Anyone Used A Whistler Pro 73 and A Beltronics V995?

[bballkking1]

I can't afford a top 3 detector and have ruled them out, but fully understand the more I pay, the better protection I get. I live in Illinois and typically drive 75-80mph on the highways with a PSL of 65mph. I also understand I'm going to have to deal with false alerts, but as far as overall range and protection, I'm wondering what is my better option. I'm leaning towards either the Pro 73 or the V995. Is the Beltronics V995 worth an extra $60 over the Whistler Pro 73 in terms of range and protection? I've read that Many of you are happy with each one. I appreciate any advice and other radar reccomendations. Thanks

[SmaartAasSaabr]

I would definately say so. You may also be interested in an Escort X50, they are the same price.

[Greg]

I have the BEL 995 and think it is great......I have used and Whistler XTR as shown in my signature and did not like it at all...my have been defective........

I do wish I bought the X50 for the multi- threat display, though.

I do encourage you to continue to research and get the RD - YOU WANT!!!

My preference would be something like this:


X50 (red is fine -- no need for blue .. spend the extra on hard wire kit)
rx65
995
8500
895

and buy from an authorized dealer...like Roy.

Or buy the whistler....go to your nearest casino....put $10 ... 6 different times on DOUBLE 0 and hope it hits once, then use the money for a Laser Jammer...if it doesn't hit...you should kick yourself for listening to strangers and as I mentioned above....do what you want to do/get

[Stealthcb]

I LOVE my Pro 73. It has yet to let me down, and has saved me a LOT of money, as shown in my signature. I get very good range on it.

The falses are usually easy to ignore. MOST K-band falses last 2-seconds, then go away. X-bands last for awhile, so I turn that off in town. It is a VERY sensitive RD, and Whistler chose to have it alert first, then turn off if it determines it is a false, rather than waiting to alert if it isn't false. Makes it a bit noisier, but I like that. Keeps me on my toes. And the blue display is AWESOME.

I have heard some bad things about the Bel 995's reliability. Something about an error message that comes up, requiring it to be returned to the factory for maintenance....can't remember exactly. Maybe someone else can.

And my Whistler is very good with LIDAR, too.

However, if you're looking at a $210 995 ($150 for Pro 73 + $60), then you're probably buying from an unauthorized dealer. They're usually $300.

[jdong]

How are you coming up with your price tag? That seems unusually low for a Bel 995...

For the price situation you gave, given that the vendor(s) are selling legit detectors, the Bel995 is definitely a good buy.

As great as the Whistler Pro-series/1793's are, they can't compare to the detection of a high-end Bel.

[SmaartAasSaabr]

I have heard some bad things about the Bel 995's reliability. Something about an error message that comes up, requiring it to be returned to the factory for maintenance....can't remember exactly. Maybe someone else can.

Unfortunately this tends to be typical with Belscort products by design. The detectors self-calibrate themselves while in operation, and sometimes the detector will fall out of calibration, detect this but not be able to find it's "north" so to speak. Usually turning off and on again fixes the problem, but still it is best to send back for repair (at least when under warranty).

[Stealthcb]

As great as the Whistler Pro-series/1793's are, they can't compare to the detection of a high-end Bel.

Actually, in Roy's testing, the Pro-73 was only a tad behind the Rx-65 in most cases.

X Band
Rx-65: 4.5
Pro 73: 4.2

K Band
Rx-65: 4.3
Pro 73: 3.9

Ka Band

Rx-65: 4.3
Pro 73: 3.8

So .5 miles is the biggest difference in detection range between the highest end Bel and the Pro 73.

I personally had a 3.1 mile Ka band hit in hilly terrain. If I understand right, it's mostly filtering and features that set the Bel products apart from the Pro series.

[SmaartAasSaabr]

I'd say filtering is a big difference, but I'd also want to consider range in non-line of sight conditions. To be certain, a $300 Belscort vs. a $150 Whistler, the Belscort isn't twice as powerful, not even close.

[Stealthcb]

I'd say filtering is a big difference, but I'd also want to consider range in non-line of sight conditions. To be certain, a $300 Belscort vs. a $150 Whistler, the Belscort isn't twice as powerful, not even close.

Off-boresight detection seems a little tough with Ka for the Whistler (I know...Ka is a narrow beam...), but hills have yet to be a huge problem for me. Some very nice detects on hilly terrain.

[jdong]

I'd say filtering is a big difference, but I'd also want to consider range in non-line of sight conditions. To be certain, a $300 Belscort vs. a $150 Whistler, the Belscort isn't twice as powerful, not even close.

Off-boresight detection seems a little tough with Ka for the Whistler (I know...Ka is a narrow beam...), but hills have yet to be a huge problem for me. Some very nice detects on hilly terrain.

I've ridden in a car equipt with a high-end Bel or Escort unit and that's something I noticed on his detector too more or less... I think it's more due to the nature of Ka.