whistler 690SE vs bel v955

[indykappa]

i'm looking at 2 very good offers on RDs...they are both used...

1. whistler 690SE
2. bel v955 (i confirmed that it is, in fact, the V-955 and not the I-955...not that i know what the difference is)

i guess i should give a few details about myself and my RD needs...i live in NC, but on the NC/SC border. i spend 4 days out of 5 on the road for work (interstates and back roads). i never speed "in the city" so that's not a concern. i'm new to the RD game and plan on getting a big boy RD around christmas, but need a serviceable unit asap.

both are similarly priced...help a brotha out!

thanks gang! this website is the $#!+

[djrams80]

I personally prefer the v955 over the Whistler, because the Bel will have better sensitivity and less Ka band false alerts, assuming both are working properly.

[GET 1T DONE]

I personally prefer the v955 over the Whistler, because the Bel will have better sensitivity and less Ka band false alerts, assuming both are working properly.

I won't argue the v955 probably has better sensitivity, though if the XTR690SE is anything like the XTR-695 then there are basically ZERO Ka-band false alerts in Filter 2 mode.

The last couple days I went back to my 1793SE to see the difference... Oh my, what a difference in quietness! The XTR-695 in Filter 2 mode only alerts to real threats, no matter what the band. The 1793SE picks up ALOT of X-band junk (it's a lot more sensitive on X-band, so you know where EVERY door opener is) and has a LOT of K- and Ka-band Cobra falses. The XTR-695 is, no exaggeration, siilent the entire same stretch of 30 miles except if there's a real threat.

In that respect, the XTR-695 is a night/day difference from the previous generation 1793SE platform.

[djrams80]

I won't argue the v955 probably has better sensitivity, though if the XTR690SE is anything like the XTR-695 then there are basically ZERO Ka-band false alerts in Filter 2 mode.

Running the SE models for about a month, I averaged 1 to 2 Ka band false alerts per day in filter2 mode. In filter or filter1 modes, it was significantly worse. Maybe in Ka normal mode, they would have gone away, but I wanted to test KaMax.

[Freebird]

The v955 is a better performing detector.

[indykappa]

being new to RDs, i sometimes think i get caught up in the whole "newer technology MUST BE BETTER than older technology"...i know that's not always the case though.

i appreciate the reponsees so far. i'm open to any other opinions on these two detectors, but i will likely make a move in the next 4 days.

[zr1]

The V955 does perform a bit better. All the Bel Vectors have the exact same peformance...which is good (probably about a B+ when compared to the higher end Bels, Escorts, and Valentine). Whistler makes a couple models that come in just below the Vector and the rest of the Whistler line just doesn't do so hot. On the plus side, Whistler does have some good customer service. But I kinda prefer the performance in a radar detector.

[dpatel01]

Just be sure the 955 isnt displaying periodic "self cal" messages. If the 955 is well taken care of, they will take good care of you.

[TRun]

I own a 690se and I'll say when it comes to Ka falses I get pretty much zero with Filter2 mode.

[Jag42]

It depends on where you live for falses. Dj lives around millions and millions of people. Filter 2 is very very quiet for me even in the Dallas/Ft worth area.