Beltronics BEL 980 Radar Detector
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Similar in Radar Detectors
- Mute: With Mute
- Detection Mode: City / Highway modes
- Detection Area: Front / Rear
- VG-2/VG-3 Alert: VG-2 Alert
- Detection Bands: X Band K Band Ka Band Laser
- Alert type: Audio / Visual
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User ReviewRead All Reviews »
A More Than Sensible Detector...
Pros
A Top performer in detection; Clear Display; Clear Voice
Cons
"Dim" too bright at night; Mounting can be a pain
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
Great detector...Best Value, go for it. You need one get it. Just remember a detector can't save you all the time.
Beltronics has produced a second rate performance, but first-rate value detector for many years. With the New 900 series second-rate detection is now near first rate.
Recently, Beltronics has been integrated into the Escort Company. A new product line-up could be in the works for the future. With the New DSP (Digital Signal Processing) chips, many achievements in detection are possible. The combination of minds from two companies could provide a better performer.
The Bel 980 detector has had a lot of controversy surrounding it. With the introduction of the Escort 8500, many reviews have placed second in the field. The 980 has a top rate Ka performance, and strong K performance. X band is too near top performance, though X band is near extinct.
The Detector:
....is in the standard Black color that many other detectors come. It has a 4-button setup for the controls. Your Power, Dark, Audio, and City. The unit has a BRIGHT RED texted display for clear viewing during the bright sunny days that can plague other detectors. The unit has the Rear laser placed on the top-left of the unit. And of course has only A frontal view radar antenna with a laser receiver on the left of the ant.
Functions:
The 980 Bel has many features companying it. It has different startup modes. The Standard with all radar bands, Laser, SWS (Safety Warning Systems) and Voice Alerts. The MODS setting, which is what the driver needs for his/her driving needs. I.E. Defeating the radar band(s) not in the state or city, for less non-police Alerts. The 980 also provides a Voltage Meter and Voltage Alert; for when the voltage is too low or too high for the unit to operate. If the Voice Alert on radar or SWS is not needed, the unit can be changed with no voice.
Performance
What everyone wants to know....Range/Falsing
Bel 980- X band best 1.25 miles
Val 1 - X band best 1.45 miles
Bel 980- K band best 3.35 miles hwy/0.80-.6 avg cty
Val 1 - K band best 3.75 miles hwy/1.00-.7 avg cty
Bel 980- Ka band seen 1.00 mile
Val 1 - Ka band seen 1.00 mile
Rear performance on the Valentine is stronger than the Bel 980 with the Rear-facing Antenna on the Valentine. In Ka band the Bel provides a strong performance on the 35.5GHz low power radar gun. But 34.7GHz Photo Radar and Stalker, the Valentine give more response time.
Falsing on the 980 can be different from model to model. Meaning different software 980's false differently than others. I had an early 980(sold it) and a current friend had purchase a 6-8 month model later. My unit would false wildly near cell towers as his would be quieter.
Other than model difference, the 980 would provide less false alerts than the Valentine.
Conclusion:
For around $230-250 the Bel 980 provides strong numbers for the price. If voice is not a needed feature then the 970 Bel Vector LR is your detector. The Escort 8500 gives comparable numbers plus a few than the 980. With the Software upgrade, a 2 Year Warranty, and the price the 980 is the BEST BANG for the BUCK.
Recently, Beltronics has been integrated into the Escort Company. A new product line-up could be in the works for the future. With the New DSP (Digital Signal Processing) chips, many achievements in detection are possible. The combination of minds from two companies could provide a better performer.
The Bel 980 detector has had a lot of controversy surrounding it. With the introduction of the Escort 8500, many reviews have placed second in the field. The 980 has a top rate Ka performance, and strong K performance. X band is too near top performance, though X band is near extinct.
The Detector:
....is in the standard Black color that many other detectors come. It has a 4-button setup for the controls. Your Power, Dark, Audio, and City. The unit has a BRIGHT RED texted display for clear viewing during the bright sunny days that can plague other detectors. The unit has the Rear laser placed on the top-left of the unit. And of course has only A frontal view radar antenna with a laser receiver on the left of the ant.
Functions:
The 980 Bel has many features companying it. It has different startup modes. The Standard with all radar bands, Laser, SWS (Safety Warning Systems) and Voice Alerts. The MODS setting, which is what the driver needs for his/her driving needs. I.E. Defeating the radar band(s) not in the state or city, for less non-police Alerts. The 980 also provides a Voltage Meter and Voltage Alert; for when the voltage is too low or too high for the unit to operate. If the Voice Alert on radar or SWS is not needed, the unit can be changed with no voice.
Performance
What everyone wants to know....Range/Falsing
Bel 980- X band best 1.25 miles
Val 1 - X band best 1.45 miles
Bel 980- K band best 3.35 miles hwy/0.80-.6 avg cty
Val 1 - K band best 3.75 miles hwy/1.00-.7 avg cty
Bel 980- Ka band seen 1.00 mile
Val 1 - Ka band seen 1.00 mile
Rear performance on the Valentine is stronger than the Bel 980 with the Rear-facing Antenna on the Valentine. In Ka band the Bel provides a strong performance on the 35.5GHz low power radar gun. But 34.7GHz Photo Radar and Stalker, the Valentine give more response time.
Falsing on the 980 can be different from model to model. Meaning different software 980's false differently than others. I had an early 980(sold it) and a current friend had purchase a 6-8 month model later. My unit would false wildly near cell towers as his would be quieter.
Other than model difference, the 980 would provide less false alerts than the Valentine.
Conclusion:
For around $230-250 the Bel 980 provides strong numbers for the price. If voice is not a needed feature then the 970 Bel Vector LR is your detector. The Escort 8500 gives comparable numbers plus a few than the 980. With the Software upgrade, a 2 Year Warranty, and the price the 980 is the BEST BANG for the BUCK.
