Beltronics V995 Vector Radar and Laser Detector (Black/Silver)

Click the image to get a closer look at the Vector 995's features.

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.

Choose the standard display mode for a graphic representation of radar threats...

...Or use the "Tech Display" to see the exact frequency of incoming signals.

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

• No included SmartCord
• Slightly more false alarms when measured against Escort 8500 X50

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