My Bel Vector 995 is going back!!!!

[vortexnut]

I recently bought a new bel Vector 995 on the internet and have used it for a week. I ordered it from an authorized bel dealer for $229.99 plus s+h. I even called Bel up and asked them if it was an authorized dealer.

When I got the package, the top of it was ripped open about 3 inches meaning someone opened the package up! I checked the firmware version and it was 4.5 which I beleive is the latest version. I have been using it for a week and like a normal high end bel I have been picking up every automatic door opener in town that is on x or k band. However its ka band performance has been absolutely terrible-only 200 yards or so from a side hit and it only alerted me 1/2 strenght on the display when I passed a leo using constant ka on a city street. Tonight I looked at the fcc id code and sure enough, it was made prior to 2/2005 because it has an id code of QL4G1S7. I wonder if the detector is a refurb or something and was sold as new?

This company does have a 30 day return policy so I will return it. Boy, I learned my lesson and most likely I will be buying my next purchase from Roy. Hopefully he can give me a discount.

I think I am going to wait until after the field tests at the end of January to get a new one as I have yet to decide on getting a bel rx65 or an Escort x50. My two biggest concerns where I live are laser and ka band protection. I guess I will use my trusty old Bel Express 795 until I decide on what model to get. Maybe I should report the company to bel?

[AirMoore]

I recently bought a new bel Vector 995 on the internet and have used it for a week. I ordered it from an authorized bel dealer for $229.99 plus s+h. I even called Bel up and asked them if it was an authorized dealer.

When I got the package, the top of it was ripped open about 3 inches meaning someone opened the package up! I checked the firmware version and it was 4.5 which I beleive is the latest version. I have been using it for a week and like a normal high end bel I have been picking up every automatic door opener in town that is on x or k band. However its ka band performance has been absolutely terrible-only 200 yards or so from a side hit and it only alerted me 1/2 strenght on the display when I passed a leo using constant ka on a city street. Tonight I looked at the fcc id code and sure enough, it was made prior to 2/2005 because it has an id code of QL4G1S7. I wonder if the detector is a refurb or something and was sold as new?

This company does have a 30 day return policy so I will return it. Boy, I learned my lesson and most likely I will be buying my next purchase from Roy. Hopefully he can give me a discount.

I think I am going to wait until after the field tests at the end of January to get a new one as I have yet to decide on getting a bel rx65 or an Escort x50. My two biggest concerns where I live are laser and ka band protection. I guess I will use my trusty old Bel Express 795 until I decide on what model to get. Maybe I should report the company to bel?

Where to start: First off yes you should have bought from Roy; he makes sure you are happy with your purchase and will work with you to resolve any issues....

The next thing is... 4.5 is the latest version so no real worries there... As for the open package maybe shipping who knows maybe it is a refurb or something odd... Again should have bought from Roy

Your comment about 200 yards from a side hit isnt making any sense...LEO's dont really (try not to) target you from any real angle at all...a side hit (normally people think left or right...meaning approx 90 degrees) with the cosine error it would render speeds outlandishly incorrect (low)...

So I am not sure if you are just talking about traps along the side of the road (just off of it on the shoulder or in a median) or something... 200 yards would then make complete sense as they are using what is known as "Instant on"... and without a rabbit....and with a smart and selective LEO its tough to beat. (NYST's are a great example of Instant on Ka use)

The 995 should also have climbed the scale above 'half alert' if there truely was the LEO passing you with constant on Ka... something is just off there.

Honestly the 995 is a great detector by all means... I really would just send it back given the following: Maybe it is a lemon or refurb or ghetto rigged one, I would say spend a good 3weeks (21days) with it... let the company you know your concerns now, however, so they have it on record.... and see what it does for you...

[vortexnut]

Maybe I should have been more specific on what I meant by a side hit. I was the only vehicle sitting at a stoplight and a leo with constant on was approaching from a crossroad shooting at vehicles that were approaching him. I estimated that he was roughly 200 yards or so on the crossroad before my detector went off. It went to about 1/4 scale when he was 100 yards away and then my light turned green and as I moved down the road my signal eventually went away. The leo's here in town use contant ka on. What concerned me the most was the fact it only went to 1/2 strenght on the meter when I passed a leo coming at me at 30 mph on a city road and he was shooting me. Maybe I might have a lemon like you said becuase there seem to be a lot of people that are happy with their Vector 995. The strange thing though is that I have an older fcc id code on the detector and the newest firmware version. Thanks for the reply!!

[vortexnut]

I just talked to someone that has used radar guns for 20+ years and he said that most likley that the leo's here in town have been short pulsing vehicles and that is why my ka detection has been subpar here in town. Do you think most likley this was the case the several times I have picked up a leo's ka signal in town?

[crazyVOLVOrob]

The Ka detection is normal for being done by a smart officers shotr triggering Ka at sharp angles. I have a video showing on how an officer might use sharp angles to his advantages.

If I could get some1 to host it it will show how an officer using sharp angles can still target speeders and give little detection
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Finally find an officer parked in one direction with radar ON and drive by him and see the range

[AirMoore]

Finally find an officer parked in one direction with radar ON and drive by him and see the range

Even some 'Your speed is' signs could work for this too.

[GTO_04]

I recently bought a new bel Vector 995 on the internet and have used it for a week. I ordered it from an authorized bel dealer for $229.99 plus s+h. I even called Bel up and asked them if it was an authorized dealer.

When I got the package, the top of it was ripped open about 3 inches meaning someone opened the package up! I checked the firmware version and it was 4.5 which I beleive is the latest version. I have been using it for a week and like a normal high end bel I have been picking up every automatic door opener in town that is on x or k band. However its ka band performance has been absolutely terrible-only 200 yards or so from a side hit and it only alerted me 1/2 strenght on the display when I passed a leo using constant ka on a city street. Tonight I looked at the fcc id code and sure enough, it was made prior to 2/2005 because it has an id code of QL4G1S7. I wonder if the detector is a refurb or something and was sold as new?

This company does have a 30 day return policy so I will return it. Boy, I learned my lesson and most likely I will be buying my next purchase from Roy. Hopefully he can give me a discount.

I think I am going to wait until after the field tests at the end of January to get a new one as I have yet to decide on getting a bel rx65 or an Escort x50. My two biggest concerns where I live are laser and ka band protection. I guess I will use my trusty old Bel Express 795 until I decide on what model to get. Maybe I should report the company to bel?

If Ka band is the primary threat, maybe you should consider the STi. Roy has reported that the Ka range is quite a bit better than the RX-65.

GTO_04

[vortexnut]

I posted my subpar ka range problem in the general forum and SmaartAasSaabr wrote in regaring pulse/instant on guns that:

But there was one model of gun that "leaked" a little to give a patrol car reading when in "standby" mode. Dunno if it was Ka... Jim knows Smile

I think that possibly the leo's here in my town might be using this gun and that is why my detector's range has been subpar. Hopefully, I will find a true constant on ka gun on the highway soon to see if my detector is working the way it is suppose to. It looks as if the cops here in town might have gotten some new toys to play with for x-mas. They have always just driven around town with constant ka on and you could detect them coming clear across town. A few weeks ago, my bel 795 was showing a weak signal coming from a leo in town that was 100 yards away coming at me in the left lane and then all of a sudden he hits the car in front of me with instant on and my detector went crazy. Thanks for all the replies I appreciate it!!

[vortexnut]

I finally encountered a leo running constant on ka on the interstate and my ka range was 1.1 miles. Seems normal to me. Looks like there is nothing wrong with it.

[AirMoore]

I finally encountered a leo running constant on ka on the interstate and my ka range was 1.1 miles. Seems normal to me. Looks like there is nothing wrong with it.

Yeah about 1 mile sounds good for Interstate detection on Ka...its a good detector, the best in the price range IMO you should be happy with it.