Beltronics BEL 980 Radar Detector

Pros: - Can disable separate bands. - Great detection - Good price compared to others
Cons: - Even though Bel boasts its software upgradibility, there have been no upgrades issued/available!

I have had my Bel 980 since the start of the summer... just in time for all the traps to come out and start collecting money from the public.

Where I live, the majority of speed traps are photo radar vans, using K-band (24.125 GHz) to catch...

Pros: $230 at etronics.com. ->Rarely falses when X band is turned off.
Cons: ->No external display for steering console like Passport 8500.

Well, like many others, I considered the Passport 8500 and V1. I felt this was a good value between ...

Pros: Excellent Detection, Design, and Features
Cons: False alarms in K & X bands.

If you are looking for a good radar detector for a medium budget, then you should check this one out. The first day I got it I tested it out and it worked like a champ. I haven't had any other radar detectors, but to me, from all the reviews I read,...

Pros: display, reliability, styling
Cons: none

In a recent 120 mile trip, I can upon eight state troopers scattered about. The Bel 980 was superb in alerting me as I came up on them. The features of this unit are great. It has 7 driver selectable/programmable features that allow you to set it the...

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

I have 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 save often from the cops in the radar detector banned land - Ontario, Canada. ...

Pros: Sensitivity, Sensitivity, and more Sensitivity. Nothing else matters in the radar game.
Cons: Pricey (not that I care!), and false alarms caused by other radar detectors.

I recently retired from a major metropolitan police department, having served in the Traffic Division as a motorcycle sergeant and traffic lieutenant. After 28 years in law enforcement, especially in the radar vs. radar detector end of the business,...

Pros: A Top performer in detection; Clear Display; Clear Voice
Cons: "Dim" too bright at night; Mounting can be a pain

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...

Pros: Runs with the best of the pack, at a fraction of the cost.
Cons: Still has false alarms, and has a learning curve. Rear detection is weak.

I've had the Bel 980 since 2002, and previously owned many models of cheaper detectors (below $150). After years of false alarms and poor warning from the cheap detectors, I can comparatively say that the Bel 980 is far, far superior. The problem with ...

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: 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: 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: 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: Outstanding design and sensitivity, great features.
Cons: None really...highly recommended

I've been a Bel radar detector owner for over 10 years now. With each new model I've purchased I discovered improvement after improvement. My last model was the Bel 855sti. It was a great unit but it was a few years old and I wanted to be sure I had...

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: 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...