With 2x mobile Gatso zaps & now (today), one handheld laser zap, now is the time for a Radar detector.

Q: Is the Bell the one to get & which exact model is the best. Also, where is the best place to buy it please?

Nick,

i fancy the Bel 990 (Laser, X, K Ku and Ka bands), and it is UKP450 from Networx Ltd. - however in the US it is only USD300, or about UKP200.

Either price, if it can help stop _your_ next ticket, it is probably worth it, but i don't like paying so much over the odds just by be being a Brit.

Anyone know where you can get the Bell 990 in the UK cheaper?

mb

p.s. The Canine Gonads is supposed to be the Valentine One, but at UKP580, and with a display designed for LHD cars, i am not so sure.

Check the back pages of EVO for the Bel 990 they are in there for 350.

I have a Valentine1, paid £270 for it in the US, wouldnt dream of paying £580 for it.

I think the Bel has the upper hand now since they use a new technology.

That said - Nick - they are all crap for laser !! laser is an instant lock !! Good for GATSOS, useless against truvelo and SVPD (or whatever the average speed thing is) and VASCAR.

so is £400 vfm against GATSOS ? Please don't start another yes it is no it isnt war anyone..

The Bell 990 is not out yet, it was withdrawn from sale, I know not why, apparently its back out in a few weeks. I for one will be buying from the States. As good as the Valentine but half the price (almost) !

Thanks for the replies guys. Isn't there a specific Euro version of the Bell unit?

I have had a detector before, so I know how they work. I think that my problem is the mobile gatso's & also I think that if the Police are zapping various a number cars you have a chance to pick it up.

My main query is the EXACT Bell model to get & also recomendations on sources & prices.

Nick
Bel do a european spec version of their 855 series. Presumably the 900 will be even more reliable.
Anyway,contrary to popular opinion the 855 is effective for laser (Best to date 0.75 mile)as long as you are not the lead car ( you have no chance then) http://bbs.scoobynet.co.uk/frown.gif
Main difference with the 900 is it also detects on the wavebandof the new minigatsos.
Talk to Leading Edge Concepts,(back of EVO)
very helpful (no connection just a satisfied customer with no tickets)

John

Nick,

i think that the "UK" or "euro" models are a bit of marketing hype. When it comes down to it, you gotta detect the radio waves (or laser) on certain frequencies - end of story. Supposedly the UK now only use K-band and Laser (according to Networx), but _i_ would rather have as much coverage as possible.

Try visiting

What ever you get, make sure that you get one that picks up Mini Gatso.
This is a rectangular box on a tripod, 3' high linked to the cop car via command wire.
I do not believe US models can pick this up, but it is used here. I have seen it in Berkshire and Hampshire.
However, my info maybe out of date now.

I went through the whole US vs Euro thing about a year ago and ended up getting a Bel 855 from Radar Guys in the US. It was a lot cheaper initially but then I got a big bill from HM Customs & Excise which evened it out a bit...

Anyway, because the US model detects X band it goes off at virtually every traffic light. My brain has learnt to filter out the X band alert beep but its still a bit self-defeating. Otherwise it's excellent - works really well for the variable speed limits on the M25.

What I really need is some way to defeat the X band...

I've been using a BEL990 since my ban was finished.
Got it for £320, from pages of Evo, as Ian said.
It has warned me a couple of times on Gatsos but I've yet to come across a mini gatso.
Well worth the money, my last fine was £500.
Had I had a BEL990 then, they wouldn't have got me.
Steve

I have a BEL Vector Europe which has already saved points on my licence. Bought it from Radar Express.

Believe me, the laser detection works.
Last year the thing went balistic when it picked up a police laser gun between Gloucester and Swindon.
I did an emergency "stop" (ABS cut in at about 85 in an almost empty 70 zone, although road was damp!)
Spotted policeman who had the gun pointed at me - he then moved to Mondeo which had been consistantly the same distance behind me for several miles.
A few miles later I noticed the car behind being pulled over.

Lucky escape

Paul L

[This message has been edited by PaulL (edited 23-02-2000).]

Get cruise control fitted so you can 'relax' in 'unsafe' areas and only speed when/where its 'safe' to do so.
You do seem to have been 'caught' far too often!
Cheers,
Dieter

Dieter

Cruise control is not available on the Turbo any more. I find that I am able to drive at the speed I choose to be safe - without electronic aid.

By 'safe' I was referring to getting caught speeding. Definately NOT implying your driving is unsafe/dangerous.

There was a thread on fitting aftermarket c/control. Didn't note the outcome though.

You have been caught speeding 3 times though (your facts). Perhaps there should be a poll of who'se got the most/least/worst/best speeding offences etc.?

Cheers,
Dieter

I have had a Bel vector Long range for 6 mths now and it is SUPERB http://bbs.scoobynet.co.uk/smile.gif

Excellent Gatso detection, and I mean 300 metres plus and laser detection too.

Thoroughly recommended!

Jon.

Dieter

You almost got me on my cardboard box... http://bbs.scoobynet.co.uk/wink.gif

I do not commute, but am self employed & therefore driving around at all times during the day time. I therefore seem to be at a higher risk than some people.

I also er... tend to make progress quite often....

Nick,
A question?
If c/control is an electronic aid what is a radar detector?

IMO only c/control can give 100% protection v speeding.

I never/don't understood/stand why Imprezas are not suited for c/control which is now available for the Forester turbo for not much more than the price of a detector!

Cheers,
Dieter

Dieter

When I need c/c to make me go a certain speed, then I'll give up & drive a Beemer! http://bbs.scoobynet.co.uk/wink.gif

My US pal was in the UK last year. While I was driving around he commented how everyone seemed to be better drivers than in the US. he felt that with c/c, auto boxes, wide straight roads & 55 limits, most of the drivers in the US were practically asleep while driving.

Dieter,

Cruise control cannot give 100% protection from speeding. It still requires the driver to set it for the current limit.

Nick might want to volunteer to test out the GPS/CDROM based speed limiting system that forces the car to obey the limit, regardless of the drivers actions? I thought not! http://bbs.scoobynet.co.uk/wink.gif

Nick: Maybe see you sunday... http://bbs.scoobynet.co.uk/smile.gif

Moray

[This message has been edited by MorayMackenzie (edited 24-02-2000).]

Moray - nice one! http://bbs.scoobynet.co.uk/wink.gif

If I decide to exceed the speed limit - it's a conscious decision - I don't "speed" by accident.....

Nick, Moray,

Which requires a brain! Which is also required to ascertain the likeliehood of getting caught speeding (spotting speed detecting devices/police etc.)

I can't see the point of moaning about being caught speeding if this is a deliberate.

Cheers,
Dieter

Dieter

I'm not moaning about getting caught. I was asking about radar detectors.

Guys - FYI

I have ordered a Bel 990 from Radar Express for £350 (advertised in Evo). I spoke to Leading Edge who seemed very uninterested & were basically unhelpful, I was put on hold for no apparant reason at least 3 times during the 3 minute call. They did not suggest the 990 & instead suggested the VLR. Radar Express were very knowledgable & helpful. There is a supply problem with the 990 because of a take-over of Bell in the US. The new owners are changing their distribution network. This means that the 990 & other models will be in short supply for a while. Radar Express have about 10 left, Leading Edge have none - but lots of old stock VLR's....

Nick,

Fair point. Just suggesting a possible alternative.
Happy 'detecting'

Cheers,
Dieter

Update on my 'speed trap victim' post - 5pts (ouch) and £150 fine. Bel 990 now on order having spent 3 miserable f*****g hours in Blackburn Magistrates Court for doing 87 in a 60 limit.
Cheers Fatty - any chance you could get the police to catch a few real criminals?
Yours irately.....
BigMalc

Where did you buy the 990 Malc?

bigmalc,

how come you had to attend court? I thought that unless you were doing more than 30mph about the limit, you just admitted guilt and waited for the expensive letter to arrive. Three hours in court (plus time and travel) probably costs more in your own time off work etc; than the actual fine!

mb

p.s. it seems that the Lancashire police have "cottoned on" to the easy money from catching speeders.