Beltronics BEL 980 Radar Detector

Pros: Easy to use, great features
Cons: Pricey

This radar detector is well worth the money that you will pay for it. I have never experienced range this good from any other detector. With a minimum of "false alarms", you can be sure that if this thing goes off you better slow down....

Pros: High reputation, Great warning range, Customizable features, Signal Strength
Cons: False Alarms, "Chirping"

There's always the moral or ethical question when it comes to radar detectors. "If you wouldn't speed, you wouldn't need a radar detector" people always tell me. Well, I see things just a little different. There is no question as to why Law...

Pros: Sensitivity, False Alarm avoidance, upgradability, solid build, quick release
Cons: Very few nitpickings, not worth mentioning - OK - suction cups could be improved.

I had a natural aversion to Bel radar detectors as I had a very unfortunate experience with the Bel 7 series detector - the thing just would not shut-up. Though it did provided some level of comfort from the cops in the radar detector banned land -...

Pros: Sensitivity, options, upgradeable.
Cons: Power cord could always be a little longer, but that's about all.

I purchased this unit after a couple months of research on radar detectors. I've had some of the other name brands over the years, which eventually go out of style after a new radar band comes out. One of the big things about this unit is that it's...

Pros: Bright display, distinct sound, sensitivity
Cons: False alarms, mounting, weight

I bought 980 about in April 2001. 3 months and 7000 miles later I have both, some good and some bad things to say about 980.
To set the record straight I live in NYC, so it is tough for any radar detector to do a good job because of all the...

Pros: Digital Voice; Clear Text; Sensitive; Safety Warning System; Sleek
Cons: Pricey, False Alarms gets annoying

This is a great device. The sensitivity of this detector is a little too good. It picks up other radar detectors if you're driving behind a car that has one. That gets a little annoying. But I always set it on Highway anyways. The Safety Warning...

Pros: Too many to list....
Cons: Honestly, compared to the other detectors on the market, there aren't any cons.

I have been a Beltronics customer since I purchased an old 800 series detector, then I moved up to a Bel 855sti.... now I own a Bel 980 (since 3 months ago). Whenever I purchase any piece of electronic equipment, I always perform extensive research to...

Pros: Very sensitive
Cons: Too very sensitive

Bought the BEL 980 based on reviews. Maybe the performance is exceptional, but it picks up EVERYTHING which radiates waves. From NYC to Montreal it falsed constantly - yes it did save my vehicular-licensed butt a couple of times, but it put my marriage...

Pros: strong detection range
Cons: Ka falsing a little

The bel-980 is the best radar detector I think because I have one and it picks up great? I went out of town with this radar detector and I was pleased with the results? I went to California-Texas and I was pleased? I feel if you want you money worth buy...

Pros: Great sensitivity. Excellent detection of Ka Band. Programmable features.
Cons: False alarms. Setting controls confusing.

I decided to buy a radar detector after getting 2 speeding tickets 2 days in a row by the same cop in the same spot. Tough luck I know. I did a lot of research on finding the best radar detector. There are 3 radar detectors that stand above the rest....

Pros: Range, Features, Looks, Sensitivity
Cons: Too sensitive at times(False Alarms)

Well I don't want to say this is a bad radar. It detects from very far away, and when there is a cop I have plenty time to stop. But the only problem is that by the time you realize that its not another false alarm, the radar is already in the 6/9 stage....

Pros: Great unit when the cord allows it to work.
Cons: The cords!! I've had two units and both of them had a cord problem.

I Love my Bel 980 Radar Detector with Shadow Technology. It seems to be working great but does have a great many false alerts.

The problem I am having is the power cord. One end fits in the cigarette lighter, and the other goes into the detector itself. It doesn't fit correctly in the detector; is very loose, and is CONSTANTLY shutting the unit off!! Then it has to go through the "Start Phase," over and over and over. It drives me nuts and won't stay on long enough to be able to use it. Previous to this Bel 980, I had a Bel Super wide band 745 and it was EXACTLY the same way. It looks like to me it is either the end of the cord that connects into the receptacle of the detector, or it's the receptacle on the unit itself, where the cord plugs into it, that is the problem. I really need some help on this problem as at this point, I can't even hardly use it.

Pros: Excellent warning Time on straight aways, corners, over hills, and from rear approach.
Cons: False alarm on X band,sometimes receive false alarms from other detectors

It's been 5 years since I purchased my BEL 980. I have driven over 200,000 miles, for example, my Volvo had 180,000 at the time of purchase (now 264,000 miles), my V-8 Dodge Dakota had 60,000 miles (now 115,000), I've put 6000 miles on my CL-500 (used only on long trips, once did a 200 mile trip in 2hrs 15mins 95 ), my Passat 40,000 ) 2 Hilanders later another 20,000 wife's vehicle).

Need I say more, the best I've owned.

Though my 980 still works my audio stopped working, good excuse to get a new one, so it's "Graduation Time", will let you know how the RX65 compares.

Pros: DETECTS A LITTLE MORE THAN A MILE AWAY, CONTROLLING IT TO YOUR OWN LEVEL.
Cons: ONLY DOES FALSE ALARMS ON K AND X , NOT Ka THE IMPORTANT ONE.

LETS JUST SAY IM STILL IN COLLEGE AND I DONT LIKE WASTING TIME, BELTRONICS PAYED OF 1ST WEEK SPRING BREAK. NOT PAYING FOR SPEEDING TICKETS, PAYING TO HAVE FUN IS BETTER. I DID NOT GO WRONG PURCHASING BEL 980

The design for mounting the unit to the windshield is plastic and a holding screw does not stay tight. I used Locktite on the screw and found the next day the unit was dangling. I wrote Bel about what I considered a design problem and they promply sent a new assembly. I mounted the unit to the windshield and it was a day or two of vibration and it was loose. I again applied Locktite to the threads and snugged the screw tight. The next day again the plastic around the screw head was shattered. Red LED display is very small, impossible to read in sunlight. Bel display is left of center so that a driver on the left does not get the clear view. The jack is on the wrong side for the US market. The power cord pulls across the front screen. My previous detector has a paper style display and is easy to read in light and dark conditions. It was larger and lighter for its volume. The Bel 980 bounces from your windshield. The Bel engineering is deficient.