My wife got me a Bel vector 985 for christmas. I was pretty happy but I was planning on getting an escort x50. What to do, I can't find much info on the 985, from what I can tell it is last years model, and I can't find any info if it protects against "POP" radar. To make matters more confusing I went to radar roy's and in their tests they rater the x50 and the beltronics rx65 the best. But they also had a pop up add that some radar manufacturers are starting to produce guns that use ku band which is currently being used in europe. Anyway, the only 2 that currently protect against KU is the vector 995 and beltronics rx65. So if I want something that will give my the most protection of all bands and performs the best, according to Roy's site, the rx65 seems to be the one to get.

So on to my question:
1. Does anyone know about or use the 985, is it any good?
2. What about the RX65, I know the big debate seems to be between the V1 and x50 but I have ruled out the V1 and I think the decision for me is between the X50 and RX65 (if I decide to return the 985). Any thoughts?

 

IMO, youre pretty well off with any of the detectors youve mentioned (985, rx65, x50, v1). beltronics makes some great radar detectors, and the escort 8500s are great as well.

if i was in your position, i would stick with the 985 because where i live (nebraska) speed traps are rare and really my biggest threat is the random cop sitting on the side of the road gunning people. in this case, the 985 is plenty.

of course, if police in your area are more strict with traffic control, if money is not an issue, and if you think you'll have better peace of mind with a more expensive, 'top of the line' detector, then i'd go with the x50 or rx65 - whichever one you can find for the better price.

 

Don't worry about POP radar, it's an even faster on-off radar that is not allowed in court. It gives the police a broad number that lets them know weather or not to pursue you for further speed readings. Your detector will be fine although I recommend the V1.

 

That and Pop, is like LASER, boom-your dead. But pop sucks!

 

Why is POP radar not allowed in court? What do you mean by broad numbers? As in a general range estimate of speed that you are doing?

 

If you are looking for a recommendation on the best I would go with a V1 no contest.

Also, I wouldn't be too concerned about what they are using in Europe, unless you plan on driving in Europe?

 

Recient tests have shown the Pop can off, way off!

 

man, i'd let my girl know what i like on my car so nothing goes wrong when gift time comes.
i haven't tried other detectors but my v1 saved me from a bike cop this weekend. that would've been a pain...

 

well the V1 hands down but i have the Cobra XRS-9500 and is awesome and by far the best radar out for the money. it works for several hundred yards farther than my Uniden and has helped me several times. what i like the best besides its long range of all band dection is the VG-2 and the LOUD LOUD LOUD sound it delivers versus all others out there. no one comes close to the loudness, and with the stereo on, its a must. anyway. just my 2 pennies. RX

 

Pop radar is not allowed in court because like someone said it is known to be very far off. You could be doing like 55 and it will say 145 mph. It is supposed to be used as a guestimate then when they believe you are going fast they then will lock on to you for a better reading. It is on a couple a radar test pages on the web and it supposivly states in the operating manual that POP should not be used for an accurate speed measuring device. If you detector has POP and it goes off you should get on the brakes like NOW.
Like I said I am for V1...The X50 is good, but my best example is as you learn to use your detector you will learn were it beeps at for certain locations....with my V1 I was driving down a street I always drive on and it always beeps at, but this time it said 2 boogies and so I slowed down and low and behold there was an MP sitting in the Mcdonalds parking lot running radar. Saved my a$$.