Beltronics RD

[Gokhos]

I am considering getting a Beltronics RD.

Most of my driving is in city, with some urban highways and streets with some out of town highway travel mostly in state (TX) (Spectre is around). Lots of various LEO around - many running enforcement. Laser and Ka and the most frequently encountered speed enforcement. LEO are particularly strict in school zones. Not a habitual speeder, just looking for some general RD protection but of decent quality. I prefer "windshield" mounted detectors and do not want a remote install. GPS capability is a nice feature but not critical.

I am currently considering the following Beltronics RD:

Vector 995
RX65 Blue (I prefer blue instead of red)
GX65
STi Driver (Not sure I need a stealthy detector)

I have experience with higher end Escort and Whistler - never had a Beltronics. I have decided not to look at the V1. I want to try something new and different for another vehicle (SUV)

Currently I am leaning towards the 995 or RX65 - have seen some reviews on these and it appears many prefer the RX65.

I don't know much about the GX65 and would like to learn more about it.

I would appreciate some input from any of you that have actual experience with these. Also would like mounting location opinions. I usually mount high over the RVM.

Thanks.

[Whistler1]

Gokhos,

I wouldn't go with anything less than a Bel Vector 995.

1. The sensitivity factor
2. The tech display- it will give you frequency readout of the source it it alerting to. X band 10.5 ghz. K band 24.05 - 24.25 ghz. Ka band 33.8, 34.7, 35.5.
3. The ability to turn off individual bands.

Just my opinion,

Whistler1

[passlabs]

I own bel 995 and it has provided me with many saves, and no problems.

[Whistler1]

Great to hear, I have a Bel RX65 and a V995 and both are great detectors. I glad to hear that you like your V995.




Whistler1

[Gokhos]

Great to hear, I have a Bel RX65 and a V995 and both are great detectors. I glad to hear that you like your V995.




Whistler1

Do you know how the V995 and RX65 would compare to Whistler's XTR 685 and Pro 68?

Thanks!

[Gokhos]

Gokhos,

I wouldn't go with anything less than a Bel Vector 995.

1. The sensitivity factor
2. The tech display- it will give you frequency readout of the source it it alerting to. X band 10.5 ghz. K band 24.05 - 24.25 ghz. Ka band 33.8, 34.7, 35.5.
3. The ability to turn off individual bands.

Just my opinion,

Whistler1

Thanks. I have read that all of the 900 series are about the same when it comes to detection sensitivity and capability. Is that true?

Is the 995 the only Beltronics model that has the band frequency capability? The Whistler XTR 695 has that.

Thanks.

[Whistler1]

The Whistler Pro78 and the XTR695 will lag the Bel RX65 and V995 about 3 to 4 seconds in time when run against a K band your speed sign at about 40 to 45 mph about 350 ft difference. The difference on Ka band, the Whistlers will lad the Bels by .1 to .3 miles on C/O 34.7 and 35.5.

The Pro68 has better X band sensitivity than the Pro78 but lags it on K and Ka band but still good.



Whistler1

[MEM-TEK]

Hi Gokhos,

From what I understand, Texas DSP regularly use Spectres to try to nail RD users. Fortunately all current Vectors and the GX65 use the M4 antenna platform which is fairly stealthy. The M4 is only able to be detected by the Spectre at a maximum range of anywhere from around 200 feet to 400 feet.

You mention that most of your driving is around town. Do you have lots of false alert locations which are spaced fairly close together (within 1 mile of each other)? If so, then obviously these frequent false alerts can be annoying. The GX65 is more or less a somewhat improved Escort 9500i, and just as with the 9500i, you are in control and you decide what false alerts to manually lock out. And of course the GX65 has its very useful red light and speed camera database. I saw plenty of those red light cameras all around town while in College Station on business. In a lot of ways the GX65 is what the original 9500i should have been from the start. TX is known for its plethora of red light cameras which are installed throughout the state. I think that once you use a RD with a red light camera database, you will never want to go back to using any other ordinary RD.

Finally, you mention that you prefer to mount your RD's high. This could be problem for GPS acquisition and maintaining GPS lock, but usually if you simply lower the RD's mounting position by as little as 1/2" to 1" then GPS works fine. The only caveat of mounting any of Bel's or Escort's RD's except the STi up high is that their control buttons are on top and harder to access. Of course this despends a lot on the slope of your vehicle's headliner as to whether or not you can conveniently reach the top mounted RD control buttons. This is one advantage which the STi has since its control buttons are located on its rear face.

Hmm...I would definitely install a remote kill switch in order to turn off the RD without the officer seeing you reaching towards the RD in order to turn it off.

[Gokhos]

Hi Gokhos,

From what I understand, Texas DSP regularly use Spectres to try to nail RD users. Fortunately all current Vectors and the GX65 use the M4 antenna platform which is fairly stealthy. The M4 is only able to be detected by the Spectre at a maximum range of anywhere from around 200 feet to 400 feet.

You mention that most of your driving is around town. Do you have lots of false alert locations which are spaced fairly close together (within 1 mile of each other)? If so, then obviously these frequent false alerts can be annoying. The GX65 is more or less a somewhat improved Escort 9500i, and just as with the 9500i, you are in control and you decide what false alerts to manually lock out. And of course the GX65 has its very useful red light and speed camera database. I saw plenty of those red light cameras all around town while in College Station on business. In a lot of ways the GX65 is what the original 9500i should have been from the start. TX is known for its plethora of red light cameras which are installed throughout the state. I think that once you use a RD with a red light camera database, you will never want to go back to using any other ordinary RD.

Finally, you mention that you prefer to mount your RD's high. This could be problem for GPS acquisition and maintaining GPS lock, but usually if you simply lower the RD's mounting position by as little as 1/2" to 1" then GPS works fine. The only caveat of mounting any of Bel's or Escort's RD's except the STi up high is that their control buttons are on top and harder to access. Of course this despends a lot on the slope of your vehicle's headliner as to whether or not you can conveniently reach the top mounted RD control buttons. This is one advantage which the STi has since its control buttons are located on its rear face.

Hmm...I would definitely install a remote kill switch in order to turn off the RD without the officer seeing you reaching towards the RD in order to turn it off.

Mem-Tek,

Thanks.

Also, I meant to type XTR695 and Pro 78, not 685 or 68. I am tired.

It sounds like the GX65 is very similar to the Escort 9500ix. Is the GX65 the only Beltronics model with GPS?

Does the 995 compare to the XTR 695?

I might consider the STi but I really don't do that much highway driving so I am not sure if the cost of it is worth it to me.

I appreciate your comments.

[MEM-TEK]

Mem-Tek,

Thanks.

Also, I meant to type XTR695 and Pro 78, not 685 or 68. I am tired.

It sounds like the GX65 is very similar to the Escort 9500ix. Is the GX65 the only Beltronics model with GPS?

Does the 995 compare to the XTR 695?

I might consider the STi but I really don't do that much highway driving so I am not sure if the cost of it is worth it to me.

I appreciate your comments.

Yep, the GX65 presently is the only Bel model with GPS. The V995 will have somewhat better K band performance and better forward facing Ka band performance. Yet the XTR-695 will be a bit quieter around town and will do fine against Ka band as long as the Ka band radar gun is pointed more or less towards the general location of your vehicle.

I kinda figured that the STi wasn't likely to be your best option since you mentioned that most of your driving is city driving. If the reverse was true then I would be recommending it in a heartbeat.