Summary: I am truck driverso i was obvoiusly looking for one of the best decters, with out having to pay that $500.00 plus figure. Although this was costly, it is the most recent release from bell, and was told it would be rated as 2nd best on ant radar test page once they are updated. There are only a couple of places online who are lisenced to sell theses.
Strengths: Cant believe the distance i get sometimes from this. It has gone off and i thought it a false alarm, and 1.5 miles down a hill, there he was hiding between tres. I love it
Weaknesses: You would think after paying that kind of a price, they would include a viser mount, but they want you to mail them 5 mpre bucks for it. instead, they give you this ridiculas looking, and very obvious to cops, windsheild mount. WAKE UP BELL!!
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Summary: Overall, I am impressed with this radar detector. The range is good on all bands. The volume level is good, although I can't figure out why Bel points the speaker AWAY from the driver.
Once again though, they miss the boat on a decent mount. The combination windshield/visor mount is again atrocious. It looks odd when you look at how modern the detector looks. The mount looks like a generic mount you would by at WalMart.
Escort owns Bel, so why in the world can't they just use the excellent Escort mounts?
For the price of this detector, I don't think any other can come close.
It detected K band one day, around a turn and over a mile away. I was impressed.
It doesn't detect as well as the Bel 980/985 or the Passport 8500 or the Valentine One. But then again, it won't hit your wallet like they do either.
I would feel comfortable driving 10-15 mph over the limit with this detector.
Summary: This is a wonderful value and a great piece of equipment. I have been testing mine carefully for about a month, and I must say i am very pleased with my purchase. After reading the review blow, and a couple others, I was concerned that it would false more than my old Uniden Stalker II. But I am pleased to report that it falses much less, and almost never on the interstate i drive daily. In fact, when mine goes off on the highway, it has been a cop 100% of the time so far. It also picks up VG2 very well and I find that very helpful. I also like the fact that when it picks up VG2, it suspends trying to detect radar, and resumes when it no longer detects VG2. The volume is great and i love the Voice function. A great value. If you cannot afford the top models, with all their bells and whistles, this is the one for you and will do everything you need.
Strengths: Reliability, range, voice function, VG2 detection, volume, price, and lots of others
Weaknesses: New Windshield mount is week at the pivot point, and will not sustain the weight of the detector on moderately rough roads or vibrations. I solved this with by seting it at the desired angle, then wraping it with matching black electrical tape. This solved the problem, and it isn't noticeable. Display can be a little dim in bright sunlight. I have solved this by placing it in a place where it is in the shadow the windshield frame.
Similar Products Used: Uniden Stalker II
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Rating Reviewed by: Tim W(Unregistered User)
Review Date May 13, 2002
Overall Rating 2 of 5
Value Rating 2 of 5
Used product for 3 Months to 1 year
Visitors rate this review 1.00 of 5,
2.00 votes
Review 4 of 5
Price Paid:
$0.00
Year / Model Reviewed: 01-02??
Summary: Received this model as an upgrade from Bel, because the Express 916 that I had broke about a week after purchasing(Stopped alarming). The 936 certainly does detect police radar, as well as grocery stores, and other radar detectors. Many many false alarms. Driving on the highway, following or leading a car with a radar detector, and all you have for miles is a beeping radar detector. So you learn to ignore the warnings, and still speed. No good. Not a very user friendly display either. The lights on the display are red, and unless you use dark mode, every time you look at the detector, it is red accross the entire display, which means to me as a warning to slow down. But there is no warning. So you have to figure that out. Those valuable seconds can mean the difference between a ticket and slowing down. Also, the volume of the warnings at the lowest level is still very irritating. To loud. Especially with all of the false warnings it gives off. Giving the user the type of radar the police are using is a great idea if it works, but on this detector it does not. Sitting next to a cop, the detector will go from X bank to K band and back to X band. The mute button only mutes one band, so the detector switching from x to k disregards the mute, and beeps, then beeps, and beeps again.
Strengths: Nice windsheild mount.
Weaknesses: False Alarms, poor display design, mute does not really work, volume control(does not turn down low enough), this radar actually trains the user to ignore most warnings. Not a good idea. Way to many false alarms. Pass any car with a radar detector and it will beep.
Similar Products Used: 1989 Escort Passport.
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Rating Reviewed by: Masta2001(Unregistered User)
Review Date March 26, 2002
Overall Rating 5 of 5
Value Rating 5 of 5
Used product for 3 Months to 1 year
Review 5 of 5
Price Paid:
$125.00
from Off the internet
Summary: I have had this Radar Detector since September of 2001. I did about 3-4 months of research before purchasing anything. I learned how the radar''s really work, and how/when Radar Detectors are effective. I have a relative that bought the BEL 980, and that one works really well, but did not fit into my budget. This product has saved me many times from getting speeding tickets. It only works when people are in front of you that are being gunned (obviously). I have at times picked up week signals from a few miles away. GO BUY THIS! It is an awesoem unit, and would buy it again!
Strengths: Really Long Range(get low signals a few miles in advance), Sensivity readings for different bands, Great coverate from front and rear, Adjustable audio/brightness.
Weaknesses: No Shadow II Technology, False alarms on X band from other Radar detectors and truck CB''s
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