-Good design -Works well on all bands -I would recommend this to detector to anyone

-Occasional false alerts -BEL says you can get it upgraded to new technology. I was hopeing that it was something you could just flash using a computer but I guess you have to send it into BEL. Oh well still a good idea though.

Well I was in the market for a radar detectors and I really wanted something that would do the job well. Not a cheap piece of junk. From what I can see the only detectors that are better than this one is the Escort Passport and the Valintine one. Then again these are almost double in price. If you have the money go for them. I personally dont have $400 to spend for a detector. This one does the job and does it very well. I have noticed that I do get some false alerts but I would rather have a detector that picks up more than nothing!

Similar Products Used:

Corba Valintine One (excellent detector if you have the money)

long distance detection affordable

false wanings

this is the best radar detector i have ever had. i have had 3 before this one and so far none beats this one. the only thing that i have realized is the amount of false warnings is tremendous, i rather have false warnings than no warning at all.

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whistler

Detectable !!

This radar detector is detectable by new technology.It could be pin pointed on exact car that is carriing this unit. It is in Ontario -Canada

Excellent sensitivity

Falses on Ka from other detectors. Just learn to let two lights light up and you know it's john law.

This detector kicks butt. I've owned others and none others have reached out like this. Overall the falsing is pretty good compared to others I've had.

Similar Products Used:

Whistler, Cobra

Awesome detection range. Real loud alert you can easily hear it over the radio. Awesome display compared to the cheap looking one on the 8500 better alert tones too. Nice windsheild mount idea.

The Ka falsing from other cars detectors killed an otherwise superior detector.

Bought this particular unit about a week ago took it back. Really is an awesome looking detector great alert distances too. Then I found the fault Ka falses all the damn time every other detector sets it off always scaring me on the brake way too often. I mean I can take a couple but man I usually drive 2 lane secluded highways all over Illinois I bet the first day I got 10 false Ka band alerts from other detectors in just the first 5 hours of driving with it. And this is rural area nothing but corn fields for miles just other detectors drive it crazy and I dont mean a little beep either goes full band all a sudden scares the hell outta ya. So I took it back put another hundred with it (sigh) to buy the big ugly 8500 havent really got to check that one out much yet but doesnt false at all compared to this one so I hope its a keeper. Really depressed me I really liked the bel better and its a good price too.

Similar Products Used:

Cobra esd6000 (junk) Bel 950 passport 8500

Excellent loud and distinct alarms Robust design Great range on K and X band

Falses almost all the time on Ka band, even when driving on single lane roads in the country side. Ka false alarms also due to other radar detectors in nearby vehicles. Still falses on Ka even in city all setting.

I had read good reviews about the Bel 900 series of detectors and learned that the model 950 is basically the same as the top of the line Bel 980. I actually have the Bel Vector 95 Signature Series, sold at circuit city stores, which is the same as the Bel 950. I compared performance(separate operation) to my new Passport 8500 in order to get an idea which is the best in my opinion. The 950 has great range against K and X band radar. I was amazed a the range I picked up a local cop using k band from behind a hill. X band is also very strong. I was not able to find any Ka radar since it is not used in this area much. The audible alarms are very loud and distinct. Also the visual indication is great. I did not like the constant false alarms in Ka band. The false alarms causes you to not take the real alarm seriously. Like the story of the boy who cried wolf. I like the Passport 8500 the best(see my review under Passport 8500), it does not have the annoying false alarms in Ka like the 950, plus has the same range. Escort now ownes Beltronics, so maybe Bel will get the false alarm problem fixed as and up grade by using some of Escorts technology. Because of the false alarms in Ka band, I recommend anyone trying to decide on a detector to buy the Passport 8500. You will pay more for the 8500, but you will not get the false alarms on Ka band.

Similar Products Used:

Passport 8500, Whistler Spectrum(1984), Escort (1987) Passport(1988)Escort DSP (1989) Whistler Spectrum 1 with Pulse Protection

Reliable, effective, and not too expensive

Too many false alarms and if its left out in the sun for too long in a hot car it sometimes refuses to work until it cools down.

I looked at the reviews on the internet and everyone seemed to say the same thing. They all agreed that the Bel 950 was the best out there. I'm only eighteen and I go to a private school that is fifty miles away. Needless to say the Bel has saved my butt numerous times. It picks off every cop, but I think that it false alarms a little too much especially in the city even with the city mode on. Never the less I reccomend the Bel 950 to anyone intrested in it. Since I purchased it in October I've never been pulled over.

Similar Products Used:

None

-Awsome sensitivity/range
-Very good window bracket. Easy to remove the detector from it (unlike other models - Cobra, you listening!)
-High quality construction
-Upgradeable
-Easy to program

-Visor clip is horrible (just use the windshield bracket).
-The voice isn't as good as it should be.

The 900 series from BEL is the best line of radar detectors out there. Only the Escort 8500 is comporable, but you can find this one cheaper. This detector saved me on the drive home from purchasing it! Some cop who thought he was sneaky tried to creep up behind me - didn't work! Forget the Valentine - it's overpriced and underperforms compared to this unit. Check out www.radartest.com for a comparison between the four top models out there. Everything about the detector is high quality and easy to use. I had a Cobra ESD-9200 before this. I got rid of the piece of garbage when I saw this. Remember, just becasue a radar detector says it detects X,K,Ka, and Laser doesn't mean that it does a good job. A detector that retails for less that $200, generally speaking, is not going to do a good job detecting Ka (and even K on some of them). Considering that police departments are moving towards Ka now, it doesn't make sense to get a detector that's weak on detecting that band. The other great thing about this model is the fact that it's upgradeable. Down the road, when police start using new bands or other new methods to track your speed, you can send this detector to BEL and they'll upgrade the software (kind of like flashing your BIOS on a computer). Therefore, this unit will last you many years without any problems.

Similar Products Used:

Cobra ESD-9200

Sensitivity/selectivity is this detector's strongest point. No nonsense / no gimmick styling is appreciated. Construction is rugged.

Programming changes takes a few trys, manual is so-so. Detector retains last settings permanenetly, so you don't have to change often!

BEL makes the best detectors, hands down. The sensitivity/selectivity of the 950 is wonderful. The features on this model are among the most extensive available anywhere.

Similar Products Used:

Cobra 6200 (terrible - no range on K or Ka bands)

Great range; Voice Clear; Bright text display; City mode

No band detection; Dim not dark enough for night

This is the lower end of the new 900 series Beltronics. The range is the same as the 980 and the 970LR. The only difference is the features a driver can select. The range of this detector is really nice for the price. This unit in range, give more than the Escort 7500. Now the New Escort 8500 is derived from this 950/970/980 Beltronic's technology.

The range I have had.
X band 1.15 miles
K band 1.3 miles
Ka band 1.3 miles

To see more on this and other
http://radar.757.org

Similar Products Used:

Whistler 1595;Bel 980; Bel 970 LR; Cobra 9200; Cobra 6500; Valentine 94; Valentine 98; Uniden 2300