Whistler PRO78 or Beltronics V995

**pronacyk** · 07-20-2007, 10:01 AM

Originally Posted by ELVATO

If you are going to have both, then why not try each for a little bit? Maybe I missed something in your post.

Yes, I will try both. I was just trying to get an opinion on which is more capable. Over time, I will be able to assess the performance of both detectors and compare. I just wanted some hear responses with people who may have owned one or the other or both. Thanks everyone for the great feedback though. I really appreciate it.

Stealthcb · 07-20-2007, 10:05 AM

Yeah, if you're OK trusting a used detector, just alternate. I'd like to try out a 995 too. Or keep the 995 as a backup for when you send the 78 off to Michael for updating.

**thestaton** · 07-20-2007, 10:06 AM

I can't vouch for the 995 being I've never used one for more than a few minutes. However I can tell you they are about 80% blind to laser. we where aiming a hand held laser unit within inches of it's main sensor and it wouldn't alert. put it on the windshield walked around the front of the car pointing right at it silent. so if you want a detector that won't false on laser it's the one to go with.

the pro 78 is a solid / excellent performer but I couldn't live with the blue display and the tones.

**kpatz** · 07-20-2007, 12:50 PM

Originally Posted by thestaton

I can't vouch for the 995 being I've never used one for more than a few minutes. However I can tell you they are about 80% blind to laser. we where aiming a hand held laser unit within inches of it's main sensor and it wouldn't alert. put it on the windshield walked around the front of the car pointing right at it silent.

The newer rev. RX65 (using the M4 board) is anything but blind to laser. I would guess newer 995s would be the same way. But if you get a used one, you would probably get the older rev. Not that one should use laser sensitivity as a criteria for choosing an RD anyway...

**pronacyk** · 07-28-2007, 02:22 AM

OK. So I got the 995 and it's in great condition. It's an older unit (Rev 3.6) with the S7 horn. I've managed to take it out for a test run along with the 78 as a comparison. I drove down parts of my usual route to work with multiple X and K-band door openers. I ran them together (just for comparison purposes) and found the 995 to alert a couple seconds earlier than the 78 on K-band and at roughly the same time for X-band.

Perhaps the most significant different between the two was the 995's superior off-axis detection. The 78, being so directional, is very quiet when traveling areas with K-band door openers facing perpendicular to the road. The 995, on the other hand, picks all of these up with ease (even better than my pro-73).

So, it was pretty much what I had thought all along. The 995 is slightly more sensitive than the 78, but more noisy through shopping areas due to better off-axis detection.

Some things I love about the 995:

1. Single Letter display mode (H,A,C).
2. Red LEDs (BRT, MED, MIN, and DARK modes)...much easier on the eyes than the 78's bright BLUE LEDs.
3. Tech mode. I don't use it much (since I'm so used to Whistler's numerical signal strength indicators that I really haven't developed a good feel of exactly how strong a signal is through frequency of beeps), however, it is wonderful for a rough approximation of number of bogeys (by counting the number of different frequencies).

Some things I don't like about the 995:

1. Every single alert for me so far has started and ended at 2 bars. Is this due to the detector being out of tune or is it the firmware?

2. Automute is a little too quiet. The auto quiet volume on the 78 was perfect.

3. Bracket and weight. The mounting bracket is made from some pretty thin sheet metal. The 995 is extremely heavy compared to my 78 (maybe even twice as heavy). This is perhaps due to the type of material used in the horn. I'm worried that with the combination of such a soft bracket, a heavy detector, and Michigan roads (excessive vibration), both the bracket and the detector will take a pretty good beating.

Conclusion:

I'll have to send in my 78 for the firmware update and see if the slight boost in K and Ka is enough to tie or beat the 995. If so, then the 995 goes back into armrest storage and the 78 gets to keep its status as my primary. But until then, the 995 will stay hardwired.

**jdong** · 07-28-2007, 10:27 AM

IMO the adjustable filtering levels on the Pro-78 makes it worth it.... I'm pretty sure the Bels all go off to Cobra XRS units.

**insertquarter** · 07-28-2007, 10:38 AM

Originally Posted by jdong

IMO the adjustable filtering levels on the Pro-78 makes it worth it.... I'm pretty sure the Bels all go off to Cobra XRS units.

I Haven't Had 1 False 2 a Cobra (2 my Knowledge) With my V955, and I've Run In 2 a Few. Maybe Itz Juzt Me...

**happya$$** · 07-28-2007, 10:51 AM

I would take the Pro 78 any day of the week. It comes with ROCK SOLID CS, ROCK SOLID quality, GREAT filtering, and GOOD sensitivity. HONESTLY I feel just as comfortable driving with my Pro 78 as I do with any other RD

Stealthcb · 07-28-2007, 11:26 AM

Originally Posted by insertquarter

Originally Posted by jdong

IMO the adjustable filtering levels on the Pro-78 makes it worth it.... I'm pretty sure the Bels all go off to Cobra XRS units.

I Haven't Had 1 False 2 a Cobra (2 my Knowledge) With my V955, and I've Run In 2 a Few. Maybe Itz Juzt Me...

Upper end Bels usually have good filtering.

Stealthcb · 07-28-2007, 11:26 AM

Originally Posted by happya$$

I would take the Pro 78 any day of the week. It comes with ROCK SOLID CS, ROCK SOLID quality, GREAT filtering, and GOOD sensitivity. HONESTLY I feel just as comfortable driving with my Pro 78 as I do with any other RD

Yeah, I agree. I love this thing.