Simple Effective Radar Detector

**rick3000** · 11-06-2007, 10:52 PM

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**ziddey** · 11-07-2007, 01:09 AM

You can do this with the bel/escort series.

The bel vector 940 can be had for under $150 and performs with the big boys (short v1 of course).

Stock it doesn't come with the single light you're looking for, and I'm not sure if there's a full dark mode, where it won't display anything on the screen (I know the x50 did). But that said, if you don't mind having the brightness down low and ignoring it, that'd work too. and if you don't mind simply turning the sound down to the min (maybe desolder the internal speaker if warranty isn't an issue for you), or maybe if you plugged something to the speaker jack and put a resistor in place, maybe that would simulate an external speaker and cause the internal one to shut up.

The smart cord (comes standard with rx65/x50) has a light for power and a light for warn, as well as a mute button. Someone posted the schematics of how the lights work, so if you're interested in making your own, you can definitely do it so you only have one led.

But that said, there's a lot to radar sources. Door openers can set it off, there are often drones on the highway, etc, etc. Now I know the led can flash at different speeds to indicate signal iirc, but honestly, I don't think I could handle having just that as an instrument. You can't feel the progression or threat alert as well in my opinion, and you'll be constantly slowly down or worse, eventually not slowing down quickly enough.

So that said, since you're getting an internal unit anyway (for the price, you have no choice really), if you can stand to have the display show something, and you're alert to the single led, you should be ok. If you're going to be routing your special wire anyway, you'd probably be hardwiring it and mounting it way up top anyway, so it should be pretty out of sight unless you want to look at it.

**LordV** · 11-07-2007, 04:18 AM

Originally Posted by ziddey

You can do this with the bel/escort series.

The bel vector 940 can be had for under $150 and performs with the big boys (short v1 of course).

Stock it doesn't come with the single light you're looking for, and I'm not sure if there's a full dark mode, where it won't display anything on the screen (I know the x50 did). But that said, if you don't mind having the brightness down low and ignoring it, that'd work too. and if you don't mind simply turning the sound down to the min (maybe desolder the internal speaker if warranty isn't an issue for you), or maybe if you plugged something to the speaker jack and put a resistor in place, maybe that would simulate an external speaker and cause the internal one to shut up.

The smart cord (comes standard with rx65/x50) has a light for power and a light for warn, as well as a mute button. Someone posted the schematics of how the lights work, so if you're interested in making your own, you can definitely do it so you only have one led.

But that said, there's a lot to radar sources. Door openers can set it off, there are often drones on the highway, etc, etc. Now I know the led can flash at different speeds to indicate signal iirc, but honestly, I don't think I could handle having just that as an instrument. You can't feel the progression or threat alert as well in my opinion, and you'll be constantly slowly down or worse, eventually not slowing down quickly enough.

So that said, since you're getting an internal unit anyway (for the price, you have no choice really), if you can stand to have the display show something, and you're alert to the single led, you should be ok. If you're going to be routing your special wire anyway, you'd probably be hardwiring it and mounting it way up top anyway, so it should be pretty out of sight unless you want to look at it.

x2 to the v940! So far, I love the thing.

**rick3000** · 11-07-2007, 05:09 AM

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**focalcivic** · 11-07-2007, 06:49 AM

Originally Posted by rick3000

I only plan on using it, when I may (and probably will) be speeding. So if I am for instance on the freeway, and begin to pass someone and accelerate 15+ over the speed limit. I know that if the light starts flashing I should take it easy, and slow down, because there may be a cop.
If it goes off, opening my garage who cares, I know there are no cops in there. I am not too concerned with its efficiency but I do want something that picks up cops, and does a decent job filtering other signals.
I am also, not to concerned with modifying the unit if the price is right.

Also, are the Bel Vector 940, RCX65, and X5 any good? I know a lot of cheaper model radar detectors go off a lot, due to random signals.

Thanks!

The bottom line is for that money you want a detector to work period, the 940 is your best option, I am pretty sure it has a dark mode so you can use that. I am not sure if it is smart cord compatible like the others said which allows you to keep the unit on dark and you can moniter alerts from the smart cord itself. You have to remember the smartcord alone is 30 bucks. So a detecector for 150 plus 30 equals 180. Or simply use the detector alone without the smart cord and get used to it.

**Orbital75** · 11-07-2007, 07:03 AM

Bell Vector 940 all the way. For the price you can't beat it.
It's a great performer and puts you up there near the
expensive ones.

**CJR238** · 11-07-2007, 07:19 AM

Originally Posted by Orbital75

Bell Vector 940 all the way. For the price you can't beat it.
It's a great performer and puts you up there near the
expensive ones.

x2

**rick3000** · 11-07-2007, 08:06 AM

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**ziddey** · 11-07-2007, 01:55 PM

You say that cheap model detectors go off a lot due to random signals. That's not exactly valid. Those random signals are also radar, like for example how electronic door openers work. That said, cheaper detectors can cause interference with better ones. For instance, driving near a cobra may set off ka or pop (if you choose to run with pop on).

It sounds like you want to mount something and forget about it until you need it. It might be just easier to mount it only when you think you'll be needing it, since it sounds like you don't like the idea of falses at all. On the highway though, you won't really be picking up any door openers, so any falses will be either drones set up on signs for instance, or cheaper detectors.

The 940 in black is the older model. The new one has silver. It's debatable which one is "better" but the new one works with the smartplug. The old 940 iirc uses a different style connector? Someone else with such a 940 can chime in better on this one.

But that said, the 940 performs about the same as the rx65 and x50 (detectors that are more than twice the cost).

The smartplug is expensive, but like I said, if you can make one yourself, that'd probably be a lot more to your liking and be a lot cheaper. It wouldn't require you to open up the detector, although like said, if you want to fully remove the speaker (if it can't be tricked off), you'd have to open the unit.