Beltronics BEL RX-55 vs. BEL Vector 995

Craig · #1 (**permalink**) 2008-02-10

I had an inquiry from a reader today:

First, I greatly enjoy your articles and envy your profession; getting to test and rate all this neat stuff. Lucky you! Anyway,I am comparison shopping radar detectors. On the beltronics site they quote you testing the RX55 "By far, the best performing in its class" I looked in your product reviews for the test...It looks like many of the external features you recommended for the STI were incorporated. But guts is most important. Here's my delima. I can pick up a Bel 995 for about $10.00 more than the sug. retail of the Rx55 at walmart.com. If I may ask, what's your take. How good is the RX55? THX GREAT WORK.

My response:

The RX55 is a good unit but it's on a lower-performance platform than the V995 and for the extra ten bucks, you’ll get a superb detector that’s one of my favorites. This one’s a no-brainer: get the V995. You’ll like it.

Good thing he asked the question. Most manufacturers have only a few platforms, which are shared by up to a dozen models. Although they have different features and prices, they perform identically.

Cobra and Whistler are the most notable examples of this philosophy. Cobra has three platforms as does Whistler. This means you can pay $79 for a low-end model and $199 for a high-end piece--and sometimes you're buying the same detector, just a different suit of clothes.

Craig

Craig · #2 (**permalink**) 2008-02-10

Craig,

I totally agree with you on this one. My mom has the Bel 995 Vector. She likes the fact that it talks to her. Since she has a hard time seeing things, because as we all know the older we get, the worse eventually our vision gets. So the 995 Vector was perfect for her. In my opinion the Bel Sti is the top of the line for Bel, then comes the 995 Vector.

Georgia Boy

[*Note: Re-posted deteted post]

Veil Guy · #3 (**permalink**) 2008-02-10

In deference to Whistler Group, believe me, their Whistler Pro 78 and Whistler XTR 690 are worth every penny (btw: I am not trying to talk you out of your fine Beltronics V955!), (I know I can already hear your response [Craig], so I'll save you the follow-up

), there are both on a different (and better) platform!

Peace.

Veil Guy

javasutra · #4 (**permalink**) 2009-05-18

I've been driving without a detector for several years and getting by on luck and attentiveness. Unfortunately, the odds caught up with me and I was nabbed at 21 over in one of Indiana's revenue traps. I picked up the V995 based on some good reviews on radartest.com. I was eyeing the STi Driver but it was a little too pricey.

I'll be heading back through IN this week so I'm hoping for a little better edge this time. I'll post an update if anything good or bad happens.

MEM-TEK · #5 (**permalink**) 2009-05-22

The Bel V995 is a solidly performing radar detector.