The Beltronics Vector Series

[ELVATO]

Seeing as all the detectors in the Vector series from Beltronics (V940, V955, V965, V995) have the same performance according the the latest (Aug 07) radar test, and how widely their prices vary, one must assume the price difference is based upon the features/goodies each detector has.

I know Beltronics has their own little list on their site, but I figured maybe I could break it down a little better. That, and the fact the their range comparison thing is bogus.

BTW, for the V955 and V995, I'm going off what the Bel site says. If these two have something else going for them, please post if up. The other two, I know what they have.

First off, here's what you get with the V940, their base model.

V940:
Retail Price: $169.95
Selectable Modes: Highway, City
Brightness: Dark, Minimum, Medium, Maximum
Pilot H, Highway
Voice On, Off
Power Up Sequence Fast, Standard
Auto Mute On, Off
City Mode LoX, Standard
Selectable Bands POP, SWS
Comments: Good little budget performer. If you don't like X, or they don't use it in your area, maybe going up to the V955 for $30 or so dollars might not be a bad idea. Sometimes, CC has these suckers up online for around 130, which I consider a steal.

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V955:
Retail Price: $199.95, $30 more than V940
Difference between V940: Has Autoscan and a NoX City mode
Comments: Basically, for $30, you can turn off X completely and get Autoscan, which I don't know how I feel about.

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V965:
Retail Price: $249.95, $80 more than V940, $50 more than V955
Difference between V940: Has Autoscan, a NoX City mode, and a soft travel case.
Comments: Basically the same thing as the V955, except you pay $50 for a travel case? WTF?! What a joke. :roll:

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V995:
Retail Price: $299.95, $130 more than V940 retail, $100 more than V955, $50 more than V965.
Difference between V940: Has Autoscan, a NoX City mode, selectable bands, a soft travel case, Voltage & Tech displays, as well as a Smart Cord ($30.)
Comments: Basically, you can now turn off X (can already do that with NoX) K, Ka, and Laser (who turns these off?) Tech and Voltage display are cool (and tech display is helpful) but not needed. The Smart Cord you can always purchase later, or just reach up and mute. The travel case, well.... As a side note, CC has these now for 240, which makes it a bit more worthwhile.

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As been mentioned in other posts, Beltronics seems to be basically charging more money for what appear to be some firmware flashed and some overpriced items (carrying case.)

And yes, before anyone mentions it, I bought my dad a V965 (over a V955), partially because of the range comparisons found on the back of the box. I think this was before the Aug GOL test. Either way, I fee stupid. ops:

[MEM-TEK]

Hi ELVATO,

That is a nice write-up, and it pretty much sums up the differences between the Vector models.

I would point out that the City LoX and City NoX modes do reduce K band sensitivity. The AutoScan mode only filters out X band door openers, and only if the X band door opener signals aren't strong enough to override the filter. That occurs when the signal strength from the door openers reaches a level of roughly 4 out of 10. Note that AutoScan mode does not decrease K band sensitivity at all. Nevertheless, AutoScan's X only filtering is quickly becoming outdated since K band door openers have popped up everywhere during the last couple of years. I wonder what Bel will call the next line of radar detectors which incorporates enhanced AutoScan filtering for K band door openers as well, or even if they will produce a line with enhanced AutoScan filtering since this would obviously impact sales of the 9500i?

[JonnyZero]

M-T
Any source on the City Mode Reducing K band sensitivity?

My 995's manual reads:

Highway / AutoScan / City Button
The City button selects V995’s sensitivity
mode. We recommend the AutoScan mode
for most driving.
V995’s AutoScan mode provides longrange
warning, with minimum false alarms.
In this mode, V995’s internal computer
continuously analyzes all incoming signals
and intelligently filters out false alarms.
You can also select conventional
Highway and City modes. When driving in
urban areas where annoying X-band
intrusion alarms and door openers are
common, City mode can be engaged to
lower X-band sensitivity and reduce X-band
alerts. Full sensitivity is maintained on all
other bands. You can also customize V995’s
City mode sensitivity, including “No X”
mode. See the Programming section for
details.

http://www.beltronics.com/manuals/v995bmanual.pdf
Pg. 9

I run City LoX even on the highway, since I have not seen an X band cop since 1998 here - but just in case, I am leaving it in LoX mode. If K band (quickly becoming only small town, I mean really small town cops), is reduced, I am going to rethink this.

[MEM-TEK]

M-T
Any source on the City Mode Reducing K band sensitivity?...

Hi JonnyZero,

I have thoroughly tested my V995. City mode does not affect the V995's K band sensitivity.

So, there you have it!

--Michael

[PWRDbyTRD]

I myself with my V995 have seen drastic detection range variances while operating with City NoX on K band 24.100 in comparison to Highway.

[CJR238]

All models use the M4 horn, correct?

[RDR5]

I myself with my V995 have seen drastic detection range variances while operating with City NoX on K band 24.100 in comparison to Highway.

How drastic are we talking about?

[amoney]

Wallymart has the 995 on sale for $239

[RDR5]

Wallymart has the 995 on sale for $239

Circuit City got it for $220 online, and you'll pay that price and can do a store pickup to get it same day. Ironically the stores carry the regular price of $299. Save money just by buying online and doing instore pickup.

[dpatel01]

all bel vectors on sale this week at circuitcity.com

940 was $160, now $138
955 was $200, now $173
965 was $250, now $230
995 was $300, now $220

bel gives the 965 a $50 msrp markup over the same performing 955 because of the soft carrying case, and circuit city prices the feature packed and same performing 995 $10 less than a 965.

the 965 remains the oddball in the vector lineup when it comes to pricing.