Beltronics V995 Vector Radar and Laser Detector (Black/Silver)
From Beltronics
- Brand: Beltronics
- Model: v995
- Dimensions: 9.00" h x 3.00" w x 10.00" l, 2.00 pounds
POP radar, Ka band, Laser. The list of funny-sounding technologies designed to nab speeders keeps growing. Fortunately, Beltronics has produced an effective, compact, and user-friendly radar detector. It's made for folks who don't want to fuss with the details, but who do want first-class protection from high-tech speed traps. By offering K-, X-, Ka-, and even Ku-band protection--plus protection from POP and laser detection--the Vector 995 covers all the bases. While testing revealed some limited problems with false alarms, this minor quibble was not enough to keep us from placing the 995 in the top tier of radar detectors, right up there with the standard-setting Escort Passport 8500 X50.
Click the image to get a closer look at the Vector 995's features. |
Design While it's appropriate to make comparisons with the Escort 8500 X50, it's especially relevant here, as Escort and Beltronics, the maker of the Vector 995, recently merged all of their manufacturing and design. Apparently, many of the internal components and technology in the 995 are essentially the same as those found in the 8500, and as you'll see, our testing bears that out.
Mounting the 995 in a vehicle couldn't be easier. A small suction cup bracket slides into the unit's release mechanism and easily attaches to the windshield with light pressure. The unit is housed in a sturdy plastic case that's low profile and compact--in fact, it's a good deal sleeker and smaller than the box-shaped 8500. The rear of the unit is dominated by a receiver window. There's also an additional laser detector window that faces the passenger compartment, which is designed to detect laser signals emanating from behind the vehicle.
Another great attribute of the 995 is its easy control layout. Four buttons on the top of the unit control power, city mode on/off, display brightness, and volume/mute settings. Two of the buttons also double as selection buttons when the unit is in programming mode. During normal use the red, horizontal LCD display graphs the intensity of the radar and laser signals the unit detects, as well as the detector's sensitivity mode. Power is supplied by an included 12-volt cord, which plugs into a cigarette-lighter power socket. Unfortunately, the 995 doesn't ship with the very cool SmartCord that is included with the Escort 8500. Branded as the SmartPlug on the Beltronics side of things, it features an alert LED, as well as a built-in mute button built right into the power plug. Sadly, it's only available as a $30 option for the 995.
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| Choose the standard display mode for a graphic representation of radar threats... |
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| ...Or use the "Tech Display" to see the exact frequency of incoming signals. |
Features The 995 covers the gauntlet when it comes to protection from speed trap technology. While detection of the radar bands currently in use in North America--the X, K, and Ka bands--is standard for detectors these days, the devil is in the details when it comes to on-the-road performance. Thankfully, the 995 has some extra mojo built in that makes it both more sensitive to radar signals,
and smart enough to select out false alarms. The unit also features detection diodes for laser detection, and an add-on system that installs on the exterior of the vehicle, the LaserPro 905, offers enhanced laser detection, as well as laser-jamming capabilities. On top of all this protection, the 995 adds optional sensitivity to the Ku band, which is commonly used in Europe.
In addition to good multiband radar and laser sensitivity, the 995 is designed to detect the latest highway menace, POP radar (queue scary music here). POP radar guns, while still relatively rare in police departments, are used to identify speeding vehicles in heavy traffic that typically confuses other types of radar. They provide little warning as the radar signal idles at a low frequency until it transmits an extremely short, high-frequency burst to "pop" a target. The 995 is equipped with a highly sensitive receiving system and a digital signal processor designed to pick up POP signals from a safe distance. POP detection is enabled by default on the 995, unlike on the 8500--a good thing for people who don't want to mess with customization menus. While enabling POP detection can increase the number of false alarms (due to the increased sensitivity required of the unit), and it's probably why Escort decided to disable it unless the user wants it, Beltronics has obviously decided the added protection is worth a few extra bogus alerts on the 995.
And what about the alerts on the 995? In addition to audio tones, the 995 also has digital voice alerts that tell you what kind of danger lies ahead. If you're not into the Knight Rider thing, i.e., a computerized voice in your car, the audio tones do a good job, as well. In this mode, a unique tone or chirp is assigned to a specific kind of radar threat. The 995's AutoMute feature automatically lowers the volume level of an alert after a period of time, so you can drive without going completely batty to the sound of alerts.
For those who like a little more control, the 995 can be customized via a fairly straightforward interface. In the programming mode, the LCD acts as a menu system that lets users control display brightness, automatic mute, audio tones, and power-on modes. There are also settings for disabling detection of selected bands (be careful with this one!). A mode called Tech Display shows the numeric frequency of the radar signal being received.
For those living in states that prohibit use of a radar detector, the 995 does include VG-2 radar-detector detector protection, which is designed to both alert the driver and shut down the unit's oscillator.
On the Road
False alarms are one of the major annoyances of radar-detector use. In our tests, the 8500 was pretty good at minimizing false alarms from home garage door systems, as well as from home and commercial security systems that commonly operate on X-band radar. While false alarms were slightly more common with the 995 than with the 8500, the error rate was acceptable, and it is likely due to the 995's default activation of POP radar sensitivity.
The 995's city sensitivity setting decreases sensitivity to X-band sources, while the highway setting does not. With this unit, though, you'll quickly find that neither setting is necessary. Instead, we found the unit's powerful AutoSelect mode the most accurate, as it dynamically filtered all types of radar signals and usually identified which sources were a legitimate threat. With that kind of simplicity built in, we were comfortable just firing up the 995 and forgetting about it, until we really needed it.
Pros
- Performance roughly equivalent to the Escort 8500 X50
- Just turn it on and go. AutoSelect feature automatically filters highway and city false alarms.
- Pop radar detection enabled by default
- High-caliber, multi-band sensitivity puts this one in the top tier of detectors
Cons - No included SmartCord
- Slightly more false alarms when measured against Escort 8500 X50
Whether the threat is in North America or abroad, the Beltronics Vector 995 radar detector keeps you driving safely. As the industry leader in technology and innovation, the V995 accurately detects all US radar and laser bands (X, K, Ka) as well as the UK favorite-Ku. All bands are detected at the furthest possible distance including the newest "POP" mode Ka-band threat. With clear voice alerts, you can keep your eyes on the road, not the detector. And when it does alert, the mute button is right in easy reach on the included SmartPlug power cord. No need to leave the detector behind while traveling--we include the hard sided protective carrying case so the detector goes where you go.
 The flagship of the Vector series. Click to enlarge. |
 Includes Smart Plug with easy-access mute/volume button. Click to enlarge. |
 Easily install with quick-release windshield mount. |
Superior Detection
The Vector 995 includes full X, K, SuperWide Ka, Ku and Safety Warning System radar capability, laser detection, patented Mute and AutoMute features, audible and visual band alerts, and all the performance you'd expect from Beltronics.
Digital signal processing (DSP) technology and multiple laser sensors give you long-range performance, and greatly reduce the number of false alarms. On top of that, the Vector 995 is invisible to VG-2 radar detector detectors, keeping you one step ahead. It also features Highway/City sensitivity settings to tailor performance to your needs.
Easy to Use
The rugged Vector 995 gives you control right at your fingertips. Patented Mute and AutoMute technology allows you to quickly silence alerts. Advanced programming lets you customize several features, and all controls are easily accessible on top of the device.
Installation is also a snap: use the quick release Windshield QuickMount to attach it to your vehicle's windshield, and remove it in a snap. Don't want to leave it in your vehicle? No problem, Beltronics includes a travel case to keep it secure while you're on foot.
AutoScan Mode
The V995's AutoScan mode provides long-range warning, with minimum false alarms. In this mode, the V995's internal computer continuously analyzes all incoming signals and intelligently filters out false alarms.
Voice Alerts
The V995 provides digital voice announcements of radar and laser bands detected. If Safety Radar (SWS) is turned on, a safety radar message will also be announced.
Smart Plug Included
Once you are notified to a threat, Beltronics' SmartPlug makes it easy to temporarily silence your radar detector with a handy mute button.
Ultra-Bright LED Display
Don't miss a visual alert with the 995's 280-LED alphanumeric display. Exclusive threat display tracks and displays multiple radar signals, including signal strength. You can also view Safety Warning System (SWS) messages about upcoming hazards, construction and more.
Enjoy three different brightness settings or operate in dark mode if you'd prefer only audio alerts.
Total Tracking Laser
Unlike Radar signals, which are highly reflective, Laser signals have very poor reflective characteristics. Many of today's Laser detectors do not have the high sensitivity necessary to detect Laser within a large "field of view." The Vector 995 incorporates Beltronics' best laser detection, which uses twin laser ports to detect energy far outside the main laser beam--including off-axis signals--providing a 360-degree field of view. The alerts provided by your unit are the same whether signals are received from the front or rear.
How Safety Radar Works
Safety Warning System (SWS) a modified K-band radar signal to alert users of Highway Construction or Maintenance, Highway Hazard Zone Advisories, Weather Related Hazards, Travel Information/Convenience, and Fast/Slow Moving Vehicles. The SWS safety radar system has 64 possible messages (60 currently allocated), all of which can be displayed on your Vector 995.
What's in the Box
Beltronics V995 Vector Radar/laser Detector, carrying case, coiled power cord, quick release windshield mount, owner's manual
Ranks with the elite radar detectors in performance
I got the Vector 995 because its performance is at par with the top of the line radar detectors from Bel, Escort, Valentine. Even though I rarely speed above general traffic flow, speed enforcement has picked up a lot and I didn't want to pay back-door taxes.
Its radar detection performance is at par with the best of them - usually just 5% or so less than the best for a given test. But the cost difference is way more than 5%, more like 25%+. Its laser detection is its weakness, but only when compared to the top of the line models. However, the laser detection weakness isn't really critical because laser guns are so fast and accurate that the officer has already clocked your speed before even the detector alerts (even the best one). Don't take my word for it, just go ask your local police officer. Also, the rear facing sensor is quite useless on most detectors - someone in marketing thought it would be cool and all other brands followed. It is also one of the very few detectors which can detect the Ku band, which is rumored to be introduced in the US soon (already there in Europe).
It also falses significantly less than what I've had before. I can't compare with the top 4 because I don't have them. AutoScan works best in city or when in new areas; Highway works best on rural areas or highways. Use AutoScan with care, it filters all bands and can potentially reduce detection range (because it spends some time figuring out if the radar signal pattern is like those from typical sources of falsing). Its Tech mode (showing radar freq) can be used to find out real speed gun threat when a cunning officer hangs out in an area where detectors often false (drugstore, grocery store, etc) - not fool proof though. One should note that the 'false alerts' are not really false - they ARE actually radar signals in the same band used by police. It's called 'false' because it's not a 'cop' radar signal.
POP mode, while a nice feature, usually trigger a lot of falsing on most detectors - because of leaky/crappy detectors like the Cobras. I've enabled POP for the last 3 weeks and have run it in AutoScan and City modes - no difference in falsing. Even the top 4 detectors today can't beat this. Also, the review/description is wrong - POP is disabled by default on the 995 also (maybe Bel changed it after the review).
The Vector 995 is the only one in the Vector series that can have its firmware upgraded by Beltronics - useful if they have some bug fixes and/or they have an update that does better detection.
It also has a few less features than the top 4, but I didn't care for those. Its got all the essential features one really needs for its intended use and does them extremely well. Its stellar performance makes it an awesome deal for a $225 price. I got mine on a special sale at Amazon for even less :). However, like any radar detector (even the best ones), this radar detector is NOT a cop detector - so drive sensibly.
Even when the 995 is having a bad day, it is waaaaay better than the most expensive Cobra/Whistler radar detectors.
Like any product, it has quirks:
1. 3.5mm jack volume - it's just too loud even at one click above minimum (I use it when spouse/kids are sleeping on a long drive)
2. Buttons for visor clip - if you get the visor clip, the buttons are not easy to reach
And last but most important, please drive carefully. Lives are more important than seconds/minutes saved by excessive speeding and rash driving.
Bonus tips:
a. Tutorial mode - manual doesn't mention it, but I stumbled on it. Press the Dark and Mute buttons down and then the Power button to turn the unit on. Voila - tutorial mode!! Power button press exits this mode.
b. Audio/Voice alerts - learn to identify the bands with your ears, the range based on audio beep frequency, it helps keep your eyes focused where they need to be - on the road. I've turned Voice off after a couple of months, and rarely need to look at it (except in Tech mode).
c. Ebay/Unauthorized dealers - Beltronics honors warranty from authorized dealers only. Amazon itself is authorized (may change in future), Amazon's sellers are not. Ebay is not, most stuff there are refurbs or rejects and hence the low low prices. You've been informed, use common sense.
Well... no tickets so far!
If this is your first Radar Detector, it takes a little getting used to. I've had my Beltronics 995 for about a year or so now. It's been quite useful. It will NOT save you if you pass a cop and he decides to tag you. I lucked out one night when the cop couldn't find a place to turn around quickly enough when he waited until I was right next to him (going to the other way) when he turned his radar on. Do NOT think any radar detector is an excuse to drive however you feel... you WILL regret it.
Also, banks, gas stations and a lot of other little things will set the Beltronics 995 ablaze with lights and sounds.
If you're in one area, and can learn where the bands are, this radar detector becomes VERY useful. A good example... I got X band in an area where I always got K band... sure enough, there's a cop sitting right there. Also, the voice saying the band is kind of useful, as I don't have to look at it.
The Beltronics 995 offers a wide range of bands it'll detect. The tones can be adjusted to be quiet (they're pretty dang loud off factory settings and'll scare the hell out of you when you get your first tones). You can also mute it when it drives your significant other nuts.
On the whole, I'm pretty happy with it... would I buy another in the future? Probably.
BEL Vector 995 great!
I've had this for about a week, and it seems to be working very well. The "autoscan" feature is very nice since I seemed to forget to switch between "city" and "highway" with my older units.
The voice prompts are very clear, and the automute keeps the annoying beeps to a comfortable level.
I've had several radar detectors over the years, and this one certainly seems to be the best so far. It is also rated very highly in the amgazine articles I found.
