Beltronics Vector 995

Reviewers say the Beltronics Vector 995 detects radar about as well as other midrange radar detectors, including the critics' favorite Beltronics RX 65 (*Est. $300), at a lower price. The Vector 995 skips a few of the RX 65's features, but users and experts like the features it does include. These include a city mode (to reduce in-town false alarms from non-police radar sources) and basic voice alerts. The cheaper Beltronics Vector 955 (*Est. $175) includes these features and offers the same performance at a lower price, experts say. But the Vector 995 does include some features the 955 lacks, such as a display that shows the radar frequency detected (allowing an astute observer to guess whether it's detecting a real cop or, say, an automatic door) and autoscan mode, which automatically adjusts to false-alarm conditions.

Users say the Vector 995 provides good advance warning of real radar threats, and it is more reliable than cheap detectors. But the Vector 995 performs inconsistently in expert tests. Some sources find it extremely sensitive, detecting radar from more than five miles away.

The Beltronics Vector 995 is included in the radar detector test at GuysOfLidar.com, which is one of the most exhaustive and data-driven tests we have found. RadarTest.com also thoroughly examines the Vector 995, rating it against four less expensive detectors. LaserVeil.com ranks the Vector 995 against other detectors, but its write-up is brief. Users who post reviews at Amazon.com offer their opinions of the Vector 995, based on experience.