seems to be very conscientious -- if the service card says they did something then I am sure that they did.

[WhistlerMan]

One other thing I want to mention.

In my 3 previous attempts to Beltronics customer service, I was denied a warranty repair even though it was less than 1 month out of warranty on my Radio Shack purchased Vector 895. However, the guy I got on the phone two weeks ago said, since it is only 13 month old it would be no problem to get me a one month out of warranty repair for free.

So guys, I guess it is who you get that matters. In my case the fourth try was a charm.


P.S. Radio Shack however couldn't care less to try helping you.

[CactusMan]

I purchased the RX65 from Roy which I have since sold. But before I sold it, I purchased the 2 yr extended warranty - basically just a sticker to go on to the bottom of the RD. Hope the buyer hasnt encountered any problems but he is good to go with servicing till 9/09.

[WhistlerMan]

Hold down the program buttons and then press the power button to turn on the RD. It should very briefly display the firmware version and then display "RESET".

Note that apparently Belscort no longer is updating the displayed firmware version number whenever they release a newer firmware. For example, Escort quietly introduced a firmware update for the 9500i which greatly improved its sensitivity, yet the displayed firmware number didn't change. So don't be surprised if the displayed firmware version has remained the same. Belscort's service department staff seems to be very conscientious -- if the service card says they did something then I am sure that they did.

Thanks MEM-TEK,

I do not know what my firmware version was before I sent it off, so I can not tell for sure if it is different now. It now reads (895 4.5).

Is there any way to tell if this is the latest firmware version number, or this number is the same number that was on my Vector895 when purchased now 14 months ago?

[OzarkaWater]

WhisterMan,

I own a 895 that was manufactured in the 7th week of 2005 and the firmware on it is version 1.0.

I think asianfire also owns the 895 with a firmware version 1.0 also.

It is hard to say whether or not this is the "latest" version since the 895 is no longer sold. But since the 895 is similar to the rest of the models in the Vector series, they might have just flashed it with the latest firmware for the Vectors series which might be version 4.5.

Don't really know, I'm just speculating.

Let me know if you see any improvements in detection range though. I feel like my 895 isn't too sensitive, although it might be because I'm also comparing it to the X50 and a V1 which are two units way out of its league.

[WhistlerMan]

WhisterMan,

I own a 895 that was manufactured in the 7th week of 2005 and the firmware on it is version 1.0.

I think asianfire also owns the 895 with a firmware version 1.0 also.

It is hard to say whether or not this is the "latest" version since the 895 is no longer sold. But since the 895 is similar to the rest of the models in the Vector series, they might have just flashed it with the latest firmware for the Vectors series which might be version 4.5.

Don't really know, I'm just speculating.

Let me know if you see any improvements in detection range though. I feel like my 895 isn't too sensitive, although it might be because I'm also comparing it to the X50 and a V1 which are two units way out of its league.

OzarkaWater,

Oh! I can tell a difference with shorter falsing times on Automatic doors.

Also, with my 895 on Autoscan tonight, I was traveling to my home down La. state Hwy 41 in Pearl River La. and with nobody in front of me at all, I passed a local store with automatic doors. Then one block after my 895 stopped beeping from the doors, I get a slow beep, so I slow down. It then begins beeping more often as I am moving and starts getting a little stronger. All this time I am looking for the Leo, saying to myself, where the hell is he. I could not believe my eyes as to how good this new 4.5 updated 895 worked. After making 2 wide turns and 2/3 of a mile from when it first started beeping, along sat 2 Leo's off the side the highway facing each other with their lights off. I felt like pulling down my 895 and kissing it, with the job it did with absolutely no cars in front of me. This is a personal story I will never forget, as the only cars around was me going 40 in a 45, and 2 Leo's probably saying to each other, that guy must have a RD.

I have 2 questions to ask some of the smart guys in this forum.

If the 2 Leo's both had their radar guns facing the same way, would that have given off a stronger and longer detecting signal to me?

Does anyone know if the 4.5 on my Vector 895 is the most recent Vector firmware version update?