Beltronics BEL 980 Radar Detector

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: 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: Loaded with features, excellent range
Cons: Too many false alarms, complex operation

I purchased a Bel 980 in November of 2000 based on the favorable reports I had seen on the internet and in magazines. I drive approximately 180 miles round trip to work and back and spend a lot of time exceeding the posted speed limits so a quality...

Pros: Sensitivity, Selectivity, Anti-falsing, Upgradable, Highly Configurable
Cons: Price, Highly Configurable

*** UPDATED 7 MArch 02 ****

While I stand by my review that the BEL980 is a solid unit, I feel it is only right to note that I have replaced my BEL980 with a Valentine One detector. You can see my (shorter) review on that product as well here...

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: Upgradeable Technology, Super Sensitive, City-All Mode
Cons: False Laser, SWS

When I decided I wanted to buy a radar detector, I figured I should do some research first. I ran some searches on the Internet to locate the best radar detectors. There is really a lot of helpful and useful information out there once you get past all...

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: 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: Exceptional Range, Strengh Indicator, Audio Level
Cons: None -- This is built SOLID

Let me start off by saying that I have have reviewed almost every detector on the market. I visited Motor Trend's 2001 radar detector buying guide, speedzones.com, radartest.com among many others. Like almost everybody interested in owning a...

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: digital voice is cool, easy navigation through menu options.
Cons: Constant Ka false alarms, city all mode stinks, hard to attach to windshield.

Thought I did enough research on this detector to justify spending the money for it, but was way off on my expectations. I got it for $268 online and was pleased till I put it in my truck. The thing will false over anything, and not just the annoying...

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: 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: Excellent sensitivity, Voice alert, Filter options.
Cons: False alarms, False alarms and more False alarms.

I recently purchased a Bel 980, Escort 8500, and V1. The detectors where put through their paces and subjected to a few batteries of test that I feel are important to me.

The first test was K-band (HR-12) test. In this test I drove the test...

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: 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.

Doesnt give off alot of false alarm warnings and is very good on highway. I think it is the best radar detector I have ever owned. I never have been able to get it to say much besides the bands. When I go through a school zone it never has said a word and it is supposed to and also when an ambulance is near it never has told me that either. Maybe I dont know how to work it but I have read the manual and I am no dummy. I just dont think it does that part very good.

I have owned a few other brands with useless features that have nothing to do with detecting radar. But if you are looking for a detector that really detects this is the one. p.s. if you want even more sensitivity look into purchasing the Bel 985, it doesnt get any better than this.

Bel 980 is one of the best units on the market. It has great range and its digital voice is its best feature. If you feel you cannot read the small display in the sun, then just listen to the digital voice. Helps you keep your eyes on the road and not the detector!!!! On a scale of 1-10 its a "8" .... Good job beltronics. Sincerly, W.S. Steagall

This detector has saved me from countless speeding tickets. It has great range and gives me ample time to slow down before its too late! Unlike many detectors that I previously owned, the Bel 980 is the real deal! My radar is wired into my vehicle and mounted on the windshield. Unlike some detectors, my radar stays put even with all the bumpy roads in my city. I definitely have and will continue to recommend this radar detector to any prospective purchasers.