Beltronics BEL RX-55 vs. BEL Vector 995

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's Sig:

Protect yourself: Learn everything you need to know about police radar, lasers and laser jammers and radar detectors from the man Automobile magazine calls "the world's most-quoted authority on speed-measuring technology and tactics, and an underground legend among speeders"

Read Driver's Guide to Police Radar, the definitive guide to radar, lasers, time/distance computers and police speed-enforcement tactics

Member of The National Motorists Organization since 1990.

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]

---

Craig's Sig:

Protect yourself: Learn everything you need to know about police radar, lasers and laser jammers and radar detectors from the man Automobile magazine calls "the world's most-quoted authority on speed-measuring technology and tactics, and an underground legend among speeders"

Read Driver's Guide to Police Radar, the definitive guide to radar, lasers, time/distance computers and police speed-enforcement tactics

Member of The National Motorists Organization since 1990.

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

---

Veil Guy's Sig:

VEIL improves performance of all radar detectors & laser jammers.

Own one of the best radar detectors? Find out. Read the ultimate real world radar detector reviews and comparisons of the top performing laser detectors. Discover the truth about radar jammers.

Stay informed with the Veil Guy Blog. Learn about the Beltronics STi Driver, Escort Passport 9500i, Valentine One, Whistler Pro-78/XTR-690, and Cobra XRS-R7/R9G.

Proud member of the National Motorists Association.

Don't take the law enforcement officer out of law enforcement. Veil Guy: 29 Jan 08

Supporting the dawn of civilized politics serving all Americans: McCain/Lieberman 2008, Obama (Senate Majority Leader), Pelosi (House Speaker)

Speed without Control is Reckless. With Freedom Comes Civic Responsiblity.