The Worthy Cordless......
Written: Sep 03 '01
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Pros: No Cord; Mounting System; Visual ID; MEMORY
Cons: Ka falsing; Audio Level; Lower Sensitivity without cord; Basic Features
The Bottom Line: If Cordless is needed, the 945i is the unit to buy. But opt for the newer 946i or Circuit City's Express Li Signature Model.
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| A-RDR-GUY's Full Review: BEL 945i Radar Detector |
From the early 80s Beltronics has produced some adequate detectors, but Cincinnati Microwaves (Escort) was the Top Dog of this Era. During the late 80s Escort and Beltronics have battling for Top honors in the Cordless Lineup.
At this time Escort had produced the Original Solo, Solo 4 and Solo 5. Beltronics was producing the Quantum Cordless Model. As the Solo RD-5110 hit the Market, the 945i hit the Market as well in the Mid 90s. At the Same time Radio Shack slapped its name on this model from Bel.
The Bel 945i operates either on 2-AA Batteries or a 12Volt Power Cord. The Batteries last about 14-16 hours. The Power Cord improves performance by 5-10%.
With the Bel 945i, this unit offers Standard X, K ,Ka and Laser Protection. This Unit provides a somewhat chance of Vg-2 evasion. Bel also provided this unit with SWS alerts.
The Display on the unit is ample for reading Band ID and Signal Meter. A Green Flashing Highway or Yellow City, for filtering mode and Pilot Light. Red Battery indicator light, which provides a warning when battery is depleting. Red Laser is for if and when LIDAR/Laser targets your Vehicle. Red K and Ka which is for the greater threat ID; as a yellow X light which is for a warning for either a Radar threat or a Automatic door. At this time, K band Automatic doors were rare to find. The Threat counter are 1,2,3,4 and Flashing for Instant On and Full straight Alert.
The options on the 945i is small but Standard. Volume Control operated by holding the P/V button for up to a 81 decibel sound. DRK button provides A dim and a dark (pilot light flashing only) mode. AUD button allows for manual muting for the moments the detector alerts at a shopping center or smoky running radar next to you. CTY button feature is to select city filtering or to revert back to Highway mode.
The other selectable features the 945i allows for is Vg-2 operation and SWS selection. By holding the CTY button and then P/V, brings you into the two mode Selection. X ID is lit and 1(Vg-2) and 2(SWS) meter bar: Flashing is for unselected and Steady is Selected Feature.
The Mounting Setup for the 945i is the Windshield mount and Visor clip. The Windshield mount is the Bel unique designed and adjustable windshield mount. This allows for Horizontal and Vertical adjustment on different manufactured vehicles. The Visor Mount is the Standard Clip on most Bel detectors today but a little bigger mount. This is for States that disallows any item to hang for the Windshield or within 4” from top or bottom.
Falsing from the 945i is poor on the Ka band side. It picks up other detectors, like Whistler and Uniden produced detectors.
Detection on the Unit is better than the Escort Solo RD-5110. The K band and Ka band is strong on pickup than the Solo.
Battery Field Numbers:
X band- Unavailable
K band- 1/3-1/2 city; 1/2-3/4 Highway
Ka band (34.7)-1/4 -1/3 City; 1/3- 1/2Highway
Ka band (35.5)- 1/8 - 1/4 City; 1/4 Highway
This unit is Not made for a 10-15mph+
The 945i is not fully made to operate on a Motorcycle. The 945iM allows for a Earpiece and a Radar Reflector when in the pocket of the Motorcyclist. The Newer 946i/Express Li (Circuit City Model) improves overall band sensitivity for all bands.
If a Cordless model is needed, then get the Bel 945i, but really opt for the Newer 946i.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
A-RDR-GUY
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 - Top 1000 |
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Member: Eric D
Location: Southeastern, Virginia
Reviews written: 32
Trusted by: 33 members
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